Osteopathic Treatment of Low Back Pain

Lower back pain is a common condition experienced by 70% of the general population. It can range from periodic aches and stiffness to sudden sharp and incapacitating pain. There may be numbness or a tingling sensation down the leg or into the foot. When lower back pain strikes people fear that they have done serious damage to their back, but once the osteopath releases the muscle spasm and begins to move the spinal joints; the fear is replaced with concern with how to prevent another episode.

Important Notes:

Nerve compression - numbness, tingling sensation with or without sharp pain down the leg; although trigger points can give the same symptoms

Early disc damage - lower back pain only

Moderate disc damage - recurring lower back pain with some nerve compression symptoms

Severe disc damage - persistent muscle spasm, lower back pain, definite nerve compression symptoms- commonly know as "slipped disc".

Trigger Point Therapy - the release of muscle knots with deep pressure or sterile needles.

Disc Injuries

What is commonly known as a 'slipped disc' is a misnomer as the disc does not actually slip out. Rather, it is the soft jelly-like centre that is being pushed through the outer rings of the disc and, along with inflammation, compresses the nerves in the legs. Which is why anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxant tablets are prescribed to reduce the symptoms. The symptoms of a disc prolapse may range from acute lower back and buttock pain to intense radiating pain and numbness in the leg and foot. Medication may help the symptoms in the short term but a more complete recovery can be achieved by seeing an osteopath who can isolate the root cause of the injury.

Pain Relief from Disc Injuries Early and moderate disc injuries are easily treated with osteopathic treatment. Muscle spasms and joint stiffness resolve well with gentle manipulation. Though disc injuries are not reversible, osteopaths are able to diffuse the protective muscle spasms using deep friction techniques on muscles, gentle functional techniques such as myofascial release, and balancing ligament tensions around the lower back and pelvis. Without these treatments the person's recover may be incomplete and the pain returns relatively quickly.

For moderate and severe disc damage, patients are often presented with the dilemma of undergoing invasive surgery or living with chronic pain. However, osteopathic treatment offers a natural form of therapy that can alleviate pain and discomfort. By this stage, patients would have had recurring low back pain, perhaps intermittent episodic pain over several years. Combined with trigger point therapy and osteopathic manipulation, patients who see an osteopath sooner rather than later can recover without the need for surgery, which has been the only option if there is the risk of permanent nerve damage.

As part of the recovery process, osteopaths will prescribe tailored stretches and core muscle strengthening exercises that will protect the low back from future recurrences and allow the patient to resume their normal daily activities. This empowers the patient to help break the pain cycle for themselves and restore the body’s healthy state.

Spondylosis

Spondylosis is the technical term used to describe the effect of ‘wear and tear’ in the joints and surrounding tissues of the spine. In these modern times, poor posture and sedentary lives are increasingly common causes of disc/spinal damage. The pain associated with early spondylosis is commonly described as a non specific ache or stiffness in the area of the lower back. Early osteopathic treatment can normalise the mechanics of the lower back reducing the possibility of further damage.

With severe spondylosis there is narrowing of the spaces in the spine leading to nerve impingement, causing numbness or pain in the legs or foot. Osteopathic treatment is concerned with pain relief by correcting the underlying cause that is specific to each person. Through questioning and examination, osteopaths find that for some, old injuries such as a fall or a strain are commonly the pre cursor to spondylosis. What may seemingly be irrelevant information is actually the key to managing low back pain.

Pain relief from Spondylosis

Osteopaths are able to help resolve the pain of early spondylosis because most of these symptoms are the result of tight muscles and compressed joints. Through gentle manipulation of joints and muscles in the hips, pelvis and lower back, osteopaths are able to release these restrictions and tensions thus allowing increased spinal movement. Osteopaths will also tailor thier advice to address the person's environmental surroundings and the activities predisposing them to such injuries. Over a course of treatment patients will be able to develop increased confidence in movement and the ability to perform daily activities pain-free.