The Top 5 Reasons Why a Physical Therapist IsThe Best Practitioner for Lower Back Pain

Finding the right professional or type of treatment for lower back pain can be very confusing. There are so many options and it can be difficult to understand which one will be the best fit for your unique circumstance and body. There are orthopedic doctors, surgeons, pain specialists, chiropractors, trainers, wellness clinics and on and on. And, there is a never ending string of possible stretches and exercises posted on line. How do you know which ones to do? I'm here to explain why a physical therapist might be your best choice and always a great place to start!

1. Clinical Practice Guidelines

Physical therapists have established and published clinical practice guidelines based upon current research and published literature with the aim of reducing variability of care to better represent evidence-informed approaches. This is one way to improve the quality of care for people with lower back pain. The evidence on low back pain is synthesized to allow a clinician to be directed towards assessment and treatment options with higher levels of evidence supporting them.

2. Arsenal of assessments and treatments

Physical therapy for lower back pain involves a comprehensive assessment including movement and task analysis, strength testing, range of motion/flexibility testing and special tests to assist in localizing the source of pain. You can also expect your physical therapist to review your medical history, pain patterns, prior treatment and lifestyle factors which might contribute to your problem. Then, a personalized treatment plan is developed. Treatment typically includes goal directed active movement, therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, and education. Treatment aims to reduce pain, improve function, prevent future injuries, and reduce the need for surgery and medication use. Treatment is ultimately geared towards what your individual goals are–dancing, weight lifting, or picking up a grandchild for example.

3. You get better

Studies show that physical therapy can work just as well as surgery with fewer unwanted complications. For example, a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine divided 169 people with pain due to stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal) into two groups- one group got surgery right away and a second group initially participated in a specifically designed physical therapy program. According to the results of the study, “Participants in both groups saw benefits as early as 10 weeks after surgery or beginning physical therapy. Their lower back pain continued to decline over four months, while their physical function continued to improve. Two years later, there was no difference in pain or physical function between the surgery and physical therapy groups.” The results of the Annals study suggest that people with lumbar spinal stenosis should first try a well-designed physical therapy program, says Dr. Jeffrey N. Katz, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Julie Fritz, PhD, and colleagues have conducted a series of rigorous randomized clinical trials examining patients with acute back pain, back pain accompanied by sciatica, and back pain due to spinal stenosis. Their recent study found that patients with back pain and sciatica who were referred to physical therapy for treatment with exercise and manual therapy were more likely to rate their treatment as successful and reported significantly greater reductions in pain and disability than patients who were not referred.

In another study published in the Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine in 2023: “According to the results of our critical narrative review, physical activity should be strongly recommended as part of the management of chronic lower back pain. Consistent evidence showed that general exercise, specific exercise interventions and multidisciplinary functional restoration programs reduced pain and improved physical function in people with chronic lower back pain. Exercise reduced pain in the short-term, compared with no exercise, improved function both at the end of treatment and in the long-term compared with usual care, and reduced work disability in the long-term. Exercise was also useful after an episode of low back pain (LBP) to prevent recurrence, reduce the number of recurrences and to reduce the number of days off work in the two years following the initial episode of LBP.”

4. Develop relationship with key ally

A physical therapist acts as a key ally for lower back pain by providing personalized, evidence-based care including manual therapy and specific exercise to increase mobility, strength, coordination and functional task performance capability. They address the root causes of pain rather than just symptoms, often reducing the need for medications and surgery and, assisting in reducing the risk for repetitive injury. And, we love to collaborate with other health care and exercise providers with you to facilitate optimal success.

5. Wholistic approach to health, wellness and maintenance of abilities for life roles.

Physical therapists are increasingly integrating holistic health education to address the whole person, combining traditional rehabilitation with lifestyle management for better outcomes. By focusing on areas like stress management, nutrition, and behavior change, physical therapists can help patients achieve lasting wellness beyond just treating physical symptoms. Transitioning the focus from an expert telling patients what to do to more of a coach who guides them to find their own solutions can improve patient engagement and long term success.

Because Dr. Jill Trato is a RiseUp member, she offers a free 30-minute evaluation to anyone from our community. Just mention RiseUp and she’ll take a look, give you personalized advice, and help you understand what might be causing your pain. Contact Jill here

About Dr. Jill Trato, PT, DPT, NCS: Dr. Jill has been in practice for over 21 years specializing in the differential diagnosis and treatment of balance, neurological, movement and vestibular disorders. In addition, Dr. Jill has completed residency training in Proprioceptive Neurologic Facilitation, extensive training in manual therapy for orthopedic conditions as well as fellowship coursework in the movement sciences applicable to the orthopedic and chronic pain populations.Dr. Jill's approach is whole person focused and efficient. And, she thoroughly enjoys just getting to know you as an individual.

Because Dr. Jill Trato is a RiseUp member, she offers a free 30-minute evaluation to anyone from our community. Just mention RiseUp and she’ll take a look, give you personalized advice, and help you understand what might be causing your pain. Contact Jill here

About Dr. Jill Trato, PT, DPT, NCS: Dr. Jill has been in practice for over 21 years specializing in the differential diagnosis and treatment of balance, neurological, movement and vestibular disorders. In addition, Dr. Jill has completed residency training in Proprioceptive Neurologic Facilitation, extensive training in manual therapy for orthopedic conditions as well as fellowship coursework in the movement sciences applicable to the orthopedic and chronic pain populations.Dr. Jill's approach is whole person focused and efficient. And, she thoroughly enjoys just getting to know you as an individual.