Did you know that back pain is the #2 reason for doctor visits in the US, right behind colds and the flu? The spine is made up of a series of vertebrae that interlock and protect the spinal chord and it is not a simple structure. In between each vertebrae are “pads” that keep the bones from rubbing together and allow the spine to flex. These are called “disks” and they are held in place, along with the vertebrae, with a complex set of connective tissue and muscle. Different nerves that are crucial to the proper functioning of organs and muscles exit the spinal chord in different areas, pass through the vertebrae and innervate different parts of the body. They are protected by special tissue around the nerves called sheaths, and those sheaths pass through special holes in the bones called foramen.
When any one part of this sensitive infrastructure is out of alignment, the result can be pain and discomfort, but it also can be more serious. If injury, swelling or scar tissue around the spine puts pressure on nerves as they exit the spinal chord or interfere with the nerve’s functioning, it can lead to decreased functionality of the organs the nerves connect to. This in turn can lead to other health problems and a systemic body imbalance. That’s why it’s important to treat back pain as aggressively as possible, both to relieve pain and discomfort and to prevent the degradation in function of other organs.
Recent medical studies have shown that people who regularly treat their lower back pain with hydrotherapy experience a significant reduction in the frequency and acuity of pain versus people who do not. Because people who use hydrotherapy experience less pain, they are less dependent on drugs to control their symptoms, so they experience fewer of the negative side effects associated with those drugs. Their liver and kidneys don’t have to work as hard to remove the drugs from their system, so that is a health bonus, as well.
Both the thermal and mechanical benefits of hydrotherapy are at work when used to treat lower back pain. Some people may experience a complete relief from their symptoms, while others may notice an improvement. Either way, using hydrotheraphy to treat back pain helps make living more enjoyable and provides a relaxing experience that provides other benefits, too.
Always Consult a Health Professional
As with any medical treatment, it is important that patients talk first with their doctors and embark upon home treatments only under their guidance and supervision. Too much hot or cold can cause injury or make issues worse, so its important that a knowledgeable professional help craft a treatment plan that is right for each individual. Once a treatment program has been agreed upon, progress should be monitored and reported back on an ongoing basis so that adjustments can be made as needed to protect the patient’s health and safety.