Nowadays, back pain is becoming an increasing cause of concern for people worldwide, for many different reasons. In previous years, mostly older adults regularly complained of back pain. But, the numbers have suddenly boosted as the young generation encounters similar issues. There are several causes for back pain; the most common ones include muscle strain, disc herniations, and osteoarthritis. 

Adults suffering from lower back pain seek relief using several remedies; physiotherapy is undoubtedly one of the best remedies. 

What Causes Lower Back Pain?

Several factors can influence back pain, and we will examine some of them further. Different human bodies react to pain in a number of different ways; seemingly minor low-risk activities can result in severe back pain. Mentioned below are some of the most common causes of lower back pain:

Disc Herniation

Disc herniation, also known as a slipped disc in layman’s language, is a major cause of chronic lower back pain. It is often followed by inflammation in the area of concern. A spinal disc herniation can occur due to a mishap during a physical activity like sports, hard labour, a motor vehicle accident, or simply by bending over to pick your fallen pen, causing issues with simple tasks like walking or running. 

Slipped disc happens when a tender center of the spinal disc forces itself through a crack into the more rigid outer casing. Some slipped discs go unnoticed; however, over time, as the disc degenerates, it might cause discomfort and lead to herniation. It is accompanied by swelling in the back area and arthritis. Mentioned below are other symptoms:

• Increase in pain while bending sideways or forwards but bending backward soothes the pain.
• Pain goes from the lower back to hips and legs
• Pain increases after sitting for long hours
• Ongoing pain usually in one side of the lower back

Muscle Strain

Muscle or ligament injuries are prevalent in younger people. A muscle or ligament strain happens when a person lifts a heavy object improperly, causing a sudden twist or an unwanted movement. It happens while lifting heavy weights, improper weight training, sudden or forceful twisting, and accidents while playing sports. Such activities can result in micro-tears in the muscle or ligament, causing pain. Some symptoms of a muscle strain are:

• Pain while walking, standing, or moving
• Throbbing sensation and dull ache in the lower back
• Soreness in the affected area
• Pain increases when trying to move the affected muscle
• Stiffness worsens in the morning and during inactivity

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common in middle-aged and older adults, developed over time, unlike other sudden causes mentioned above. It is a condition where your articular cartilage degenerates gradually over the years. Articular cartilage is the cover at the end of every bone; over time, breakdown of this cartilage leads to lower back pain and discomfort. Some of the symptoms of osteoarthritis are:

• Discomfort in the area when touched
• Chronic pain that varies in severity and is throbbing
• The back is inflexible, and bending is painful
• Running is painful
• Pain is at its peak during the morning but gets better during the day

How Does Physiotherapy Help In Treating Lower Back Pain?

Back pain can be a challenging endeavour to deal with. While there are various remedies available in the market like allopathy, homeopathy, etc., physiotherapy is one of the most awarded methods used in Canada to obtain relief from back pain. 

Physiotherapy involves practical training, experience, and knowledge combined to relieve back pain. It is a slow process but proves to be a miracle when done regularly under proper guidance & supervision.

At We Fix U chiropractic care experts in Oshawa, a patient-centric approach is used to identify symptoms and customize the plan and procedure for the patient’s treatment. 

Firstly, the physiotherapist will examine your body thoroughly, checking for injuries and other health conditions. Usually, this is followed by practices designed as per your medical records and body needs. Let us look at some of them quickly!

Preliminary Understanding Of Pain

The first and foremost step is to understand and analyze the symptoms. Through a casual conversation, the physiotherapists try to understand the cause and location of the pain. Other body systems are also tested to narrow down the cause and understand any other secondary impact. 

Manual Therapy

Manual therapy involves a set of exercises and body movements beneficial for improving motion. These movements are potent to treat frozen joints and bring them back to action. A physiotherapist will help you move your body in different ways thus, improving your range of motion. Usually, this is one of the most essential steps of the process. 

Habit Training

Some people suffer from lower back pain because of their poor body posture. Habit training helps in the betterment of body posture and thus reduces pain. Physiotherapists are skilled professionals who will teach you correct & appropriate posture by involving you in various activities while promoting healing and decreasing back pain.

Acupuncture And Gunn IMS

Generally, this is an archaic procedure where needles are used to stimulate fibres, promoting blood flow and improving nerve communication in the area of concern. 

Strength Building Exercises

Strength-building exercises are well-known for boosting core strength and improving chronic back pain. After comprehensively understanding the patient’s flexibility, causes of symptoms, motion range, etc., an exercise plan is developed to strengthen the core muscle group by improving posture and stability. However, these exercises help restore flexibility, improve range of motion, correct body posture and core strength, and relief from back pain.

In Conclusion

Now that you know the various causes of lower back pain and how physiotherapy can save you from severe pain and discomfort, simply adopting a set of well-organized exercises and measured movements can be effective for your lower back pain. Always perform exercises and activities under the supervision of your therapist to avoid accidental injuries. Your body is your home, be kind to it. If you have any questions, book an appointment with one of our chiropractor experts in Oshawa, Peterborough, Bowmanville, Cobourg & Port Hope.