Low Back Pain
Have you ever had low back pain?
Low back pain is very common, 80% of people will experience low back pain at some point in their lives. There are so many different reasons why we may have low back pain, ranging from some stiffness from too much sitting, or gardening for example, to more acute pain form pulling a muscle, where we are not able to function in our normal way.
We many experience pain or stiffness because of physical issues such as problems with the discs, joints, nerves, ligaments, muscles or fascia or from more mental-emotional issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, feeling unsupported and even feeling a lack of connection with others.
Here are some of the most common causes and reasons why people experience low back pain, some may be obvious but other factors are less commonly known.
Muscular tension; causing muscle imbalance
Muscle or ligament sprain/strain
Weak core muscles
Weak and/or tight gluteal muscles
Stiffness and reduced range of movement
Hypermobility (lack of support from ligaments)
Lack of support and stability in one’s life
An accident such as a fall
Degeneration with aging; conditions such as Osteoarthritis and disc degeneration
Weak pelvic floor muscles
Tight neck and shoulder muscles
Poor and inefficient breathing, diaphragm dysfunction
Poor posture
Hereditary
Lack of awareness of how to move and support the body
Sitting for too long
Imbalanced walking caused by pain in the leg, hip, knee, ankle or foot, causing strain in the back
Scar adhesions from previous surgery, especially abdominal
For women; challenges from pregnancy, post birth, hormones or menstruation
Unsupportive mattress and not getting enough sleep
Yes, the list is long, but it does not mean that if you have pain you are stuck with it!
There are so many different ways to support yourself and your back whether you are currently in pain and need some more immediate relief, support and treatment or whether you have experienced pain or back issues in the past and want to ensure your back stays healthy and strong.
Here are a few ways we can support our low back:
Regular strengthening and stretching exercises
Walking
Having a regular practice of Yoga, Pilates, mindful movement or other exercises
Understanding and correcting posture
Rebalancing muscles; the psoas and quadratus lumborum muscles are located anterior and posterior to the lumbar spine, tightness, weakness, either symmetrically or bilaterally can be a major cause of low back pain.
Hands on treatment such as; Physiotherapy, Osteopathy, Massage Therapy, Acupuncture, Cranio-Sacral Therapy and other Bodywork techniques.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to reduce stress and have a more positive and proactive response to back pain or back issues.
Using heat or ice to reduce pain and inflammation, a well as pain medication
If you have back pain, have had back pan in the past or are just wanting to make sure your back stays healthy and strong join the new 6 week Back Care Class at Anderida
Includes Yoga, Pilates and mindful movement, meditation and education, enabling you to understand how to move safely and with confidence, increase flexibility, strength and rebalance muscles, also learn to release tension from your body, heart and mind.
Open to all levels as a minimum you need to be able to get on and off the floor.
Classes Start: Thursday 3rd October 1.30 to 2.45pm and continuing on 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st and 7th November: Cost £90 for the 6 week block
With Suzy Greenwood, Physiotherapist, Yoga Teacher, trained in Pilates and Somatics, with over 25 years teaching and clinical experience of working with people with low back pain.
For more information go to www.suzygreenwood.co.uk E: info@suzygreenwood.co.uk or call 07939 580743