Back Pain

Back pain is the most common complaint that presents to us at ThamesPhysio. 80% of the population will experience back pain at some point in their lives and usually it just goes away by itself but sometimes there is a need to interveneP

How to relieve back pain

The following tips may help reduce your back pain and speed up your recovery:

  • Remain active - inactivity and a sedentary lifestyle is the number 1 cause of low back pain. Rest for long periods usually aggravates the problem.

  • Try hot or cold pads - heat generally helps with muscular tightness and spasm whilst cold can help with inflammation.

  • Try simple over the counter analgesia - but do check with the pharmacist.

  • Try to stay positive as back pain does usually resolves naturally.

When to Get help?

If the symptoms do not settle or are:

  • Interfering with normal daily living.

  • Increasing in intensity or frequency

  • Causing you distress and struggling to cope.

It is prudent to see a physiotherapist for an assessment to determine the cause of the problem and work with you to make a plan to address the problem.

However, there are some symptoms that warrant immediate attention by a medical professional as may indicate a more serious problem

  • Difficulty passing water

  • Numbness around the genitals or buttocks

  • Loss of bladder or bowel control

  • Chest pain

  • Fever

  • Unexplained weight loss

  • Swelling or a deformity in your back

  • The pain does not improve after resting or is worse at night

  • The pains starts suddenly or after a serious accident, such as after a car accident or fall.

  • The pain is so bad it is affecting your sleep

  • The pain is made worse when sneezing, coughing or during a bowel movement

But it's a good idea to get help if:

  • the pain does not start to improve within a few weeks

  • the pain stops you doing your day-to-day activities

  • the pain is very severe or gets worse over time

  • you're worried about the pain or struggling to cope

Treatments for back pain at ThamesPhysio

The most important part of your treatment at ThamesPhysio will be a full subjective and Objective assessment to really understand not only what is happening with your back at the time of your pain but what has led to the symptoms.

The physiotherapist will then discuss the fundings and plan a treatment which may include.

  • Manual treatment - including, mobilisation, massage myofascial release - this is to reduce the immediate symptoms and allow you to move more freely and more easily engage with the exercise programme

  • Exercise therapy - this will be crucial to your recovery and also in the prevention of future episodes.

  • Acupuncture - this is to support the manual treatment and alleviate inflammation.

  • Advice to understand what went wrong and keep you well for the future.

In most cases patients do not need referral for imaging (X Rays, MRI, CT scans etc) but should that be necessary we can make any necessary referrals.

If you would like to discuss our spinal problems please do give Victoria a call on 07813179825