Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain is a prevalent condition that affects a significant portion of the population at some point in their lives. It can be caused by a variety of factors and can significantly impact the quality of life.
Common Conditions That Cause Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain can stem from various conditions, ranging from acute injuries to chronic diseases. Common causes include:
Muscle strains and sprains
Muscle strains and sprains often resulting from heavy lifting or sudden movement.
A muscle strain in the lower back occurs when the muscle fibers are overstretched or torn. This typically happens due to excessive physical exertion, improper lifting techniques, sudden movements, or an accident. Here’s how it leads to pain:
- Overstretching or Tearing: When the muscles are pushed beyond their limit, the fibers can tear, leading to a strain. This can cause an immediate sharp pain.
- Inflammation: The body’s natural response to injury is inflammation. This results in swelling and tenderness in the affected area, which can cause discomfort and pain.
- Muscle Spasms: Following a strain, muscles can involuntarily contract to stabilise the area, but these spasms can cause severe pain.
- Nerve Compression: Swelling and spasms may put pressure on nearby nerves, leading to pain that can radiate to other areas.
- Reduced Mobility: The pain and stiffness from a strain can limit movement, making daily activities difficult and painful.
It’s important to treat a muscle strain properly to prevent further injury and alleviate pain. Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) are common first aid treatments, followed by physical therapy and, in some cases, medications to reduce pain and inflammation. If the pain persists or is severe, it’s crucial to seek medical attention.
Herniated discs
When the soft inner material of a disc protrudes through the outer layer, pressing on nerves.
A herniated or slipped disc can cause low back pain through several mechanisms:
- Nerve Irritation: When the disc material protrudes, it can irritate nearby nerves. This irritation can cause pain that radiates from the lower back to other areas, such as the legs.
- Inflammation: The body’s inflammatory response to the herniated disc material can lead to swelling and pain in the affected area.
- Pressure on Spinal Structures: The herniated disc can press against the spinal cord or nerve roots, leading to pain, numbness, or weakness in the lower back and possibly the legs.
- Muscle Spasm: As a reaction to the irritation and inflammation, muscles surrounding the spine may go into spasm, causing additional pain and stiffness.
- Degeneration of Disc: Age-related wear and tear or injury can cause the disc’s nucleus to push against its outer ring, leading to herniation and associated pain.
It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan if you’re experiencing symptoms of a herniated disc.
Sciatica
Sciatica is pain radiating along the sciatic nerve, which extends from the lower back down the legs.
Sciatica is a condition characterised by pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which branches from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg. Typically, sciatica affects only one side of your body.
Sciatica most commonly occurs when a herniated disk, bone spur on the spine, or narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis) compresses part of the nerve. This causes inflammation, pain, and often some numbness in the affected leg. Pain associated with sciatica can be severe and debilitating, although it is often alleviated with conservative treatment over time.
The pain can vary widely, from a mild ache to a sharp, burning sensation or excruciating discomfort. Sometimes it can feel like a jolt or electric shock. It can be worse when you cough or sneeze, and prolonged sitting can aggravate symptoms. Usually, only one side of your body is affected.
Some people also experience numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in the affected leg or foot. You might have pain in one part of your leg and numbness in another part.
The specific symptoms of sciatica can be different depending on where the sciatic nerve is affected. For instance, a herniated disc might cause more leg pain than back pain, while bony changes in the spine due to ageing and arthritis might result in more back pain than leg pain.
Sciatica can be diagnosed through physical exams and imaging tests like MRI, and treatment options include medications for pain and inflammation, Chiropractic care, physiotherapy, and sometimes surgery for severe cases.
Osteoarthritis
Degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bone, causing pain and stiffness.
Osteoarthritis (OA) can cause lower back pain through a process of degeneration and inflammation:
- Cartilage Breakdown: OA primarily affects the cartilage, the smooth, slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones where they form a joint. In the spine, this cartilage is found in the facet joints, which allow for flexibility and movement. As OA progresses, the cartilage wears away, reducing its ability to cushion and protect the bones during movement.
- Bone Changes: With the cartilage no longer effectively protecting the bones, they may begin to rub against each other, leading to pain and further damage. This friction can also result in the development of bone spurs, or osteophytes, which are bony projections that form along the edges of bones.
- Inflammation: The rubbing of bones and the presence of bone spurs can trigger an inflammatory response in the body. Inflammation can cause swelling and pain, contributing to the discomfort experienced in the lower back.
