Back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide, yet it is a condition most people will experience at some point in their life. The good news is that it is rarely due to a serious problem and our osteopaths in Hackney are on stand-by to get you back up and running.
Most people will suffer from back pain at some point during their life. In most cases, it is not due to a serious illness and it will recover within a few weeks with the right care. Repetitive heavy lifting, muscle strains and spasms (often referred to as pulled muscles) and hours hunched-over a desk are just some of the common reasons for why our backs may be in pain.
It may be a sharp pain or dull ache, affecting the left or right side or the centre of your back. Underlying disc bulges ('slipped discs') or arthritis may be contributing factors but they they do not mean you have to always be in pain. The pain you experience will vary according to a whole host of things but it rarely reflects the extent of damage.
Leg pain, often termed 'sciatica', is also very common and can be extremely distressing, with pain often reaching down to the foot. Pins and needles, numbness or weakness may also occur. Although concerning, with the right plan of care, these symptoms can easily be managed and should go away eventually.
Osteopathy is a highly successful method of treating pain and functional impairment. After taking a thorough case history and examining your body, your osteopath will create a diagnosis and treatment plan. Osteopaths combine massage therapy, joint manipulation, mobilisations and stretching of your muscles to relieve you from your aches, spasms and feelings of stiffness. Your osteopath will also provide you with specific exercises and give you advice for the best posture to adopt at home, in the office or at night during sleep.
• Back pain has a specific cause - Wrong! Most back pain has no specific cause and is due to minor stress to the ligaments and muscles of the back.
• Wear and tear in the spine is always painful - Wrong! Most people have signs of wear and tear in their spine that is not painful at all.
• Spines go 'out of alignment' - Wrong! Instead, pain can cause muscles to tense up and make you appear uneven.
• Discs slip out of place - Wrong! Discs are sturdy and strong structures, but occasionally you can get a tear or herniation - these can be very painful but do recover.
An in-depth exploration of your problem, how it came about, and how it is affecting your life.
A thorough examination to find out what's wrong and what we can do about it.
An expert, hands-on treatment to get your body working again, tailored to your sensitivities.
Top tips to maximise your body's own healing capacity in the shortest time possible.
Check out how we approach an osteopathic consultation and provide you with a complete clinical assessment, management plan, manual treatment and exercise advice. Watch this short video for more information.
Thanks for joining!
