Low back pain is currently a major health issue, and it has been estimated that 60-80% of people will experience an episode of low back pain during their lives. Due to the associated socioeconomic implications, it is important to quickly address low back pain and avoid chronic pain. Physiotherapists have the training to correctly assess your problem and provide effective management.
A specific diagnosis regarding the cause of a person's low back pain is often difficult, because any of the many tissues innervated in the region of the low back can be a potential source of pain. Physiotherapists will therefore use a “clinical reasoning” process to help determine the source of pain. Current diagnostic approaches include structured, category and impairment/dysfunction based diagnoses. These are broad terms which focus on the general presentation rather than specific tissue injuries.
Acute low back pain is defined as pain that lasts less than 3 months; it can be severe, persistent or fluctuating. In regards to a specific diagnosis – the pelvis, facet joints and intervertebral disc in the lower back are commonly implicated. Rehabilitation from acute low back pain may include any of the following strategies:
- Mobilising stiff joints
- Stabilising loose joints
- Stretching short muscles
- Strengthening weak muscles
- Facilitating and retraining inhibited muscles
A large amount of research has been conducted to support the use of specific physiotherapy interventions. Exercise is one of the most useful treatment modalities used by physiotherapists and proven in the evidence to be effective. Directional preference exercises specifically are well-researched and evidence shows that a patient’s preferred direction of movement is successful in restoring function, and decreasing pain. The McKenzie method uses directional preference exercises to great effect. Recently, Good Country Physiotherapy director Angela Dunsford published some research in the Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare in the area of McKenzie exercises.
Chronic low back pain is traditionally defined by pain that has been present for greater than 6 months. Biopsychosocial factors have been recognised to play a crucial role in the outcome of chronic pain. Physiotherapists have the correct tools to identify the problem, improve function and provide a cognitive behavioural management approach, which has been shown to be effective in the research.
For more information about low back pain, speak to your GCP physiotherapist today in Bordertown or Keith.
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