Manual Therapy for Lower Back Pain

You're reading this because you know your lower back's condition. It may be a dull throb, an acute stabbing pain, or tightness and tension consistently present. According to recent statistics, approximately 80% of adults experience lower back pain at some point. Unfortunately, lower back pain is debilitating, preventing you from functioning at work and interfering with daily life.

That's why, when so many seek medication for temporary solutions or even invasive surgery, the manual therapists in Austin at Carter Physiotherapy seek to provide an efficient, non-invasive option tailored to you. We don't want to patch your symptoms; we want to get to the bottom of what's causing them for more extended relief.

In Austin, TX, at Carter Physiotherapy, we realize lower back pain treatment is so much more than a few therapeutic exercises. It requires a professional manual solution that treats the mechanical malfunctions of your spine and the surrounding muscles and tissues.

How Does Manual Therapy for Lower Back Pain Work?

The journey to ultimately fixing those lower back pains at Carter Physiotherapy starts with an in-depth evaluation. The manual therapists in Austin don't just inquire about where it hurts; they want to know why it hurts, in-depth.

Your assessment will include a medical history review, posture and movement analysis, and a full physical examination. Your therapist may also carry out specialized tests so they can diagnose you.

This thorough evaluation is the crucial first step to a personalized lower back pain treatment approach. It ensures that the manual therapists in Austin understand your exact mechanical issue that is causing your lower back pain.

Core Manual Therapy Techniques for Lower Back Pain Relief

Once your low back pain diagnosis is determined, the manual therapists at Carter Physiotherapy will use various specific manual therapy techniques to address the source of your issues. These techniques are always customized and executed with great care and precision, always varying based on your comfort and needs:

Spinal Mobilization and Manipulation

Mobilization and manipulation are manual forces applied to areas of the spine and pelvis. Mobilization involves slow, rhythmic oscillatory movements applied to the joints to improve the range of motion. Conversely, manipulation is a controlled thrust that is applied more quickly with an audible "pop," usually followed by a gentle stretch. The pop is absolutely normal and is known as the release of gas bubbles in the synovial fluid in the joint.

Mobilization and manipulation help to restore joint function, decrease pain, and promote improved posture and function.

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Therapists use their hands to apply specific types of pressure and massage maneuvers to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments surrounding your low back, hips, and even down into your legs. These can range from light stroking to deep kneading and focused friction techniques.

This manual therapy technique decreases muscle spasm and tension, promotes circulation, and helps to break down adhesions from scar tissue.

Myofascial Release (MFR)

This technique involves sustained, gentle pressure to areas of myofascial restriction. The fascia is a dense, web-like connective tissue surrounding and interweaving through your muscles, joints, nerves, and organs.

Areas of restriction in the fascia can actually pull on distant structures, causing pain. MFR helps release that tension and helps promote better flexibility and mobility.

Trigger Point Dry Needling

Dry needling is the insertion of very thin, sterile needles into specific myofascial trigger points designed to elicit a local twitch response. Trigger points are hyperirritable spots in your musculature, which can cause pain, especially when touched. Dry needling helps facilitate muscle relaxation and better functioning of a muscle, providing rapid pain relief.

Muscle Energy Techniques (METs)

These involve you actively contracting a specific muscle against a precise resistance applied by your therapist, followed by a gentle stretch. METs help lengthen tight muscles and improve their potential flexibility. It also helps to mobilize joints and "re-educate" your nervous system, improving muscle coordination and control around the spine.

Why Choose Carter Physiotherapy for Your Lower Back Pain in Austin?

When looking for Austin physiotherapy to relieve your lower back pain, the recovery time may depend on which clinic you choose. Carter Physiotherapy is set apart by our:

Unmatched Manual Therapy Skills
Exclusively One-On-One Treatments
Patient-Centric Approach
Focus on Lasting Results
Exceptional Reviews

In Conclusion

Don't spend another day suffering from low back pain. If you're in Austin, TX, and in need of effective, personalized low back pain treatment, contact the expert Austin manual therapists at Carter Physiotherapy and see how we can help you get moving again, pain-free and back to your regular routine!

Also Read: