Physiotherapy For Back Pain
Lets all agree, back pain is common
80% of adults will experience episodes of back pain in their lives, though the severity and intensity is usually mild and short-lived.
Having back pain is as common as getting tired at some times. However, it can also be a more serious issue that requires medical attention. Let's look at the common causes of back pain and how physiotherapy can help.
The most common cause of back pain is muscle strain or injury. This can happen from lifting heavy objects, sudden movements, or even poor posture. When your muscles are strained or injured, they become inflamed and tender, resulting in pain and discomfort. In some cases, this type of back pain can be relieved with rest and over-the-counter pain medication.
Another common cause of back pain is degenerative disc disease. As we age, our spinal discs begin to break down and lose their ability to cushion our vertebrae. This can lead to nerve compression.
Common Myths Around Back Pain
It is caused by weak core muscles
Weak core muscle is not the cause for back pain. People who have strong core muscle also experience back pain. We need core muscles to perform specific tasks such as planking exercise, but not necessarily in all everyday activities. Sometime holding core muscle will restrict our normal movements and cause discomfort in some instances
We have back pain because it is “out of alignment”
There is no scientific medical evidence to suggest that back pain is related to the spine being out of alignment. The resting position of the spine does not predict back pain.
Persistent back pain is usually caused by damaged structures or something bad
There are many factors affecting recovery of back pain. Stress, tension, fatigue and inactivity can contribute to persistent back pain. In fact, many people with persistent back pain have relatively “normal” scan report findings.
My back pain is not resolved, therefore,
I need back surgery, stronger pain-killer or steroid injection
Injection to the spine or spinal surgery usually are not very effective in managing back pain in the long term. They carry some risks and unhelpful side effects. Finding other low risk alternatives such as physiotherapy, lifestyle modifications , in addition to identifying underlying factors which tend to reinforce your back pain, is important
What can I do if I have back pain
Remain active and return to usual activities gradually will help with your recovery. If your back pain does not improve after 1 to 2 weeks, talk to your physiotherapist who will help you identify possible causes and manage your back pain.
Back pain is usually unrelated to bulging disc and pinched nerves
X-ray, CT scan or MRI results do NOT necessarily correlate to your back pain. Someone can have a “not so good” scan findings yet with no pain at all, while another person can have agonising pain with relatively “normal” scan reports.
Disc degeneration, facet joint arthrosis do not predict low back pain.
In fact, with bulging disc, you are about 2.5 times LESS likely to have back pain. The strongest single predictor for low back pain is depression instead.
Behaviours associated with low back pain
Fear avoidance and catatrophisation is common among people who have experienced back pain.
Any negative belief about activity will cause harm or further damage to the back and surrounding tissues will not help with the recovery of low back pain. Such catatrophisation will only reinforce the symptoms and prolonged recovery time from the pain and associated disability.
Fear avoidance can cause changes in movements either with an adaptive or maladaptive way.
In the case of adaptive movements, the person will perform a task in a manner in order to protect the musculoskeletal system and or the body’s physiological processes.
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