Back Pain
Back pain is the most common problem that our physiotherapists see in clinic, but that doesn’t mean that nothing can be done about it! Here we’ll discuss the main causes of back pain and what we can do to help you.
It has been estimated that up to 80% of us will have lower back pain at some point in our lives. Each year around one third of the UK adult population will experience a period of lower back pain. Your back pain may have come on slowly over time, or have a sudden and specific cause such as a sporting injury or accident.
A lot of the time, an episode of lower back is mild and will only last a few days. However, if your lower back pain is prolonged, severe or worsening, or if you have symptoms down into your buttock or legs, it’s important to have this assessed and treated as quickly as possible.
YOU DON’T NEED TO GO AND SEE A GP FIRST!
Physiotherapists can assess and diagnose the cause of your back pain and provide relief from the symptoms with treatment. We are also able to refer for investigations such as scans if we feel this is required. We have much longer to speak to you about your back pain than a GP does, and can help you to understand how to manage your symptoms more effectively.
How can physiotherapy help my back pain?
A physiotherapy assessment aims to understand what is causing your back pain and ensures we rule out any serious conditions. We can usually diagnose your back pain using a series of movements and specialist tests. Physiotherapy treatment will target the affected structures in the spine.
We can use a combination of “hands on” techniques such as:
Massage for sore, tight or spasming muscles in the back, hips, buttocks and legs
Mobilisation/manipulation to improve stiff spinal joints
Tailored movements and assisted exercise to help restore bulging discs to their normal shape and position
Stretching techniques to reduce pressure through the nerves in your back, allowing them to move more freely
Acupuncture for pain and tightness in the muscles of the back, buttocks and hips
We are passionate about not just giving you a “quick fix” for the pain, and will always follow up any hands on treatment with a tailored exercise programme to ensure the benefits of your sessions are long lasting.
We believe that knowledge is power, and we strive to give you all the information you need to understand your back pain and how to prevent the problem from re-occurring.
What about upper back pain?
The area of your back between your shoulder blades is known as your thoracic spine, and this is also a very common site for problems to arise.
Many of us spend a lot of time sitting at a desk, driving or using our phones and so the joints in this area can become very stiff and sore.
Physiotherapy can help “free up” these joints to improve pain and movement. There may be postural issues that contribute toward your back pain that we can work to improve. We also discuss if any adjustments are required with your work set-up to reduce the stress on your back.
Get on top of your back pain today and come see us at our physiotherapy clinic in Cheltenham. Click below to book your first appointment!
Causes of back pain
There are many causes of back pain, which is due largely to the various different structures within the back. The list below is not exhaustive, but we have covered most of the conditions we see in our physiotherapy clinic.
Mechanical back pain
This is also known as “non-specific lower back pain”, and refers to pain from structures such as joints, ligaments, muscle, discs and connective tissues. This is the most common cause of back pain, and is generally caused by stiffness in the spinal joints, weakness and/or tightness in the core or hip muscles and postural problems. Pain can be worse in prolonged positions or when walking. You can read more about mechanical lower back pain and what to do about it here.
Disc problems and sciatica
Between each vertebrae there is a cushioning disc that acts as a shock absorber when we move. These can become squashed or bulge, known as a slipped or herniated disc. The disc can sometimes irritate or compress one or more of the nerve roots as they exit the spinal canal causing symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling and weakness down into the legs and feet. You can read more about exercises for sciatica here.
Spondylosis/Osteoarthritis/Degenerative disc disease (DDD)
We have grouped these together as they are all the same thing, but there can often be confusion over them. “Degeneration” refers to the natural age-related processes that our bodies go through. As we age, our spinal discs lose height and dry out, meaning there is less cushioning for our spines. This is what causes osteoarthritis. Spondylosis refers to degeneration in the spine (spondyl = spine).
Inflammatory back pain
This is known as Spondylitis, Spondyloarthritis or Spondyloarthropathy. This is an inflammatory condition caused by the immune system attacking the joints and tissues surrounding it. This is fairly rare, and tends to happen in people in their 20’s and 30’s. The main symptoms are prolonged morning stiffness and pain that improves with movement and worsens with rest. You can read more about spondylitis and what to do about it here.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is caused by a narrowing of the spaces in the spine, which can put pressure on the nerves that travel through the spine. This is generally caused by degenerative changes e.g. thickening of ligaments, bony spurs and disc problems. Symptoms include back pain and tingling, numbness or weakness into the legs which is worse with walking or standing, and better with sitting.
Pregnancy related back pain
During pregnancy, your body changes a lot in a relatively short space of time, so it’s no wonder it can take such a huge toll on your body. This is especially the case around your lower back, upper back and pelvic area. The weight of the growing baby can put pressure on the pelvis and increase the curvature of the lower back, causing tightness in the hip and back muscles and problems with the pelvic joints.
We are here to help, and would love to get you started on the road to recovery. Click below to book your appointment with us!