What To Do For Lower Back Pain
80% of Australians suffer from lower back pain at some point in their lives. When it happens to you, don’t let it get the better of you…
You knew the moment it happened; a sneeze, a cough, an overreach, an off-balance step just at the wrong time.
Perhaps you threw yourself into a game the way you would have twenty years ago, forgetting for just a brief moment that there was a reason why you stopped playing. It was bound to happen again sooner or later, you tell yourself; it usually does.
Whatever the cause, your life is now on hold. You can’t work. You can’t sleep. You probably can’t even sit down. You feel … vulnerable. You may be surprised to learn that around 80% of people in Australia will suffer from lower back pain at some point in their lives and, as a result, it is one of the leading contributors to missed days at work.
The causes are varied and range from mild acute muscle strains to severe, chronic arthritic conditions, so correct diagnosis of the problem is essential.
In our experience, 99% of all lower back injuries are musculoskeletal strains, most often caused by poor posture, overuse or trauma. This results in small tears in the tissue of the muscles, tendons or ligaments in your lower back.
At Northern Spinal & Sports Injury Clinic, we conduct a full assessment of your condition at the initial consultation and also listen to what you are hoping to achieve from physiotherapy, chiropractic care or osteopathic treatment. That way, we can help to make sure the goals you set for yourself are realistic. The good news is that strain or sprain injuries can be resolved pretty quickly, while more chronic injuries could take a little longer. During treatment, we’ll also give you a comprehensive list of strengthening exercises to help you prevent the same thing from happening again or suggest you try clinical pilates.
Tips for looking after your back
- Exercise regularly and try to maintain a healthy weight to decrease the load on your spine.
- Try not to sit for long periods of time. Take short breaks regularly.
- Be mindful of your posture, try not to slouch or slump.
- Be careful when lifting. Keep your back straight, bend at the hips and knees and tighten your core prior to picking up an object.
- Make sure you have a supportive bed.
- We have more helpful hints and tips that can help with back pain. Our main philosophy is prevention is better than cure.