Lower back pain
Lower back pain is one of the most common causes of pain and disability, with around 80% of adults experiencing back pain at some point during their lives.
What causes back pain?
There can be many causes for back pain such as:
- Sprain: overstretching of a ligament
- Strain: overstretching of a tendon or muscle
- Disc: intervertebral discs sit in between the vertebrae of the spine. These discs lose their water content with age, meaning they are less capable of shock absorption. If the disc bulges out from its space between in the vertebrae this can cause back pain. Excessive bending or torsion forces can also irritate discs.
- Radiculopathy: compression of a nerve root that can either come from inflammation or from mechanical compression. Pressure onto a nerve root causes symptoms such as pain, pins and needles or numbness down the leg(s). Sciatica is an example of a radiculopathy which causes these symptoms down the back of the buttock and leg.
Lower back pain can also come from more systemic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis.
Lower back pain may begin from a specific event for example lifting something heavy, or it may gradually come on over time. This kind of gradual onset back pain may be caused by posture, or age related changes within the spine.
Should I get an x-ray? Will I need surgery?
It is rare for someone to require surgery for back pain. Most cases of lower back pain are described as “non-specific” as there is no way to identify the cause on radiological imaging. Even if it were to be seen, research has shown that there is often poor correlation between symptoms felt and what comes up on the x-ray.
How do I make my back feel better?
Back pain can often be settled on its own by keeping up some gentle exercise such as walking, performing stretches and using simple pain medications. Research has shown that remaining active is more effective than bed rest in patients with acute back pain. However if you find your symptoms are not settling, or you start to experience other symptoms such as pins and needles, numbness or weakness in the legs, booking an appointment with physio is a good idea.
Physio can help to treat your symptoms, as well as suggest ways to help prevent back pain in the future. This usually involves having a look at your muscle strength, flexibility, the amount the joints in your back move, as well as your posture.
Physiotherapy treatment for lower back pain may include joint mobilisation, massage, taping techniques, ultrasound or dry needling. Although general exercise such as playing sports is not recommended after an acute injury, your physio may give you some stretches or gentle exercises to help keep your back mobile and speed up the healing process.
Lower back pain
Lower back pain is one of the most common causes of pain and disability, with around 80% of adults experiencing back pain at some point during their lives.