Back pain is one of the most common disorders reported by patients. Two out of every three men or women have to endure back problems, the most common type being a disc condition. This crops up where the spine and its spinal vertebrae become twisted or bent forward allowing the back of the joint to open. This lets a disc stick out backwards, giving pressure for the nerve behind it as it emerges from the spinal cord. It is this which causes inflammation and physical pain.
The most common way for individuals to receive this type of injury is from the improper lifting of heavy loads. However, merely bending awkwardly or prolonged stooping can trigger problems for the spine. This illustrates the need to follow safe gardening and lifting techniques.
Sciatica, (Latin for ‘pain down the back of the leg’), is typically brought on by trapping the sciatic nerve in the lower back. It is actually a relatively common kind of back pain. The pain sensation from sciatica can be severe and debilitating however this is not always the case and fortunately physiotherapists can do something about it.
By knowing how techniques can affect and improve the mechanics of the spine, back pain can be alleviated. Practitioners can treat it using a wide variety of procedures, one of which is the Mackenzie Exercise Regime. The Regime helps to educate patients how to react when they first become aware their back is in difficulties. Basic stretching exercises and special ‘push ups’ help adjust the mechanics of the back and help move the discs back into the right position.
Another technique used by physiotherapists is connective tissue manipulation (CTM). It works because the movement of the tissues by the therapist produces a short, sharp, nervous stretch response that creates an impulse which spreads throughout the connective tissue. The individual’s brain will convert the impulse as if it had been a scratch to the skin. The reflex itself is a small impulse that passes through the fluid in the connective tissue and releases tension. This reducing of tension around the blood vessel walls permits more blood to flow into the damaged region, thus decreasing inflammation. Softening the connective tissue permits more movement to happen without irritation and discomfort to the patient.
Should you suffer back pain, it is a good plan to pay a visit to your local physio to find out the things they are capable of doing for you. A local physio can be found using a geographical search term in Google such as ‘London physiotherapist‘.
