Lower Back Pain

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Lower back pain is the most common presenting complaint we see here at Cotham Chiropractic Clinic.  During your first appointment we will perform a detailed physical examination including reflexes, muscle strength, range of motion, sensation, functional muscle & orthopaedic tests to help formulate an accurate diagnosis as there are multiple anatomical structures that can cause your back pain.

Common causes of low back pain include:

1. Lumbar Facet Joints

   These are the joints located in between the vertebrae of the spine.  When the movement of the joints becomes restricted, it can cause inflammation of the surrounding structures resulting in pain and stiffness.

2. Sacroiliac Joint

   This joint connects the region of the low spine (sacrum) and the pelvis.  Again when this region becomes restricted & inflamed as well as causing localized pain it can also result in buttock &/or groin pain referral.

3. Disc

   The discs are fibrocartilage tissue situated between the vertebrae of the spine.  They act as shock absorbers & dissipate stress during movements of the body.  An injury to a disc can redult in bulging or herniation.  This can result in irritation of the surrounding muscles & joints, potentially resulting in the symptoms in the leg as nerve irritation & can result in pain along the length of the nerve pathway.  This can result in sensation or muscle strength changes, as well as pain in the lower back.

4. Sciatica

   The term sciatica is frequently used as an umbrella term for any condition causing lower back & leg pain, however true sciatica is a compression of the actual sciatic nerve.  A nerve that originates at the lumbosacral plexus & then travels to the posterior aspect of the thigh, calf & into the sole of the foot.

5. Piriformis Syndrome

   A muscle within the buttock area that originates in the sacrum region of the spine & inserts into the femur (the bone of the hip).  Pain can be caused when the muscle is too tight or in spasm . It can put pressure on the sciatic nerve which sometimes passes directly underneath or even through the muscle. This can result in compression of the sciatic nerve causing buttock and leg pain.

6. Muscle sprain

   The muscular and ligamentous structures of the lower back constitute the main stabilising structures of the area, therefore injuries can be very painful & restrictive.

   Treatment of the areas consists of a combination of Joint Manipulation & Mobilization Soft Tissue Work, Soft Tissue Release Techniques,  & Dry Needling/Western Acupuncture.

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