BACK PAIN?
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE PROCESS!
Mike Murray, Clinical Director of MM Physiotherapy explains why we need to understand the cause of back pain and how physio can help relieve it
The most common injury and cause of pain at MM Physiotherapy clinics is lower back pain. The misconception by most is that it’s part of life and nothing can be done as ‘everyone suffers from back pain’. This is completely not the case, every type of back issue has the potential to improve, the key is understanding the cause and process needed to begin the road to a positive treatment outcome.
I explain to all patients how all injuries are bred through imbalances. Keeping it simple, injury comes from weakness and opposing tightness. As soon as one outweighs the other, pain is an inevitable outcome.
Every day we carry out repetitive activities that continually stress similar areas over and over. Loading the areas creates imbalance between core stabilisation and the restrictions setting in. With most types of back pain the common issues are caused by restricted mobility of hip flexors, hamstrings and spinal soft tissues. This is where the balance between mobility and stability becomes essential.
As a chartered physiotherapist I must stress we develop our own clinical expertise through additional training, previous experience, in my case sport, and having a broad approach to suit the needs of all patients is key, especially with a back problem as every patient is unique. Many patients believe physio hasn’t helped them from previous experiences they have had, usually because the process wasn’t tailored to their needs. Hands-on therapy and manipulation to relieve back pain provide a window of opportunity for back pain and mobility improvements allowing the rehabilitation process to begin.
Following a tailored process via specific assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of back pain is what enables the individual to reach their goals. Daily mobility exercises, hands-on manual therapy treatment and key stability exercise is the only way to help resolve back pain. Understanding the process is most important via diagnosis. Explanation and planning pushes pain sufferers to become pro-active with our support and involve types of exercise to maintain their rehabilitation gains. Long term adherence via functional exercise such as Pilates, reformer rehabilitation sessions and individual exercise programming is the progression to manage your back pain.
The answer to resolving back pain that troubles you every day is to ensure the process to a pain free life is in the understanding, treatment and pro-active approach that the physio and patient need to take. Begin your road to recovery, tailored to your wants and needs, at MM Physiotherapy, Oakhill, Wiswell Lane, Whalley and Todmorden.
