Back pain, specifically lower back pain accounts for around 50% of all clients we see here at Cirencester Physiotherapy Centre. Recent studies demonstrated that over 80% of the population will experience back pain at some point in their life . But the big question is why? To answer this question we need to look at 2 categories:
A. Specific Back Pain
This is when there is a single cause of pain, it may be mechanical such as a fracture, neurological like a nerve root compression (known as radiculopathy) or non mechanical like an infection. While there are lots of conditions that provide a specific cause of lower back pain these are rare and account for less than 10% of all back pain. Serious conditions like cauda equina account for less than 1% of all back pain.
B. Non-Specific Back Pain
This accounts for over 90% of all back pain . The cause of non specific pain is in 4 parts:
- Physiological factors: stiffness/ weakness/ postural
- Social factors: work, sports, other activities, environment
- Psychological factors: stress, mood levels, sleep, fear of movement
- Physical activity: more active= less risk of developing back pain
Back pain is a complex issue which differs for everybody, but with a full physiotherapy assessment the underlying causes can be explored and a clear treatment plan can be employed to keep you moving as much as possible.
Keep on moving!
George Stacey-Stevens
Director and Physiotherapist at Cirencester Physiotherapy Centre
Balagué F1, Mannion AF, Pellisé F, Cedraschi C. (2012) Non-specific low back pain. Lancet. 482-91.
Koes BW, van Tulder MW, Thomas S. (2006) Diagnosis and treatment of low back pain. BMJ.