Exercise Therapy For The Spine
By
By: James Perry, DO
What is Therapeutic Exercise or Exercise Therapy?
Therapeutic exercise is a form of care used to treat painful joints and soft tissue in the body. It is used by physical therapists and occupational therapists to address functional limitations with patients. When it comes to treating the spine, Exercise Therapy is the leading form of conservative care. Therapeutic exercise includes 2 primary components: stretching and strengthening.
Image of a woman exercising outdoors
Why Are Stretching and Strengthening Important?
The 2 key components to spine health are Mobility and Stability. Mobility is vital to allow us to bend, sit, stand, and walk. Stability is important to keep the bones in the spine (vertebrae) in the correct position while we move. Stretching helps to increase mobility in the spine. Strength training helps to increase spinal stability. To learn more about the anatomy of the spine, please go to this VIDEO.
Image of spinal segments
The spine has 3 major sections that are evaluated when a patient has neck or back pain. These include:
- Cervical Spine (neck) – The neck is a mobile section of the spine so therapeutic exercises typically focus on mobility.
- Thoracic Spine (upper back) – The thoracic spine is more rigid because it has ribs attached to it at each level. Therapeutic exercises are typically focused on mobility of the joints and rib attachments.
- Lumbar Spine (lower back) – The lumbar spine has a mix of stability and mobility so exercises tend to focus on both.
In the majority of patients, the first line of treatment that we recommend is conservative care with physical therapy. (if there are no emergent issues)
How Does Rehab Physical Therapy help with Spine Issues?
Exercise Therapy for the Spine
Therapy for spine issues incorporates several steps.
- Outpatient physical therapy – This incorporates an evaluation and treatment by a physical therapist. The physical therapist with develop a plan of care that may include strength and stretching exercises, education, and even manual therapy as needed.
- Home Exercise Program – The therapist will create a customized exercise program for the patient to perform at home between sessions. Consistency with the Home Exercise program is is vital to success with conservative care
- Continued Exercise Program – Once a patient discontinues regular therapy sessions, it is important that they continue to perform their exercise program. A regular weekly exercise program is recommended and it should typically be performed 4 to 5 times per week.
Watch this VIDEO about JOI’s Fast Track Spine Program to help get you on the road to recovery.
Why Should I Try Conservative Care or Exercise Therapy for Spine Issues?
Woman performing Exercise Therapy
The quick answer is that in most people, it works! Adding therapeutic exercises can address the underlying conditions that lead to spine issues. Therapeutic exercise, combined with medications at times can help to get you back to the activities that you love.
If you want to learn more about innovative Robotic Spine Procedures at JOI, please read this ARTICLE.
Book an Appointment with The Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute Today!
JOI Physicians continue to offer online new patient appointments. This is another option to make it more convenient to make new patient appointments with less phone hold times. Follow the link below to select your JOI MD and schedule online.
You can still call 904-JOI-2000 to make new patient JOI Physician Appointments if that is your preference.
To make appointments with JOI Rehab, please call 904-858-7045.