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Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy is often prescribed to treat back pain and sciatica (leg pain). The specifics of the therapy program are done under the supervision of a physical therapist and can include passive or active treatments.

Passive treatments can include ultrasounds, electrical stimulation, ice and hot packs, massage and manipulation. These treatments can help to decrease a patient’s pain in the short term but do not help to increase strength, endurance, or flexibility – the factors that lead to long term improvements in function and decrease in pain.

For active physical therapy, specially trained therapists evaluate a patient’s baseline measures of function, range of motion, endurance, and back strength. The therapist compares these numbers to normal levels based on the patient’s age and ideal body weight and designs an exercise program specifically to increase strength, flexibility and endurance.

Research has shown that passive physical therapy isn’t any more effective than placebo treatments in decreasing back pain long term. However, many clinical research studies have shown that improving strength, flexibility, and endurance in the back, hip, and shoulder girdle muscles decreases back pain over time. It may take up to several months for patients to notice significant improvements in their back pain.

The physical therapists at the OHSU Spine Center are expertly trained in prescribing appropriate exercise for spinal conditions. When patients are confident in their ability to perform these exercises independently, they are transitioned into an independent exercise program. At this point, patients usually note significant decreases in the frequency and severity of their back pain.