BAD BACK ? SEE AN OSTEOPATH
Back pain affects 80% of Australians and it is the most common cause of absenteeism at work. Osteopaths are "back experts", providing over one million treatments to Australians last year.
Apart from pain relief, osteopathy has other benefits for the bad back sufferer. The manipulation and mobilisation performed in treatment positively affects the nervous, circulatory and lymphatic systems, to deliver a better balanced body and better health overall.
Australian Osteopathic Association National President Mr Michael Mulholland-Licht said if people took the time to take care of their back, a lot of serious complaints could be avoided.
"Often back injury follows a relatively minor event, like a person lifting something they have raised many times before," said Mulholland-Licht.
"The problem is often preceded by weeks, months or even years of poor body use and postural habits. Bad sitting posture is probably the greatest culprit.
In 1998/99, back complaints made up 30% of all work cover claims in NSW, higher than any other complaint.
Back pain has lots of causes from injury in a work or recreational accident; muscular spasms or a disease like scoliosis; through to the weight of a pregnancy or decreased flexibility with age.
Back pain – causes and effects
The trouble with back pain is that it can do more than just give you a pain in the back. It can create difficulties with walking, sitting, bending and lifting and can even lead to depression and incontinence. It can also be the cause of pain in the buttocks, groin or legs (commonly called sciatica), in the head, neck, shoulders and arms. It can also be one of the effects of hip, knee and foot problems.
Back pain can result from bad posture, a sudden jerky movement, a lumpy mattress or poor lifting techniques. It can also be caused by injury in a work place, by a sports accident or by muscular spasms. It often occurs during pregnancy or, because of decreased flexibility, as people get older.
There are also many diseases and pathological conditions that can lead to back pain. These include abdominal or pelvic disease, anxiety, arthritis, cervical or lumbar spondylosis, dermatological problems, kidney disease, rheumatic conditions, tumours and scoliosis.
Our modern, sedentary lifestyles have a profound effect on the development of back pain; indeed one of the most effective ways of preventing it is simply to stay active. An average adult in the Australia spends at least two hours a day in front of a computer screen or television set, and back problems can be triggered if they don’t sit properly. In an age of mobile phones and computer games, such troubles are increasingly inflicting children of school age as well.
Back ache can also be a secondary effect of hip, knee or foot problems or can come from simple causes like bad posture, a jerky sudden movement, a lumpy mattress or poor lifting techniques.
Osteopathy and the treatment of back pain
Osteopathic treatment is often the most effective first line of attack in correcting problems caused by back pain. Speedy access to osteopathic care for acute patients often averts the possibility of conditions becoming chronic.
By correcting any underlying mechanical disturbances in the musculo-skeletal system, osteopaths can greatly relieve pain and distress, minimise dependency on drugs and slash the cost of treatment for side effects.
Osteopathic treatment often negates the need for further medical investigation or surgery, although osteopaths are skilled in diagnosing problems that require such investigation or treatment.
Osteopaths will do more than offer treatment. They will devise an ongoing management programme to prevent recurrence, and advise on diet, exercise, posture and breathing to ensure long term relief.
Back problems account for over 50% of the cases osteopaths see.
"With our lives becoming increasingly busy, yet sedentary, and the incidence of back pain rising, a prevention plan that is quick and easy is a good way for individuals to maintain the health of their back,”said Mulholland-Licht.
OSTEOPATHS RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING 10 TIPS FOR BACK CARE:
1. For back pain, see your osteopath - sooner rather than later.
2. Take regular exercise e.g. swimming, walking or stretching.
3. Avoid "computer slump.". Sit tall and breathe with the diaphragm.
4. During repetitive tasks take frequent breaks or vary your activity.
5. Bend the knees when reaching down or lifting, and carry weight close to the body not at arms length. Our backs are forklifts, not cranes
6. Watch children's posture. Carrying heavy school bags on one shoulder is a no-nol
7. During pregnancy, osteopathy can help your body to adjust to changes as the baby grows.
8. Avoid strain when lifting, particularly carrying small children and heavy shopping.
9. Make sure you have a good quality and supportive mattress - your bed could be part of the problem.
10. Do your best to make your workplace more ergonomically friendly.
Want to get relief for your back pain, visit our osteopaths
Visit one of our clinics or contact reception for more information or an appointment time, click on contact us for more details.
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