Lower Back Pain

As an Osteopath at Kennington Osteopathic Practice treating patients from Oxford and Abingdon, I can confirm that it is a known fact that back pain is widespread, and in most cases, with the right combination of treatment and exercise, it goes away quickly. But sometimes, the pain doesn't go away and can even lead to injury. In this article, I will focus on lower back pain, what the leading causes for it are, and what is the right way to treat and heal lower back pain, from an Osteopath's perspective, of course ;-)

What Is Lower Back Pain And How To Identify It

Pain experienced in the bottom of the ribs, back or top of the legs is lower back pain. It may come on slowly or in sudden bursts and can lead to injury if ignored and neglected. While painkillers can provide temporary relief, as with osteopathy, I aim to pinpoint the root of the problem and diagnose a holistic plan of action to help heal and relieve the condition in the long term. 80% of patients who walk through our doors suffer from back pain, so I'm a seasoned professional!

Lower Back Pain Causes - Bad Posture & Spine Curvature

A certain amount of spine curvature is natural so long as the spine runs down the centre of the back. Spine curves help absorb shock, but certain factors can lead to spine deformities. The most common cause of spinal deformity is a condition known as 'scoliosis' where the spinal curvature forms a 'c' or 's' shape instead of a straight line. While scoliosis sounds scary, I regularly treat patients from Oxford and Abingdon very effectively for scoliosis! The NHS Inform lists several signs of scoliosis to watch out for:

• A Visibly Curved Spine

• One Shoulder Being Higher Than The Other

• One Shoulder Or Hip Being More Prominent Than The Other

• Clothes Not Hanging Properly

• A Prominent Ribcage

• A Difference In Leg Lengths

Scoliosis affects children and adults, and many go unnoticed throughout people's lives. Depending on the severity, people may not even have any additional pain. Although it is rare, these signs can be linked to more severe conditions such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy & Marfan syndrome. While bad posture doesn't cause scoliosis, it can worsen the effects of scoliosis; hence, it is essential to adopt good posture as much as possible to help relieve the pain. The UK Scoliosis Association advises the following posture and positioning: "The ideal posture when standing is to have weight evenly spread. That way, each joint bears an even amount of pressure. Joints are the places in the body where two bones meet. The neck should be straight with no tilt, the hips level, and the pelvis neutral (this means not tilting forward or backward). The knees should be straight, one knee straight, the other slightly bent. It can help you check your posture regularly in the mirror or get others to check it. Imagine yourself as a puppet with a string attached to the top of your head pulling you straight."

The Psoas Muscle, Balance And Lower Back Pain

Located on each side of the lower spine are psoas (so-az) muscles that link the ribcage with the trunk of the legs. This muscle serves as a hip flexor that transfers weight from the trunk to the legs and feet, supports organs and, most importantly, stabilises the spine. Any number of factors can lead to a psoas imbalance from pregnancy, digestive, respiratory and circulatory issues, dehydration and pelvis problems. You can assist your psoas through a 'constructive rest position', an exercise for lengthening the leg muscles. Lie on the floor with knees bent at a 55-degree angle, place a towel underneath the upper half of your skull and rest your arms on either side of your body for five minutes or longer; this should encourage the psoas to lengthen and release. If you are unsure of how to do this or other exercises to aid the psoas, don't hesitate to give me a call at 07787 404419 or drop me an email at info@kenningtonosteo.co.uk

Facet Joint Pain And It's Symptoms

Facet joint pain is usually an acute condition that can occur anytime, from something as trivial as bending over in a slightly awkward position to sleeping poorly and 'cricking your neck'. The pain happens because the joints from both the upper and lower vertebrae get 'stuck' together. The increased pressure can sometimes impair your nerves, causing neurological symptoms such as pins and needles or burning in the hands or legs. The condition is regularly treated within my Oxford clinic. I mobilise and manipulate the joint to free the neck or back up again to release the joint and reduce symptoms; I will then prescribe some exercise to continue increasing the joint's mobility.

Buttock Pain

If you experience pain in the buttocks, it may be for various reasons. It could be due to pain in the sciatic nerve, SI joint syndrome, arthritis, weakened hamstrings or a weak glute. If you are having trouble standing up due to the pain, don't ignore it.

Sophie and Hannah are osteopaths at Kennington Osteopathic Practice, Oxford, but are ideally located for Abingdon patients too. They can treat your back pain using manual techniques and prescribed exercise, vastly improving your mobility and reducing pain and discomfort. You can call Sophie today on 07787 404419; alternatively, book your appointment here.

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