Back Pain

Back pain is pain felt in the back that usually originates from the muscles, nerves, bones, joints or other structures in the spine.

The pain can often be divided into neck pain, upper back pain, lower back pain or tailbone pain. It may have a sudden onset or can be a chronic pain; it can be constant or intermittent, stay in one place or radiate to other areas. It may be a dull ache, or a sharp or piercing or burning sensation.

The vast majority of episodes of back pain are self-limiting and non-progressive. Most back pain syndromes are due to inflammation, especially in the acute phase, which typically lasts for two weeks to three months.

Back pain can affect anyone at any age, but it’s most common in people between the ages of 35 and 55.

Physiotherapy of different types:

• Heat therapy is useful for back spasms or other conditions. Heat therapy can reduce symptoms of acute and sub-acute low-back pain.
• Massage therapy
• Consistent stretching and exercise – These exercises include ones for lower back pain that stretch or extend the back and ones that strengthen it.
• Spinal manipulation.
• Cold compression therapy is advocated for a strained back or chronic back pain and is postulated to reduce pain and inflammation, especially after strenuous exercise such as golf, gardening, or lifting.
• Electrotherapy, such as a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). TENS relieves back pain by delivering mild electric pulses to the painful area through electrodes on your skin. These stimulate your nerve fibres and block the pain signals to your brain.
• Ultrasound is especially useful as a passive therapy for anyone with acute lower back pain. It delivers heat deep into the muscles of the lower back.