Back pain affects up to 80 percent of people at some point in their lives. It is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems. We are going to run through some easy back pain treatment ideas.
In the UK, the NHS spends more than £1 billion each year on back pain related costs. Even more money is lost through time off work caused by back pain and other musculoskeletal conditions.
Your spine is made up of strong bones supported by ligaments and muscles. It is actually quite difficult to damage the spine itself. However, when the muscles or ligaments around the spine become strained, they can cause discomfort, stiffness and pain.
Osteopathic practice is a safe and effective form of prevention, diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of health problems, including back pain.
Many episodes of back pain improve on their own. However, if the pain continues for more than a few days, osteopathic treatment may help.
Osteopaths often use gentle hands-on techniques to help relieve back pain. Treatment may also include exercises and advice to support recovery and maintain a healthy back.
Research shows that manual therapy, such as osteopathic treatment, can help people with back pain return to normal movement and activity.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provides guidance for healthcare services in the UK. NICE recommends manual therapy, including osteopathic treatment, as part of a treatment plan for managing low back pain and sciatica.
Osteopathic treatment is tailored to the individual patient. Your treatment will depend on factors such as your age, fitness level and diagnosis.
Treatment often focuses on:
These approaches can help reduce pain and improve mobility.
You do not need to see your GP before visiting an osteopath, although some patients choose to speak with their doctor first.
Osteopaths are highly trained healthcare professionals who are skilled in diagnosing musculoskeletal problems. They are also trained to recognise symptoms that may require further medical investigation.
During your first appointment, the osteopath will ask about:
All information is treated as confidential according to the standards set by the General Osteopathic Council and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Back pain is usually not caused by anything serious, although it is natural to worry about your symptoms. Your osteopath will carry out a routine examination to check for signs of more serious conditions.
If further investigation is needed, your osteopath will explain this and discuss the next steps with you.
After the examination, your osteopath will discuss your treatment options. Together you will agree on a suitable treatment plan and discuss any likely costs.
Your treatment plan may involve several visits. In some cases, further tests or referrals to another healthcare professional may be recommended.
Treatment may begin at your first appointment. Some people experience mild discomfort afterwards, but this usually settles within 24 hours.
If you have any concerns about your treatment, you should discuss them with your osteopath.
You are also welcome to bring someone with you to your appointment if you wish.
We are members of the Institute of Osteopathy, the professional membership organisation for osteopaths. The organisation supports the development of the osteopathic profession and promotes high standards of patient care.
Membership of the Institute of Osteopathy provides reassurance to patients, the public and healthcare colleagues that we provide a high quality service that exceeds the minimum requirements of professional regulation.
For more information about the Institute of Osteopathy, visit www.iosteopathy.org or call 01582 488455.
All information in this article was sourced from the Institute of Osteopathy:
https://www.iosteopathy.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/OsteopathyBackPain-6pp-Aug-2018.pdf
Additional references include NICE guidance:
www.nice.org.uk/guidance/NG59
