Treatment of spinal injuries with or without neurological symptoms

Treatment of Spinal Conditions With or Without Neurological Symptoms

Experiencing neck, back, or lower back pain? A spinal condition can sometimes cause symptoms that extend into an arm or leg. Physiotherapy can help reduce your symptoms and restore your physical abilities.

Spinal pain can affect different areas of the spine, including the neck, upper back, and lower back. It may involve muscles, joints, or discs and, in some cases, may be accompanied by neurological symptoms affecting the arms or legs.

Depending on the structures involved, symptoms may include pain, stiffness, reduced mobility, numbness, tingling, or pain that radiates into an arm or leg.

What spinal conditions can be treated with physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy can help manage various spinal conditions, including:

• Herniated discs, disc protrusions, or disc bulges;
• Degenerative disc disease;
• Spinal stenosis, including foraminal or central stenosis;
• Facet joint syndrome;
• Radiculopathy, such as sciatica or cervical radiculopathy;
• Neck, upper back, or lower back pain;
• Pain that radiates into an arm or leg;
• Certain spinal conditions accompanied by neurological symptoms.

A physiotherapy assessment helps identify the structures and factors that may be contributing to your symptoms and determine the most appropriate approach for your condition.

How are spinal conditions treated with physiotherapy?

Your physiotherapist will begin with a comprehensive assessment of your symptoms, mobility, strength, and functional abilities. When neurological symptoms are present, the assessment may also include specific tests to evaluate nerve function.

Depending on your condition and goals, treatment may include:

• Therapeutic exercises adapted to your condition;
• Manual therapy;
• Exercises to improve mobility, strength, and motor control;
• Advice on movements and activities to prioritize or modify;
• Certain treatment modalities, such as heat or cold therapy;
• When appropriate, spinal decompression as a complementary treatment approach.

The goal of treatment is to reduce your symptoms, improve your mobility and physical abilities, and help you gradually return to your daily, work-related, or sports activities.

Spinal Decompression

Some ABC Health Clinic locations offer spinal decompression tables that may be used as a complement to physiotherapy when this approach is considered appropriate.

Spinal decompression uses controlled traction that can be applied continuously or intermittently, depending on the selected treatment parameters. Your physiotherapist will adjust the treatment based on your condition, symptoms, and tolerance.

Spinal decompression is not appropriate for every condition. Your physiotherapist will first determine whether this treatment is suitable for you and, when appropriate, incorporate it into a broader treatment plan.

What does a treatment session involve?

When this type of treatment is indicated, a session may combine physiotherapy and spinal decompression. Depending on your condition, treatment may include:

• 30 minutes of physiotherapy, with heat therapy when appropriate;
• 30 minutes of spinal decompression, with parameters adapted to your condition;
• 15 minutes of cold therapy, when indicated.

The duration and structure of treatment may vary depending on your condition and your physiotherapist’s recommendations.

Neck or back pain accompanied by significant weakness, progressive loss of sensation, or changes in bladder or bowel function requires prompt medical assessment.