back pain

Sixty percent of adults suffer from back pain every year, and half of those can become chronic sufferers.

Back pain is often easily treated by suitably qualified physiotherapists, so it makes good sense to seek advice and treatment when you have a back problem. It can arise from joint, ligament, disc or muscle problems, often with several overlapping issues.

Back problems are usually caused by bad posture, poor lifting technique or lack of fitness, or results from a specific injury or overuse.

Other causes include inflammation, and rarer, more serious problems such as progressive diseases affecting bones and joints.

Physiotherapists are trained to carry out a comprehensive assessment to diagnose problems in the joints and soft tissues of the body.

Physiotherapy for back pain includes a wide range of treatments to relieve pain, promote relaxation and restore movement. They include manipulation, mobilisation and massage. Exercises are often used to mobilise stiff joints and tissues, increase general fitness, and to strengthen muscles which support the spine.