Treatment for Lower Back Pain
Lower Back Conditions Treated by Osteopaths
Worldwide, one of the most common reasons for missing work is lower back pain. According to studies, about 80% of people will more than likely experience lower back pain at some point in their lives. The good news is that many back conditions are caused by musculoskeletal problems and can be resolved. With adequate knowledge and education on back exercises and care, many back problems can be avoided or treated successfully.
Another way to treat lower back conditions is with the help of an osteopath. Osteopathy as a discipline focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of soft tissue, joint, and muscle conditions with the use of mobilisation, massage therapy, exercises, and movement techniques.
Lower Back Conditions
There are numerous lower back conditions which result in pain that can radiate from the lower back to other parts of the body, causing discomfort.
Some of them include:
Bulging Disc Injury
This is a common spinal injury, and can occur in your lower back, upper and mid-back, and your cervical spine. It is often referred to as a protruding disc, slipped disc or herniated disc.
The degree of bulging disc injury varies from mild strains to internal dislocation of spinal discs. A slipped disc can press against or irritate the nerves in the spine, leading to spasms, cramping, back pain, and numbness in your back. A sudden increase in the pressure on the spinal disc can occur in traumatic situations such as an accident, tearing the disc’s protective layer (annulus) and resulting in a disc injury.
A bulging disc injury is also considered to be genetic. Those who suffer from this condition have a lower density of the fibrocartilaginous fibres which make up the protective layer of the spinal disc. Excess abdominal fat, poor lower limb strength and a weak core are all contributing factors.
Back Muscle Pain
This condition is the most common cause of back pain. Excessive loads, poor sitting postures, muscle fatigue, and poor lifting postures are factors which make you susceptible to back muscle pain.
Most causes of low back pain are joint dysfunction, muscular pain, and ligament strains. Weak back muscles which lack normal contraction and endurance can cause joint destabilisation, leading to injury to your spinal discs, back muscles, joints or ligaments.
Poor posture when lifting at work, sitting or standing can stress your spine, making your discs and ligaments overstretch. Sports injuries are also common causes of muscular pain in the lower back.
Sciatica
This is pain which is felt along the sciatic nerve. It normally runs from the lower back to the buttocks, hamstrings, and the lower legs. Pressure from a herniated disc on the sciatic nerve, inflamed joints, and a locked facet joint are common causes of sciatica. Sciatica can cause muscle weakness, numbness, and a tingling sensation in the lower back.
Spinal Stenosis
This condition results from the aging process of the spine. The ligaments of your spine may thicken as you age, causing them to calcify.
The condition is most common among individuals over 50 years of age. It is related to spine degeneration brought about by spondylosis (osteoarthritis of the spine). The sufferer may experience muscle weakness, numbness, slower reflexes or general pain in the lower back, arms or legs. The spinal nerves in the lower back become compressed, causing severe, constant pain in the lower back.