Back pain impacts the lives of many more of us than you may realise, with 80% of us report suffering chronic back pain at some point during our lives. Not only are back problems common, they are also potentially serious, despite this more than half of the UK populous simply puts up with chronic pain.

Why (and when) should I see a specialist for back pain?

Back pain should not be passed off as ageing pains or an issue that will pass. Back pain is often a warning sign that something is not right – effectively alerting you to an underlying issue that should be addressed.

Back pain can be felt suddenly and may last for less than six weeks (in which case it is known as ‘acute’).  Common causes of acute back pain include falls, trauma or heavy lifting. Back pain that spans for three months or more is known as chronic. This is less common, and typically more serious, than acute pain. However, in either instance seeing a specialist sooner rather than later help can be beneficial the earlier it is sought.

The most common causes of back pain include:

• Muscle or ligament strain
• Bulging or ruptured disks
• Arthritis
• Skeletal irregularities
• Osteoporosis

Some turn to spa-massages at a salon to alleviate their back pain, yet there is no legal requirement for professionals in this industry to undertake any training whatsoever. As such, their treatment can result in more damage being done than good.

Osteopathy and back pain

As you would expect from an Osteopath practice we strongly recommend visiting an Osteopath if you have back pain.  An Osteopath can diagnose, manage, treat and prevent musculoskeletal and other related disorders. During an assessment with an osteopath, you would undergo a physical examination and a discussion about the pain you’re experiencing and then at this point a treatment plan is developed.

Addressing back pain via osteopathy would then potentially involve manipulation, massage and stretching, and depending on the cause of the pain you may or may not be provided with exercises to practice at home.

A qualified osteopath can both diagnose and treat your back issue. Where referrals are required to other specialists (such as a physio, chiropractor or GP) this can also be handled on your behalf. Given the seriousness of the conditions that back pain may point to, it’s essential that professional advice is sought as soon as concern is experienced over the severity of the pain or the length of time the pain has remained for.

We treat people suffering with back pain all the time. It’s the number one reason why people come to us, so if you’re experiencing back pain, call us on 020 8316 5316 and we’ll soon find out what’s causing the pain, and how it can get better.