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 Low back pain (LBP) is an extremely occurring condition
affecting 80% of the population at some point in their lives. LBP is often
recurring and left untreated can be debilitating and interfere with your
quality of life. LBP can manifest itself in many ways ranging from localized
back pain to more complex referred pain in the form of sciatica.
What causes LBP?
There can be many causes of LBP. Some common causes include:
- Hereditary
predisposition.
- Posture
at home or at work
- Type
of work performed
- Accident
and trauma
What structures
contribute to LBP?
LBP is not simple condition and there can be a single or
often multiple structures that can cause LBP. It is often common that even
after imaging (X Ray, CT Scan, MRI) it can be difficult to pinpoint a
particular cause. This is often referred to as non-specific low back pain. Possible structures that can cause LBP
include:
- Facet
joints. These are the joint in between your vertebrae.
- Disc.
This is the shock absorber of the spine and is situated between your
vertebrae. It takes up to 80% of your body weight.
- Ligament
strain.
- Muscular
strain/weakness.
- Nerve
irritation.
How can treatment help
me?
In your initial consultation, your Musculoskeletal
Physiotherapist will take a thorough history, assess your posture, examine your
movements and conduct specific muscle and nerve tests to diagnose your problem.
They will then determine the most appropriate treatment for your condition. By
the end of your consultation, your Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist will have a
comprehensive understanding of your problem, and will work with you to develop
a clear action plan for future management. This plan will provide an estimate
of the number and frequency of treatments needed and will outline activities
for home and work to help resolve your problem, focusing on prevention.
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