It is estimated that 8 out of 10 of people will suffer from low back pain at some stage in their life. There are many different causes for low back pain and it can range in severity from mild to debilitating. The most common causes of low back pain tend to be mechanical in origin and involve the muscles, spinal joints and intervertebral discs. Sometimes the spinal nerves can be compressed leading to “sciatica” or nerve root pain which can be felt in the leg.
Low back pain that is mechanical in origin normally responds well to osteopathic treatment. However there are far less common causes of back pain such as rheumatoid arthritis and bone disorders which need to be referred to medical specialists for assessment and management. Osteopaths are trained to recognise these conditions and work with the patient’s GP to find the best possible course of treatment.