Text Box: PHYSIOTHERAPY IF YOUR BACK HURTS, DON'T IGNORE THE PAIN. PHYSIOTHERAPISTS HAVE THE TRAINING TO CORRECTLY ASSESS THE PROBLEM AND PROVIDE SAFE, EFFECTIVE TREATMENT. FOR RAPID RECOVERY, SEE YOUR PHYSIOTHERAPIST EARLY. WHAT CAUSES BACK PAIN? POSTURAL STRESS Poor posture stresses your spine. Ligaments are over stretched, muscles tire and joints and nerves are put under pressure. MUSCLE STRAINS Minor back muscle strains quickly improve on their own, but more severe strains will need physiotherapy treatment to relieve pain and promote healing. LIGAMENT SPRAINS Stretching ligaments too far or too quickly makes them tear and bleed into surrounding tissues, causing swelling and pain. Motor vehicle and sporting accidents are common causes. DISC PROBLEMS Discs are anchored to the vertebrae, above and below, so they cannot 'slip' out of place. They can wear down with age, but most disc problems arise from injury. Discs can bulge (prolapse), herniated or even rupture. SCIATICA The sciatic nerves run from the lower back, through the buttocks and down the back of your legs. Irritation anywhere along this pathway will cause pain in the back and legs. ARTHRITIS Vertebral and facet joints can be affected by arthritis, causing degeneration and inflammation within the joint and the growth of bony spurs on the edges of the vertebrae. MUSCLE WEAKNESS Recent research has shown that weakness of the deep abdominal muscles can contribute to increased strain on the lower back. AUSTRALIAN PHYSIOTHERAPY ASSOCIATION www. p h y s i o t h e r a p y . a s n . a u Move well. Stay well. © 2003 Australian Physiotherapy Association. ABN 89 004 265 150 HOW YOUR BACK WORKS Your back is a complex system of interlocking components: • Vertebrae are the bones that make up the spinal column. • Discs separate the vertebrae and act as shock absorbers. • Facet joints between the vertebrae guide spinal movement. • Ligaments hold the vertebrae together. • Muscles are attached to the bones. They control and produce movement. TIPS TO HELP YOU MOVE WELL AND STAY WELL Here is some useful advice to help you prevent back pain: LIFTING With your feet shoulder-width apart, bend at the hips and knees. Grip the load firmly and hold it close to your body, tighten your stomach muscles and use the strong muscles Of your legs to lift. Keep your back as straight as possible, And gently breathe out. Avoid twisting - turn by using your feet, not your back. STANDING POSTURE Think tall: chest lifted, shoulders relaxed, chin tucked in and head level. Posture should be stable, balanced and relaxed. when sitting, walking or standing. SITTING Don't stay seated for too long, ideally no more than 20 minutes. Stand up, stretch and walk around. The right back support will also help. Also ensure that your workstation and computer are correctly positioned. EXERCISE Stay in shape - healthy body-weight is less strain on your back. Your Physiotherapist can show you how to keep your back flexible and strong with correct back and abdominal exercises. DRIVING Good support from your car seat will prevent back pain. If you need more lower back support, use a lumbar roll or a rolled-up towel. SLEEPING Your mattress should be firm enough to support your natural shape.

BACK PAIN

HOW PHYSIOTHERAPY CAN HELP

 

Almost all Australian doctors refer patients with back

Pain to Physiotherapists in preference to other health

practitioners. Depending upon the cause and type of

pain, Physiotherapists treat back pain in a variety of

ways:

• Advice and early activity (recent research indicates

that one of the most important treatments for low
back pain is movement).

• Mobilisation/ manipulative physiotherapy.

• McKenzie therapy.

• Specific stabilisation exercises.

• General exercises and stretches.

• Ergonomic advice.

• Postural advice.

Musculoskeletal Physiotherapists have post

graduate training in the management of musculoskeletal disorders and have more ways to help your back move well and stay well.

 

Research has proven that specific stabilisation

exercises are an effective treatment for low back
pain.  Physiotherapist’s are the only group of

professionals appropriately qualified and educated

to instruct in these exercises.

 

Ongoing 'maintenance treatments' should not be

required once your back has been successfully
treated by a Physiotherapist. Your physiotherapist
will encourage self management through specific

exercise prescription. If severe pain persists, other

causes will need to be investigated. Your

Physiotherapist can order x-rays or recommend that

you see a doctor.

 

GENERAL

Physiotherapists also work in public hospitals and

community health centres. Physiotherapists in
private practice are listed in the Yellow Pages.
Check to see if a Physiotherapist is a member of the

APA. Members of the APA are bound by a

professional Code of Ethics and have access to

extensive and continuing postgraduate education

programmes.

 

HEALTH REBATES

You may consult a Physiotherapist either directly or

by referral from your medical practitioner. Most

private health insurance funds offer rebates for

physiotherapy treatment.