By MedRehab’s Brampton and Georgetown physiotherapy clinics

Lower back pain is an extremely common condition. In fact, up to 80% of the population experiences back pain at some time during theire lives. Although the underlying pathology of low back pain is usually not serious, it is has considerable impact on our lives and on the economy due to time taken off work.

While most people with back pain recover within 6 weeks, a small number will go on to develop chronic back pain and a gradual deterioration of functionality -- especially if the pain is left undiagnosed and untreated by a qualified physiotherapist.

1. What causes low back pain?

Most causes of back pain are the result of irritation or poor function of the bones, joints, ligaments or muscles in your back. Such irritation can be the result of vertebral dysfunction, a condition that occurs when the spinal vertebrae compress and irritate the delicate nerve structures of your lower back.

Other causes include muscle strain, sciatica, disc herniation, degenerative changes, inflammatory arthritis (e.g. ankylosis spondylitis, Rheumatoid arthritis), and fractures due to osteoporosis.

Less common conditions causing low back pain include cancer, serious infections and compression of the spinal cord. And sometimes, low back pain can even derive from emotional, “psychosocial” and stress issues...

In all cases, it is best to get your back pain diagnosed as soon as possible at a physiotherapy clinic you trust.

1. How can you cope with and/or prevent low back pain?

          There are a few things you can do to ease discomfort  and practice smart prevention:

• Avoid too much rest. With lower back pain it is easy to feel you should stop moving and lie in bed all day. But in most cases, you should remain active. Research supports the benefits of moving about as soon as possible after your injury. Be sure to engage in gentle activity such as swimming, gentle walking and, of course, a range of physiotherapy exercises
• Stay Fit. One of the most effective ways to fight low back pain and prevent it from occurring at all is to stay physically fit. The greater your aerobic fitness, the better oxygen delivery you will get to your muscles, and the less sensitive you will be to pain responses in your back. So be sure to exercise at least 30-40 minutes every other day – you will feel great and helpyour back at the same time.
• Don’t remain in the same position for more than 30 minutes. If you spend most of your day stationed at your desk or driving a vehicle then you are increasing your odds of suffering from a bad back. Remember that the joints inyour back need to move, and the more they move, the healthier they are. Be sure to get up and stretch at regular intervals, take a walk, or at least shift your body position every 30 minutes.
  
  3. How can a physiotherapy clinic help you with your low back pain?

Physiotherapy treatment of low back pain can restore function to poorly moving spinal joints, as well as reduce muscle tension and increase your muscle strength. The results are improved movement, decreased nerve irritation and reduced pain.

Most treatments will be tailored to your individual case, following your complete physiotherapy assessment and diagnosis.

At MedRehab clinics, our lower back pain treatments include:

• Pain management modalities including some combination of electrotherapy, ultrasound, laser and acupuncture.
• Exercise- depending on the diagnosis, may include range of motion (ROM), flexibility, strengthening, endurance, and functional exercise
• Manual therapy- soft tissue and joint mobilizations to help reduce tension and joint stiffness
• Education- including posture, correct exercise, prevention, body mechanics and pain management

Have you heard about the new Low Back Program  in Georgetown and Brampton?

If you live in the west-end and suffer low back pain, you may be interested in the new LOW BACK PAIN PROGRAM at three of our MedRehab clinics. Contact us now to book a free consultation to see if it could be right for you:

Visit  MedRehab Georgetown                     905 877-5900

Visit  MedRehab Brampton HealthPlex     905 454-7410 ext. 4

Visit  MedRehab Brampton Conestoga     905 970-0101