Back Pain & Back Injury Treatment

Back pain or back injury is a very common condition that we treat daily. If you’re looking for a back pain specialist in Adelaide, City Physio is particularly interested in treating you by providing quality, effective, hands-on physio and exercise solutions for your pain. Our commitment to patient-centred care ensures we tailor treatment plans based on individual patient needs. 

We create a personalised treatment plan to help relieve your pain effectively and restore your body balance. Once we have your acute pain under control with hands-on treatments, we work with you to rehabilitate and restore the function of your back muscles and spine.

All our physiotherapists will work with you on pain management exercises as we believe self-management strategies are crucial to preventing recurrent episodes. At City Physio, our approach to your back pain is holistic, and your physiotherapist will work with you on improving areas such as:

• Posture
• Sleep
• Lifestyle
• Work ergonomics
• Stress reduction
• Hobbies or your current sports or exercise regimes

What is Back Pain?

Back pain is a complex condition affecting millions of people worldwide. It can manifest as acute, chronic, or persistent back pain, ranging from mild discomfort to severe pain that disrupts daily life. Understanding the underlying causes of back pain is crucial for effective management and treatment. Various factors can contribute to back pain, including muscle tightness, facet joint issues, degenerative spine changes, and underlying medical conditions. 

A comprehensive approach to understanding back pain involves considering physical and psychological factors, such as lifestyle, stressors, anxieties, and past experiences. By addressing these elements, we can develop a more effective and personalised treatment plan to alleviate pain and prevent future problems.

What causes back pain?

Up to 80% of the Australian population will suffer back pain at some point. It is the third most common reason people take time off work after colds and flu. Lower back pain can originate from many causes. Your pain can originate from your:

• Lumbar spine discs
• Spinal facet joints
• Arthritis
• Back muscle strain
• Back ligament strain
• Muscle spasm
• Bony spurs or growths
• Pinched nerves
• Irritated nerves
• Osteoporosis
• Sciatica

After accurately diagnosing back pain, it is crucial to provide treatment plans tailored to individual needs.

Are there any environmental causes?

Some of the most common causes of back pain are incorrect lifting techniques, repetitive bending, poor posture, prolonged sitting, and weakness in the core stabilising muscles.

Signs and Symptoms of Back Pain

Back pain can affect any part of the spine and back musculature, including the lumbar (low-back), thoracic (mid-back), or cervical (upper-back/neck). It is often described as one or more of the following:

• Local sharp pain, a dull ache or burning pain
• Pain that radiates into your hip, groin or buttocks
• Lower back pain that is aggravated by sitting, standing, bending forward or backward, twisting or walking
• Pain that travels down your leg to your thigh, calf, ankle or foot
• Pins and needles or numbness travelling into your legs and/or feet
• A weakness of your leg muscles
• Pain associated with loss of bladder or bowel control

Mid-Back Pain

In medical terms, the middle back 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 the spine is most often involved in pain related to posture and usually responds well to being mobilised by a physiotherapist. Pain in the thoracic region can occur in the shoulder blades instead, which can be confusing when figuring out where your pain originates.

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

Low Back Pain

Low back pain (or acute low back pain) is the most common type of pain our population experiences.

Lower back problems can usually be divided into three groups; however, people often present a combination of each type.

Accordingly, disc injuries are the first type of lower back pain. Disc injuries occur regularly and can be quite a stressful and painful ordeal. They usually only become painful one or two days after the original aggravation and give off sharp pains that cause extensive tightness in the lower back. 

To illustrate, the spine comprises the large joints between neighbouring vertebrae and two smaller joints on either side, commonly called facet joints or posterior intervertebral joints. These small vertebral joints are like any other in the body and can elicit pain if they do not function correctly. 

Furthermore, the facet or posterior intervertebral joints commonly cause pain when twisting, bending backward, or bending sideways. Treating these joints requires your physiotherapist to use 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 is usually the result of one or both other sources of pain. Discs can irritate nerves if they press on them while exiting the spinal column, while posterior intervertebral joints usually affect nerves indirectly through tight attached muscles. 

