Low Back Pain
Did you know that as many as nine out of ten Australian adults will suffer from an episode of low back pain lasting between four to six weeks, at least once in their life time? For many it is a one off event, however some people go on to develop a chronic reoccurring condition. Back pain is also the second most common complaint people see their GP for.
When is comes to back pain, patient confusion often reins supreme due to the amount of contradictory information patient can receive from various practitioners. This is because low back pain can be very complex in nature, and with so many different opinions about the causes and treatment of back pain, it can often be a challenge to know what is the best course of action to take.
Studies have shown that the more you know about your pain the better the outcomes for recovery. At Harbour Osteopathy we believe highly in the positive effect patient education can have, so knowing the facts is an important step in the recovery process.
What are the causes of low back pain?
The causes of low back pain are divided into three different types:
- Non-specific Low Back Pain – is the most common cause of low back pain. The pain in not due to any specific or underlying disease that can be found.
- Nerve Root Pain – is pain caused by irritation of the nerve roots as they exit out of the spine. The most common cause of this irritation is by a disc bulge compressing the nerve root. Sciatic is probably the most commonly known nerve root pain.
- Serious Causes of Low Back Pain – include things such as trauma, infection and cancer. Although extremely, all serious causes require immediate medical attention.
Although the majority of low back pain episodes resolve by themselves within a short amount of time, early diagnosis and treatment by a health care professional trained in the management of low back pain is an important factor in decreasing the likelihood of an acute episode turning into a chronic pain condition.
The osteopaths at Harbour Osteopathy have years of experience in the treatment of patients with lower back pain. We provide an individualized osteopathic approach for each patient that incorporates the best available scientific evidence regarding the diagnosis, treatment and management of this spinal pain condition. To make an appointment call us today on 02 9948 9934.
