Lower Back Pain Treatment

Lower back pain is one of the most common conditions we treat at JW Bio. It affects a significant portion of adults at some point in their lives and can range from a dull, nagging ache to sharp pain that stops you in your tracks.

What causes lower back pain?

Lower back pain is rarely the result of one simple cause. The most common culprits include muscle and ligament strains, disc problems, osteoarthritis in the spinal joints, and structural issues such as spondylolisthesis. Underlying all of these is often a combination of muscle imbalances, postural problems, and faulty movement patterns.

The dos and don’ts of managing back pain

Do not just lie there. Rest has its place in the very acute phase but staying in bed for more than a day or two is likely to make your back worse, not better.

Do not work through the pain. Pain is your body signalling that something is wrong. Working through it often means compensating with other muscles and joints, creating new problems.

Do stretch. Gentle, targeted stretching helps calm spasms and improve mobility. Your biokineticist will show you which stretches are appropriate for your specific presentation.

Do check your posture. Slouching places sustained load on the spinal structures. Simple postural awareness a few times a day can reduce this load significantly.

Do warm up before exercise. A five to ten minute warm-up before any demanding exercise is a worthwhile habit.

The correct way to lift

Bend your knees, keep your back in a neutral position, hold the object close to your body, and let your legs do the work. Twisting at the waist while lifting adds further stress to the spinal structures and should be avoided.

How a biokineticist treats lower back pain

Treatment begins with a thorough assessment to identify specific muscle imbalances, movement faults, and postural habits. From there, we design a programme focused on core strength and stability, correcting faulty movement patterns, and restoring full functional movement.

Need a hand?

Get in touch at https://jwbio.co.za/contact or call 011 880 4719.