Low Back Pain Treatment in Ivanhoe

Relinque Sports and Spinal Group offers quality care for back pain to local residents in Ivanhoe & surrounding areas including Eaglemont, Northcote, Kew, Alphington, Heidelberg & Fairfield.

Lower back pain is a very common complaint that affects around 80% of people at some point in their lives. It is one of the most common occupational health problems in our society and a leading contributor to missed days at work. The causes of lower back pain are varied, and range from mild acute muscle strains, to severe chronic arthritic conditions.

Relinque Sports & Spinal Group has been successfully treating Low Back Pain for residents of Ivanhoe, Heidelberg, Northcote, Fairfield and Kew for over 20 years.

What Causes Low Back Pain?

The most common causes of lower back pain are lumbar strain or sprain injuries, degenerative joint changes (arthritis), and nerve irritation with sciatica.

1. Spine Strain or Strain Injuries

The most common cause of lower back pain is a musculoskeletal strain or sprain. This category accounts for around 99% of all lower back injuries.

Lumbar strain injuries are characterised by localised discomfort along either side of your spine, which may refer into your hips and upper thighs.

The severity of the pain can vary considerably from mild to severe, depending on the injury and amount of muscle spasm in your lower back. Movements is often restricted and causes an increase in your symptoms.

Lumbar strain injuries generally occur because of poor posture, overuse, or trauma. They cause slight stretching of the muscles, tendons or ligaments in your lower back and often results in small tears of varying degrees in these tissues.

2. Arthritis and Degenerative Joint Changes

Back pain caused by degenerative bone and joint conditions are not seen as often as lumbar strain injuries, but are always considered in any patient who presents to our clinic over the age of 40.

Arthritic and degenerative changes in the lumbar spine can vary quite considerably in their presentation. In the early stages, arthritic change may present exactly the same as a lumbar strain injury, as it is the surrounding tissues that cause the pain, not the actual degenerative tissues.

Joint degeneration is a normal process that occurs as you get older.

3. Nerve Irritation and Sciatic Pain

Irritation to the nerves of the lumbar spine can be caused by mechanical pressure anywhere along their path – from their roots near the spine to their endings in the muscle or skin. Disc herniation and bony encroachment are two of the most common causes of nerve irritation.

a) Disc herniation or disc bulge: Caused by trauma or degeneration to the discs in the lumbar spine that results in the softer central portion herniating through the outer ring of the disc. This herniation of the disc can press on the nerve causing pain into the hip, and also down the leg.

Lumbar disc herniation can either occur spontaneously following a trauma, or it may be preceded by a history of lower back pain over a number of years. It is usually characterised by an aching sensation in the lower back, with referred pain into the hip or down one of the legs. There may also be associated tingling and numbness in the leg and foot.

The pain commonly increases when the body is in certain positions such as sitting and bending.

b) Bony encroachment: Any condition that occurs as a result of growth or movement of the lumbar vertebrae that decreases the space for the adjacent spinal cord and nerves. Compression of the lumbar spinal nerves can cause sciatic pain that radiates down the leg.

How Do Osteopaths Treat Low Back Pain?

The most important part of any any injury is getting the correct diagnosis.  As the leading and most experienced provider of Osteopathy, Pilates & Remedial Massage in Ivanhoe, we have been successfully treating all forms of lower back pain for over 20 years.

We follow a treatment process that has been developed and refined over the past 20 years to ensure you receive the best treatment option at the right stage of your recovery.

Click Here for a comprehensive outline of our treatment process and how we can help treat and manage your Low Back Pain.

How Long Will Your Back Pain Last?

This really depends on the cause of your pain and the nature of your injury. 99% of back pain occurs as a result of simple strain or sprain injuries. With correct diagnosis and treatment these injuries normally resolve in 2-3 weeks.

With more chronic injuries and complex causes of pain, treatment will usually last from 6-10 weeks. We also incorporate strengthening exercises to stabilise the area and help prevent a recurrence of the symptoms.

Low Back Pain Booking

Book your appointment today with one of our skilled osteopaths.

Call 9499 9644, email us, or book online here.

Relinque Sports & Spinal Group is conveniently located in Ivanhoe and are highly trained in the diagnosis and treatment of Low Back Pain.

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