Back Pain/Neck Pain

Most back & neck pain is usually a result of mechanical or functional disturbance of the spine – problems that Osteopaths have been treating successfully for over 100 years. Research shows that 60% of the UK will suffer from back pain at some stage during their lifetime.

Lumbago is old terminology for simple low back pain or strain of the muscles and joints in the lumbar spine. Most low back pain is the result of overstrain of the muscle and ligaments in the low back – this results in undue stress being placed on the facet joints in the lumbar spine, so causing local inflammation and thus pain. Osteopaths treat low back pain every day and treatment is usually very successful in total resolution of the condition.

Back and neck pain may not occur immediately following injury because the body is very adept at adjusting to injuries and accommodating the stresses and strains imposed. This adaptation disturbs normal posture and the spinal mechanics causing joint and muscle strain to accumulate and symptoms will often occur gradually over a period of time.

Episodes of spinal pain may be triggered by physical exertion, emotional stress or illness. An unfit spine is usually associated with tired muscles and therefore poor spinal joint control. Sometimes minor muscle or joint strains may cause more pain and take longer to heal and repair than seemingly major trauma. This may be because the body has reached its limits and is unable to accommodate any further strain or injury. Often the smallest event is the ‘final straw’ that triggers the pain.

Osteopathic treatment will release these old strains from the body as well as addressing the new injury in order to prevent the pain from recurring.