Back Pain

Back Pain

Back Pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal presentations in any private practice physiotherapy clinic. Unfortunately, our modern lifestyle includes extended periods of time sitting which places increased stress on our backs.

It is important to realise that backs are probably not as fragile as you think the are. Intervertebral discs have strong layers of connective tissue wrapping around them holding everything in place. It is normal for some amount of degenerative change when imaging of the back is undertaken.

Middle Back Pain

Middle back in medical terms is known as the Thoracic spine. This region is unique in its function because it connects with the ribs and allows for movement when breathing. This section of spine is most often involved in postural types of pain and usually enjoys being mobilised by a physiotherapist. Pain in the thoracic region can be referred under the shoulder blades which can be confusing to figure out where your pain is coming from.

Our therapists are experienced and confident in mobilising and manipulating your stiff and painful thoracic spine to help you to regain full pain free movement.

Low Back Pain

Low Back Pain is the most common type of pain experienced by our population. Problems can usually be separated into three different groups but people often have a combination of each presentation.

Disc injuries occur regularly and can be quite a stressful and painful situation. Disc injuries will usually only become painful one or two days after the original aggravation and will give off sharp pains which causes extensive tightness in the lower back. Your physiotherapist will help you on a path to recovery by encouraging disc mobility, avoiding aggravating positions such as sitting, releasing soft tissue, taping for support and giving strengthening exercises once ready. The most important step in your recovery is not to panic, lots of people make full recoveries from pains like yours.

Not only does the spine comprise of the large joints between neighbouring vertebra, they also have two smaller joints on either side. these joints are just like any others in the body and produce pain if they are not functioning correctly. The joints, called posterior intervertebral joints, commonly cause pain during twisting, bending backwards and bending sideways. Treatment of these joints usually requires your physiotherapist using specialised techniques to help the joint regain movement, while releasing tight soft tissue structures around the sore joint.

Nerve pain is the third type of lower back pain and usually the result of one or both of the other sources of pain. Nerves can be irritated by discs if they press on the nerve while exiting the spinal column, while posterior intervertebral joints usually effect nerves indirectly through tight attached muscles. Nerve pain will usually feel like sharp burning pain and can travel in a certain direction along the line of a nerve. Nerve pain can be distressing however we urge you to seek help from your trained physiotherapist at City Physiotherapy who can help relieve your pain through a variety of techniques.

Sciatica

Sciatica is pain caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve. The nerve runs from the lower back, through the buttock, down the back of the leg and into the side of the foot. Irritation occurs most commonly in one of two places; at the exit of the nerve from the spinal cord or in the buttock by a muscle called piriformis. If this is your pain, it will feel like a sharp or burning pain which can shoot down the leg, commonly being aggravated by sitting, bending over or crossing your legs over each other.

Your physiotherapist at City Physiotherapy will help to determine the source of irritation of the nerve and help to relieve your pain. Dry needling and/or trigger point release are especially effective in giving immediate results from piriformis triggered sciatic pain. Sciatic pain caused by spinal irritation can take longer to dissipate however our therapists are very experienced in retraining lower backs to restore movement which allows for happier non-irritated nerves!

If you have tight and tender gluteals or sore lower back, you are at risk of this pain. Why not help yourself prevent pain and disability by booking in for a session with us BEFORE the pain starts.

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