Lower Back Pain and Treatment

We provide lower back pain treatment for a wide range of conditions including; sciatica, back ache, back spasms and back muscle pain.

Lower back pain, with or without sciatic pain, is a very common complaint which we help with daily at Osteopathy Nelson.

The main culprits of low back pain are muscles, ligaments, and facet joints – these are the small joints on either side of the vertebrae, which connect them to one another. Less frequently, the intervertebral discs are affected and can cause a range of symptoms.

Sciatica, which can be felt as shooting pain, numbness or tingling along the buttocks, thigh, leg and sometimes down to the foot, can happen with or without low back pains but is often linked to the lower spine. It signifies compression of the sciatic nerve, which can occur anywhere along its course from the lower back to the foot and toes. Most frequently, the sciatic nerve is compressed by a facet joint or an intervertebral disc in the lower spine, or by the piriformis muscle in the middle of the butt

Our Approach

To find the root cause of the problem, we would first note all the details about how and when your symptoms started, what it feels like, timing, daily pattern and what makes the pain better or worse.

We also ask about any issues with the rest of your spine and other joints, your health in general, and any significant events in the past such as accidents or surgery.

We then observe your back and assess movement in all directions (always within your pain limits and no further) – making note of any tightness, limited movement or pain. We may also perform special tests to assess the condition of the nerves, joints, muscles and ligaments.

Once we have established our working diagnosis we will explain to you what we found and what we think is going on. We’ll then let you know how we can help, and whether we need to make any referrals.

For treatment of low back pain and sciatica we use specific massage, mobilisation, manipulation and stretching techniques to improve the flexibility in joints and muscles, relieve tension, improve range of movement and mechanics, and ensure good blood flow in the area for effective recovery.

Where appropriate, we also use sports tape to support the injured area as it heals, and provide additional stability during the recovery phase.

During the session, we will also provide advice on exercise, posture, cold or hot packs and other techniques to help fast recovery and maintain the treatment results.