Severe upper & lower back pain
Many people suffer severe upper & lower back ache/ pain, with many more suffering less severe back aches. Back pain affects up to 80% of us at some point in our lives. The NHS spends more than £1 billion per year on back pain related costs but even more is lost through workplace absence caused by excessive aches & pains.
Sometimes these back pains are severe & sometimes they are no more than aches. Either way, they can lead to feelings of sickness & poor function in your body as a whole. You can also get sciatica, radiating pains (‘trapped’ nerves) leading to weakness, with pins & needles in your hands & feet.
Your spine is made of solid, bony blocks reinforced by strong ligaments & muscles. It is surprisingly difficult to damage the spine but if strained, the surrounding muscles & ligaments can cause discomfort & pain.
Severe upper & lower back pain relief – How can we help
Our practitioners use safe & effective forms of assessment, diagnosis & treatment for a wide range of health problems, including upper & lower back pain (with or without nerve entrapment & sciatica). Often back pain resolves quickly by itself, but if it persists for more than a few days, then you are likely to need us.
Research evidence shows that Osteopathic treatment has beneficial effects for back pain. We use gentle hands-on techniques & Cranial therapy to help resolve back pain, together with exercise & advice designed to promote & maintain the best environment for a healthy back.
The UK National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provides guidance for health services that recommend manual therapy, such as that provided by us at Baks Osteopathy. Usually, as part of the package of care, we advise certain stretches & exercises in compliance with their recommendations.
Severe upper & lower back ache / pain treatment
Our treatment is based on the individual needs of the patient & will vary depending on age, fitness & diagnosis. It will often focus on releasing tension, stretching muscles & improving mobility – all of which help to relieve pain. There is no need to consult a GP before visiting an Osteopath or our Cranial therapist.
Early diagnosis & treatment can aid recovery & get you back to normal activities more quickly. This is why you shouldn’t wait any longer before seeing us. The quicker you get seen by us, the quicker your recovery will be & the less time it will likely take. Around half of those who suffer an episode of back pain will have a recurrence of symptoms within a few years. Stress can increase the amount of pain you feel by magnifying the effect of tension & muscle spasms. We can give advice about methods to aid recovery & maintain a healthy back.
REMEMBER: Back pain is rarely due to any serious disease & the long-term outlook is good. If you do have any concerns about your back you can discuss these with us.
Here are some tips that will help you to care for your back:
- Keeping active can help with most back pain & helps keep backs healthy. Prolonged bed rest is usually not good for backs & delays recovery
- When lifting & carrying, always keep the item close to the body. Make sure to bend the knees & let the legs do the work. Try not to twist the back – turn with your feet
- Take regular exercise (aim for 30 minutes every day). People who are physically fit generally experience less back pain and recover faster if they do get it
- Pace yourself when undertaking any physical activity, especially when it is intensive or you are unaccustomed to it e.g. spring cleaning or tidying the garden after the winter
- Adjust your car seats, use a rolled-up towel to support the lower back & take regular breaks on long journeys
- Mattresses & sofas wear out over time & can cause back pain. If you have one that is over seven years old it may be time to get a new one.
- Whatever you do – make sure you see us for a spinal check over once every 6-8 weeks as we’re the specialists and can help you prevent pain flare ups.