At Guildford Physiotherapy Sports Centre, one of the most common injuries we treat is low back pain. Our physiotherapists are equipped with a wide variety of therapeutic skills including but not exclusive to manual therapy, dry needling, and exercise prescription to get you better. We will assess your condition to determine the best course of action to reduce your pain and disability. This may also include advice such as postural adjustments and modifications to your day to day activities which may be provoking your pain.

The Basics of the Spine

The spine is made up of 4 regions, the cervical (neck), thoracic (mid back), lumbar (low back) and sacral (base of spine). Low back pain primarily arises from the lumbar and sacral regions of the spine, however postural habits, or congenital conditions in other regions such as scoliosis can still result in low back pain.

The spinal column is made up of bones called vertebrae, with soft spongy pads of cartilage called Intervertebral Discs in between. The spine is inherently a passive structure making up the framework while the discs allow flexibility and movement through the spine and act as shock absorbers. In addition, many layers of muscles surround and attach to the spine to provide support and stability, and control movement. 

What Causes Low Back Pain?

There are a variety of causes for low back pain. This can include specific conditions such as disc bulges or herniated discs where the disc between the vertebrae become damaged which can cause pressure on the surrounding nerves and structures. This can cause symptoms of back pain, as well as pain or other altered sensations in the leg. In such conditions, physiotherapy management is usually indicated, and occasionally further investigations and scans may be required. Other spinal conditions where physiotherapy can help also include scoliosis, spondylolysis, spondylolisthesis, and spinal fractures.

However, low back pain may not exclusively be a result of a specific condition or damage. Many of our daily lives now is determined by activities involving sitting. We sit at home, at work, on the computer or driving.  Increased “sitting” activities can result in poor posture, and often weakness in the muscles that support the spine resulting in low back pain. Additionally, low back pain can also develop from general “wear and tear” in the spinal joints and can be related to degenerative spinal conditions such as spondylosis, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis. Exercises given through physiotherapy management has been shown by research to improve lower back pain, disability and quality of life.

Our physiotherapist will perform a comprehensive assessment of your spine which will allow them to accurately diagnose the cause of your low back pain or next course of action, as well as create a detailed treatment plan focused on getting you better.