Osteopathic Treatment For Back Pain

Back pain is a common problem that affects most people at some point in their life and ‘Dr. Google’ returns 12,300,000 results for low back pain which highlights how big a problem it is.

The good news is that the majority of cases of back pain aren’t caused by serious damage or disease, but by minor sprains, strains or injuries, or a pinched or irritated nerve. These problems can be triggered by everyday activities or they can develop gradually.

Obvious causes of back pain include:

Bending for long periods or twisting awkwardly
Lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling heavy objects
Driving or sitting in a hunched position for long periods without taking a break
Overusing muscles – for example, playing a sport or repetitive movements like typing

How we can help

Osteopaths are well known for treating back pain and our patients report high satisfaction with treatment. There is good evidence supporting the beneficial effects of manipulation for back pain and the National Institute for Clinical Excellence recommends osteopathy for cases of back pain
We use a range of gentle manual treatments depending on your age, fitness and diagnosis including massage and mobilising joints to release tension and manipulation to improve movement.
Treatment will often involve other areas of the body such as the hips, knees or neck as these can all play a role in your back pain. In addition to manual treatment we may also offer advice on your posture, diet and exercise or give you specific exercises.
X-rays, scans and other tests may be required to make a diagnosis and you may be referred to your GP or a specialist for additional investigation or treatment.

Signs of a serious back problem

Although rare there are some signs that you should not be ignored if they occur at the same time as back pain including:

High temperature
Unexplained weight loss over a period of time with no change in diet
A swelling/ deformity in your back
Constant pain and you can’t find a comfortable position
Loss of bladder or bowel control
An inability to pass urine
Numbness around your genitals, buttocks or back passage

If you experience any of these problems together with back pain you should make an appointment with your GP describing your symptoms as soon as possible.

For more advice on your back pain, or to book an appointment please call us on (01604) 532853