Gwalior: Low back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems and can affect a person’s movement, daily activities, work and overall quality of life. While many cases are related to mechanical causes, persistent or worsening back pain should not be ignored, says Dr. Nikita Zamde, MPTh (Orthopaedic).
Dr. Zamde explains that certain symptoms, known as red flags, may indicate a serious underlying condition and require prompt medical evaluation. These include bowel or bladder dysfunction, saddle anesthesia, rapidly progressing neurological deficits, severe or worsening neurological symptoms and signs suggestive of serious spinal pathology.
Conditions such as malignancy, spinal infection and inflammatory spinal disorders may require further investigation and medical treatment before physiotherapy is considered.
According to her physiotherapy can be considered when back pain becomes persistent or recurrent, fails to improve with conservative self management or begins to interfere with normal daily activities. Early physiotherapy can help patients remain active, learn safe movement patterns, perform appropriate exercises and avoid unnecessary guarding or maladaptive movement habits.
A physiotherapy assessment looks beyond pain alone. It considers the impact of back pain on daily and household activities, occupational work, functional mobility and overall quality of life. This helps identify factors contributing to persistent or recurrent symptoms.
Treatment may include exercise therapy, individualized education, self management strategies and appropriate activity modification with the programme tailored to the patient’s symptoms, functional limitations and goals.
Dr. Zamde adds that techniques such as myofascial release, dry needling and cupping therapy may be used as adjuncts to an appropriate physiotherapy programme and may provide short-term changes in pain perception, tissue mobility and range of motion.The goal of physiotherapy is not simply temporary pain relief. It is to reduce pain, restore function, improve movement and help patients develop the skills needed for long-term self-management.
She further adds today, people are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of physiotherapy and movement in managing musculoskeletal problems. There is a positive shift towards active rehabilitation, exercise and self-management, rather than relying solely on pain-relieving medicines for recurring problems.
This growing awareness is an encouraging sign. With timely assessment, appropriate guidance and safe movement, people can take a more active role in their recovery, regain confidence and return to their daily activities. The message is simple: understand the cause, recognize warning signs and choose movement and rehabilitation as an important part of long-term health.
