Back Pain
Research has shown that 80% of people suffer from back pain at some time in their life.
Most episodes of low back pain settle after a couple of weeks but many have a recurrent course with further acute episodes in up to 85% of sufferers. Back pain can have a significant impact on quality of life and is a major cause of time off work. Research also shows that chronic pain is often associated with depression, anxiety and poor sleep.
Why does back pain occur?
There are many different reasons for back pain, and if prevention and treatment is to be as effective as possible, it is important to have a good understanding of the cause in each individual.
As well as those episodes when an obvious injury is the cause, some back pain can seem to occur for no reason, or as the result of a very minor strain. In these cases, Osteopaths look closely at each individuals past history, taking in to account factors such as past falls or direct injury, postural habits, lifting strains and other life style and health considerations.
Osteopathic treatment
Osteopaths have two aims during their diagnosis and treatment:
To identify and treat the cause the pain (for example muscle injury, joint strain, intervertebral disc damage etc.)
To understand why this back has been vulnerable to this strain, and to improve overall spinal mechanics so that it is less likely to recur in the future.