Back Pain causes, symptoms and treatments

Almost everyone gets back pain at sometime, but staying active, with the help of our treatments, may well be the best solution. Based in the North East of England, our team of specialist Osteopaths, Chiropractors, Physiotherapists and Massage Therapists work together with one goal: ‘to get you out of pain and keep you that way.’ We have patients attending our clinic from all over the North East such as Sunderland, Durham, Newcastle, Gateshead, Gosforth, Jesmond, Washington, Houghton le spring, Chester le street, Seaham, Peterlee, South Shields and Boldon.

Treating the cause, not the symptoms

As you go through life, a slight loss of proper movement of the bones/joints can interfere with the healthy working of your spine, and the nerves that pass through it. This can lead to pain. Osteopathy and Chiropractic, unlike painkilling drugs, treats the cause of pain, not just the pain itself. Your practitioner will carry out a full examination, and ask you any questions about your posture, medical history and lifestyle, to try and discover the cause of your back pain and offer a diagnosis of your complaint.

90% of back pain sufferers stop seeing their GP within three months – but most of them are still in pain a year later.

Visit the Back Pain Centre Sunderland for a long-term solution and flexible future!

Are you sitting comfortably?

Poor posture may lead to back pain. Your practitioner may advise you to make postural changes if you:

• Spend hours a day sitting at a desk or a computer.
• Slouch in front of the TV.
• Sleep in a bed that is too hard or soft.
• Find yourself hunching your back and shoulders.

Then your treatment will begin, often with gentle, specific spinal adjustments done by hand, to free stiff joints and remove spinal nerve irritation. This effective drug-free treatment is generally painless, although you may feel some short-term discomfort if your back is very sore.

Repeating daily activities such as bending, lifting and twisting may result in a ‘bad back’. This is why your practitioner will want to understand how you tackle these everyday movements. They will ask about any major traumas to your back such as:

• Car accidents
• Falls
• Sporting injuries
• Lifting heavy weights

Your practitioner may recommend ice or heat treatment and massage. Scientific research shows that you should remain active – prolonged bed rest weakens the bones and muscles and reduces your chances of a full recovery – so you may also be advised to take gentle exercise to ease your pain, and help your body to recuperate.

Is it a slipped/prolapsed disc?

Spinal discs are fibrous rings, containing a soft gel-like ‘cushion’, between each of your spinal bones (vertebrae). Discs cannot slip, because they are attached to the vertebrae, but the term ‘slipped disc’ can mean disc damage such as a bulge, (prolapse), a tear or rupture (partial or total). The resulting pressure or irritation on the nerves that exit your spine can cause pain in your back, or ‘referred’ pain over an area through which the nerves pass. Sciatica, for example, is leg pain caused by nerve irritation or pressure in the lower spine. Your practitioner will explain the cause of your pain – it may not be a ‘slipped disc’ as many other problems have similar pain patterns.

How long will treatment take to work?

Guidelines for medical practitioners state that spinal manipulation can help back pain, especially if carried out within the first six weeks. The longer you have been in pain, the longer it may take to improve with treatment. Your practitioner will advise you of your likely recovery time, and how to minimise the chances of the problem happening again. Early treatment is important but our practitioners are also effective at treating long-standing or chronic pain

Is treatment possible after surgery?

Probably. Your practitioner has the training and experience to treat each patient as an individual. You will receive appropriate treatment and adjustments for your specific condition, while areas not suitable for treatment will be carefully avoided. Our practitioners are able to offer post- surgical exercise, advice and rehabilitation.

The information provided is for general guidance only and must not be used for diagnosis or treatment of a health problem. This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice.