Osteopath Lower Back Pain Treatment | DW Osteopathy Chepstow

Lower Back Pain

The National Institute for Health & Clinical Excellence (NICE) provide guidance, quality standards and useful information about services and businesses that provide public health and social care. They analyse the most current and reliable research evidence to sort fact, from fiction; giving an evidence based opinion about available services.

NICE advocate the use of spinal manipulation, mobilisation and soft tissue techniques for the treatment of lower back pain; all of which are techniques used by an osteopath.

About Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain is a very common symptom affecting individuals worldwide. Nearly every individual at some point in their lives will experience varying degrees of back pain; at times it can be debilitating, frustrating and distressing. According to current research, lower back pain is most prevalent and peaks between the ages of 33 and 35.

Although for each individual there will be a different cause to their lower back pain, several risk factors have been identified that can increase the chances of acquiring lower back pain: occupational posture, depressive moods, obesity, height, age, smoking, poor diet.

Osteopaths are experts in the field of lower back pain;with their training and experience the relevant causes and risk factors can be identified and effective treatment applied

Seeing a healthcare professional, such as an osteopath, as soon as possible after experiencing back pain is integral to a speedy recovery.

1) Spinal Disc Problems (slipped disc)

A spinal disc (intervertebral disc) is a shock absorbing material that resides between each segment of our spine. As we age, our spinal discs begin to degenerate, making us increasingly more likely to encounter back pain.

Varying levels of pain will depend on how much damage has occurred at these discs. Pain from these structures can come and go over the years depending on the levels of strenuous and sedentary activity.

If the spinal disc damage is severe then the disc contents may prolapse causing a herniated disc, more commonly known as a slipped disc. This process is where the contents of the disc, a liquid pulp, penetrates the outer layers causing a bulge. This protruding bulge is then likely to cause impingement, compression or irritation to a neighbouring nerve. This “trapped nerve“ can result in referred leg pain ( sciatica ). Recovery from this spinal disc damage is slow - weeks to months. However, very few cases result in surgery.

2) Joint Irritation / Sacroiliac Dysfunction

Joints within the spine are known as Facet Joints. It is these joints that allow us to bend, twist and extend. The two sacroiliac joints are situated at the base of the spine, within the pelvis. These joints aid the spine by resolving a lot of forces moving down from the spine and up from he legs during motion. One can locate these joints by finding the two bony dimples at the base of the spine.

The joint surfaces of both the Facet joint and Sacroiliac joint can become irritated from sudden, unaccustomed or exaggerated movements. This irritation causes the production of inflammation and the sensation of pain.

Although just as common as spinal disc issues, joint irritation is typically not as severe. Nerve impingement (trapped nerve) is not usually present with this condition, however the joint itself can sometimes caused referred pain to adjacent areas. Joint irritation can typically be resolved with osteopathic treatment over a course of 1-3 treatments.

3) Muscle Strain or Spasm

These problems usually occur in conjunction with the above conditions. The muscles around an area of irritation or damage will tighten in an attempt to protect itself from further damage.

Muscle damage can occur through direct trauma from an impact, or from being violently over stretched. Mostly commonly during contact sports.

Muscles have a very good blood supply, which means typically these issues will be resolved within 1-3 weeks. Osteopathic treatment can be used to improve the speed of recovery, address any underlying issues causing the muscle spasms and return injured sporting individuals to optimum health and efficiency.

General Lower Back Pain Advice

If you suffer with back pain, try to keep gently active but not doing anything too strenuous. Go about your daily activities, to the best of your ability, but don't undertake vigorous sports or exercise.

By keeping active you will encourage the movement of blood and inflammation around the body - which is needed to repair any damaged tissues. Prolonged sedentary activities can cause the pain to increase and muscles to seize up.

Try to get your symptoms assessed by a healthcare professional, such as an osteopath, as soon as possible. Osteopaths are specialists in of back pain; they are extensively trained to identify the exact cause, and to provide appropriate treatment.

Treatment for Lower Back Pain

Do you suffer with constant back pain?