What's the Cause of Your Lower Back Discomfort?

Lower back discomfort is something almost everyone will deal with at some point in their lives. Whether it's a dull, annoying ache that just won't quit or a sharp pain that stops you in your tracks, understanding why your back hurts and how physiotherapy can help you get back on your feet is super important.

Causes

Lower back discomfort springs from a complex mix of reasons, each contributing in its own way such as:

• Muscle or Ligament Strain: Repeated heavy lifting or a sudden awkward movement can strain back muscles and spinal ligaments, leading to discomfort.
• Bulging or Ruptured Discs: Discs act as cushions between the bones (vertebrae) in your spine. The soft material inside a disc can bulge or rupture and press on a nerve, causing pain.
• Arthritis: Osteoarthritis can affect the lower back. In some cases, arthritis in the spine can lead to a narrowing of the space around the spinal cord, a condition called spinal stenosis.
• Skeletal Irregularities: Conditions like scoliosis, which causes a curvature of the spine, can lead to discomfort later in life.
• Osteoporosis: Your spine's vertebrae can develop painful fractures if your bones become porous and brittle.

How Physiotherapy Can Help

Physiotherapy offers a non-invasive, drug-free approach to managing lower back discomfort. Here's how physiotherapists can help:

• Personalised Exercise Programs: Strengthening and flexibility exercises can enhance core stability, reduce pain, and prevent future injury.
• Manual Therapy: Techniques such as massage, mobilisation, and manipulation can relieve pain and improve function.
• Education and Advice: Physiotherapists can offer advice on posture, ergonomics, and proper lifting techniques to prevent back discomfort.
• Pain Management Techniques: Methods like heat/ice therapy, TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation), and ultrasound therapy can provide immediate pain relief.

Incorporating physiotherapy into your treatment plan can significantly reduce lower back discomfort by addressing the root cause of the pain, promoting healing, and preventing future issues. If you're experiencing lower back pain, consider consulting a physiotherapist to explore how targeted therapy can benefit you.
 

Find a Physiotherapist near you

If you’re suffering from lower back pain in North Brisbane, look no further than Albany Creek Physiotherapy. Our friendly staff can help you target the pain and have you feeling tip-top in no time! Give us a call on 3264 3244 or book online here.