Spinal Rehabilitation

Recovery from a back injury is often just the first step, especially for those in Gloucester with long-standing issues. It’s not uncommon for individuals to experience recurring episodes of back pain over time.

For those in Gloucester who have recently recovered from a low back injury or surgery, the most effective way to prevent or lessen the severity of future recurrences is through a dedicated course of Spinal Rehabilitation.

In Gloucester, it’s observed that while some muscles supporting the low back are engaged in daily life, most do not receive sufficient exercise from routine activities.

This lack of adequate activity can leave muscles tight, weak, and poorly coordinated with neighboring muscles. Gradual deterioration of muscle and joint function is often compounded by factors like inactivity, wear and tear, injury, and chronic pain.

The spine’s 3 types of muscles:

Extensors
Straighten and lift spine
Flexors
Bend and support spine
Obliques/ Rotators
Hold up & rotate spine

What is ‘Spinal Rehabilitation’?

Spinal Rehab is an exercise program that aims to help improve strength and stability to the back.

Depending on the specific diagnosis and level of pain, the exercise program is prescribed specifically for your injury.

The aim is to develop an appropriate exercise program that can eventually be recreated in your front room or the local gym. This enables a quick and solid recovery that you are fully in charge of!

The 3 components of rehab are Stretching, Strengthening and Basic Conditioning

Stretching…
Inactivity will always cause gradual onset of stiffness. Therefore, it is necessary to gradually improve the back’s flexibility. Stretching focuses on improving flexibility and elasticity in the joints and muscles.
Strengthening…
The primary reason for strengthening (alongside stretching) the key structures of the low back is that this will ensure that future episodes of back pain are less likely to occur. If a back is supported by good, coordinated and strong muscles it has the raw material to help get out of trouble!
Basic Conditioning…
Finally, conditioning through light activity is very important for both the successful flow of rehab and the maintenance of the lower back. Good examples include hydro-therapy, regular walking and cycling.

What is involved?

A course of rehab designed to help YOUR back, no matter what level of fitness or age!

To make a robust and long lasting improvement to your low back pain, you will need to follow a course of exercise. Normally between 8 and 12 sessions of rehab are recommended (over 2-3 months) to get your back functioning close to its best. However, you are welcome to choose how many and how often sessions are completed in a way that suits you.

The rehab team, led by the Chiropractor, are always on hand to advise on the best route forward. At all stages of rehab, you are always supervised one-to-one with our personal trainer and closely monitored by the referring practitioner.

The benefits

A low back with good flexibility and strong supporting muscles can maintain a good level of activity through out a lifetime. However, with both poor flexibility and weakness of surrounding muscles, function of the low back is diminished. Spinal rehabilitation aims to redress this balance and get your low back firing on all cylinders!

A course of spinal rehabilitation is designed to restore normal levels of strength and flexibility in a safe and long lasting way. After following a prescribed course, you will be taught how to maintain the progress made, beyond the clinic and into the future. By putting you in charge of your recovery, there is a far greater chance of long term success and management of low back pain.