Physiotherapy for Low Back Pain Edinburgh
Low back pain is the leading cause of disability in the world and a painful condition that Physiotherapists treat on a daily basis. Back pain can be disabling, limit physical function, sporting activity and impact on your quality of life.
The good news is that the majority of low back pain has no underlying serious cause and does get better! Our Physiotherapists use their years of experience and knowledge of the latest clinical evidence to provide you with an individualized treatment plan for your low back pain.
What Causes Low Back Pain?
When you experience low back pain it can be a very painful and distressing time. You may worry about what is causing the pain and whether it will get better. The good news is that your back is strong and your pain is rarely caused by serious damage.
Many patients are keen to know what specific structures they may have damaged in their back. The truth is that for the majority of patients who present with low back pain (85-90% of patients), no definitive structural diagnosis can be made. This is due to the fact there are many joints, muscles, nerves and ligaments in your lower back which cannot specifically be tested for; but also due to the increasing evidence that supports the concept that a complex combination of factors can contribute to your to low back pain.
These include:
- Physical Factors
- Lifestyle Factors
- Cognitive and Emotional Factors
- Neurophysiological Factors
As skilled Physiotherapists we take into account all the above factors that may be contributing to your low back pain and can use our knowledge to identify a clear pattern to your pain. We then create a treatment plan that is specific to you the individual.
For a smaller proportion of the population, a specific cause can be found for Low Back Pain. These causes can include conditions such as spinal stenosis or nerve root compression. The majority of people do not require surgical intervention and Physiotherapists can assess and devise an individual treatment plan for these conditions or advise if further medical attention is required.
Very rarely can low back pain be a cause of something more serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms in combination with back pain you should seek urgent medical attention:
- Difficulty passing urine or having the sensation to pass water that is not there
- Numbness/tingling in your genitals or buttocks area
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Impaired sexual function, such as loss of sensation during intercourse
- Loss of power in your legs
- Feeling unwell with your back pain, such as a fever or significant sweating that wakes you from sleep
How Can Physiotherapy Help Low Back Pain?
Our expert Physiotherapists are specialists in back pain. It is the most common problem that we see. When you attend Physiotherapy for the first time with back pain we will undertake a full assessment of your low back pain.
This will involve firstly asking you specific questions about your pain and general health and listening to the problems that you are experiencing with your back pain. We will then carry out a physical assessment which includes assessing how well can you move and how mobile your spine is, reviewing your muscle strength and flexibility, and assessing how well your nerves are functioning.
Following a thorough assessment, we will discuss with you our assessment findings and all the factors that may be contributing to your pain. We will then devise an individualised treatment plan specific to you.
This will include:
Education:
Back pain can be a scary experience and it is common to worry about your pain and start to avoid moving in certain ways and stop activities you would normally do. By educating you on your low back pain and answering any questions or concerns you may have, Physiotherapists can provide you with the knowledge and understanding to worry less about your pain and start to move more.
Exercise:
There is a huge body of evidence that supports the use of movement and exercise to treat low back pain. Gone are the days when you were advised to rest in bed! It is however easier said than done to move and exercise when you are in pain. This is where our Physiotherapists can teach you exercises individualised to your specific problem and help get you moving better and more comfortably.
Manual Therapy (hands-on techniques):
As Physiotherapists we use manual (hands-on) techniques to help move stiff joints and relieve tension from tight muscles. This can help reduce your pain levels and make taking part in exercises more comfortable.
Physiotherapy Taping:
Strapping and taping techniques can assist in help control pain in the acute stages of low back pain.
If you are in need of help or advice you can book an appointment.
