Back Pain
What causes back pain?
Back pain, especially Lower Back pain is one of the main reasons that people come to see an osteopath.
There are many causes of back pain. These include poor driving positions, awkward lifting, pregnancy, trauma, over straining whilst doing activities like gardening and cleaning and poor desk set ups with people sitting for hours in front of computers in positions that place increased pressure on the lower back leading to back pain.
When you injure your back there are several different structures that can be causing the pain. These include bulging discs –“slipped discs”, over-strained muscles, joint inflammation and ligament damage. Other causes such as cancer and infection are fortunately much less common.
What are the common symptoms of Lower Back Pain?
Common back pain symptoms include a dull ache in the lower back, buttock and thigh which becomes a sharp pain on particular movement. If you have a disc injury, you will often find sitting for more than a few minutes also causes significant back pain. With a “trapped nerve” –i.e. the nerve coming out of the spinal cord is being pressed or irritated by another structure, you may also experience symptoms in the legs click link to sciatica article (black print capital) for more details about leg symptoms caused by back injuries. If you are experiencing other symptoms such as feeling unwell, losing weight, disturbances of bowel or bladder function, you should talk to your GP as these could be signs of more serious pathologies.
Is osteopathic treatment for Lower Back pain effective?
The short answer is YES. Using techniques such as:
- Joint mobilisation – to promote greater range of movement in the back and release pressure on trapped nerves
- Soft Tissue Release (such as massage) – to reduce muscle spasm and improve mobility.
- Postural guidance – to teach you how to move your body correctly
- Safe exercises –to strengthen the body and promote flexibility.
- Cranial Osteopathy
Arthritis
Arthritis is a disease characterised by painful inflammation and stiffness of the joints. There are several different types of arthritis such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout and ankylosing spondylitis.
What causes arthritis?
There are various causes such as
- Hereditary factors
- Incorrect diet – too much acid forming foods such as sugars, alcohol, white flour and red meat can lead to inflammation in the joints
- Metabolic imbalances (can lead to gout for example)
- Repetitive Strain injuries
- Infections
- Immune System Dysfunction
Osteopathic treatment for Arthritis
Osteopathic treatment can do a great deal to help reduce pain, ease swelling and improve mobility in most types of arthritis.
Treatment involves:
- Gentle, manual mobilisation of joints, muscles and ligaments. This may involve stretching, joint movements and traction.
- Exercises to do at home to improve joint function, improve circulation and ease muscle spasm
- Dietary advice is given to help identify and avoid foods that have been proven to aggravate inflammation in the body. Patients will notice dramatic improvements when healthier, less acidic foods are included in the diet.
- Certain natural anti-inflammatory supplements can be recommended where appropriate
- Postural advice is given to help take pressure off the spine and joints in general and to avoid further degenerative strain from occurring.
Headaches
There are numerous causes and types of headaches, the most common being “tension type” headaches. As neck tension often builds up due to poor posture, stress and trauma, simply by relieving the tension in the muscles and releasing the joints in the neck (if necessary) this can relieve or eliminate the headaches. Advice on posture, especially if desk bound, is also a valuable component to the treatment programme. Helpful exercises will be given to prevent re occurrence.
Migraine
Migraines are more complex than headaches in that they can be triggered by many different factors such as chocolate, alcohol, certain medications, stress and hormonal fluctuations. Some migraines can be brought on by certain exercises. Osteopathy can often reduce the frequency and/or intensity of migraines by improving muscle balance, neck alignment and posture. Dietary advice is also a necessary part of the overall treatment plan. Cranial osteopathy is very helpful for stress management and for balancing the hormonal system. (Link to PMS & Peri)
Sciatica
Compression/irritation of the sciatic nerve.
What symptoms might I experience with sciatica?
The sciatic nerves originates from the spinal cord in the lower back and travels down through the buttock, thigh, calf all the way to the big toe. Pain anywhere along the route of this nerve is called “sciatica”. Common symptoms include a dull/severe ache in the lower back, buttocks and thigh. Pins and needles, numbness and skin hypersensitivity are also common whilst more serious injuries can cause the leg to feel heavy or weak.
Causes of sciatica
Lower back injuries often cause nerve pain in the leg because the nerves that supply feeling and power to your legs emerge from your lower back. Prolapsed and bulging discs (slipped discs), muscle spasm, spinal curvatures, tumours and infection can all irritate/damage the sciatic nerve which supplies the legs.
Treatment for sciatica
Osteopathic treatment provides safe and effective relief from back and leg pain (sciatica) using a range of approaches such as:
- Joint Mobilisation Techniques– improves the range of movement, frees trapped nerves which cause pain.
- Soft Tissue Release Techniques (such as massage) – reduces spasm and improves circulation to injured area.
- Postural guidance and safe exercises – makes your body stronger and more flexible, so that your symptoms do not reoccur.