General back pain and lumbago is a very broad topic and can have a wide range of causes.

 

The spine is made up of vertebrae (the bones), intervertebral discs (act as shock absorbers to allow movement and protect the spinal cord), spinal nerves that control the function of the body, and many ligaments and muscles that help to stabilise the spine and allow the human body to move.

 

With the complexity of the anatomy of the back, it is important for a chiropractor to determine the underlying cause of the back pain.  A chiropractor will ask you lots of questions in order to take a detailed history about your symptoms and carry out a range of tests in order to test the nerves, muscles and joints.  This information will help the chiropractor to determine the underlying cause of your back pain, and manage this accordingly.

 

HOW A CHIROPRACTOR CAN HELP YOU

 

A chiropractor will determine whether the cause of your pain is musculoskeletal.  Chiropractors can help with problems that involve joints, muscles and nerves using a range of mobilisation, manipulation and stretching techniques.  A chiropractor can also give you specific stretching and strengthening exercises that are personalised to you.

 

If the chiropractor does not think that chiropractic care is suitable for you, they will refer you to somebody that they think will be able to help you.

 

If you have any more questions or think a chiropractor may be able to help you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch and contact me at Lushington Chiropractic Clinic.

 

SELF-HELP TIPS FOR MANAGING GENERAL BACK PAIN AND LUMBAGO

 

• Keep moving – it’s important to keep the body moving. Listen to your body, but a great way to get some exercise is to go for a gentle walk.

 

• Ice – lots of patients get relief from using ice, which reduces inflammation.

 

• Home stretching – there are some great stretches that you can do at home. Follow this link to a blog that has got step-by-step instructions for some great stretches!

 

 

CASE STUDY

 

A patient with general back pain and lumbago may present to a chiropractor with a short-term or long-term history of pain.  It is important for the chiropractor to be able to determine the root cause of the problem.  In order to do this, the chiropractor will ask the patient lots of questions in order to get a clear picture of what is going on and how your symptoms are affecting your everyday life.  The chiropractor will also review your health and medical history.  The chiropractor will then go on to perform a physical examination to assess your general movement as well as your nerves, muscles and joints.  This usually involves a range of tests which will be explained clearly to you during your appointment.

 

Once the chiropractor has all of the information they need, they will give you a Report of Findings.  During this time, they will take the time to explain, in detail, what they found in the history and physical examination and then explain how chiropractic care can help you.  If the chiropractor does not think that chiropractic care is suitable for you, they will refer you to somebody that they think will be able to help you.

 

Treatment is tailored to the individual needs of every patient and so will vary from person to person.  The number of treatments will vary from person to person depending on lots of things.  The chiropractor will take into consideration how long you’ve had your symptoms, what aggravates your symptoms, whether you’ve had previous episodes of similar pain, your age and your daily routine.  Treatment typically includes mobilisation and manipulation techniques, soft tissue work, home advice and stretching and strengthening exercises with the aim of getting you moving and then keeping you moving.