Lower Back Pain

One of the most common complaints patients see osteopaths for is lower back pain. There are a number of potential causes that are not serious or dangerous to you beyond the pain.

Causes of lower back pain

Osteopaths are qualified to treat “non specific” lower back pain. This covers pain that is not due to fractures, infection, osteoporosis, and other serious causes.

Muscles and Ligaments

Almost all lower back pain comes with some degree of muscle pain. Sometimes a simple muscle strain is the cause of the symptoms, and sometimes the muscles are tightened in response to another cause. Tightening muscles is one of the body’s easiest ways of trying to protect itself.

Whereas muscles can be strained by awkward movement or excessive force, ligaments can be sprained. The role of ligaments is to limit movement, so a large, quick movement might injure them. This is the same as if you were to sprain an ankle.

Either injury can cause localised soreness and tenderness on movement, but mild cases will resolve within a month. If you feel like you’re starting to compensate for the pain, it’s a good idea to see your osteopath and prevent any aches and pains elsewhere.

Discs

Cartilage-based discs cushion each bone in the spine. If they are overloaded, they can bulge. This is very common, and a lot of people have a disc bulge with no symptoms.

A bulging disc can cause local inflammation and discomfort, or it can press on a nerve that’s leaving the spine. The nerves in the lower back supply the legs, so typically the legs will be the areas that feel the effects of this.

Joints

The smaller joints in the spine can be irritated by overuse, under-use, or arthritis. If this has lead to stiffness in a joint, your osteopath may be able to give you quick relief with a “click”, although there are plenty of other techniques they can use if this is not appropriate.

For arthritic joints in the back, gentle movement is important to help get nutrients to the damaged cartilage and to train the brain that movement is safe. Patients with osteoarthritis in the back often respond well to treatment and exercise- osteoarthritis is not something you just have to live with.

Chronic pain

When pain lasts longer than 3-6 months it can be classified as “chronic”. This is significant, because most tissues will have healed in this time, so the pain will no longer be coming from an injury directly. This suggests that the nervous system has become sensitised and is reacting more than it needs to. That does not mean that you’re making it up- it’s not a conscious change. Your osteopath can help support you through desensitising.

You can read more about chronic pain in our dedicated blog post. In addition, here is a great explanation of chronic pain.

How do I know if it’s a serious problem?

If your pain comes on after trauma rather than just bending down or moving awkwardly, you should see a doctor before visiting your osteopath. If your pain is associated with changes in bladder or bowel habits, such as retention or incontinence, go to A&E.

Other serious causes can be harder to spot in yourself, but your osteopath is qualified to recognise the signs.

What will an Osteopath do for lower back pain?

You do not need a referral to see an osteopath. We will take a case history and see how you move in order to work out the cause of your pain. From there treatment may involve working through the joints and muscles around the lower back as well as above and below the painful area. You may also be given exercises and advice to help manage your symptoms at home.

If you’re suffering from lower back pain now, or want to prevent future episodes, make an appointment with one of our osteopaths now.