What is Lower Back Pain?

Lower back pain can be either an acute (sudden and short term) or chronic (long-term and often getting progressively worse) disabling condition that affects many people at some stage in their life. Lower back pain can also be described as a symptom of many other conditions.

What causes Lower Back Pain?

Lower back pain can be caused by a variety of factors and is usually categorised as mechanical, inflammatory, metabolic, referred pain from elsewhere, or can even be caused by depression.

Lower back pain can be caused by an injury or a form of trauma, like a sports injury, a car accident or a fall which damage the muscles, discs or joints in the lower back.

Poor posture can be another and poor body mechanics such as lifting without bending the knees.

Other causes can be particular conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and degeneration of the discs between the vertebrae.

What are the symptoms/effects of Lower Back Pain?

Pain in the lumbosacral area (lower part of the back) is the primary symptom of low back pain which may be worse at night or after sitting for long periods. This pain may radiate down the front, side, or back of your leg, or it may be confined to the low back. Your may also experience numbness, pins and needles or weakness if your injury is irritating a nerve root.

Diagnosis of Lower Back Pain

A physiotherapist or doctor will take a subjective history and conduct a thorough physical examination to confirm a diagnosis.

Physiotherapy for Lower Back Pain

Physiotherapy treatment is beneficial for people with lower back pain. Physiotherapy uses a combination of hands-on techniques, advice and exercise to promote recovery and return you to your normal level of function as quickly as possible.

At Manchester Physio, your rehabilitation program may include:

Postural advice and adaptations
Exercise programmes including aerobic exercise, muscle strengthening and stretching
Joint mobilisations and manipulations
Trigger point therapy
Acupuncture
Massage
Ultrasound

Your physiotherapist at Manchester Physio will advise and support you through an individualised treatment program tailored to your lifestyle and hobbies to reduce pain, stiffness and improve strength and flexibility.

For more information about how physiotherapy can help your back, or to book an appointment please call 0161 883 0077.

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