Help My Back Pain – Therapies to Ease the Misery

Therapy to help back pain
Lower back pain sometimes known as Lumbago or Sciatica is a common disorder affecting some 60% of the adult population, seeking to get rid of back pain. So great is the problem, that in the UK alone, some 150 million man days are lost each year in industry, as a result of absenteeism attributed to lower back pain. Generally, the symptoms of low back pain are due to benign musculoskeletal problems often arising from strains in the lower back muscles or soft tissue, and these ease considerably within a few weeks using common sense measures to address.

To help back pain, establishing of the fundamental origin of the back pain with a GP is usually made through a combination of a medical history, physical examination, and, when necessary, diagnostic investigation, such as x-ray, MRI, or CT scan. Usually, low back or lumbar pain can be treated conventionally, with one recommendation being physical therapy which may help alleviate the symptoms, and give back pain relief. A summary of some of the more common therapies used to provide back pain relief are listed below:-

Acupuncture
Acupuncture treatment originated in China over two thousand years ago. It is reputed that the first observations were of soldiers, wounded in battle by arrows, and how the arrow ‘punctures’ caused therapeutic effects in different parts of the victims body well away from the wound area. The general theory behind traditional acupuncture is based on patterns or meridians of energy flow through the body that are essential for health. This is referred to as Qi or Chi and sometimes Xue (blood). Disruptions of this flow are thought to be the primary causes of pain and disease. Acupuncture attempts to correct imbalances of flow, thus helping to restore the patient’s health.

How acupuncture works
Broadly, acupuncture involves stimulation of points along these energy flows through a range of techniques. Stimulation is typically performed using very fine needles that create gentle sensations. Each of these needles are inserted into specific points along these ‘energy pathways’ or “meridians”.

Can acupuncture help my back Pain
Acupuncture is considered useful in treating such conditions as lower back pain, sciatica, stiffness, and strains. In traditional acupuncture theory, pain arises due to blocked energy along ‘energy pathways’ or “meridians” of the body, which are ‘cleared’ when acupuncture needles are inserted. In modern medicine, scientific reasons have been put forward for the apparent benefits that acupuncture provides for the sufferers of lower back pain. One observation is that acupuncture stimulation causes the releases neurochemicals and hormones, regarded as producing signals that soothe the sympathetic nervous system and release natural opioids which provide back pain relief.

Alexander technique
The Alexander Technique is a method that works to change (movement) habits in our everyday activities. It is a simple and practical method for improving ease and freedom of movement, balance, support and coordination. The technique teaches the use of the appropriate amount of effort for a particular activity, giving you more energy for all your activities. It is not a series of treatments or exercises, but rather a re-education of the mind and body. The Alexander Technique is a method which helps a person discover a new balance in the body by releasing unnecessary tension. It can be applied to sitting, lying down, standing, walking, lifting, and other daily activities

How Alexander Technique works
The Alexander Technique shows its students how to learn to do whatever they currently do as easily and efficiently as possible. It is concerned almost exclusively with process – how an activity is performed not what it is. Although there are no exercises, Alexander technique shows how to exercise more efficiently, with reduced risk of injury. Many, seeking back pain relief are drawn to the technique because of its reputation to help back pain or lumbago, stiff necks and shoulders, and other conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Alexander teachers are not doctors and do not diagnose diseases.

Can Alexander Technique help my back pain
By becoming more aware of how the body works and learning how to “undo” bad body practices, those suffering with long term or chronic back pain are able to soothe and ease their symptoms. Pupils of Alexander technique can learn how to pupils how to liberate needless muscle tension and, freer means of movement which impose less strain and therefore back pain relief.

Bowen Therapy
The Bowen technique is a soft tissue remedial therapy, named after its innovator Tom Bowen. This therapy is not considered massage, but as a non-invasive muscle release and integration technique, but similar to massage, it releases muscular tension. Its clients describe experiences of significant relaxation after a session.

How does Bowen Therapy work
The technique involves the therapist using fingers or thumbs to move over muscle, ligament tendon and fascia in various parts of the body. The work is very subtle, relaxing and gentle involving no hard or prolonged pressure. During a session the client will lie on a therapy table or bed, although the work can be effectively carried out with the client in a chair.

Can Bowen Therapy help my back pain
The most common presentation is for back pain relief and here Bowen excels. The average number of treatments would be two or three for most therapists. There are always going to be exceptions to any rule, and certain people will need further or even on-going treatments. Sports injury is a field of remedial therapy that is becoming very aware of The Bowen Technique. The Bowen Technique is being used at high levels of sport in this country, with rugby clubs and premiership football clubs showing interest. Bowen therapists advocate that this can reduce or eliminate or help back pain and promote general health
Source: European College of Bowen

Chiropractic
Chiropractic is a technique which focuses on the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. The principal of Chiropractic is that the key to health is the nervous system with the spine at its centre. If the spine is aligned correctly, then optimal movement can occur and the patient can achieve improved health.

A chiropractor will generally address “subluxations”- misalignments to the spinal bones responsible for reduced movement or or loss of normal posture, causing impairment to the nervous system or nerve irritation.

How does Chiropractic work
In seeking to help back pain, a chiropractor would usually examine the patient’s spine and review any patient history to determine any previous injuries, accidents, or tensions that may be impairing normal function. Sometimes the Chiropractor will order an X-ray to help determine this. A common form of Chiropractic treatment is a spinal manipulation or adjustment. This is generally carried out by hand manipulating the spinal joints affected in an attempt to increase or unlock the joints mobility.

