The Health Blog

Lower back pain plagues Americans to the extent that 80% will suffer from it at some time in their lives.  It is one of the most common reasons people visit the doctor.  For many, the problem is more than a passing incident; they need physiotherapy.

Physiotherapy of different types can be used to treat lower back pain.  Acupuncture is fast becoming an important method for the relief of such pain.  The doctor has the patient lie face-down and inserts the acupuncture needles across the back.  The doctor then finishes the procedure for lower back pain.  Pain relief after a series of treatments usually lasts months.

Massage is also used for lower back pain.  The massage used must be done by someone well-versed in the treatment of lower back pain.  A massage done by an untrained person may do more harm than good.

These methods are called passive therapies, or modalities.  They are done to the patient and not by the patient.  There are other modalities that are commonly used.  Heat and ice packs are a well-known form of passive physiotherapy.  They can be used separately, or they can be used alternately by a person who is suffering from acute lower back pain.

A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS) can be used as another modality for lower back pain.  The patient will feel the sensation of the stimulator instead of his pain.  If the TENS unit seems to work well for him, he will be sent home with one to use at his convenience.

There is a great need for immediate intervention for children with Down syndrome.  Physiotherapy does not fix the problem; development will still be slowed.  However, it can address problems that are unique to Down syndrome children.

Early Down syndrome physiotherapy focuses on four problems that are common for these children.  One is called hypotonia.  This means that the child’s muscles lack tone.  That is why, when you lay a Down syndrome child in his crib, he will flop out like a rag doll.  Hypotonia needs to be treated because it affects the ability of the child to learn motor skills or to support himself correctly.

Another problem that can be helped by Down syndrome physiotherapy is laxity of the ligaments.  The ligaments are so loose that they do not support the bones adequately.  In infancy, it can be seen in the way they lie down with their legs splayed apart.  In later years, their ankles and other joints will be loose enough to cause support problems.