Physiotherapy brings together a whole range of treatments (manual techniques, exercises, electrotherapy, thermotherapy, etc.) that your masseur-physiotherapist can offer during your rehabilitation. This health discipline intervenes in the prevention but also in the functional rehabilitation and is particularly interesting in the long-term relief of the back pains. Back pain and role of your physiotherapist If you suffer from low back pain, your doctor will prescribe, in addition to the medical treatments adapted to your case, sessions with a physiotherapist. The content and number of sessions will depend on the cause of your back pain. To relieve pain in the lower back, the health professional will evaluate your diagnosis (with the order of the attending physician and the health examinations done until then) and will conduct a thorough examination of your column and your lifestyle. The rehabilitation from a physical therapy relieves muscle tension and stiffness at first, and rebalances the joint and muscle chains later. The first-line of treatment in physiotherapy is massage, intended to relax muscle contractures. These reflex muscular contractions are caused by pain; by maintaining the inflammations, they contribute at the same time to maintain this pain. This is the vicious circle of back pain. Physical therapy techniques for back pain Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation Several physical therapy techniques have proven efficacy against back pain. The transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS) has an analgesic efficacy demonstrated. Physical therapist for back pain apply the electrodes at different levels of the back, which diffuse a light current. The electrodes provide a sensation of tingling which also has the function of warming the stimulated zone and thus relaxing the muscles. This therapy can be done in the office or alone at home using specific medical devices. Thermotherapy Among the physiotherapy techniques designed to relax contractures and muscle stiffness, thermotherapy can also be a good complement to treatment. In the case of back pain associated with reflex muscular contractures, the application of hot devices (hyperthermia) can bring relief. Ultrasound Therapy As the session progresses, your physiotherapist can offer you ultrasound therapy: thanks to a device emitting ultrasound, it attacks the “stiffness” of the painful areas. This technique of physiotherapy would be effective on the muscular and tendinous attacks: the ultrasounds, by a mechanical and/or thermal effect, cause targeted micro-massages allowing to soften the fibrous zones. This physiotherapy technique has been proven in practice. It is applied to relieve and treat pain early in treatment. It is most often used on patients with chronic muscle relaxation. After one to six sessions, depending on the severity of the pain, the pain may disappear. The practice at home is possible but only if the pain is low or in addition to sessions with a health professional, such as a physiotherapist or an osteopathic doctor. Exercise against back pain Functional rehabilitation also has an important place in the treatment of back pain. Your masseur-physiotherapist will invite you to carry out targeted exercises adapted to your physical condition, in order to maintain the muscular and articular system at first, to reinforce it for the second time. During acute pain, your physiotherapist may, for example, encourage you to practice walking and some daily stretching to maintain muscle and joint flexibility. Once the pain is under control, he will be able to refer to the best exercises to effectively continue your rehabilitation, beyond the office sessions.