How can we help with your backpain?
Are you tired of living with constant back pain? Physiotherapy could be the solution you've been looking for. In this blog, we will explain how The Physiotherapy Place can help relieve your back pain and improve your overall quality of life.
Back pain is one of the most common conditions we see at The Physiotherapy Place, with most people experiencing back pain at some point in their life. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including poor posture, muscle imbalances, and injuries. Physiotherapy focuses on identifying the root cause of your pain and developing a tailored treatment plan to address it. Whether you're dealing with acute or chronic back pain, physiotherapy offers a holistic and evidence-based approach to help you find relief.
What causes back pain?
Common reasons for back pain are:
Soft tissue sprains and strains
Disc and joint
Muscle imbalances/tightness
Overuse
Sedentary work (sitting at a desk for long periods)
Treatment for back pain
As there are many structures that can cause back pain, treatment may be different for everyone. Here at The Physiotherapy Place, all of our physios are able to offer a wide range of treatments. Click here to see a list of all the treatments we provide, as well as additional information on each treatment.
Treatments we use for back pain include:
Passive stretching
Acupuncture/Dry Needling/Gunn IMS - for pain relief and reducing muscle spasm
Individual exercise programmes including stretching and strengthening components
Advice and education
A combination of these treatments will be used with an aim of reducing pain and tightness, helping to get you back to normal daily function as soon as possible. Once you are better, we will advise you on things to do to help reduce the risk of future episodes.
Exercises for back pain…
Stretches or mobility exercises are frequently given by our physios. This helps to introduce more flexibility and mobility into the spine which should help ease pain.
Some common exercises we give for back pain include:
Knee hugs – lying on your back, hug one knee or both knees together up toward your chest and hold for a stretch.
Knee rolls – lying on your back, both knees bent and feet flat, gently drop your knees to one side then go over to the other side. You can either hold the position at one side for a stretch or do a continuous movement back and forth for more mobility.
Cat and camel – on your hands and knees, start by arching your back up towards the ceiling. Tuck your tail bone down, round your shoulders and drop your head down. Next, reverse the movement. Lift your head up, drop your tummy and push your tail bone up towards the ceiling. Keep your arms straight throughout the exercise.
Should I rest or exercise with back pain?
Staying active is the most important thing you can do if you have back pain. Once you’re able, returning to your normal routine will help to speed up your recovery. Start off gently and gradually increase the amount of exercise you are doing until you are back to your normal level of activity. Resting too much can actually make your pain worse
How long does it take for physio to work on back pain?
This will depend on the cause of your back pain. Most patients will notice a significant improvement within the first 4-6 weeks of starting treatment. However, chronic pain and certain conditions can cause recovery to take longer. It’s important you listen to the advice given by your physio, and regularly do any exercises you are given.
Initial assessment
If you think physiotherapy is right for you, we at The Physiotherapy Place are here to help. Our initial appointments last 45 minutes. This will involve a discussion with your physio to get a history about your back pain and a physical examination. Once your physio has identified what is the likely cause of your pain, they will discuss treatment options so that you can come to a decision together about what is right for you. You will receive treatment at your first session.
Click here to read more about what to expect from your first appointment with us.
Key take home messages from this blog:
Back pain is common and can be caused by many different things
Physiotherapy is effective for treating back pain
Keep active as you are able
Change position regularly if you are sat at a desk for long periods
If you have tried these tips and are still having problems then one of our physio’s can have a look and get you on the path to recovery book an appointment and let us help keep you moving and keep you smiling :)