Back Pain
The lowest five vertebrae in the back are called the ‘lumbar spine’ and 80% of us will suffer from low back pain (LBP) at some point in our lives. It has been estimated that £6 billion per year is lost from the workplace due to low back pain.
The most important part of treating back pain is obtaining a correct diagnosis. It is essential to have a through assessment to enable the clinician to pinpoint exactly which tissue is involved. Back pain is usually caused by a combination of problems involving joints, discs, ligaments and muscles.
Once the painful structures have been identified, the clinician can then decide on the best treatment options.- Lumbar spine traction
- Osteopathic Manipulations
- Acupuncture
- Pilates core stability exercises
- Soft tissue Techniques
- Ultrasound
- Muscle Energy Techniques
At Murphy Physiotherapy, we understand the importance of helping our clients with low back pain really understand where the pain is coming from and why. This information empowers patients to take control of their problem and work together with the clinician to afford the best chance of a speedy recovery.
Clients may experience leg pain without back pain – this is called referred pain – or they may only have low back pain. One is not more serious that the other but once a correct diagnosis is made, the outcome is usually very positive.Some back pain can come on slowly and this is often related to posture. Other problems can occur suddenly as result of trauma, such as a heavy lift or falling down the stairs. Either way, getting the correct diagnosis at an early stage helps our clients understand how they can manage their problem effectively and decide the best route forward. If the problem is ongoing, an MRI may help provide an exact diagnosis. At Murphy Physiotherapy we are happy to organise a private MRI if required.
