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Back Pain Treatment In Birmingham - Harborne

Acute Low Back Pain

What is it?

Acute low back pain is pain felt in the lower back area, which can radiate into the buttock area and sometimes leg too. The pain can come on suddenly, after a sneeze or a fall or awkward movement, or it can come on over several days. It can be very very painful and scary and can be debilitating – making simple movements such as getting out of the chair or dressing very difficult.

The back is one of the strongest structures in the body, and it is rare to do any lasting damage to the back. Severe pain does’t always mean the back is damaged, it means it is sensitised.

Acute Low Back Pain

What causes it?

Acute back pain is usually linked to minor sprains but which can actually be very painful. The brain can act like and amplifier – the more you worry and think about your back – the worse it can get.

Acute Low Back Pain

What can we do for it?

Our team at Physio Art have seen a lot of people with acute back pain. We’ll work out a plan to help you help yourself. Relaxed movement will help your back pain settle, motion is like lotion for the back and the sooner you start to try and get back to normal the sooner the pain will settle. We can advise you about mobility and relaxation exercises and functional movement training. We can guide you back into normal activity and full functional fitness.

Chronic low back pain

What is it?

Chronic low back pain is pain felt in the lower back region, which can spread into the buttocks and legs. It can be very disabling and severe for some people, or it can be a background niggle for others. The word chronic means someone has had it for a long time, usually longer than several months.

Chronic low back pain

What causes it?

90% of chronic low back pain is described as non-specific chronic low back pain. That means that there is no one specific cause for it. For years chronic low back pain has been thought of as a disorder of the spine caused by damage to certain structures in the back. Research has shown however that the ‘damage’ that is shown up on scans is actually commonly found on scans of people who don’t have any back pain. ‘Wear and tear’ findings are completely normal, a bit like having grey hair.

It has been increasingly recognised that cognitive and behavioural factors have an influence on whether someone’s back pain can become chronic and persistent. Being overly anxious or fearful, or having lots of stress, a history of depression or social isolation are factors that are linked to a greater risk of the pain becoming persistent. Also changes in the way we move, alongside high levels of muscle tension around the spine can cause low back pain to persist. Often we change the way we move in an attempt to avoid the pain, and protect the back, but there is some evidence that these protective movement strategies can actually abnormally stress the back more, causing more pain.

Chronic low back pain

What can we do for it?

At Physio Art our physios believe in taking a very thorough assessment, and we will consider all the factors that we know can be linked to chronic low back pain. We want to get to know you, we’ll ask you about your history, and how your back pain behaves, but we’re also interested in your life as a whole – your work, family, your life’s passions, how you sleep, what makes you tick, what makes you sick, and most importantly what you desire.

We’ll design a management programme that will address all the factors that we think are contributing your back pain. This may involve addressing some unhelpful beliefs that you have about your back with up to date understanding of pain science, we may address some unhelpful behaviours such as avoidance of activities or the opposite – inappropriate pacing of activities. We’ll work with you to improve the way you move, this may involve some specific postural or strength and conditioning exercises, or some training in muscle relaxation or top tips such as ‘relax the belly’ or ‘lift the chest bone’.

We may recommend you do Pilates, or have some acupuncture or some hands-on treatment, or do some Mindfulness, or encourage you to do something you’ve been wanting to do, such as book that 10k race, or Zumba class.

We aim to empower you to take control, make goals and reach them. It’s not an easy journey to make on your own, but with our support it’s possible. We’ve treated hundreds of people whose quality of life has improved dramatically with our input.

Our physios are trained in Cognitive Functional Therapy which is a technique pioneered by Professor Pete O’Sullivan. For more information on CFT please visit:

http://www.pain-ed.com/blog/2013/04/12/cognitive-functional-therapy-as-an-intervention-for-chronic-low-back-pain/

  • Testimonials

    "The physiotherapy service I’ve received at Physio Art from Ruth has been absolutely life changing. I’ve never been stronger, more mobile or more aware of my own body. The exercises in the app have been easy to follow and remember, and more importantly I’ve been able to step down from more invasive treatment for my back and get back to work."

    KATY WILLITTS

  • Testimonials

    "Sophie has helped me rehab a long standing shoulder issue resulting from overuse of playing tennis and other racket sports. She was quick to identify the condition, gave an accurate timeline of recovery and helped my put in place various exercises over the next few months to get to a state where I can exercise and play sports free of the pain again. I'd highly recommend Sophie and Physio Art."

    SAM THORP

  • Testimonials

    "There is nowhere else I would go than Physio Art. My 11-year old son had an emergency appointment with Adhip for a very painful lower leg and he was absolutely brilliant. His knowledge and advice was excellent and the results began to show during the appointment. Every physio we have seen there has been highly professional, incredibly helpful and so kind. "

    JULIET BARWELL

  • Testimonials

    "I have complete trust in Sarah whom I have seen on a number of occasions for different problems. She always listens intently and delves deep into my experience so I feel completely confident in the course of treatment she recommends. I love that she is so good at explaining what is affecting the problem and often there is more at play than just the mechanics of the body. Any consultation with Sarah is fascinating as well as healing!"

    DAWN READE

  • Testimonials

    "I have been a Physio Art client for many years, accessing physios for both injury and long term back problems as well as Pilates classes. Sarah and her team have my full trust and I don’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone. Their knowledge and care is second to none and they always go that extra mile to ensure that the treatment and advice you receive is personalised to your needs."

    SHELAGH M
  • Testimonials

    "Physioart has built itself to be a clinic with a special vibe about it, a relaxed but professional space that allows the clients to feel listened to, whilst also knowing their receiving the optimum evidence based care. The physios working here really know their stuff, and are genuinely kind and brilliant people. "

    RUTH HARRISON
  • Testimonials

    "I have used the services of Physio Art to treat three different conditions with a successful outcome on each occasion. Grateful thanks to both Sarah and Sophie. I have no hesitation in recommending Physio Art."

    PAUL HENSEL
  • Testimonials

    "A vibrant and energetic clinic with top class comprehensive treatment. The professionalism was second to none and I couldn’t recommend this clinic highly enough. Sarah Duncton, the founder is so passionate and dedicated to her patient’s every need."

    MEL MIERS

  • Testimonials

    "Sophie is an absolute life saver. Visited her with very bad pain in my shoulder & neck due to extremely tight muscles. An hour later I left feeling looser and my pain significantly reduced."

    PETRA HEWITSON

  • Testimonials

    "All the physios at PhysioArt are amazing and really know what they’re talking about. They treat their clients with empathy and understanding and make sure they are working towards the clients individual goals. Would definitely recommend."

    HATTY HAIG

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If you would like to book an appointment or have any questions then please get in touch using one of the methods below.

Send Us A Message

Contact Info

Reception

01212576360

Our Location

165 Knightlow Road, Harborne, B17 8PY

Our Email

admin@physioart.co.uk

Working Hours

Mon-Thurs-Fri: 8AM-8PM
Tue-Wed: 8AM-5PM
Sat: 9AM-1PM

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