Karen Said:

how does physical therapy stretching, exercises etc help a strained back muscle , when it cause even more pain?

We Answered:

Muscles and other tissues in the body go through 3 phases of healing: inflammation, repair and remodeling. Inflammation is pretty self explanatory...its the time when the tissue is inflammed...sending different chemical messengers to the area where different processes are signaled to prepare for the next phase of healing. this usually last a few days. The next stage is repair. The body actually starts to lay down tissue to repaired microscopically injured areas. However, when the body lays down this tissue, it is done in a disorganzied fasion. This leads to an inferior scar that is not strong enough or flexible enough. However, during this phase, if stressed TOO hard, the repair will become disrupted and you'll revert back to inflammation. Therefore, careful monitoring of the pain response is essential to prevent delayed recovery. Repair phase continues on for about 6-8 weeks. After that, the remodeling phase occurs. The repair is complete, but the body can start to help the scar mature by receiving tensile loading forces (ie, stretching or strengthening). As the body begins to get this input, the body signals the tissue to convert the scar to a more mature form of collagen. This process can take several weeks to months...and in some cases, years.

Once in the repair phase, gentle, controlled stresses can begin to properly orient collagen fibers so that the scar is beginning to become more organzied. By the time repair phase is complete, the body should be ready to begin more vigerous loading for the remodeling phase. Therefore, controlled, intermittent stresses are imperative to ensure a repair that is mature and strong.

However, if you are in pain the day after the exercises (aside from just general muscle soreness), you may be being pushed too hard and are reverting back to inflammation. Discuss with the therapist.

Nicholas Said:

Physical therapy-type exercises for mid-back?

We Answered:

Disclaimer: Do not perform these exercises unless cleared by an MD or PT. Do not perform these exercises if they increase your pain or cause other symptoms to occur.

Prayer stretch:
Kneel on your hands and knees. Keeping your hands where they are, sit back on your heels (keep your head down). You should feel this stretch along the mid back and the sides of the torso. To concentrate on one side only, walk your hands over to the left and then the right.

Genie stretch:
Seated or standing, hold your arms out in front of you and grab your elbows with the opposite hands. Gently pull as if pulling elbows apart. You should feel this stretch across the mid back and shoulder blades.

Doorway stretch:
Stand in an open doorway with your forearms against the frame. Put one foot through the doorway and lean forward. You should feel the stretch across the chest and shoulders. To change this stretch, you can lower or raise the height of your arms.

Chair Rotation stretch:
Seated in a chair with arms, turn your torso as if trying to see behind you. You can put your hands on the arms or back of chair for overpressure. You should feel this stretch on the sides of your torso.

Neck stretch:
Place your right hand behind your head and bend your head to the left. You can place your left hand on your head to apply GENTLE overpressure. Also try this while looking down to the left. Repeat to other side. You should feel this stretch along the side and back of the neck.

All stretches should be performed 3-4 repetitions, 20-30 seconds, 2-3 times a day.

Edwin Said:

anybody know any physical therapy exercises(herniated disc)?

We Answered:

A herniated disc is not a muscular problem and is not related to core stability. Therefore, "strengthening" is not only ineffective for short term relief, but there is no physiological reason to do it. Rather, a series of movements and or positioning that seek to restore the joint to a normalized position are usually called for.

Herniations can come from a variety of things such as bending and lifting, but most commonly comes from prolonged sitting. About 90% of my clients cannot recall any specific event that lead to their symptoms.

There is not one specific movement that is meant for everyone, rather your regemine should be based on the results of a thorough mechanical evaluation by a physical therapist, MD or DC. I highly recommend a course of treatment by a certified provider (most likely a PT) and you can find one at: http://www.mckenziemdt.org Most of the time, treatment is very simple and brief taking 6 visits or less, but the evaluation is the key to determining your appropriate response.

Good luck, and please, check out the site.

Amy Said:

where are physical therapy exercises & streaches for lower back?

We Answered:

At the PT clinic so that you can be instructed in how to do them properly so that you don't injure your back anymore.