top of page
Possible causes
Symptoms

The most common reason for back pain comes from the soft tissues around the back and in 95% of all cases, the cause is not of a serious pathology. Other causes include: 

 

  • Muscle or ligament sprain

  • Muscle spasm

  • Result of an awkward movement

  • Whiplash or other accident

  • Underlying degenerative changes flared up by an activity

  • Posture-related pain and stiffness

  • Abnormalities of the spine

  • Cancer (<1%)

​

Trapped nerves do not cause back pain! Nerves in the lower back (if compressed) can only create symptoms in the legs. Read more about nerve root pain here. 

 

 

If you have had pain for longer than the expected time for healing, it is likely that some other lifestyle issues are making you more sensitive and vulnerable. 

​

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS:

  • Stress

  • Anxiety

  • Low mood

  • Poor relationships

  • Low job satisfaction

  • Depression

  • Psychiatric issues

  • Involvement in litigation

PHYSICAL TREATMENTS:

  • Physiotherapy

  • Medication

  • Chiropractic

  • Osteopathy

  • Posture education

  • Specific exercises

  • Yoga and pilates

  • Acupuncture

  • Massages

  • Injections

  • Surgery

  •  

​

​MIND BODY TREATMENTS

  • Yoga

  • Deep relaxation

  • Meditation

  • Mindfulness

  • Deep breathing techniques

  • Back pain affects up to 80% of the population

  • Majority of it resolves within a few weeks

  • Focus on what you CAN change rather than on what you cannot

  • Back pain rarely means damage, degenerative changes are normal

  • The cause is not as important as what you do about it

  • Scans and x-rays cannot always tell us what’s hurting

  • Work/activity is not the only cause

  • Rest and time off work are NOT effective treatments

  • You do not have to be 100% pain free before you return to work

  • Back pain is NOT harmful and activity is good and recommended

  • Back pain can be influenced by your emotional states

  • Do not rely on passive treatments to cure you (acupuncture, massage, mobilisations, surgery, injections)

  • Most degenerative changes are completely normal MRI scan can’t tell us what’s hurting (unless you have leg pain)

  • If people fail to recover and return to activity it is mainly because psychosocial obstacles delayed progress, not because there is more injury or disease

Treatments
Some facts:

Back pain

General information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Symptoms of back-related problems include

  • Pain 

  • Numbness 

  • Tingling 

  • Burning sensations 

  • Stiffness 

  • Feelings of weakness or tightness

  • Aching

 

Anywhere between the lowest ribs and the buttock creases, sometime pain can radiate to the buttocks or slightly lower.

 

What you can do 
More info

There are many things that you can do:

  • Stay active

  • Try yoga or pilates

  • Try relaxation and meditation

  • Reduce the stress in your life

  • Find a way to feel good

 

 

Mind-body treatments
Physical treatments
Addressing co-factors
Middle back pain
Low back pain
Sacroiliac joint pain
Coccyx pain

It is possible to diagnose only 15% of all cases in terms of structural pathology or injury and it is norrmal to be given various explanations by different professionals. It is difficult to make a definite diagnosis based solely on clinical findings without knowing about the person.

Risk factors

The following factors increase the likelihood of developing low back pain: 

  • Low job satisfaction in the workplace

  • High demand and stressful 

  • Pregnancy

  • Sedentary lifestyle 

  • Smoking

  • Obesity/Overweight

  • Age-being older

  • Anxiety or depression

  •  Strenuous physical work

 

bottom of page