Back pain treatment London: Guide to lower back pain and how to get better
About lower back pain
The symptoms of lower back pain can vary from person to person and throughout the course of life.
People suffering from lower back pain experience symptoms ranging from sharp or shooting pain to a dull ache in the lower back. The pain can be central, on the side of the lower back or both sides. This pain can sometimes be associated with difficulty moving, standing straight, sitting or standing for a long period of time. Lower back pain can also be associated with symptoms of sciatica in some cases.
Lower back pain is a very common issue which can affect more than 3/4 of the population at some point in their life. It tends to affect women more than men and usually people between the age of 40 to 80.
Back pain is usually categorised by the duration of symptoms. This varies between acute back pain (just after an injury) to subacute and chronic. Chronic pain is used to describe symptoms of back pain present for more than 12 weeks. The probability of experiencing lower back pain episodes again doubles after experiencing it once.
Lower back and sciatica
Sometimes lower back pain is associated with sciatica. Sciatica is described as pain and symptoms in the areas distributed by the sciatic nerve.This commonly happens in the buttock and the back and side of the thigh and leg. Symptoms of sciatica tend to be worse when moving, sneezing or coughing.
Sciatica is not a diagnosis, it is only a collection of symptoms. Some conditions that can cause sciatica include a disc bulge in the spine or bone formation compressing the sciatic nerve.
Non-specific VS specific lower back pain
9 out of 10 cases of lower back pain are non-specific in nature. Non-specific mechanical lower back pain is described as back pain not caused by a known pathology. Those pathologies include infection, fracture, scoliosis, osteoporosis (low bone density), inflammatory conditions, cauda equina syndrome etc.
In those cases of specific lower back pain, the pain can be associated with other symptoms or causes. It is recommended to see help from a professional healthcare provider if suffering from leg and feet weakness, fever, pain on coughing or peeing, trouble with bladder or bowel control, altered sensations in the inner thighs and genitalia, pins and needles or numbness in both legs or generally feeling unwell or very tired. Those symptoms can arise in any order or time frame. It is also recommended to see a professional if the lower back pain follows a recent fall or traumatic injury.
Non-specific lower back pain can be caused by a combination of issues from muscle or ligament sprains and strains, herniated discs or even lifting heavy objects. There are factors that can predispose someone to experiencing lower back pain. Those can include inactivity and sedentary lifestyle, obesity, long term high stress levels, anxiety and depression, lifting heavy objects for work or scoliosis. Having a desk based job can also contribute to the symptoms.
Other causes of lower back pain
In some cases, lower back pain and pelvic pain can arise during pregnancy. Around 50% of women will have some sort of back and/or pelvic pain during or after the pregnancy. It is usually more prevalent around the second trimester
Abdominal conditions can also trigger or cause lower back pain. Issues such as kidney stones, food intolerances, digestive dysfunctions or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can cause lower back pain. Someone suffering from an undiagnosed inflammatory bowel syndrome can experience symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea, bloating as well as abdominal and back pain. Abdominal scars can also worsen lower back pain.
Small tips to managing lower back pain:
No single ideal posture exists for desk work. Instead of fixating on sitting upright all the time and avoiding slumping, it's advisable to get up, walk around, or stretch every half an hour, and vary your position frequently while at your desk. Maintaining an active routine is crucial for expediting recovery from lower back pain. Extended periods of inactivity have been proven to hinder back pain recovery. If apprehensive about resuming normal activities, taking gradual steps each day is the most effective approach. Engaging in brief, regular walks is also beneficial for spinal health and joint well-being. For individuals working at a desk, standing up and engaging in movement or stretching every 30 minutes can help prevent muscle tightening and the aggravation of lower back pain.
Many people have discovered that practicing meditation is highly beneficial for handling and alleviating lower back discomfort. Studies have demonstrated that engaging in meditation or other methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy can effectively address lower back pain in persistent cases. Additionally, activities like yoga and pilates are excellent for lessening and controlling back pain. When participating in a group session, communicating with the instructor about your specific symptoms enables them to tailor the session to focus on strengthening key areas or suggest modifications for particular poses.
A healthy diet and lifestyle can assist in alleviating lower back pain. Maintaining proper hydration by drinking around 2 liters of water daily promotes spinal health. Incorporating an anti-inflammatory diet can also help lessen discomfort by cutting back on refined sugar, salt, alcohol, smoking, and processed foods, as well as limiting tea and coffee consumption. Including turmeric or ginger in your meals may aid in addressing inflammation. Consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist if you are uncertain about the dietary changes needed to effectively manage your symptoms.
Back pain treatment london:
Healthcare practitioners such as Osteopaths can help you with back pain recovery. Find us at Lilou Convert Osteopathy Highbury and Islington station.
We hope this blog was helpful to you. Visit our website at www.highburyosteopathyclinic.com or contact us at lilou.osteopath@outlook.com for more information
