Has anyone had PT for low back pain and did it help?

Thank you. I just quit PT yesterday and am convinced it wasn't going to help my problem. I had a PT who wanted to use her specialty therapies on my back scoliosis. It's not that which hurts. It's my lower lumbar spine. Getting a medial branch block (lumbar )next week.

Have you had an MRI of your lower back. Imaging is an important diagnostic tool. Not the only one mind you. For years I had lower back pain: I must have done PT 5 times. If it is sciatica related PT will help. There are certain modalities that really help with that issue such as the Mckenzie method. I also did spinal decompression and that did nothing. Finally, I went to see a myofascial release specialist who was also a trained PT. Guess what? I had super tight Ileo psoas muscles on both sides. He released the tension in both of those and there went 10 years of pain. So never give up and remember, just because you don't see on an MRI doesn't mean you are making all this fuss for nothing. And if you know nothing about the Ileo Psoas you are not alone. But thousands of people have it because we sit all the time to do anything. Our ancestors who had to walk 10 km a day to survive did not have problems with this muscle. But if it gets tight your back will pay the price.

Yes your right, your scoliosis isn't going to change and is most likely not the cause of your pain. Just keep getting movement in your lower back. Low impact exercises such as pedaling on stationary bike, swimming. Balance exercises are great also to activate proprioceptor muscles in your back. These muscle stabilize the spine and they atrophy as we age because we don't use them. These muscle just need activated they aren't the kind of muscle you need to build up. A lot of these therapist put everyone through the same protocols if your 25 or 85 and it is kind of idiotic.

THank you so much !

U might also try a medical masseuse. Have her/him concentrate on your areas of pain.

If possible, please consider getting a neuro-surgeon to order a lumbar MRI. At our age just normal wear and tear can cause the structure of the spinal column (for whatever reason-stenosis. disk slippage, calcification etc.) to impinge upon and irritate the spinal chord. An epidural nerve block can bring relief in many cases ( not all including mine) but it doesn't solve the issue. Unfortunately only surgery can hopefully eliminate the pressure on the nerve, but fortunately something can be done about it.

Hi! I am a PT. You are correct, wont changes scoliosis. Voice your concerns to her. I suggest you find a manual therapist who also does massage type therapy, gentle stretching, dry needling ( amazing!) and maybe hot packs with stimulation. They will show you home exercise very specific for your needs. Private clinics tend to be better than hospital based ones. Shop around!

Glad you stopped wasn’t working for you!

I’ve had MRIs, so I know what is causing the pain. It is not my scoliosis. It is compressed nerves from the L4-5/S-1 area of my spine.

The back excercises I do helped for the pain to a point. It’s the strengthen the muscles around the spine to help take the load off the spine, is what I am told. My last ultrasound needle guided epidural also worked wonders and I’ve been pain free for a few months

Good luck!

PT definitely help for a few years. The degeneration of my spine etc kept going until PT did not work

Thank you. I tried talking to her but she insists the Schroth (?) therapy is what I need. She went to a 6 week class and now is an expert. I had to quit. Impossible to deal with.