Abbey Physiotherapy Quality care from the people who care Back and Neck Pain
You are extremely lucky to not know the answer to the question, What is back pain? Neck and back pain are the most common area's treated by Physiotherapists. The cause is often multifactorial and can include genetic predisposition, posture, previous injury, weight and activity levels. The musculoskeletal structures affected are the usual culprits of muscles, ligaments, tendons and disc, affecting the way the spine moves and causing irritation. If the spine is not moving well, it cannot restore good circulation, flexibility and strength to the area and recovery is delayed or stalled. Low back pain can be caused by a herniated disc the rubbery disks that lie between the vertebrae close to the spinal cord causing chronic pain in the lumbar area. Your backbone (spine) runs from your neck to your lower back. The bones of your spine form a spinal canal, which protects your spinal cord. Your physical therapist at Abbey can assist to relieve pain caused by most of these conditions.
In fact, it is estimated that 50 to 80% of the adult population suffers from a memorable episode of low back pain each year.
Chronic low back pain usually involves a disc problem, joint problem or an irritated nerve root, however, More than 95% of spinal conditions DON'T need surgery and Physiotherapy is key to regaining your normal active lifestyle. It can depend upon your medical history, however, if you are suffering from persistent pain in the lower back we can help you achieve this by reducing your pain and increasing your mobility and strength. This assistance can help with pain management reducing the stiffness caused by swelling of an intervertebral disc. It is also important to identify your individual causes of the problem, educating you on ways to avoid future trouble and highlighting the causes of back pain. .Back pain symptoms can be caused by prolonged poor posture, stress, anxiety can increase muscle tension and pain symptoms. The area contains a variety of muscles that are known to tense during which can cause mild to severe pain.
'Simple' Neck or Back pain
This usually has a postural or degenerative cause and will respond well to Physiotherapy and self-management.
- Pain is localised in the neck or back and doesn't move down the arm/leg
- The pain is related to movements or posture, either during or after activity
- Pain may include muscle spasm and tenderness
- Pain caused by bending
Occasionally things are more serious and may require further investigation. If you present with any of the following, your Physiotherapist may need to refer you for an MRI, either directly if you are self-funding or via your GP or A&E department if very urgent
- Problems with speech, swallowing, dizziness, drop attacks or vision.
- Pelvic floor, Bladder or bowel function affected causing incontinence.
- Altered sensation in the groin area.
- Generalised numbness in the arm or leg that does not alter with the position.
- Arm or leg weakness in more than one muscle.
Causes of Back and Neck Pain
The causal factors and common causes of acute back pain or neck pain is a muscle strain, sprain or muscle injury, in which muscle fibres stretch too far and tear. Muscle injury may be caused by overuse, such as from heavy lifting, as well as by repetitive motions that put continual stress on the back or neck muscles causing discomfort and spasms. This can cause bulging discs which may require rehab.
Treatment Of Back and Neck Pain
Physiotherapists can reduce your pain, stimulate healing and restore movement and strength using joint and soft tissue manual therapy techniques, treatment options include stretching, mobilisations and massage, acupuncture, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), microcurrent therapy, taping and if indicated, braces and crutches to offload the lower back. Exercises will focus on comfortable movement and strength work and your Physiotherapist can progress this as your symptoms settle. Our physios know exercise rehabilitation routines to assist in the removal of lower back pain.
Towards the end of treatment, we may recommend local exercise classes or gym that may help continue your recovery. We can also refer you to a service locally that can offer support in weight loss and getting into exercise should you need support in this area
Get In Touch
Abbey Physiotherapy Clinic is accredited to the Physical Therapy Association with treatments including patient education, exercise therapy working to develop specific exercise programs which improve mobilisation and improve your range of motion. If you think we can help you, why not contact us to enquire further or make an appointment. You can contact us by calling 024 7628 1133 or emailing us
You can also book an appointment by calling 024 7628 1133
or using the Book Online feature via our website. Or Why Not Get In TouchContact us at Abbey Physiotherapy, if you would like any support with the management of your condition.
Sports massage is a firm deep tissue massage therapy which is the most effective therapy for treating muscular pain, tension and for putting your body in balance
Sports Massage
Joint mobilisation techniques focus on attaining a normal range of pain-free joint motion.
Mobilisations
Our Acupuncture Clinic treatment aids tissue healing and based on scientific evidence that shows the treatment can stimulate nerves under the skin and in muscle tissue to allow the body to produce pain-relieving substances
Acupuncture Clinic
TENS is an abbreviation of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. A Tens machine may assist in modest short-term pain relief. Ultrasound aids tissue healing for soft tissue injuries
Electrotherapy
the use of taping and strapping techniques to aid both the treatment and prevention of injury
Sports taping
Rehabilitation is the process to regain full function following injury. This involves restoring strength, flexibility, endurance and power and is achieved through various exercises and drills
Exercise Rehabilitation
An exercise programme that aims to improve stabilisation and support to the spine. This is achieved by re-training specific trunk muscles, which may be under used
Core Strength
Treatment for a sports injury will depend on factors such as how severe the injury is and the part of your body affected.
Sports Injuries
Upper back and neck pain can stop you in your tracks, making it difficult to go about your typical day.
Back Pain
The most common soft tissues injured are muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These injuries often occur during sports and exercise activities, but sometimes simple everyday activities can cause an injury.
Strains and Sprains
A fracture is when a bone has been broken. A dislocation is where a bone has been displaced from its normal position at a joint.
Fractures
Whiplash is a term that describes a neck injury caused by a sudden movement of the head forwards, backwards or sideways
Whiplash Symptoms
A Headache is a pain in any region of the head. Headaches can occur on one or both sides of the head, or be isolated to a certain location. A headache may be a sharp pain, throbbing sensation or dull ache
Headachesis a pain affecting the back, hip, and outer side of the leg, caused by compression of a spinal nerve root in the lower back, often owing to degeneration of an inter-vertebral disc.
SciaticaArthritis is inflammation of one or more of your joints. The main symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which typically worsen with age
Arthritis
a condition in which the prolonged performance of repetitive actions, typically with the hands, causes pain or impairment of function in the tendons and muscles involved
RSI
pre-operative interventions for hip and knee osteoarthritis awaiting joint replacement surgery.
Pre and Post Op