The Devon Clinic

Tag: backpain

  • Treatments for back pain

    The causes of back pain vary from a tensed never to a pulled muscle or slipped disk. An irritation here can spread pain throughout the body, causing muscle spasms. Back pain is a common condition, the severity can vary vastly.

     

     

     

    Here are some treatment options to consider easing the trauma;

     

     

    Acupuncture is a Chinese medicine that involves placing needles in your back to release Opioids (a naturally occurring brain chemical with an analgesic effect). This treatment is pain-free for most and helps play a significant role in reducing back pain.

     

    Those with chronic back issues say that a massage session once a week greatly improves pain levels and increases movement. It is vital that you choose the right massage technique thus not to increase pain and sensitivity. Be sure to talk through your therapist about your problem and any concerns you may have.

     

    • Talking therapies

    It may come as a surprise but talking therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Hypnotherapy are proven successful in reducing and even eradicating back pain. A 2010 study revealed that those who participated in talking therapies reported twice the amount of improvement as those who did not.

     

    • Interval training

    Whilst heavy workouts are a big no for those with back pain interval training with a professional has been proven to reduce pain and discomfort. It is vital that you inform the trainer of any pain or discomfort before, during and after a session. The trainer is there to guide you in exercises that will strengthen the back muscles and ease tension.

     

     

  • Sciatica

    What others sayWhat is it?

    Sciatica is the name given to any sort of pain that is caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve. The Sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your body, running from the back of your pelvis, through the buttocks, and all the way down each one of the legs, ending at your toes.

    But the most common cause of Sciatica is when your gluteus maximus muscle tightens, causing difficulty to move freely, and eventually working its way down your leg, to your feet and toes.

     

    Signs and Symptoms of Sciatica

    When the sciatic nerve is compressed or irritated, it will cause pain, numbness and sometimes even a tingling sensation that diffuse from your lower back and will travel down one of your legs to your foot and toes.

    Often the pain from Sciatica can range from being mild to very painful and can also be triggered or made worse by coughing, sneezing or even sitting for a long period of time. Sometimes Sciatica can cause muscle weakness in the affected area e.g. legs

    What is the cause of Sciatica?

    Sciatica is sometimes caused by a herniated or a slipped disc. This is caused when one of the discs that sit between the bones of the spine also known as the vertebrae is damaged and presses on the nerves.

    Another less common cause of Sciatica is spinal stenosis which means narrowing of the nerve passages in the spine. A spinal injury or infection, or even a growth within the spine such as a tumor.

     

    Of course you can minimize your risk of developing a slipped disc or severe back injury that could possibly lead to Sciatica by embracing a better posture and if you have a job that involves lifting heavy things on a daily basis, be sure to learn a good lifting technique to stop injury to the back. You should always stretch before and after exercises and exercise regularly. 

    Remedies for sciatica

    Sciatica can be helped by any of the following:

     

     

  • Back Pain and how to reduce it

    Chiropractor Torquay – Help with back pain

    Common causes of back pain:

    Quite often back pain can be caused by minor sprains, strains or injuries, or a pinched or irritated nerve. Back pain can also be set off by everyday activities at home or at work, or they can develop gradually, over time. Avoid bending awkwardly or for long periods, lifting heavy objects, slouching in chairs, twisting awkwardly, overstretching, driving or sitting in a hunched position or for long periods without taking a break or overusing the muscles.

    Back pain relief alternatives:

    Chiropractor TorquayChiropractor Torquay use a range of techniques which emphasises particularly on the manipulation of the spine to treat disorders of the bones, muscles and joints. Your chiropractor may choose to a treatment plan which involves manipulating the joints, using a controlled, sudden force to improve range and quality of motion to restore the function and prevention of injury in addition to back pain relief. Chiropractic care is generally considered a safe, effective treatment for acute low back pain.

     

     

    Chiropractor TorquayAcupuncture has proven to relieve chronic lower back pain effectively as many people have found it to be very helpful. Acupuncture treatment involves inserting very thin needles to various depths into strategic points on your body. Stimulating these strategic points of your body is said to correct the imbalance of qi and improve the flow of energy, according to traditional Chinese medicine. Some people believe that the effects come from stimulating the central nervous system which triggers the release of chemicals throughout the body through muscles, spinal cord, and brain. The chemicals then alter the experience of pain-causing relief for lower back pain.

     

    Chiropractor TorquayMassage therapy is seen as an aid for lower back pain and an effective adjunct to lower back treatments as it has proven to lessen and reduce lower back pain. Massage improves blood circulation, which aids in the recovery of muscle soreness from physical activity. In addition, massage relaxes muscles for an improved range of motion. Massage causes an increase in endorphin levels. The increase in endorphin levels is actually one of the greatest benefits of massage therapy. Endorphins are the chemicals the body produces that make you feel good, which is very effective in managing chronic pain and reducing it.

     

    Chiropractor TorquayBowen Technique A treatment consists of a series of gentle rolling moves with frequent pauses between moves giving the body time to benefit from each set. Practitioners treat the body as a whole or can target a specific problem, as they are able to pinpoint stress buildup in muscle groups and then release it.