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Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain can be localised or refer pain down into the hip, leg and foot, all of which can be debilitating but most of all worrying. Our Chiropractors, Osteopaths and Physiotherapists are all qualified to assess and diagnose many types of lower back pain. We create management plans to treat and prevent your symptoms and put your mind at ease.

Back pain will affect almost everyone at some point in their life so it can be helpful to know a little about it. Chiropractors, Osteopaths and Physiotherapists are experts at treating back pain, trapped nerves, muscle spasms or back stiffness. We use a hands on approach to ease symptoms, improve movement and reduce pain.

Our back pain and nerve pain patients come to see us for a wide variety of symptoms. Many of our patients bend awkwardly and feel their back go into spasm, some have had back or nerve pain for years or have back pain which isn’t serious but that they would rather be without.

Here are a few common causes of lower back pain that we manage regularly at Summit in East Sheen and East Grinstead.

Facetjoint Pain & Myofascial Pain

The most common type of back pain is an acute sprain/strain. This means there is an injury to the muscles (strain) and ligaments (sprain) in the back. These type of injuries are often caused by lifting or bending incorrectly, or with trauma such as during exercise or an accident. But sometimes the injury can be much more subtle and symptoms are noticed much slower. The most likely cause here is postural overload.

The pain is most commonly in the small of the back, and into the top of the buttocks, pain can occasionally radiate into the back or front of the legs. The pain is a dull ache and stiffness most of the time but is made worse or sharper on movement.

With mobilisation, manipulation, soft tissue therapies plus exercise, advice and taping most acute strains will last about 1-2 weeks, with full relief with in 4-5 weeks although this can take longer dependent on each individual.

Osteoarthritis/ DDD/DJD

As you age it is perfectly normal for your lower back to show signs of wear and tear and age related changes. Discs lose water and bones get closer together as a result. This can cause the nerves to get easily irritated as they leave the spinal cord, causing local back pain and radiation of pain/pins and needles down the legs. Facet joints can also be negatively affected with bone spurs and sclerosis which limit movement and cause pain. All of the above respond well to exercises and gentle manual treatments.

Discogenic Pain, Herniated Discs Or Annular Tears

Between each bone in your spine, there is a shock absorbing area known as an intervetebral disc, it is made up of a jelly like material surrounded by a strong ring of cartilage. It serves to absorb the daily shock that goes through your spine, protecting the bones and nerves. Certain situations such as trauma, lifting injuries or degeneration can cause this strong cartilage to tear, allowing the disc material to leak out or “herniate”. (The term slipped disc is not accurate, as the majority of the disc material is held in place and cannot actually ‘slip’) This material can press on the nerves that come out of the spine, causing local pain and symptoms travelling down into the legs, and cause what is frequently known as, “Sciatica”.

The pain in the back is usually severe and sharp in nature, will be aggravated by moving, sitting and straining. The pressure on the nerve will result in pain down the leg and foot, symptoms can include pins and needles, numbness, a feeling of heaviness and or a weakness in the leg and foot.

In less than 10% of cases surgery may be recommended. Some reduction in pain levels is expected after 2-4 weeks, but full healing time is usually between 2-3 months. Manual treatments, acupuncture, taping and rehab plus education can speed recovery and prevent recurrence.

If you feel weakness, pain or numbness radiating down both legs, changes in bowel or bladder function and or saddle area numbness you should seek urgent medical advice quickly at A&E.

Osteopathy

East Sheen, Richmond and East Grinstead

1hr – Initial Consultation with treatment – £79

30 minute follow up – £59

Chiropractic

East Sheen, Richmond and East Grinstead

1hr – Initial Consultation with treatment – £79

30 minute follow up – £59

Physiotherapy

East Sheen, Richmond

1hr – Initial Consultation with treatment – £79

30 minute follow up – £59

Our clinics are based in Richmond and East Grinstead. As Chiropractors, Osteopaths, Physio’s, Sports Therapists and Massage Therapists we regularly see patients with neck pain, back pain, sports injuries and other musculoskeletal issues, tailoring our treatments individually to each patient along with a full rehab program. Our therapists in are fully registered and undergo extensive training to treat pain using various techniques including Chiropractic, Osteopathy & Physiotherapy plus acupuncture & dry needling.

If you live in East Sheen, Mortlake, Kew, Barnes, East Grinstead or the surrounding areas feel free to drop in to discuss your pain and how our Chiropractor can help, or contact us via email or phone. Alternatively you can simply book online!

We look forward to meeting you!

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If you're ready to book your appointment click below to book online. Otherwise, if you have any questions please get in touch with us on 020 3154 2395 or email at info@summitwellbeing.co.uk
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