Physical Therapy Exercises for Spinal Compression Recovery

Spinal compression and other back injuries are treated either surgically or nonsurgically, both of which require significant physical therapy to restore normal joint and muscle function. While both surgical and nonsurgical treatments for spinal compression and related injuries require therapy, nonsurgical options that rely exclusively on physical therapy are often preferred by patients who want to avoid unnecessary surgical procedures.

Spinal Compression Injuries and Disorders

• The condition of spinal compression can result in a number of specific types of injuries, all of which are treatable to some degree using physical therapy. Spinal compression injuries include herniated discs, degenerative disc disease and nerve compression. Physical therapy may also be used in treating spinal compression injuries to the vertebrae and joints, such as facet joint syndrome, which is an arthritis-like condition in the spine, and spinal compression fractures, which are hairline fractures in the vertebrae.

Uses of Physical Therapy for Spinal Decompression

• Physical therapy is used to treat spinal compression and related disorders as an alternative to back surgery, which is incapacitating for a prolonged period of time and can often be avoided, depending on the specific condition and its severity. Patients with chronic back pain should consult their doctors regarding physical therapy when they have their individual condition diagnosed using an X-ray or MRI. Many spinal compression-related disorders have identical symptoms but benefit from different types of treatments. Physical therapy is also necessary to recover from any type of back surgery, and should be coupled with extended periods of rest lying flat on the back.

Types of Spinal Decompression

• Spinal decompression is one major type of physical therapy used to treat back pain and help patients recover from spinal compression. Spinal decompression may involve the use of therapy devices for inversion and spinal traction, or the more cutting-edge decompression machines. Nonsurgical options for spinal compression fractures also include kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty, which fill in the vertebrae with a synthetic material to add density and assist in spinal decompression.

Physical Therapy Exercises

• Physical therapy for spinal compression recovery may also involve various degrees of very mild back exercises and stretching, as building back muscle is essential to preventing future back pain. Back stretches and exercises should be directed by a therapist, because they may increase back pain if done improperly. Physical therapists also recommend that spinal compression patients avoid activities that further compress the spine, such as walking and jogging, and choose low-impact fitness alternatives such as swimming.