It is a fact that approximately 8 out of every ten people will experience at least some form of debilitating back pain in their lives.
The symptoms for back pain can be:
▪Persistent aching or stiffness anywhere along your spine, from the base of the neck to the hips.
▪Sharp, localized pain in the neck, upper back, or lower back — especially after lifting heavy objects or engaging in other strenuous activity.
▪Chronic ache in the middle or lower back, especially after sitting or standing for extended periods.
▪Back pain that radiates from the low back to the buttock, down the back of the thigh, and into the calf and toes.
▪Inability to stand straight without having severe muscle spasms in the low back.
In most cases back pain can be treated with rest and physiotherapy. As your physiotherapist, we would perform an evaluation to determine your physical condition, pain location and mechanism of injury. We may have you raise one leg at a time, rotate the hip, squat, bend forward or backward and assume other positions. All of this is to help us pinpoint which factors are involved and how to proceed with treatment.
Pain management is the main focus of your physiotherapy program. Ice may be used initially to get rid of inflammation and pain. Massage is also helpful, especially if there is muscle spasm. In some cases, trigger point massage may be necessary when there is referred pain down the buttocks and leg that resembles sciatica. Other treatments we may use include acupuncture, dry needling, mobilization and
manipulation. Proper posture will be taught, as this can go a long way in relieving back pain.
Stretching exercises form a major part of your therapy. These exercises will target the lower back, buttocks and hamstrings to relieve tightness and promote blood flow. They may also include helping you find comfortable, pain-relieving positions. Water exercises, swimming and walking may also be recommended. Instruction in proper body mechanics during bending, lifting and carrying heavy objects is another important aspect of your recovery.
Once your symptoms are under control, we will give you a home exercise program to continue with and make recommendations to prevent recurrence of back pain. Some of these may include ergonomic adjustments in the work place and weight loss, as a healthy weight puts less strain on the back.
TIP OF THE MONTH Read a few pages of a book, magazine, online resource or newspaper. Regular reading helps strengthen your ability to think, teaches you something new, and helps reduce the risk of deterioration of the brain in later life.
TOWARDS WELLNESS Stress can wreak havoc on one’s physical and psychological well-being. Trying to reduce stress can be difficult in our present day fast-paced society. It is important to find a balance between work and play. Some stress reducing activities include exercise, meditation, spending time with loved ones, joining community events and having hobbies.
