Physical Therapy Can Help Relieve Boomers' Back Pain

Because of
increasingly demanding jobs, hectic daily schedules, participating in
recreational activities, and caring for children, grandchildren, and
elderly parents, back pain is becoming a common thread among baby boomers.
However, this generation is less resigned to simply accept the changes
brought about by aging, says the American Physical Therapy Association
(APTA).



Baby boomers, those born between 1946 and 1964 and who now make up one
fourth of the U.S. population, are leading more active lifestyles than
previous generations. "Baby boomers are as active as they were when they
were younger, but now they're living with chronic low back pain or
osteoarthritis," says Jennifer Gamboa, PT, DPT, OCS, MTC, owner of Body
Dynamics, a physical therapy private practice in Arlington, VA. "These
conditions as well as others can benefit greatly from physical therapy
intervention."



Back pain among baby boomers will be the subject of a toll-free
national hotline on Thursday, February 15, from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm,
Eastern Standard Time, sponsored by the American Physical Therapy
Association's Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy Sections. Physical therapists will be
on hand to answer questions about injury prevention, exercise, and ways to
prevent back pain. The hotline is offered as a public service to help
people learn how to minimize back pain and is not a substitute for a visit
to a physical therapist or other health care professional.



"Frequently, patients may unknowingly exacerbate their pain by
exercising improperly or by having poor posture," Gamboa said. Physical
therapists can help to identify and correct those behaviors. Physical
therapists work on increasing muscle strength and cardiovascular endurance,
restoring and improving range of motion in joints, and decreasing muscle
and joint pain.




Physical therapy interventions may include therapeutic exercise, manual
therapy, and functional training, as well as exercises for strength,
flexibility, and range of motion, and devices designed to rest or support
the joint, such as orthotics or splints. "The goal of a physical therapist
is to get you back to doing what you enjoy on a daily basis with as little
discomfort as possible."



For those patients who either are just starting an exercise regime, or
for injured weekend warriors just getting back in the game, Gamboa
recommends starting off slowly and not doing too much too fast. She notes
that physical therapists devise step-wise plans in order for patients to
gain strength and mobility.



Gamboa also suggests investing in an ergonomically correct chair for
work, taking frequent breaks from computers, and participating in
stress-relieving activities, such as yoga or meditation, to offset back
pain.



Physical therapists (PTs) are health care professionals who diagnose
and treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to the elderly, who have
medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their
abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives.
PTs examine each individual and develop a plan of care using treatment
techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function,
and prevent disability.



The American Physical Therapy Association (apta) is a
national organization representing nearly 70,000 physical therapists,
physical therapist assistants, and students nationwide. Its goal is to
foster advancements in physical therapist education, practice, and
research. Consumers can access "Find a PT" to find a physical therapist in
their area, as well as physical therapy news and information at
apta/consumer.


American Physical Therapy Association

apta/