- Nerve Compression: As the space within the spine narrows due to cartilage loss and bone spur growth, nerves may become compressed. This compression can cause pain, tingling, or numbness that can radiate from the lower back into the buttocks and legs.
- Stiffness and Loss of Flexibility: The combination of inflammation, bone changes, and cartilage loss can lead to stiffness and a reduced range of motion in the lower back, making it difficult to perform everyday activities without experiencing pain.
Treatment for OA-related lower back pain typically includes a combination of medication, physical therapy, lifestyle changes, and in some cases, surgery to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots and to stabilise the spine. It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan if you’re experiencing symptoms of OA in the lower back.
Osteoporosis
A bone disease that occurs when the body loses too much bone, makes too little bone, or both, leading to fragility fractures.
Osteoporosis can cause lower back pain primarily through fractures in the vertebrae, which are often the result of weakened bones:
- Bone Weakness: Osteoporosis leads to a decrease in bone density and strength, making bones more susceptible to fractures even with minor stress or falls.
- Vertebral Fractures: The vertebrae in the spine can fracture or collapse due to the brittleness caused by osteoporosis. These fractures can cause significant back pain and a decrease in height
- Stooped Posture: Repeated spinal fractures can lead to a stooped posture, known as kyphosis, which can cause chronic pain and reduced quality of life.
- Nerve Compression: Fractured or collapsed vertebrae can alter the shape of the spinal canal, potentially compressing the nerves that run through the spine, leading to pain, numbness, or tingling.
- Muscle Strain: The change in spine structure and posture can strain the muscles and ligaments in the back, causing pain and discomfort.
It’s important to manage osteoporosis to prevent fractures and the associated pain. Treatment options may include medications to strengthen bones, supplements like calcium and vitamin D, and lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise to maintain bone health.
Treatment for Lower Back Pain
- Treatment for lower back pain is multifaceted and can include:
- Medication: Over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Physiotherapy: Exercises to strengthen back muscles and improve flexibility.
- Chiropractic care: Manual adjustment of the spine by a chiropractor to improve alignment and pain
Treatment Options
Chiropractic care offers various treatment options for lower back pain, such as:
- Spinal Manipulation – Hands-on adjustment of the spine to reduce pain and improve function.
- A variety of soft tissue therapies – Such as massage, fascial release, trigger point therapy.
- Mobilisation techniques – Similar to manipulation but generally less pressure is used to help improve joint function.
- Postural and ergonomic advice – Advice on how you are holding yourself in general or when at work or at home, that might be contributing to your pain or problem.
- Supportive taping – Rock Tape is the brand we use to help support our patients’ muscles and joints through different taping techniques.
- Dry needling (medical acupuncture) – An additional tool to help address muscle or facial restrictions.
- Exercise rehabilitation methods – Bespoke exercises to help improve how your body moves or functions.
- Psychosocial interventions – To help treat the body and the mind as the two are closely linked.
- General advice, information and education regarding your issue
Frequently Asked Questions
Our team
Dani Cowley
Sports Therapist
“My goal is to help all my patients return to their preferred activity whilst maintaining a pain-free and healthy lifestyle. I always aim to go one step further by minimising the risk of future injury through rehabilitation plans and hands-on therapy.”
Bradley Mason
Physiotherapist
BSc Physiotherapy, MCSP, MHCPC, PH138341, OMT Spinal and Peripheral Manipulations
“I’m passionate about empowering individuals to achieve their full potential through caring tailored treatment and rehabilitation.”
Jonathan Wride
Specialist Physiotherapist
HCPC MCSP AACP PgC Injection Therapy, MSK Sonographer and Independent Prescriber:
“I’m passionate about giving patients instant access to high-level diagnostics and specialist treatments, helping to reduce the waiting times of patients and hopefully speeding up their recovery.”
Fees
Chiropractic Initial Consultation – £75)
Chiropractic Follow-up treatment – £48
Physiotherapy consultation – £75
Follow up Physiotherapy appointment – £75
Sports Therapy Consultation – £60
Follow up Sports therapy appointment – £35
Opening Times
| Monday | 8.30 – 7.00 |
| Tuesday | 8.30 – 7.00 |
| Wednesday | 8.30 – 7.00 |
| Thursday | 8.30 – 7.00 |
| Friday | 8.30 – 7.00 |
| Saturday | 9:00 – 1:00 |
| Sunday | Closed |
