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Back Pain

Back pain is an unfortunately common issue, affecting most people at some point in their lives.

Whether you are grappling with chronic discomfort or recovering from a recent injury, our team of experts is here to help you find relief and get back to living your best life.

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Understanding Back Pain

The back is a complex structure involving muscles, bones, nerves, and joints, which means that back pain can have many different causes, ranging from traumatic injury to stress.

Low back pain, also known as lumbago, is the most common type of back pain. However, you might experience pain anywhere along the spine, including the hips or neck.

Back pain can result from postural issues triggered by sitting or standing for long periods, bending awkwardly, or lifting something heavy without proper alignment. It is usually not related to a serious condition and may be a short-term complaint lasting weeks or months.

In some cases, the pain can be chronic, with long-term or recurring episodes.

How To Prevent Backache

Preventing back pain is just as important as treating it. Here are some tips to help you avoid future issues:

Stay Active: Avoid prolonged periods of inactivity. Regular movement can help keep your back healthy.
Maintain Good Posture: Whether sitting at a desk or standing, keep your back straight and shoulders relaxed.
Lift Properly: Use your legs, not your back, when lifting heavy objects, and avoid twisting your body while lifting.
Exercise Regularly: Incorporate activities that strengthen your back and core muscles, such as swimming, walking, or yoga.
Use Ergonomic Furniture: Invest in a chair that supports your lower back and adjust your workstation to promote good posture.

Why Early Intervention Matters

Addressing back pain early can prevent more serious issues and lead to quicker, more effective recovery.

Early intervention helps prevent minor issues from progressing into chronic or severe conditions. Additionally, taking action promptly often results in faster relief, allowing you to return to your normal activities sooner.

Early care also helps avoid complications, such as permanent nerve damage or diminished mobility, and by starting treatment early enables more customised and effective care that addresses your specific symptoms and needs.

Workplace Ergonomics

Proper ergonomics at work can prevent back pain and enhance productivity. To set up your workspace effectively, start with chair support. Use an adjustable chair with good lumbar support that allows your feet to rest flat on the floor.

Next, position your desk so that your elbows are at a 90-degree angle when typing. Your computer monitor should be at eye level to avoid straining your neck. Ensure your keyboard is close enough so that your wrists remain straight while typing.

Finally, take regular breaks to stand, stretch, and move around to reduce stiffness and fatigue.

Diagnostic Process

Understanding your back pain begins with an accurate diagnosis. We start with a detailed discussion about your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle factors. Our specialists then perform a thorough physical examination to assess your range of motion, strength, and pain levels.

Depending on your symptoms, we may use X-rays, MRI, or CT scans to get a clear picture of your spinal structures and identify any abnormalities. If needed, we might refer you to additional specialists for a more in-depth evaluation, ensuring a comprehensive approach to your care.

Once we have all the necessary information, we review the findings with you and discuss the best course of action.

Injuries That Can Trigger Back Pain

Sprains And Strains: These occur when ligaments (sprains) or muscles and tendons (strains) are overstretched or torn, often due to lifting heavy objects or sudden movements.
Herniated Discs: Also known as slipped discs, these occur when the soft material inside a spinal disc pushes through a crack in the outer layer, pressing on nearby nerves and causing pain.
Bulging Discs: Similar to herniated discs, bulging discs occur when the disc extends beyond its normal boundary, potentially irritating nearby nerves.
Fractured Vertebrae: Vertebrae can fracture due to trauma (e.g., car accidents, falls) or conditions like osteoporosis that weaken the bones.
Facet Joint Injuries: The facet joints, which connect the vertebrae, can become injured or inflamed, leading to pain in the back.
Whiplash: Typically resulting from car accidents, whiplash involves injury to the soft tissues in the neck and upper back, leading to pain and stiffness.

Diseases That Cause Back Pain

Degenerative Disc Disease: The discs in the spine lose their cushioning ability over time, leading to pain and stiffness.
Osteoarthritis: A type of arthritis that occurs when the cartilage between the joints breaks down, causing pain and stiffness in the back.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: An autoimmune disease that primarily affects the joints and can cause inflammation and pain in the spine.
Scoliosis: A condition where the spine curves sideways, which can lead to back pain and discomfort.
Spinal Stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal that can compress the spinal cord and nerves, causing pain, numbness, or weakness in the back and legs.
Ankylosing Spondylitis: A type of arthritis that primarily affects the spine, causing inflammation and pain that can lead to reduced mobility.
Infections: Conditions like osteomyelitis (infection of the spine) or discitis (infection of the disc space) can lead to back pain.
Fibromyalgia: A condition characterised by widespread musculoskeletal pain, including in the back, often accompanied by fatigue and tenderness in specific areas.

Statistics

People Live With back pain

0 Mill

of Females experience lower back pain

0 %

age group is most affected with back pain

0 -80

of people recover within 6 weeks

0 %

What to do next

We know how debilitating and frustrating back pain can be. We will take your concerns seriously, listen and act to help relieve the pain, understand the cause and help prevent future episodes.

Our experienced and caring doctors work with specialists, physiotherapists and London’s leading imaging centres to help create an integrated care approach for your back.

Treatments

We work with experienced consultants & healthcare professionals who have received positive feedback from our patients, and with whom we have established long-term relationships.

private GP service

Dr Mohammad Mohseyni

Senior General practitioner

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Could the pain in my back be a postural issue?

Whether your posture is causing a spinal misalignment, or spinal misalignment is causing poor posture, this can absolutely lead to back pain. Imbalance in posture can make the stresses on each side of the body unequal, and lead to muscle tightness, strain, or even pinched nerves.

What is sciatica?

The term sciatica takes its name form the sciatic nerve, a major nerve that controls all of the nerve signals between the leg and the spine. A pinching anywhere along this nerve can lead to referred pain in the low back. Shooting pains in your legs or buttocks are an indicator of this condition.

What will the doctor do to diagnose my back pain?

The doctor will perform a physical examination of your spine, and take a thorough medical history of any past injuries, conditions, or relevant family history. In some cases, diagnostic imaging such as an x-ray, CT scan or MRI may be advised.

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