Additional tools are sometimes used to promote healing including rehabilitative exercise, nutritional and lifestyle improvement programmes. The amount of, and frequency of the treatment required would vary according to the nature and severity of the condition.

Can Chiropractic help my back pain

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What Is Causing My Lower Back Pain?

Lower back pain is one of the leading reasons people in the United States visit their doctors. It will inhibit the lives of millions of Americans this year. In fact, an average four out of five adults will experience low back pain at some point in their lives. So the question, “What is causing my lower back pain?” is not uncommon.

Lower back pain can be excruciating. It can be caused by a large variety of injuries or conditions, such as:

* lower back muscles may be strained

* discs between the vertebrae may be injured

* large nerve roots extending to arms and legs may be irritated

* smaller nerves that supply the lower back spine may be irritated

* joints, ligaments, or even bones may be injured

When lower back pain occurs with other symptoms such as fever and chills, a serious medical condition may be present. You should see a doctor immediately.

Three categories of lower back pain

Your lower back pain will fall into one of three categories, which your doctor bases on your description of the pain.

1. Axial lower back pain – mechanical or simple back pain

2. Radicular lower back pain – sciatica

3. Lower back pain with referred pain

1. Axial Lower Back Pain

Axial lower back pain is the most common of the three. It is felt only in the lower back area with no pain radiating to other parts of the body. It is sometimes called mechanical back pain or simple back pain.

* Description: Axial lower back pain can vary greatly. It may be sharp or dull, constant or intermittent. On a scale of 1 to 10, you may rate its intensity #1 or a full #10. It may increase with certain activity – when playing tennis, for example. It may worsen in certain positions – such as sitting at a desk. It may or may not be relieved by rest.

* Diagnosis: Axial lower back pain might be diagnosed by you rather than your physician. You know it started when you were helping a friend move a heavy couch. On the other hand, it may be your doctor who determines that you have strained or otherwise damaged back muscles, have a degenerated disc, etc.

* Treatment: The cause of your axial lower back pain does not matter when it comes to treatment. You will want to rest for a day or two. Follow this by gentle back pain exercises and stretching. If you have more pain after exercise, use a heating pad on low or medium setting. Take an appropriate over-the-counter pain medication. Follow your doctor’s advice.

* Prognosis: Symptoms of axial lower back pain disappear with time, and about 90% of patients recover within four to six weeks. If you do not feel better within six to eight weeks, additional testing and/or injections may be needed to diagnose and treat the source of the pain.

* Caution: If your pain is chronic, or so severe that it awakens you during the night, see your doctor.

2. Radicular Lower Back Pain

Radicular lower back pain is commonly referred to as sciatica. It is felt in the lower back area, thighs, and legs.

* Description: Radicular lower back pain often begins in the lower back, and then follows a specific nerve path into the thighs and legs. Your leg pain may be much worse than your back pain. It is often deep and steady. It may readily be reproduced with certain activities and positions, such as sitting or walking.

* Diagnosis: Radicular lower back pain is caused by compression of the lower spinal nerve. The most common cause is a herniated disc with compression of the nerve. Other causes might be diabetes or injury to the nerve root. If you had previous back surgery, scar tissue may be affecting the nerve root. Elderly adults may have a narrowing of the hole through which the spinal nerve exits.

* Treatment: Conservative treatment is the best place to begin. Rest for a few days in a bed or chair. Follow this by gradual introduction of gentle exercises specifically for back pain relief. Follow your exercise with additional rest, applying a heating pad on low to medium setting. Soak daily in Epsom salts baths. Take an appropriate over-the-counter pain medication. Your doctor may want to use selective spinal injections.

* Prognosis: Symptoms of radicular low back pain may decrease with the conservative treatment outlined above. Give your back and legs six to eight weeks to improve. If surgery is needed after that, it typically provides relief of the leg pain for 85% to 90% of patients. The back pain itself is more difficult to relieve.

* Caution: If an MRI or CT-myelogram does not definitely confirm nerve compression, back surgery is unlikely to be successful.

3. Lower Back Pain with Referred Pain

Lower back pain with referred pain is not as common as axial or radicular back pain. This pain, which does not radiate down the thighs and legs, may be caused by the same conditions that cause axial lower back pain.

* Description: You will usually feel referred pain in the low back area, radiating into your groin, buttocks, and upper thigh. The pain may move around, but it will rarely go below your knee. It often is an achy, dull pain. It tends to come and go. Sometimes it is very sharp, but other times it is only a dull sensation. It can be caused by the identical injury or problem that causes simple axial back pain. Often, it is no more serious.

* Diagnosis: It is very important to have a physician determine whether your pain is lower back pain with referred pain or radicular lower back pain, since the treatment varies considerably.

* Treatment: Once you know for sure that yours is lower back pain with referred pain, you can follow the treatment for axial lower back pain.

* Prognosis: Symptoms of lower back pain with referred pain disappear with time, usually within four to six weeks. If you do not feel better within six to eight weeks, ask your physician if additional testing and/or injections are needed.

* Caution: If your lower back pain is chronic, or so severe it awakens you during the night, you should see your doctor.

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