Physio for Back Pain
Physiotherapy for back pain is a common presentation to us here at Specific Physiotherapy Preston. Our Preston physiotherapist will assess your lower back and develop a treatment plan to address the underlying causes of your pain. Continue reading to get the answers to some frequently asked questions and how physiotherapy might benefit you.
Five vertebrae (bones) make up the lower back, often known as the "lumbar spine," which is the lowest section of the spine. Most people will at some point in their lives have lower back discomfort, which is a common condition.
Lower back pain can have many diverse causes, but the majority of instances have musculoskeletal origins and do not involve significant structural damage. Physiotherapy, which frequently entails manual therapy, exercises, and activity/postural changes, is particularly effective in treating these conditions.
Rarely, lower back pain in a person could be a sign of a more serious underlying condition. In these situations, a physiotherapist is able to evaluate the issue and send the patient to the proper medical professional for the necessary treatment.
What is causing my lower back pain?
It can be challenging to pinpoint precisely which structure is causing lower back pain in many circumstances. First, we'll rule out anything significant during our inspection. In order to determine where there are limitations on motion or muscle contraction, we shall examine the spine's functionality.
Instead of being caused by a single particular joint, disc, or muscle, back pain is typically brought on by a combination of structures and movement patterns. As a result, it is frequently incorrect to try to attribute the symptoms to a single particular structure. Our treatment is based on the patient's current symptoms as well as the back's movement and activation patterns.
Our goal is to enhance function, which will immediately reduce pain and return normal, pain-free movement. Other variables are frequently linked to lower back pain, especially in cases when the condition is chronic or recurrent. Poor sleep, stress, poor fitness, issues at work or at home, as well as other illnesses and medical disorders, may be among them.
These elements may trigger episodes of back discomfort or worsen existing symptoms. Physiotherapists are aware of the complexity of lower back pain and make an effort to treat all the underlying causes.
Why is pain travelling down my leg?
Lower back pain, which is frequently referred to as "sciatica," can cause leg symptoms from either somatic transferred pain or radicular referred pain, both of which are discussed below. Physiotherapists are qualified to diagnose the source of leg issues and administer the proper care using particular tests.
The most frequent reason why people with lower back pain experience leg symptoms, including pain in the buttock or back of the thigh, is somatic transferred pain. The symptoms are brought on by referred pain, in which pain from the lower back and pain from the leg coexist.
It is simply the result of "cross-talk" between the sensory neurones coming from the muscles/joints of the back and those coming from the muscles/skin of the legs. In this instance, there is no direct compression or irritation of the nerve roots that exit the spine. This condition also occurs in many other parts of the body, such as hip pain and thigh/knee pain or shoulder pain and neck discomfort. There is no loss of feeling or weakening in the legs in somatic referred pain.
When a lower back nerve root is compressed or irritated, it might cause symptoms in the leg that are referred pain from the radicle. A disc, bone, or ligament in the spine may physically impede the nerve root, or the inflammatory chemicals produced when one of these components is injured may irritate it.
Leg pain frequently follows a "dermatomal" pattern, in which the symptoms advance in a straight line from the lower back to the foot. Skin numbness or muscle weakness that is supplied by the damaged nerve root may also occur. A qualified practitioner, such as a physiotherapist, must properly evaluate radicular referral pain because these nerve injuries might result in weakness that can last for a very long time.
Should I have a scan for my lower back?
The great majority of people do not need to be scanned. In the majority of lower back pain instances, a thorough physiotherapy examination gives us all the information we need to properly treat your pain.
It can be challenging to visualise the lower back occasionally. We are aware that many abnormalities detected by scans don't actually result in symptoms and that many people who don't have lower back pain will also have comparable "abnormalities." According to a significant scientific study, 50% of those over 30 WITHOUT back discomfort have disc issues.
And as people aged, that prevalence rose. If we treated everyone simply according to what was shown on the scan, the true issue might go unnoticed and hence, things might not get better. We will refer you for a scan and/or to a specialist for additional testing if our evaluation reveals a significant pathology.
How can physiotherapy help my lower back pain?
One of the most efficient ways to treat lower back pain is through physiotherapy. The methods we employ are well supported by a wealth of research. A schedule of manual treatment and progressively harder exercises works well for the majority of lower back pain situations. The use of massage, joint mobilisations, and manipulations are all examples of manual therapy. These methods help to regain movement while reducing pain.
The exercise regimen usually consists of a mix of mobility and range-of-motion exercises, exercises to strengthen the trunk and legs, and a gradual return to activity. Dry needling, cupping, and TENS are among other therapy modalities that physiotherapists can employ. Often physiotherapists working with low back pain patients provide specific exercises that long term decrease pain or increase mobility.
Pain relief is important in the early stages of treatment, but an exercise program making sure to not increase symptom of pain is the long term goal for most patients.
What are physiotherapy exercises for lower back pain?
There are key physiotherapy exercises for lower back pain to relieve symptoms and improve range of movement. Regular exercise is one of the best ways to reduce and prevent lower back pain.
Here are five exercises that can help:
1. Hamstring stretches. Hamstring tightness is a common cause of lower back pain, so it's important to keep your hamstrings loose and flexible. To stretch your hamstrings, lie on your back with both legs extended. Slowly bend one knee and bring your heel towards your buttock. Hold the stretch for 30 seconds and repeat with the other leg.
2. Hip hinges. This exercise helps to strengthen the muscles that support your spine and ease lower back pain. To do a hip hinge, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and place your hands on your hips. Keeping your knees straight, hinge at the hips and bend forward until your torso is parallel with the floor. Return to the starting position and repeat 10 times.
3. Cat-camel stretches. This stretch helps to improve flexibility in your spine and ease lower back pain. To do a cat-camel stretch, start on all fours with your spine in a neutral position. As you inhale, arch your spine upwards into a "cat" position. As you exhale, round your spine downwards into a "camel" position. Repeat 10 times.
4. Pelvic tilts. This exercise helps to strengthen the muscles that support your spine and ease lower back pain. To do a pelvic tilt, lie on your back with both knees bent and feet flat on the floor shoulder-width apart . Tighten your abdominal muscles and press down into your heels to tilt your pelvis upwards. Return to the starting position and repeat 10 times.
5 . Bird dog pose. This exercise helps to stretch and strengthen the muscles that support your spine. To do a bird dog pose, start on all fours with your spine in a neutral position. From there, extend one leg behind you while reaching the opposite arm forward, keeping both parallel to the ground. Hold for five seconds, then return to all fours and repeat with the opposite limbs. Do 10 repetitions on each side.
Remember: if any of these exercises cause you more pain, stop immediately and consult with a physiotherapist. With proper care, most cases of lower back pain will resolve itself within six weeks. Have patience, stay positive, and keep moving.
What should I do if I have lower back pain?
Start by attempting to change any conditions, including extended periods of sitting at work or frequent lifting, that exacerbate your symptoms. Try to be active and move as much as you can while still managing your symptoms, standing and walking frequently throughout the day. Set up a consultation with a physiotherapist at Specific Physiotherapy to discuss your problems and begin a treatment plan right away.
10 St Duthus St, Preston, Victoria, is where we are located. Please make an appointment for physical therapy using the website. Please email image reports as well before your first physiotherapy appointment. If you have any questions, feel free to phone us at 0490 021 474.
Book in with our physiotherapist for lower back pain now
Patients can manage their own appointments for physiotherapy for lower back pain online by clicking the link below. Call our helpful staff if you have any queries first, and they would be happy to help you.
With the help of our physiotherapy services, you may begin living pain-free and achieve your health, wellness, and fitness goals. Make a booking right away.
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