Back Pain Osteopath Surrey

These are joints that are located on either side at the back of each vertebra in the spine. They are often damaged when the back is bent backwards in one area. It is a common injury and, while painful, can usually be resolved relatively quickly.

The pain will be worse on bending forward and backwards and often more towards the injured side. It is often more painful with moving from sitting to standing. Sometimes the pain will radiate away from the injury site so that it feels the damage is over a larger area than it is.

Facet joint pain is a very common presentation to Osteopaths who can successfully help you recover faster than if you just rest.

This can either be caused by degenerative changes at the joint with gradual degradation of the disc or through a sudden or often repeated movement like lifting or bending, often with a rotational component. The pain will be local with muscle spasm and restricted movement, and if a nerve root or the spinal cord is affected, then the pain will radiate to another part of the body.

If there is pain down the back of the leg, it is called sciatica. The pain usually is worse on bending forward, to one side and while sitting or lifting.

This can take a while to improve and other factors that influence recovery time include the amount of damage, age, nutrition, and the ability to perform rehabilitation exercises.

Our back is very resilient considering the lifting and carrying and movement that we undertake, so it is not surprising that we pull the odd muscle or two during our life, especially as we become more sedentary.

Typical causes are lifting, gardening, DIY, gym, and sporting injuries. Symptoms will include pain (worse when the damaged muscle engages to move you or when it is being stretched), stiffness and lack of movement. If the injury is quite severe, then radiating pain can be present.

Dependent on the severity of the injury, recovery will take between 1-2 days to 3 months, which can be improved with osteopathic treatment, including a personalised recovery program.

 Rib dislocation predominantly occurs during rotational movements. Pain in the back that can radiate around the rib towards the side and front is common and will be made worse on movement and deep breaths, and coughing.

Your osteopath will typically be able to help resolve the situation within 1-3 treatments.

This pain emanates from the lowest part of the back and can radiate into the gluteal (bottom) muscles. It can occur from a twisting movement after sleeping funnily or sitting awkwardly for a long time, during pregnancy or after childbirth. Classic factors that aggravate the pain are crossing legs, getting into or out of a car, or turning in bed.

Your Osteopath will help relax any muscle imbalance and ensure that your back and hips are moving correctly and are aligned in a neutral position.

Osteoarthritis is normally a slow degenerative disease of the bones and joints. It mainly affects the weight-bearing joints such as the knees, hips and back, after years of wear and random repair has occurred (although this can happen from a young age). Increased immobility and muscle wastage will tend to quicken the disease process.

Classic signs include decreased availability of movement with the stiffness of the back on waking and after sitting for long periods, which can lead to pain. If it progresses further, it can lead to sciatic type pain and spinal stenosis.

Your Osteopath can help by releasing tight muscles and restricted joints and encouraging exercise and movement, coupled with eating a healthy diet.

 Rib dislocation predominantly occurs during rotational movements. Pain in the back that can radiate around the rib towards the side and front is common and will be made worse on movement and deep breaths, and coughing.

Your osteopath will typically be able to help resolve the situation within 1-3 treatments.

This is where there is an intrusion into the spinal foramen (the area that the spinal cord sits in that travels the length of the spine). The intrusion is from bony growth, disc bulges, severe inflammation, fracture, or tumour. Besides local pain and reduced movement, there can be pain and paraesthesia (numbness, weakness, or tingling) into the legs.

When mild, this can often be relieved by bending forward, while bending backwards makes it worse. Should you find that you have a numb bum and groin and/or the inability to pee while not being able to control your bowels, you should visit A&E as this could be “cauda equina syndrome”, which is a medical emergency.

Your osteopath will assess you to ensure that it is nothing more serious that would require a referral on. If that is the case, it can help encourage the movement of the spine and relax muscles, coupled with a rehabilitation program.

A degenerative disease that starts to affect those in young adulthood with pain and stiffness in the lower back. The symptoms can then progress up the back to the neck and shoulders.

The pain and stiffness in the lower back is normally experienced more in the morning and is often worse if they are dehydrated. 

Your osteopath will help loosen the area by working on the spinal joints, hips and surrounding muscles, advising on lifestyle choices, and prescribing an exercise regime.