Back pain is a relatively common condition affecting lots of individuals. So, if you are dealing with this problem, you should realise that you are not alone. Look for how to solve the issue and lead a more enjoyable life.
What is back pain? What are its causes?
Back pain refers to a form of physical discomfort experienced around the back or spine. In some cases, the effects of the condition may spread to the legs and buttocks.
This health condition affects various people, regardless of their age or gender. However, the risk of back pain increases with increasing age. This is especially true for people with degenerative disk disease or those involved in physically strenuous work.
Various factors could cause back pain. A few of them are:
- Strain from lifting heavy objects or lifting things inappropriately
- Falls, fractures, or injuries
- Structural problems such as sciatica, ruptured disks, arthritis, osteoporosis, and bulging disks
- Long-term poor posture such as overstretching, twisting, awkward bending, etc.
- Medical problems such as kidney infections, sleep disorders, pelvic inflammatory disease, infection of the spine, cancer of the spine, or bladder problem
Back pain can be classified based on three common factors, which are:
- Degrees of pain – mild, moderate or severe
- Location – lower, middle or upper
- Duration – acute (disappears after a short period) or chronic (persistent for three or more months)
Irrespective of the causes or types of back pain you are dealing with, the condition can be treated. Although there are many treatment options, osteopathy is one of the most reliable ones. When done correctly, osteopathy can get rid of the condition and relieve its symptoms.
Treating back pain with osteopathy
Osteopathy is a technique that involves moving, mobilising, caressing, and stretching joints, muscles, and soft tissues to diagnose, treat, and prevent a wide range of health challenges. It is noteworthy that osteopathy isn’t about treating a particular disease, but rather concentrates on improving the condition of the musculoskeletal system of the whole body.
In addition, this treatment option is non-invasive and is considered alternative medicine.
Generally, osteopathy combines several techniques when used for treating a client. Some of the techniques of the treatment include:
- Spinal manipulation
This technique is for restoring movement to a problematic joint.
- Massage
When massaging a body area as a part of osteopathy, the osteopath will get rid of all forms of limitations in the movements of muscles and joints. This will bring back vitality and reduce the stress levels of the client.
- Lymphatic pump technique
This is to ensure that lymph is moved around the body properly. Additionally, this technique helps to get rid of any blockages leading to any health issues.
- Cranial osteopathy
This technique is targeted at the bones of the head and spinal column. It involves lots of therapeutic touches which can get rid of discomfort.
- Muscle energy technique
As you use the technique, your osteopath will ask you to utilise your muscles in a particular direction. Then, the professional will apply force to counter your movement.
What to expect when treating back pain with osteopathy
Do you need London osteopathy? Are you visiting an osteopath to treat your back pain? You should expect the following things:
- Diagnosing the problem
Once you have arrived for your appointment with an osteopath to treat back pain, the first step is to diagnose the problem. You will be asked certain questions and also examined carefully. The osteopath will try to find what is wrong with you so that they can determine how to help you.
- Applying the right techniques
After diagnosing the problem, the osteopath will decide the best way to treat your condition. This means that they need to choose some techniques that can alleviate your back pain. It should be understood that you will likely be scheduled for a couple of appointments as a single appointment may not be enough.
Using their experience and expertise, the osteopath will work all around the clock to improve your overall health.
- Experiencing changes in your condition
The first few hours after osteopathy may be a bit discomforting. This is due to the soreness that some of the techniques may cause. However, as the treatment progresses, you will start experiencing a significant improvement in your condition.
However, if you experience any difficulty during or after the treatment, you shouldn’t hesitate to get in touch with your osteopath.
Now, you have understood how osteopathy can make a big difference whenever you are suffering from back pain.