Physiotherapy Back Treatments

Physiotherapy for back pain

Most people at some time in their life suffer from an episode of back or spinal pain.
Back pain often quickly resolves, within a few days, with some basic home remedies such as keeping active and applying a hot or cold pack.
However, sometimes the problem is more severe or keeps returning-often worsening with each episode. This is when more targeted physiotherapy treatment for back pain is required.

The spine is a very complicated structure and so the problems it can cause are also complex and varied. Friends and family will have their advice and stories but everyone’s pain may have a different cause!

Physiotherapy Treatments for neck or back pain

As there are so many possible causes of a neck or back pain a comprehensive physiotherapy assessment is essential to find out the cause of your symptoms and diagnose your problem. This also means the physiotherapist can select the best techniques and advice to solve your particular condition.
There are many different physiotherapy treatments you may receive.

Back and neck pain can be diagnosed by a physiotherapist and also effectively treated and managed by physiotherapist, see our testimonials.
The majority of people with back and neck pain do not require further tests, such as x-ray, MRI scan, CT scan, or blood tests, however from our assessment if we feel you do require such a further test we will recommend this to your GP.

Symptoms of neck or back pain

Back and neck pain can sometimes start immediately after a certain activity, such as lifting something heavy or twisting awkwardly. It can also start for no obvious reason, for example you may just wake up with it or notice it slowly develops over a day.

Back and neck pain can be called the following depending on how long you have had your symptoms for:

Acute – symptoms less than six weeks
Sub acute – symptoms lasting six weeks to three months
Chronic – symptoms lasting longer than three months

You may experience the following:

Aching, sharp or shooting pain
Muscle Spasms – tightening of your muscles which causes stiffness and pain especially when you move, and you may find it difficulty to relax
Difficulty moving, for example bending over or turning your neck to the side
Back pain may travel from your lower back into your buttocks and down your legs
Neck pain may travel from your neck and down your arms
Pain may change with different positions or activities, such as worse when sitting and better when standing
Pins and needles and/or numbness (loss of sensation) down one of your legs or arms.
Feeling stiff and difficulty moving if you have remained in a certain position, like sitting, for a long time
Less pain if you keep your back or neck moving gently
Increased pain with coughing, sneezing and laughing

Common causes of neck or back pain

Muscles

Muscles around the spine can cause pain in various ways.
He long back muscles that run alongside the spine may be strained or torn.

Prolonged or poor positions e.g. at work or on the computer can cause overuse type problems as the muscles holding the spine in the same position become tired and subsequently tight and painful.

With any back problem the muscles around the area often go into spasm and cause pain with any movement.

Joints (Facets)

These can become inflamed after a sudden injury or suffer degeneration due to age, disease or over use.

Discs
Discs are made of a fibrous outer layer and jelly type middle. Most often in the lower lumbar spine the outer layer may become stretched causing a bulge or in worst cases even tear. Most often in the lower lumbar spine. This can be incredibly painful and may cause complications by pressing on spinal nerves. This may cause symptoms like pins and needles, numbness and even weakness in the arms or legs.
Sciatica is when the long sciatic nerve that runs down the back of the leg is irritated usually by a problem in the low back.

Your Spine

The spine is divided into 3 main sections:
Cervical (neck)
Thoracic (Mid spine attaching to the ribs)
Lumbar (lower/low back)
It consists of separate bones called vertebrae which form a protective column around the spinal cord and nerves. These vertebrae are connected by small joints either side (facets) and various ligaments and have a shock absorbing disc between each one. Many muscles attach to and move the various sections.
Any of these structures can develop problems and so cause pain and stiffness. In humans it is usually the neck or lower lumbar spine that is most affected.

Red Flags:

There are some warning signs, called red flags, which can indicate your back or neck pain could be caused by something more serious. We would recommend if you have any of the below symptoms you seek medical advice immediately from your GP, NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or your local A&E department.

General red flag symptoms:

High temperature of 38ºC (100.4ºF) or above
Unexplained weight loss
Constant pain which does not change or ease not matter what you do
Constant pain particularly that keeps you awake at night
If you have or ever had cancer
Misuse of drugs
If you have HIV or AIDs
Recent violent trauma to your back or neck
Pain that travels to your chest or in between your shoulder blades
Taking steroids

Lower back red flag symptoms (cauda equina symptoms):

Inability to pass urine
Loss of bladder (urine) or bowel (faeces) control (incontinence)
Unable to feel your genital region, between your legs, for example if you cannot feel yourself going to the toilet.
Numbness (loss of sensation) and/or weakness (loss of strength) in both your legs

Neck red flag symptoms:

Numbness (loss of sensation) and/or weakness (loss of strength) of both your arms
Dizziness and blackouts, you may find yourself on the floor and don’t know how you got there
Disturbances to your vision, such as double vision
Disturbances to your speech, such as slurring your words
Nausea or vomiting
Difficulty swallowing
Severe, constant headache
Pins and needles around your lips
Funny, metallic, taste in your mouth