Physical Therapy for Back Pain

Treatment Overview

Physical therapy may help you when back pain makes it hard to move around and do everyday tasks. This treatment helps you move better and may relieve pain. It also helps improve or restore your fitness level and how well you function.

The goal is to make daily tasks and activities easier. For example, physical therapy may help with walking, going up stairs, or getting in and out of bed.

Your physical therapist will examine you and make a treatment plan. You may need help with flexibility, strength, endurance, coordination, and/or balance.

This treatment almost always includes exercise. It can include stretching, core exercises, weight lifting, and walking. You may learn an exercise program so you can do it at home.

The therapist also may use manual therapy, education, and techniques such as heat, cold, water, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation.

Physical therapy may be used alone or with other treatments.