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lower back pain treatment

Lower Back Pain Factors & Treatment

Lower Back Pain Factors & Treatment 788 522 Ace Health Centre

In this blog we will discuss Lower Back Pain Factors & Treatment. Ace health centre specialise in many different lower back issues. Most importantly the assessments come Via physiotherapists, podiatrists and exercise physiologists. Therefore experts can put together a well rounded management plan for you.

What is lower back pain?

Low back pain refers to pain in the lower third of your back (lumbar spine). Lower back pain is the most common condition treated by physiotherapists. There are three main causes of low back pain. 2% is attributed to referral pain from visceral disease. 1% is attributed to non-mechanical spinal conditions such as inflammatory arthritis, scheurmann’s disease and paget’s disease.  The majority (97%) of low back pain is diagnosed as non-specific low back pain. In other words, This means back pain that does not attribute to a known pathology and specific structure or deformity. There are more factors here.

Lower back pain factors

Firstly some of the major lower back pain factors that puts you at risk of low back pain. These include being overweight, a sedentary lifestyle, poor posture and environmental and workplace factors.  Symptoms can include pain in the low back, buttock and hip. Secondly, It can also include pins and needles, numbness or weakness into one or both legs.  Even though this is the case, it is important to visit a physiotherapist to clear the more sinister causes of low back pain. These are for example what we call red flags. Some of these red flags include:

  • bladder dysfunction
  • a history of cancer
  • night pain
  • history of trauma
  • saddle anaesthesia
  • lower limb neurological deficit
  • unexplained history of weight loss
  • fevers/ chills and recent infections

Lower back pain treatment and management

Management options include a combination of manual therapy and advice and education regarding your condition. Furthermore, Physiotherapists also identify the contributing factors to your condition. They will devise an exercise plan to best manage and prevent future episodes of low back pain.  The biggest prevention strategy is through movement and strengthening.

This can be in the form of a tailored home exercise program or attending regular group exercise classes in clinic. It is expected that 80% of Australians will experience low back pain at some stage in their life. In addition, 60-80% of people experience another episode of back pain after a year. Therefore this is why prevention and continual work with a physiotherapist is so important. Most importantly you should continue even after the initial low back pain episode has subsided.

 

In conclusion at ACE Physio, we will work with you to develop a personalised plan for Lower Back Pain. Above all, we shall asses Factors & Treatment that will ease your pain and get you back doing the things you enjoy! Please call ACE Health Centre to book an appointment with our physiotherapist.

 

ACE dry needling treatment

Dry needling?! Don’t be scared.

Dry needling?! Don’t be scared. 1000 667 Ace Health Centre

Most people would run for the hills when they hear the word needle and even more so when those needles are about to enter their skin. Most experiences that require the use of tiny, sharp metal sticks are usually not pleasant ones. Unless we’re talking about dry needling at ACE Health Centre!

Dry needling, also known as myofascial trigger point treatment, is the next big thing, used around the world when it comes to pain management and pain reduction. If that sounds all a little too scientific for you then read on! Our head podiatrist, Mike Luker took the time to write down a few notes for our patients to explain what dry needling is and what it does for those who experience some form or arches and pains in their body.

What is it Dry needling?

Dry needling is the process of inserting a thin filament needle into the muscle trigger points, tendons, fascia, ligaments, etc. This helps in stimulating the healing process of the soft tissue. It, therefore, results in pain relief and a reduction in muscle tension.

Is it painful?

No, it isn’t painful. Yes, the needles are inserted in the skin, but the needles are so thin that it’s usually a pretty gentle and pleasant kind of treatment. Some people might feel a brief local twitch response or mild pain sensation such as tingling, cramping or cramping sensation but compare to those needles at the dentist or doctor, it’s a walk in the park.

Dry needling VS Acupuncture

Dry needling is often associated with acupuncture as both use the needles to speed up the healing process. However, it can be well differentiated from acupuncture based on objectives and the philosophy behind both. Unlike acupuncture, which uses the Chinese points of insertion, dry needling uses trigger points to decide points of insertion.

What are the benefits?

Dry needling is beneficial for relieving a variety of musculoskeletal problems including:

  • Acute injuries
  • Chronic injuries
  • Muscle spasms
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Shin splints
  • Ball of foot pain
  • Calf pain
  • Tendinitis
  • Hip pain
  • Knee pain
  • Sciatica

Research has therefore shown that the use of needles can improve pain control, electrical and biochemical dysfunction of motor endplates and reducing muscle tension.

Consult a podiatrist at ACE Health Centre to discuss your condition and see if the treatment is for you.

A podiatrist is much more than just a foot doctor

A Podiatrist is much more than just a foot expert

A Podiatrist is much more than just a foot expert 926 639 Ace Health Centre

Not many people know that, but a Podiatrist doesn’t just treat injuries relating the feet. They are experts in their field and can diagnose, treat and manage injuries. These can be injuries concerning the feet, knees, hips and even the lower back.

What does a podiatrist treat?

On average, 1 in 6 people living on the Gold Coast has experienced foot complications in some form in their lives. A number all but surprising, considering the fact that people are up on their feet, putting all of their body weight through the soles of their feet most of the day.

Getting your feet and lower limbs checked regularly by a podiatrist can help to discover any predisposing factors.  This may help prevent much unnecessary pain and problems.

Podiatry practice is a discipline of medicine that’s obtaining recognition from people who are going through lower limb injuries. These injuries can be around the feet, the knee hip, and lower back.

Why are healthy feet and ankles so important?

People generally forget about taking care of their ankles and feet. Even though they hold by far, the most burdens of the human body. Day in Day out, they keep us balanced, absorb the vibration, and provide propulsion to allow us to move.

As you start to age people discover that their feet exhibit complications as a result of deterioration of extended years of use. Complications such as arthritis, reduced blood flow, damaged nerves may develop. With the aid of a podiatrist, they can study the cause of the problem, diagnose, and then suggest treatment strategies.

Podiatrists are experts in their respective fields

Becoming a podiatrist isn’t easy. It is an exclusive practice that necessitates the podiatry student to pass through 4 years of difficult university exams and 1000 hours of practical work.

At first sight, people believe that the feet are simply a basic portion of the human body. However, if we provide distinctive attention to how many bones, nerve fibers, connecting tissues, and joints located in the feet and ankles, and the stress that they go through, we’ll value and understand the importance of taking care of our feet.

Happy feet is the key to a happy life so make sure you get yours checked regularly by an experienced podiatrist in your area.