Pain caused by nerves being pressed usually feels sharp and burning and can travel in a specific direction along the nerve’s line. Nerve pain can be distressing, but we urge you to seek help from your trained physiotherapist at City Physiotherapy, who can relieve your pain through a variety of techniques.

Sciatica

Sciatica is pain caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve, which 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 the piriformis. If this is your pain, it will feel like a sharp or burning pain that can shoot down the leg. This pain is commonly aggravated by sitting, bending over or crossing your legs over each other.

Your physiotherapist at City Physiotherapy will help determine the source of nerve irritation and help 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 experienced in retraining lower backs to restore movement, allowing for happier, non-irritated nerves!

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

Diagnosing Back Pain

Diagnosing back pain requires a thorough medical evaluation, including a detailed physical examination, a medical history review, and diagnostic tests such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans. Healthcare professionals assess the severity and location of the pain, as well as any underlying medical conditions that may be contributing to it. 

Identifying specific conditions, such as acute, chronic, or persistent back pain, is essential for developing an effective treatment plan. This personalised treatment plan will be tailored to your needs, priorities, and goals, ensuring you receive the most appropriate and effective care for your back pain.

Will physiotherapy help my back pain?

Hands-on physio treatment for back pain, including hands-on treatment as a critical component of a tailored physiotherapy plan, will vary according to the level of discomfort you are experiencing. In addition to soft tissue techniques and joint mobilisations, we may use dry needling, taping or bracing to support your spinal muscles. Sometimes, we also apply heat or ice therapy and can suggest medication to reduce pain and inflammation.

Your physio will give you exercises to assist in managing your back pain. Your back pain physiotherapist may refer you for appointments for x-rays, CT scans or MRI to assist in diagnosing your condition if required. We can liaise directly with the radiologist for scans and or steroid injections.

Types of back pain we treat 

A personalised treatment plan is essential to ensure effective care for these various types of back pain.

Managing Chronic Back Pain

Managing chronic back pain requires a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach. Chronic pain is a complex condition that affects not only the physical body but also the emotional and psychological well-being of the individual. A pain management plan may involve a combination of treatments, such as pain medicine, physical therapy, and dry needling. 

Patient-centred care is essential for effective chronic pain management. It involves individuals in decision-making and prioritises their needs and goals. A successful outcome for chronic pain management consists of addressing both physical and psychological factors, including stress, anxiety, and past experiences. By taking a holistic approach, we can help you manage your chronic pain more effectively and improve your overall quality of life.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Severe Pain

Severe pain requires immediate medical attention. If you are experiencing severe back pain, seeking medical attention as soon as possible is essential. Severe pain can be a sign of an underlying medical condition that requires prompt treatment. 

A healthcare professional will assess the severity of the pain and develop a personalised treatment plan to manage the pain and address any underlying conditions. In some cases, severe pain may require emergency medical attention, especially if you are experiencing symptoms such as numbness, tingling, weakness in your legs, or fever or chills. Don’t hesitate to seek medical attention if you are experiencing severe back pain. 

Make a booking today to get your back pain under control with City Physiotherapy’s excellent team of back pain professionals.  Click our Book Now Button for an appointment today. For more information and regular updates about City Physio, visit our Facebook page.

FAQS

Will physiotherapy help my back pain?

Yes, physiotherapy can be an effective treatment for back pain. Our experienced physiotherapists use hands-on techniques, exercises, and other therapies to address the root cause of your pain and provide relief.

How do you diagnose back pain?

Diagnosing back pain involves a thorough evaluation, including a physical examination, medical history review, and diagnostic tests such as X-rays or MRI scans. If a scan is necessary, we can refer you directly to a local medical imaging facility. This helps identify the source and severity of the pain and any underlying conditions contributing to it.

What types of back pain do you treat?

We treat various types of back pain, including sciatica, degenerative disc disease, inflammatory pain, and more. Our personalised treatment plans address each individual’s specific needs to provide effective care.

Can you help manage chronic back pain?

We offer a comprehensive approach to managing chronic back pain, including medication, physical therapy, and dry needling. Our patient-centred care addresses physical and psychological factors for long-term relief.

When should I seek medical attention for severe back pain?

If you are experiencing severe back pain, it is essential to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Severe pain can be a sign of an underlying condition that requires prompt treatment.