Lower back pain - How we can help!

December 20, 2017

At Physiotherapy Matters we see many clients for treatment of their lower back pain. Lower back pain is the most common form of pain and musculoskeletal disability in the UK and it affects around 70-90% of the population throughout their lifetime. Episodes of lower back pain may occur from an injury/trauma, poor posture or flare up for seemingly no reason whatsoever.

Lower back pain usually resolves within a few weeks to a few months with primary care management, without the need for investigations or specialist services, however, 10% of lower back pain may take greater than 6 months to recover and may possibly reoccur in the future.

Non-specific Lower back pain
Lower back pain comprises of soreness/stiffness in the back between the base of the rib cage and the tops of your legs. The majority of lower back pain is diagnosed as “non-specific” which means the symptoms are unlikely to be caused by a serious pathology such as infection, a fracture or cancer. (Nice 2016).
You can experience pain from the lower back travelling into the buttocks and lower limb, with this you may experience some numbness or tingling sensations which is called sciatica. This suggests that you may have some irritation of your sciatic nerve which is the main nerve that travels from your spine into your legs. These symptoms are eased and can improve with physiotherapy treatment, regular movement and exercise and pain relief.

Causes
Non-specific lower back pain is not caused by serious pathology or specific disease, it highlights a musculoskeletal dysfunction that may be due to muscular/soft tissue minor damage such as ligament sprain, joint irritation or disc inflammation. By treating your back correctly using Physiotherapy Matters advice/treatment you can ensure full return to normal functions, reduced pain and prevention of future flare ups with self-management and rehabilitation advice.

I have Lower back pain. What can I do?
• Stay ACTIVE but modify your activity: Stay active but avoid activities and positions that aggravate your pain. For example, if sitting at your desk/driving for long periods makes your pain worse try setting up a timer to get up and complete some gentle stretches every 20 minutes. By avoiding prolonged painful positions initially, you may help yourself with a quicker recovery by promoting less stress on your back.
• Try to continue with your normal daily activities: Try NOT to rest completely as your spine wants and needs to move regularly. It is important to try and continue with work and daily hobbies to help you get back to normal as quickly as possible
• Exercises and gentle stretches: Keep your joints and muscles moving with exercise such as swimming, walking, yoga and Pilates
• Use of Anti-inflammatories & painkillers such as ibuprofen may be beneficial, check with the pharmacist/GP that the medicine is safe for you
• Use of heat/ice therapy to aid pain relief and muscular spasms

What Can Physiotherapy Matters Offer you
• Manual therapy (soft tissue mobilisations, mobilisations, manipulation
• Biomechanical and postural assessment, advice and re-education
• Individually tailored home exercise programme
• Weight management advice
• Acupuncture treatment
• Kinesio taping
• Functional movement retraining
• Pilates 1:1 sessions
• Pain management advice
• Massage

If you are currently or have ever experienced lower back pain contact us at Physiotherapy Matters to see how our experienced Chartered Physiotherapists can help you and your recovery back to full health and fitness. Call us on 0191 285 8701 for a free telephone triage consultation today.

No matter whether your condition was caused by a sport, work accident or otherwise, we welcome the chance to serve you.

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