lower back pain

Injuries and pain in the lower back are very common and the vast majority are not serious and are very treatable.

It is not true that once you have a bad back you will always have a bad back.

At dorset physiotherapy centre we understand how your back moves and how injuries and aches occur but more importantly we know how to tailor you rehabilitation program to your individual needs. Rehabilitating your back is not always easy but the results can be very worthwhile.

What is your back made of?

Very simply, your back is made up of 5 segments of bone linked by tough discs filled with a thick toothpaste like fluid. At each segment there are holes for the spinal cord and nerves to pass through. At each level a pair of nerves leave the spinal cord and supply a different area of your leg.
Two small joints at each level help to control the movement at the spine and maintain protection for the spinal cord and nerves during movement.

How does it move?

Your back is moved and supported by a strong network of muscles in the stomach, back and hips. Weakness in any of these areas can cause and prolong or prevent recovery of your back pain.
At dorset physiotherapy centre we can work with you to rehabilitate your back using a systematic and progressive course of exercises to reduce spinal loading, retrain movement patterns and reduce pain, whilst making you fitter, stronger and less likely to suffer from back pain in the future.

How does the back get injured?

Injury occurs when one or more of the spinal structures (joints, ligaments, discs or muscles) are subjected to a movement stress above that which they can cope with. This could be a small repeated or sustained movement occurring gradually over time, or a large force such as a fall or road accident, or a mixture of both.
Inflammation and muscle spasm are the body’s protective mechanism following injury to prevent further injury and help the healing process get started. It is very common for irritation of the nerves to cause a hip or leg pain associated with back injury.

How do dorset physiotherapy centre rehabilitate your back?

At dorset physiotherapy centre we start with a thorough assessment of your back pain and choose the best treatment for you from a range of different techniques including:
• Acupuncture
• Joint manipulation
• Soft tissue manual techniques
• Ultrasound
• Specific exercise from to improve basic movement through to sporting performance
• Postural and lifestyle advice

Our treatment aim is to get your back pain free and moving well and give you the tools to keep it that way into the future.

Can I do anything to help my back?

As your back pain improves there are some easy but very important changes you may need to make in your daily life to prevent your back pain returning.

Changes to ...
- Sitting, standing and walking posture
- Lifting technique
- Time spent in positions that tend to cause back pain
- Fitness and activity level
- Movement patterns and awareness of body position

...can be very effective in preventing a recurrence  of your back pain. At dorset physiotherapy centre our treatment will help you address these causes of ongoing back pain and help you achieve your goals with a healthy, strong back.

If you would like some help with your back call 01305 757101
or email info@dorsetphysiotherapycentre.com