Back Pain and Osteopathy
Your spine is the most important structure
of the body because of its role in supporting the arms, head, legs,
and pelvis. If you experience a problem with the spine you may
experience the symptom in the form of pain in any of the supporting
parts of the body.
Back pain is one of the most commonly heard complaints by
physicians. Back pain occurs as the result of overuse, strain, and
poor posture. Usually the pain comes from the muscles ligaments and
joints and not from the spine. There are many causes for back pain
including problems with the bony lumbar spine, issues with the
discs that are located between the vertebrae, or the cause can be
seen in the ligaments around the spine and discs, or the spinal
cord itself and the nerves and muscles of the lower back. The
internal organs of the pelvis and abdomen are also examined for
possible cause. Pains in the upper back can be attributed to major
blood vessel disorders, chest tumors, and inflammation of the spine
as well as the usual cause of muscular or joint problems.
Your spine is the most important structure of the body because
of its role in supporting the arms, head, legs, and pelvis. If you
experience a problem with the spine you may experience the symptom
in the form of pain in any of the supporting parts of the body. If
you experience pain in any part of your body that has an
unexplained origin, the cause may just be found in the spine.
There are numerous causes of back pain, the most common are
arthritis, muscle or ligament strains, osteoporosis, sciatica,
stress and lifestyle factors such as lack of exercise, being
overweight, a sedentary life, poor posture, bad work habits, and
stress.
Weak muscles and ligaments may be unprepared for sudden, heavy
or unusual activity put upon them causing injury. Osteoporosis can
cause vertebral fracture caused by the thinning of bone. Stress can
cause muscle tension, which can then lead to fatiguing of tissues,
causing the pain. Persistent tight muscles can cause postural
imbalances that can then lead to structural changes throughout the
body like a domino effect.
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Identifying structural problems within the body and then supporting the body's natural ability to heal and repair is what osteopathic medicine is all about. Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (D.
Back Pain Treatment
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Lifestyle factors are the most common cause for back pain. When
we do not exercise enough, gain excessive weight, or lead a
sedentary life or if we have poor posture, bad work practices or
encounter stress we can suffer back pain. Osteopaths will first
rule out any serious medical problem than address the cause and
effect of the cause on all body parts.
Lower back pain is more common than upper back pain. Those that
suffer from upper back pain can experience the pain anywhere
between the lower back and the neck. Causes for upper back pain can
be poor posture, overuse of muscles, or an injury to the upper
back. Sometimes we are injured because of poor carrying postures,
bending, throwing, or twisting incorrectly. If we cough or sneeze
vigorously we can also experience upper back pain. Did you know
that prolonged sitting could also cause upper back pain from the
reduced blood flow to muscles from the reduced movements as we sit
all day? When the muscles lack blood flow they begin to tighten and
feel like rope.
Persistent upper back pain can also signal more serious
situations such as heart disease, rib fracture and pain caused by
digestive organs being in distress.
Osteopaths can screen for these serious medical conditions and
refer you for additional tests as needed.
In order to treat back pain, the osteopath will first examine,
then diagnose, and finally treat the patient using different manual
techniques that are individually tailored for the particular back
issues of presented by the patient.
Lastly, the osteopath will give advice as to how to reduce the
risk of the back pain returning by suggesting an ergonomic
assessment of your work station, or home seating situation and give
you advice regarding your posture that may also benefit you.
Osteopathy Today
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