Helping Back Pain And Pain Relief With Osteopathy

Helping with back pain by visiting an osteopath

Next to the common cold, back pain causes the highest number of sick days in the UK. Back pain, and its associated problems, will send five million of us to the doctor’s surgery each year. Back pain can be caused by strains and sprains to muscles and ligaments, arthritis, slipped discs, trapped nerves or injury. More often than not, back pain is due to a sedentary lifestyle rather than an active one.

As the country’s workforce move from physically active jobs to careers that require them to sit at a desk with a computer, cases of back pain have been on the increase. In these instances, pain, and the feeling that your spine isn’t straight, is due to poor alignment caused by slouching and incorrect posture. Other types of back pain can be caused by trauma, infection or disease. Osteopathy can help with the symptoms of back pain and correct the problems that are causing it.

Understanding back pain and how an osteopath can help pain relief

The spine is made up of bones (known as vertebrae), discs, muscles and ligaments that enable it to bend, twist and absorb shock. Simple back pain occurs when these elements don’t work properly together and the pain can be either sudden or come on over a longer period. This type of back pain is simple back pain and is often felt in the lower part of the back (known as the lumbar region). Simple back pain is typically caused by bad posture, poor handling of heavy loads (lifting, pulling or pushing), standing or bending for long periods, trips, falls or chairs with insufficient support to the spine.

Other causes of back pain can be more serious. The spine may have suffered nerve damage from a slipped disc (the discs between the vertebrae can bulge and move from their proper position) causing pain in the lower back through to the leg and foot. This type of pain is known as sciatica as the disc is placing pressure on the sciatic nerve that runs down the leg. More serious cases of back pain can be from a collapsed vertebrae, infection, tuberculosis or cancer.

Many people describe an Osteopath as ‘clicking their spine back into place’ because osteopathy treats back pain using manipulation techniques and mobilisations on the spine. An Osteopath aims to release tension in the muscles, ligaments and joints and realign spinal structure. By using physical manipulations, the Osteopath can ease restricted movement and re-establish circulation. In turn, pressure on the nerves is eased that helps alleviate pain.

Osteopathy techniques for treating back pain and delivering pain relief

A visit to an Osteopath begins with an initial examination of posture, range of movement and reflexes. The Osteopath will then use stretches and massage to relax the muscles and ligaments around the spine. Once the back is ‘warmed up’, the Osteopath manipulates and mobilises the spine – the techniques may seem brutal and you may hear clicking and popping noises but it is perfectly safe when carried out by a trained and registered practitioner.

After the session, the Osteopath will teach you exercises that will strengthen the muscles around the spine. Keeping active is one of the key elements to preventing back pain. Loosening and strengthening the muscles on a daily basis, keeping an eye on your posture and a regular visit to an Osteopath can keep your spine in top condition.

Article Submitted By
Daniel Alexander, GoToSee Journalist

Date Published
16/05/08

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