Back Pain

 Back pain

Your spine is a column of bones (vertebrae) held together by muscles, tendons and ligaments and cushioned by shock-absorbing disks. A problem in any part of your spine can cause back pain. For some people, back pain is simply an annoyance. For others, it can be excruciating and disabling.

Most back pain — even severe back pain — goes away on its own within six weeks with relative activity and pain killers. Surgery usually isn’t needed for back pain and generally is considered only if other treatments are not effective.

If your back pain is progressively getting worse or does not go away after six weeks of regular activities and pain relief medications from your GP, then:

1. Don’t procrastinate any longer – seek help from a physiotherapist who will advise you on how you can get the help you need.

2. Do the RIGHT exercises – completing the correct exercises and following an exercise plan will help reduce pain and allow you to return to normal function faster as well as preventing the reoccurrence of back pain by improving on your core strength.

3. Avoid prolonged sitting and long periods of rest as this can result in your back becoming tight and stiff. If you have a desk based job, make it a habit of getting up every 15 -30mins to twist your spine, bend backwards, sideways and forwards. Also try to sit upright when watching TV or sit supported with a pillow or lumbar support device.

4. Get hands-on physiotherapy treatment – This has proven to be a very efficient method in alleviating back pain. Back pain is the most common condition we see in our clinic and 95% of our patients get better with hands-on treatment combined with exercise!