Most people will experience back pain at some point in there life. Back pain usually refers to lower back pain but mid back or thoracic region can also be very painful. The majority of low back pain is caused by soft tissue strain or overload of the muscles and joints. The remaining 20-30% of low back pain relates to bone, disc or nerve structures, and occasionally infection.
The most common causes of soft tissue low back pain are:
- The way you move
- The postures you hold
- The type of activities you do
- Inactivity/low fitness level, being overweight
Treatment of lower back pain varies based on your diagnosis and the factors contributing to your pain. There is generally four stages of rehabilitation:
- Settling acute pain which is often more severe and has quick onset. Our physiotherapists can use a variety of treatments to help reduce pain including taping, massage, dry needling/acupuncture, ice/heat, and providing you with an understanding of how to move to reduce pain.
- Getting your movement back is where our physiotherapists excel. A clear and simple understanding of movement throughout the back, hips, knees and ankles is helpful to getting you moving again. Just getting the back moving again is insufficient. Our exercise programs will give you the skills to move well and get rid of the pain. We also help you get there quicker with manual therapy (soft tissue massage, joint mobilisation, and sometimes manipulation).
- Returning to activity needs to be done gradually with low back pain. You set your exercise and activity goals and we guide you towards them.
- Prevention of recurrences involves a combination of the right exercises and staying active. This usually involves a combination of core exercises, stretches and cardiovascular exercise along with knowing how to move well through your back and hips.
The mid back is known as the thoracic spine. It is less mobile than the neck and lower back as the ribs attach onto each of the thoracic vertebrae. This means there are many more joints at each level of the thoracic spine and these can be a source of acute pain. The biggest complaint in this area is tightness, which can also cause pain between the shoulder blades or up into the neck. Pain associated with breathing in can also occur from thoracic joints. Treatment for this area is similar to the goals of managing lower back pain (settle acute pain; getting movement back; and returning to activity). The prevention is more about the right activity band stretches as well as knowing what good posture is for you.
Get an opinion that you can trust by booking an appointment on 49216879.