Most of us at some stage in our lives will experience back pain. It can happen at any age.
The pain may be a slight ache or twinge which may be uncomfortable but doesn’t interfere too much with normal activities. Back pain can also be excruciating, can take your breath away and you may even be afraid of moving! Sometimes you may feel pain, numbness or tingling in the legs or feet which may be accompanied by back pain especially if the nerves have been irritated. You may know what might have triggered it but more often it just happens.
Try not to panic, it’s horrible but try to keep moving if you can – but don’t over do it! Use anti-inflammatory medicines if you can (unless you advised by your doctor not to), also put a cold pack, (for example a bag of peas wrapped in a towel) on the back for 15 minutes (max) at a time. Call and arrange an osteopath appointment we can help, you don’t need a GP referral. Your GP may suggest you visit us anyway!
Rarely with back pain do you need to go to hospital but if you do have severe pain and problems going to the toilet – stopping or starting – and this is very unusual for you please get checked out at hospital or at least call us or your GP if you are worried.
Osteopaths see lots of patients with back pain so we know when you need to be referred for further investigation.
Back pain may be something you have had on and off for years and you usually put up with it, but seeking help from an osteopath will not only help reduce your discomfort but we can also help prevent it occurring again, or at least not as severe or for so long. For those who unfortunately are prone to back pain, regular osteopathic maintenance treatment for example, once a month helps prevent those debilitating episodes of back pain.
