Clinical Exercise For Lower Back Pain
Back pain is serious
In previous articles we’ve spoken about why you must always treat lower back pain seriously and as the days get shorter and the mornings get colder, it can be difficult to motivate yourself to get outside and get moving in your regular outdoor exercise, which can be detrimental to your back, as regular exercise is essential to keeping your back in good health.
But never fear, there is an effective, warm, indoor alternative to keeping your back in tiptop condition: Clinical Exercise!
Research has shown that people who seek treatment for their acute back pain tend to improve rapidly within the first month1. However, approximately 50% of people with non-specific lower back pain experience symptoms for more than one week with 10% of these people developing chronic pain2.
What causes lower back pain?
There are many causes of low back pain, some examples include:
- Sprains and strains caused by overstretching or tearing muscles and ligaments
- Intervertebral disc degeneration or osteoarthritis
- Ruptured disc
- Sciatica caused by compression of the sciatic nerve
- Spondylolisthesis - slipping of the vertebrae
- A traumatic injury
- Spinal canal stenosis or narrowing
- Skeletal structure irregularities such as scoliosis or lordosis of the spine8
Non-specific lower back pain
Non-specific lower back pain is defined as pain in the lower back that shows no serious underlying issue on diagnostic imaging or other forms of testing1. Degenerative changes such as osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine are considered to be non-specific1.
Over the years many options have been available for the management of lower back pain. However in recent times, it has been shown that therapeutic exercise such as Clinical Exercise considerably decreases pain and improves function in people with chronic lower back pain4.
A recent study showed that when comparing independent exercises vs. supervised exercise programs, the latter dramatically improved function and strength of the lower back5.
The supervised program comprised of strength, stabilisation, and flexibility training and allowed trained physiotherapists to adjust programmes according to the patient’s progress, thus enhancing their rehabilitation5.
How Clinical Exercise exercises help lower back pain
Clinical Exercise is a form of supervised exercise that incorporates stabilisation of the core muscles to increase flexibility, muscle strength and endurance, whilst integrating both posture and balance4. Therefore, Clinical Exercise fundamentally integrates all of the aspects that have shown to improve pain and discomfort experienced with chronic low back pain.
Clinical Exercise is performed on the floor and with specialised equipment such as a reformer or trapeze table. During the mat exercises, participants predominantly lie on their backs or stomach and use gravity to help increase their core strength. Many of the mat exercises are non-weight bearing and can range from amateur to an advanced level of exercise.
The reformer and trapeze table provide varied resistance through the use of specialised springs to aid in strength and endurance training while allowing exercise to be completed in a safe and controlled environment.
Conclusion
If you are experiencing lower back pain, then Clinical Exercise may help you build your core strength to help support your lower back and relieve your pain. Be sure to see your health care professional to make rule out any underlying serious conditions first, and then ask if Clinical Exercise might be right for you.
Phone 1800 694 329 to find you local Back In Motion practice or book a Free Initial Assessment online.
Varsha Bhikha – Physiotherapist, Back In Motion Wantirna South
Hailing from Zimbabwe; Varsha completed her Bachelor of Physiotherapy at Monash University. She has a keen interest in paediatric care and woman’s health – hoping to further study in these areas in the future.
References:
1. Chou, R et al. (2007). Diagnosis and Treatment of Low Back Pain: A Joint Clinical Practice Guideline from the American College of Physicians and the American Pain Society. American College of Physician; 147: 478-491
2. Quittan, M. (2002). Management of back pain. Disability and Rehabilitation; 24(8): 423-434
3. Authoritative Information and Statistics to Promote Better Health and Wellbeing (2015). Retrieved on 3 March 2015.
4. Sorosky, S., Stilp, S., & Akuthota, V. (2008). Yoga and Clinical Exercise in the management of low back pain. Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine; 1(1): 39-47
5. Liddle, S, D., Baxter, G.D., & Gracey, G.H. (2004). Exercise and chronic low back pain: what works? Pain; 107: 176-190
6. Briggs, A. M., & Buchbinder R. (2009). Back pain: A National Health Priority Area in Australia? Medical Journal of Australia; 190(9): 499-502
7. Lim, E. C. W., Poh, R. L. C., Low, A. Y., & Wong, W. P. (2011). Effects of Clinical Exercise –Based Exercises on Pain and Disability in Individuals with Persistent Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis. Journal of Orthopaedic& Sports Physical Therapy;, Vol 41(2): 70-80
8. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2015). Retrieved on 18 March 2015.
9. Rydeard, R., Leger, A. & Smith, D. (2006). Clinical Exercise-based Therapeutic Exercise: Effect on Subjects with Nonspecific Chronic Low Back Pain on Functional Disability: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Orthopaedic& Sports Physical Therapy, Vol 36(7): 472-484