Experiencing Back Pain In Adelaide?

Back pain is one of the most common pain symptoms, affecting 80% of people in their life. It can be a complex condition, which often does not have a clear cause. In order to make sure back pain is treated effectively it is important to seek professional help rather than self-medicating.

Causes of back pain

Though it might sound strange, the cause of back pain can be difficult to diagnose. Imaging such as ultrasound and MRI can sometimes help to identify particular sources of pain, such as fractures or compressed nerves, but imaging is often poorly correlated with pain symptoms. Common sources of back pain include:

• Muscle strain, spasm or cramps
• Spinal fracture, cancer or stenosis
• Disc injury
• Sciatica
• Fibromyalgia

Nonspecific low back pain is a complex condition with no discernable cause or pre-existing injury.  Nonspecific low back pain is treatable and can be managed without the need for invasive surgical procedures.

What can be done to treat back pain?

Treatments for back pain vary depending on the cause.

• Surgery: Surgical procedures to treat back pain, such as spinal fusion or decompression, are highly invasive and are not beneficial for all patients. Recent research shows that surgery may not always be the best option to treat back pain.
• Interventional procedures: Some spinal fractures may be treated by interventional procedures such as vertebroplasty, where cement is injected into a fractured vertebrae.
• Physiotherapy: Physiotherapy can help treat pain in a number of ways, by relieving the symptoms and treating the cause. Physical therapies to treat back pain are often combined with education, lifestyle management, and analgesics to help manage pain symptoms.

When should I see a physiotherapist?

Many causes of back pain can be effectively managed using physiotherapy, avoiding the need for invasive surgical or interventional procedures. If you experience back pain that impacts your quality of life, book in to see a physiotherapist today.