Back Pain
Low Back Pain
Mechanical back pain is very common and at least 80% of people will experience it at some point in their life. In most cases, this is nothing serious and will usually settle within 6-8 weeks. There are a variety of causes for back pain but often there will be no single cause.
People may describe stiffness and pain that may or may not travel down their leg. Sometimes however, symptoms such as tingling or numbness may be felt in the leg and this can be a sign that a nerve is being irritated. We would recommend seeking an appointment sooner if this is the case, so that checks can be carried out on how the nerves are working. Mode Physiotherapy can carry out appropriate assessment to help diagnose your problem.
For more information about back pain, click on the sections below.
Important symptoms to monitor
If you notice any of the below symptoms, you must seek medical attention urgently
- Difficulty passing or controlling urine
- Difficulty passing or controlling poo
- Numbness around your genitals or bottom
- A loss of control of your legs
- Any recent significant trauma (e.g. fall or car accident)
- If you are male, a recent change in being able to maintain or achieve an erection.
Do I need a scan?
Carrying out routine scans is not required in most cases. Around 95% of scans will show normal age related and coincidental findings which may not be related to your symptoms. Mode Physiotherapy will be able to determine if you require a scan.
At Mode Physiotherapy we have access to private MRI facilities and have a vast amount of experience in referring for MRI investigations.
Are there things I should avoid?
There is nothing that you should avoid when having shoulder pain, but you do need to listen to your symptoms and adjust your activities accordingly.
It is important to keep moving as much as possible. There may be some activities that are painful, but this doesn’t mean that is it causing you any damage. One of our physiotherapists will be able to work with you to get you back doing the activities you enjoy.
Should I take pain relief?
It is important to discuss pain relief with your local pharmacist or GP. If your pain levels are better controlled, this will enable you to keep more active and by keeping active it will help to maintain your strength and movement. This approach could lead to a quicker recovery.
Mode Physiotherapy will be able to advise if you need to discuss pain relief with your GP or Pharmacist.
How can Mode Physiotherapy help with my back pain?
At Mode Physiotherapy we have extensive experience in managing a variety of lower back pain disorders, such as:
Degenerative changes of the spine (arthritis)
Disc bulges
Trapped Nerve i.e. sciatica
Muscular pain
Postural pain
Mode Physiotherapy will be able to help diagnose the cause of your lower back pain as well as provide advice and guidance on ways to manage it. Often this will include a combination of hands on treatment and a tailored rehabilitation programme.
