What is Spondylolisthesis?
Spondylolisthesis occurs when a vertebra slides forward over the vertebra below it. Low back pain or Spondylolisthesis physical therapy program is one of the most effective ways to treat low back pain for 2 main reasons: (1) It helps strengthen the muscles that support your spine. In this way, the load on the spine is reduced and recovery is accelerated. (2) you can learn how to keep your spine safe and prevent it from going further. There are several types and causes of spondylolisthesis;
Congenital spondylolisthesis means the disorder is present at birth. Ismic spondylolisthesis occurs when a defect, such as a fracture, occurs in the bone-supported spinal structure at the back of the spine.
Degenerative spondylolisthesis is more common and often associated with degenerative disc disease, where the discs lose their resistance (for example, due to the effects of aging).
How can spondylolisthesis develop?
The lumbar spine carries most of your body weight at rest and during activity, absorbing and distributing the load. While doing this, he is exposed to pressure in many ways. In other words, while the lumbar spine carries body weight and absorbs the load, it also moves in different directions (e.g. trunk turns, forward bending). Sometimes this combination puts undue pressure on the vertebrae and its supporting structures and can cause a spine to slide forward over the vertebra below it.
Grading of spondylolisthesis
Doctors "rate" the severity of a spondylolisthesis using five descriptive categories. Although there are several factors your doctor considers when assessing lumbar slippage, the rating scale (below) is based on the forward slide of a vertebral object over the underlying vertebra.
Grade I : Less than 25% slip
Grade II: 25% to 49% slip.
III Grade: 50% to 74% slip.
Grade IV: 75% to 99% slip.
V Degree: The vertebra that falls forward from the vertebra below it. This is the most severe type of lumbar shift and is called spondyloptosis.
Lumbar Slipping Physical Therapy Effect | Spondylolisthesis Treatment
Passive Lumbar Slipping Physical Therapy Methods
Deep tissue massage: This technique targets spasms and chronic muscle tension. Our physiotherapists intervene directly in the area of pain to release tension in the soft tissues (ligaments, tendons, muscles) of your lower back.
Hot therapy: Our physiotherapists will alternate between hot and cold therapies. By using hot applications, it is tried to deliver more blood to the target area. Because the increased blood flow brings more oxygen and nutrients to that area. Blood is also needed to remove the waste by-products of muscle spasms. Thus, the greater the blood flow, the faster the healing.
Cold therapy, also called cryotherapy, slows circulation and helps reduce inflammation, muscle spasms and pain. A cold pack is placed on the target area or ice massage can be applied. Another cryotherapy option is a spray called fluoromethane that cools the tissues. After cold therapy, our physiotherapists will perform applications to stretch the affected muscles.
TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation): A TENS machine stimulates your muscles with varying (but safe) intensities of electrical currents. TENS helps reduce muscle spasms and can increase your body's production of endorphins, your natural pain relievers. The TENS equipment our physiotherapists use is relatively large. However, a more portable machine is also available for "home" use. Whether large or small, a TENS unit is an adjunctive and supportive treatment.
Ultrasound: By increasing blood circulation, it helps reduce muscle spasms, cramps, swelling, stiffness and pain. It does this by sending sound waves deep into your muscle tissues, creating gentle heat that increases circulation and healing.
Active Low Back Slip Physical Therapy Methods
In the active part of spondylolisthesis physical therapy, our physiotherapists will teach you a variety of exercises to improve your flexibility, strength, core stability and range of motion. Your lumbar shift physical therapy program is personalized with your health and history in mind. Your exercises may not be suitable for another person with spondylolisthesis.
If necessary, you will learn how to correct your posture and incorporate ergonomic principles into your daily activities. This is all part of the "self-care" or "self-healing" aspect of physical therapy: Through physical therapy, you learn good habits and principles that allow you to take better care of your body.
Our physiotherapists will also recommend a personalized exercise program for you. This helps reduce the chance of your back pain recurring and improves your overall health. For lumbar shift physical therapy, our physiotherapists will recommend strengthening the abdominal and hip and knee muscles because both of these muscle groups are essential for lower back support.
The good news is that it's never too late to recover from a low back pain and seek physical therapy services for low back pain. If you are having difficulty performing daily tasks or working at your previous level of independence, make an appointment for a free examination at Harmony Home Physical Therapy - Yalova now and regain your vitality.