Low back pain is a very common condition with up to 80% of the people experiencing back pain at some point during their lives. Back pain has substantial impact on our lives and on the economy due to time taken off work.

While most of those with back pain recover within six weeks, some will go on to develop protracted back pain and a loss of functionality — especially if the discomfort is left undiagnosed and untreated by a qualified physiotherapist.

What is the cause of lower back pain?

Most back pain is the results of irritation or poor function of the bones, joints, ligaments or muscles in your back. Such irritation can be the result of vertebral dysfunction, an event that results when the spinal backbones compress and irritate the delicate nerve structures of your lumbar region.

Other causes include muscle strain, sciatica, disc herniation, degenerative changes, inflammatory arthritis and breaks due to osteoporosis.

Other conditionscausing lower back pain include cancer, serious sickness and compression of the spinal cord. lower back pain can even occur from emotional, “psychosocial” and stress issues.

In all cases, get your back trouble diagnosed as soon as possible at a physiotherapy facility you have confidence in.

How can you cope with and/or prevent lower back pain?

Avoid too much rest. It is easy to feel you should stop moving and lie in bed all day. But in most situations, you should remain active. Research supports the benefits of moving about as soon as possible after your injury. Get involved in gentle activity like swimming, walking and, of course, a selection of physiotherapy exercises

Stay Fit. One of the most highly efficient paths to fight low back pain and prevent it from occurring is to remain physically fit. The stronger your aerobic fitness, the better oxygen delivery you’ll get to your muscles, and the less sensitive you will be to pain responses in your back. Be sure to exercise at least 30-40 minutes every second day – you’ll feel great and help your back at the same time.

Don’t remain in the same position for over thirty minutes. If you spend most of your day working at your desk or driving a vehicle then you’re upping your chances of being affected by a bad back. Remember the joints in your back need to move. The more they move, the more fit they are. Be sure to get up and stretch at regular intervals, take walks, or at a minimum shift your body position each 30 minutes.

How can a physiotherapy clinic aid you with your back pain?

Physiotherapy treatment of lower back pain can restore function to poorly moving spinal joints, as well as reduce muscle stress and raise your muscle strength. The results are improved movement, decreased nerve irritation and reduced pain.

Most treatments will be adapted to your individual case, following your complete physiotherapy review and diagnosis.

Your physiotherapy facility should offer these lower back pain treatments:

Irritation management modalities including some elements of electrotherapy, ultrasound, laser and acupuncture.

Exercise- dependent on the diagnosis, may include range of motion (ROM), adaptability, bracing, endurance, and functional exercise

Manual therapy- soft tissue and joint mobilizations to help scale back stress and joint stiffness

Education- including posture, correct exercise, prevention, body mechanics and pain management.

MedRehabGroup focuses on physiotherapy, massage therapy and other beneficial rehabilitation strategies in the Greater Toronto Area. Please visit their web site for more information.