Low back pain affects 33% of the adult
population in the UK with each year 62% of people with lumbar pain still
experience symptoms the following year. The National Institute for Health and
Care Excellence defines lumbar pain as acute (less than 6 weeks), sub-acute
(6-12 weeks) and chronic (more than 12 weeks). Typical symptoms are generalised
soreness, stiffness and tension that can be felt between the rib cage and buttocks.
The spine consists of a boney
vertebral body, the intervertebral disc and the facet joints with an array of
supporting ligaments and muscles. It is often the muscles that control the
angles or positioning of the joints. Spinal movement is an action of fluidity
and smoothness from one section of the spine to the next. Often with falls,
accidents or sporting injuries regions of the spine are affected and take on a
protective state, where irritation of the facet joints in the spine leads to
muscular and spinal region stiffening. This protective state allows our body to
try carry out our everyday activities while in the easiest position, which is
usually the least painful position. This easy movement pattern is what may
cause us to compensate from one side of the body to the other causing further
irritation of joints that aren’t used to taking up the increased strain. A
small amount of pain or sense of tension may be a sign that there is some form
of irritation in movement patterns in the spine, where joints or muscles are
not of their normal state of ease.
A lack of healthcare attention can
increase the likelihood of secondary or progressive dysfunction (a state of
non-function). This can range from increased pain to increased muscular and
spinal tension which may lead to increased degeneration within the spinal
facets over time. This is an increased state of “wear and tear” within the
joints that may hinder movement, flexibility and comfort with older age. Complex
movements in activities like sports, gardening or heavy lifting when the body
is dysfunctional may have an increased likelihood of injury. Seeking
musculoskeletal healthcare is the only way to help improve your body’s health,
reduce the chance of pain spreading and prevent injuries from occurring. It is
the role of an Osteopath to find these areas of spinal and muscular tension and
use techniques to help the body remove these dysfunctional movements and spinal
states.
Osteopathy is a form of physical
therapy widely supported throughout health care. Osteopathy is based on the
understanding that the wellbeing of individuals depend on the integration of
their muscles, joints, bones, ligaments and connective tissue in order to
function smoothly together. Osteopaths use the structure and function of these
in each area of the body. This is to bring many functioning areas of your body
together to create one uniform functioning musculoskeletal body. It is the role
of an Osteopath to find the weak or dysfunctional areas to bring about health
after treatment. Osteopaths use the spine and the entire musculoskeletal system
when treating patients for a particular area. Osteopaths believe the body to be
'it's own medicine chest' and aim to return an individual's body to its regular
function.
WeaverHouse Osteopaths use a range of treatment
techniques which involve massage, stretching, muscular energy techniques,
articulations, joint mobilisations and joint/spinal manipulations to promote
mobility and improving the body’s health/balance. Osteopathic treatment can
manage conditions in sports injuries, neck/low back pain, shoulder pain,
knee/ankle pain, arthritis and rheumatological diseases.
Make an appointment and have a
comprehensive assessment to understand more about your body and its health. Our
treatments and health advice may improve your ability in life after injury and
pain. Don’t leave it to chance for pain to resolve itself.
Not in pain? Preventative treatment
appointments over 3 or 6 months intervals may be beneficial to ensure your body
is functioning at its very best to ward off all of our modern day demands and
stresses. This may reduce the chances of injury.
For an appointment call our Reception Team on 01270 629933.
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