Low back pain.
Low back pain treatment Brisbane
What is low back pain, ways of treatment and how Tan Chiro Can help
Need to speak to an expert about your back pain?
What is low back pain?
Low back pain is a broad term describing a range of conditions that stems from the joints, muscles, nerves & connective tissues (ligaments & tendons). Low back pain can include your lumbar spine as well as the sacrum.
Low back pain can include:
Vague or non-specific pain either because of an injury but often happens for no apparent reason
Tingling, numbness & weakness in the legs that starts from the lower back
Narrowing in the spinal canals through which the spinal cord goes through causing pain
We have all experienced some form of low back pain at some point in our lives. If you haven’t, count yourself lucky! The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that 1 in 6 Australians suffered from back pain. 2 in 5 people complained that the back pain that was experienced stopped them from doing daily tasks.
There’s a common misconception that low back pain only affects the adult population, but can also be experienced by children (1).
Types of back pain.
-
Muscular
The 4 muscles that commonly cause back pain are (3):
- Iliopsoas (hip flexors)
- Quadratus lumborum
- Gluteal muscles (bum muscles)
- Multifidus musclesThese muscles have some form of attachment to your spine. They can be injured due to repetitive trauma or incorrect lifting or posture.
Injuries can cause muscles to refer pain to the lower back via active trigger points which can sometimes be mistaken for nerve pain. -
Disc bulge / disc irritation
Discs is a firm but malleable material that sits between the bones in your spine. It acts as a shock absorber and takes pressure off your joints. Too much load can cause the disc to bulge or rupture causing pain.
Disc bulges are more common in males ages between 30 - 50 years old.
-
Osteoarthritis / Degeneration
Osteoarthritis causes a wearing and tearing of cartilage, joints and discs which can result in inflammation and cause back pain.
Spurs can also develop as a result of degeneration. The spurs can put pressure on the nerves that run out of the spinal column.
Low back pain: how Tan Chiro can help
Low back pain is the most common condition seen by a chiropractor, followed by neck pain.
As a North Brisbane chiropractor, Dr Jace uses a combination of techniques that will be fine-tuned to your individual needs.
Spinal Manipulation
The most common technique used is chiropractic spinal manipulation technique (SMT). Spinal manipulation is a controlled thrust that is applied to a restricted area within your spine to help it move more.
A 2018 study showed evidence of how spinal manipulation helps with acute low back. Participants with low back pain received a single lumbar spine manipulation and experienced immediate pain relief and improvement in balance. There was also significant pain relief reported (2).
Gentle manipulative techniques using the Activator or Drop Piece table are also used instead of spinal manipulation if preferred by patients or when it’s more suited to an individual’s condition.
Dry Needling & Trigger Point Therapy
Dr Jace is also qualified in dry needling therapy & uses it in combination with trigger point therapy to target specific muscles that are causing low back issues.
Sports / Kinesio Taping
Dr Jace has qualifications in sports chiro & frequently uses kinesiology taping as part of treatment.
Kinesiology taping helps with swelling and is often used to provide additional support to the lower back especially when it’s still feeling fragile.
Is spinal manipulation safe?
Spinal manipulation is relatively safe however it should only be performed by a trained chiropractor. Chiropractors are university-trained health professionals and undergo 5 years of education before sitting a rigorous clinical exit exam to qualify as a practicing practitioner.
Common side effects of spinal manipulation are muscular soreness, stiffness or sometimes a re-aggravation of pain before it gets better.
Serious complications have been associated with spinal manipulation, but are very rare.
Before any manipulations are done, Dr Jace will go through a thorough assessment to make sure it is safe for you to receive it.
Raspe H, Matthis C, Croft P & O'Neill T 2004. Variation in back pain between countries: the example of Britain and Germany. Spine 29:101–1021.
Ward, J., Tyer, K., & Pourmoghaddam, A. (2018). Immediate influence of lumbar spine manipulation on pain, functional reach, static balance, and walking gait kinematics of individuals with acute low back pain. Chiropractic Journal of Australia, 46, 135-150.
https://www.hpmcentre.com.au/which-muscles-are-most-responsible-for-low-back-pain
Bulk billing and ADF $400 benefit now available
Are part of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Family Health Program? If so, you should be entitled to $400 which could be spent on allied health and medical specialists. Under the program members are entitled $400 per financial year for each registered dependant of this benefit. Click here for more information.
Bulk billing is also available to eligible patients.