June 4th, 2009 
Mike Jones Lower back pain beset Americans to the extent that 80% will suffer from it at some point in their lives. It is one of the most common reasons why people visit the doctor. For many, the problem is more than a passing incident; they need physiotherapy.
Different types of physiotherapy can be useful in the treatment of lower back pain. For one, acupuncture is one of the preferred method to relieve this lower back pain. This is done by having the patient lie face-down on a bed and inserts acupuncture needles at strategic locations at the back. Sometimes it requires several treatments but it’s worth the trouble because the effects of the treatments can usually last for several months.
Massage has its place in relieving lower back pain. Its a physiotherapy though that requires to be administered by an expert. If this is done by a person not so well versed in treating lower back pain, unlikely results may be expected which is contrary to the purpose.
These methods are called passive therapies, or modalities. They are done to the patient and not by the patient. There are other modalities that are also commonly used. Heat and ice packs are a well-known form of passive physiotherapy. They can be used separately, or they can be used alternately by a person who is suffering from acute lower back pain.
There is also the so called transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulater of TENS which can also be used to relieve lower back pain. This works by stimulating specific areas in the back and in effect the patients mind will be focused on the sensations and less feeling of pain will follow. The patient can do this at home if he has a TENS unit.0
Ultrasound is especially useful as a passive therapy for those with acute lower back pain. It delivers heat deep into the muscles of the lower back. This not only relieves pain. It can also speed the healing.
Back exercises may be assigned by a physiotherapist. These exercises will help to relieve lower back pain if one does them correctly and faithfully. The only exception is if the back is in an acute condition requiring emergency care or surgery.
The exercises that will help with lower back pain the most will be assigned and supervised by a physiotherapist. They may be done at home, but it will be necessary to follow instructions and check in with your physiotherapist frequently.
There are exercises for stretching the lower back to gain flexibility and there are exercises to strengthen the muscles of the lower back. one good example for this is having the patient lie down in the prone position and moves his arms and legs as if swimming in water. This gives the surrounding muscles of the lower back a workout.
A lower back pain exercise is strengthening of the midsection thereby supporting the back area, it is called flexion. This can be accomplished by performing a knee-to-chest exercise.
A simple walking exercise is very good in reducing lower back pain as well as preventing it. This is a very simple task but it is effective. Other types of modalities can be effective for some people and not for others. A stronger and flexible back can be expected from exercises. Many people suffering from lower back pain can be relieved by the different kinds and modalities of physiotherapy.
Posted in 
Tags: 
I would just like to add, any new exercises should me monitored by a physiotherapist or someone trained, a wrong technique of exercise can cause a lot of damage.
Physiotherapists can be expensive if you go to them every single time you want to add an exercise. At the same time, one wrong move and the damage done may never be able to be undone. I think it’s a matter of listening to your body and using some common sense. I had tension and cluster headaches caused by way too much computer use. Although my physiotherapist couldn’t persuade me from cutting my time in front of a computer screen, she did give me some wonderful exercise and stretching techniques for my back and neck. As far as I’m concerned, she saved my life. After doing these same exercises for awhile, I added a couple more techniques on my own based on some Internet research I did. I incorporated them slowly. If I felt any pain or discomfort, I would stop.
The one stretching technique for my back which I learned was to lay on top of a rolled up towel. I would roll up a beach towel into a tube shape and lay on top of it with my spine running the length of the “tube”. Of course I had to use a couple of pillows behind my head and I had to use my arms to balance my body, but this one stretching technique cured my tension headaches…hopefully for good.
I still get the odd headache if I spend too much time on the computer…(like now)…but a few minutes on a rolled up towel and I’m good to go…for a while anyways.
Joe
Stretching your back area with excercise really helps you to reduce back pain.Yoga is also good for your all back problems. Regular excercise is must.
I don’t think stretching and exercise to rid your back of pain is just good. I think it’s crucial. Looking after your back with proper stretching techniques and exercise programs can be life saving. I had a protruded disk for seven months. It didn’t herniate, but I was in excruciating pain for what felt like an eternity. I lost a lot of sleep and became very depressed and constantly tense. I was afraid to get out of bed for fear I would fall. I learned my lesson. In fact because of all the lessons I learned from living the type of life I lived, I started this blog as well as a few other health related blogs. I don’t just research and write posts, I learn from what I write.