Lower back pain is the most common condition seen by chiropractors.

Back pain affects most of us at some point in our lives. In most cases the pain resolves by itself, but chronic pain can be extremely debilitating and distracting. There can be an enormous impact on home and work life.

The Office for National Statistics estimate that in 2016, 34 million working days were lost because of musculoskeletal problems that included back pain. The psychological impact of back pain is significant.

What can cause back pain?

The answer is anything in our day to day lives. 8 out of 10 of us can suffer from lower back problems. The strain of daily life, strain from the nature of our work, pregnancy, weight gain, wear and tear… the list goes on.

The pain can be felt as a dull ache or can be sharp. In time the pain can become more constant and if the nerves leaving the lower spine are affected the symptoms of sciatica can be present.

It is useful to understand the anatomy of the area. The lower back is made up of five lumbar vertebrae which are the lower part of the spinal column that starts at the base of the skull. Our spine is a phenomenal piece of engineering. Not only does it protect the spinal cord and nerves, it keeps us flexible and mobile. However, the spine is not designed for our modern lives. Sitting and poor posture can put a strain through the spine and flatten out the natural curves that keep us flexible. The focus for most pain is the lower back where joint dysfunction, disc problems or muscle pain can occur.

How can Chiropractic help?

Chiropractic has long been recognised as a treatment for low back pain: you may have heard us referred to as “back doctors”.

Chiropractic treatment is recommended by a number of leading medical organisations and recent research continues to prove that chiropractic is an effective and safe treatment for low back pain.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence 2016, Low Back Pain and Sciatica Guidelines, recommend spinal manipulation (such as chiropractic adjustments) in conjunction with exercise.

When you attend the clinic, Ben will take a full history. His examination will include muscle, orthopaedic and muscle testing. X-ray can be a valuable diagnostic tool in diagnosing the cause of low back pain. Here at the Back Room Chiropractic Clinic, we have in house state of the art X-ray facilities, which mean that diagnosis can be made without having to be referred elsewhere

Once all investigations have been performed and a diagnosis made, treatment can begin. Ben can use chiropractic adjustments (spinal manipulation), soft tissue massage and gentler mobilisation techniques to help ease the pressure on the area of the lower back that is under strain. Exercise is always recommended as part of your rehabilitation, and Ben will advise you on how you can safely exercise. He will also instruct you on stretches and exercises that you can do at home to help recovery and maintain wellness if you have low back pain.

Advice from Ben

If you are experiencing low back pain, Ben gives the following advice on how to manage your symptoms until you can see us:

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Low back pain can be a recurrent problem so seeking chiropractic help early on can reduce pain, reduce the frequency of relapses and improve wellbeing.