Lower Back Pain
Suffering from lower back pain? You are definitely not alone!
4 out of 5 people will experience lower back pain at some point in their lives.
Lower back pain is a common reason our patients seek out osteopathic care.
Types of Lower Back Pain
Types of lower back pain: Your lower back pain may be acute (i.e. lasts a few days or weeks), or chronic (i.e. pain that lasts for 3 months or longer). It might range in intensity from mild discomfort to severe pain that impacts your daily activities.
Common symptoms of lower back pain include:
Sharp pain
Dull/achy pain
Pain that radiates down your glutes and thighs
Pain that gets worse during activity or movement
Pain that gets worse when sitting in the same position for extended periods
Stiffness and decreased range of motion
Postural issues
Muscle spasms
It's crucial to seek prompt medical attention if you experience severe lower back pain that doesn’t improve with rest, or if your pain is accompanied by symptoms such as numbness or tingling, loss of bladder or bowel control, fever, chest pain, or noticeable swelling in your back. These signs may indicate a more serious condition that requires urgent evaluation and treatment.
Common causes of lower back pain
Lower back pain could be caused by something as simple as lifting something too heavy, twisting or bending awkwardly, or even getting out of bed in the morning!
Conditions and diseases that commonly cause lower back pain, include:
Joint Sprains and Muscles strains: a very common cause of lower back pain
Sacroiliac joint dysfunction: the joint may be restricted or too mobile, causing pain that radiates into the glutes and thigh
Disc injuries: bulging or herniated disc
Sciatica: for example, a herniated disc presses on the sciatic nerve and pain radiates down the leg
Osteoarthritis of the spine: inflammation of the joints causes pain and stiffness
Spinal stenosis: a narrowing of the spinal column
Fractures: can be caused by accidents or sometimes osteoarthritis
Preventing And Managing lower back pain
To support your back and prevent lower back pain, consider these strategies:
Stay active and exercise regularly. Your Osteopath can recommend a suitable exercise routine tailored to your current stage of recovery.
Incorporate regular stretching into your movement routine
Use proper lifting techniques to avoid unnecessary stress on your back.
Ensure your workspace is ergonomically set up.
Practise good posture while working at your desk.
Take frequent breaks throughout your day to ensure you are not sitting or standing for prolonged periods
Reduce any inflammatory dietary or environmental factors (eg. alcohol, stress) that could be contributing to your symptoms.
How can osteopathic treatment help?
During your initial appointment, we will collect detailed information about your symptoms, health and medical history, the impact of the pain on your daily activities, and any ergonomic or environmental factors.
We will then perform an osteopathic examination, which may include a series of movement and orthopaedic testing to determine an accurate diagnosis.
Our Osteopaths employ an integrated approach to treatment, working with you to create a personalised care plan.
Based on your symptoms and their presentation, we may use a variety of techniques, including:
Physical manipulation, stretching, and soft tissue techniques to enhance mobility and alleviate muscle tension
Dry Needling
Spinal manipulation and joint articulation
Muscle energy techniques (MET), counterstrain, and gentle techniques
Patient education
Tailored exercise and stretching programs
References:
Cleveland Clinic. (2021). Lower Back Pain. [Online]. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/7936-lower-back-pain (Accessed 19 May 2022).
NHS (2021). Osteopathy. [Online]. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/osteopathy/ (Accessed 19 May 2022).
The Australian Family Physician (2021). Approach to low back pain – osteopathy. [Online]. Available at: https://www.racgp.org.au/afp/2014/april/osteopathy (Accessed 19 May 2022).
Healthline (2019). What you should know about lower back pain. [Online]. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/low-back-pain-acute (Accessed 19 May 2022).