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Osteopathy treatment for back pain

How Osteopathy Works for Back Pain Relief

Back pain is what often brings people to my North London Osteopathy clinic — and it comes as no surprise. 

According to the NHS*, 8 out of 10 people will experience an episode of back pain at some point in their life. And worldwide, the World Health Organisation states** lower back pain is estimated to reach 843 million cases by 2050. 

Ageing is one of the main reasons cited for back pain. But as an Osteopath who treats the person not just the problem they present with, I know all too well that there can be various factors at play. 

Therefore, when it comes to Osteopathy treatment for back pain, no one size fits all.

The many causes of back pain

Made up of 24 vertebrae, plus the sacrum and coccyx, I like to think of our spines as scaffolding for our entire body. It holds us up, enables flexible movement and protects our nervous system. 

But along with literally being the backbone of our anatomy, our spines are also one of the body’s most complex structures. And pain in your back can be felt anywhere along the spine, from the neck to your lower back and beyond. 

Poor posture, too much time spent sitting and medical conditions like sciatica (a trapped nerve) or ankylosing spondylitis** can cause back pain. The same goes for muscle strain and osteoarthritis. 

But back pain can also be influenced by lifestyle factors such as stress, excess weight and core weakness. And it’s these underlying problems that can make diagnosis more challenging. 

Thus, when referring to an Osteopath’s treatment for back pain, I prefer to take an integrated approach. 

 

Back pain relief with osteopathy

In conjunction with 30 years of experience, a sizable part of my Osteopathic training is to detect any underlying factors a patient could present with to get to the root cause of the issue. This can help to prevent recurrences and work towards improving a patient’s overall health. 

Every Osteopath works differently and has a different vision. But personally speaking, I believe the mind-body is one. Therefore, as an Osteopath and qualified Naturopath, I have a range of non-invasive evidence-backed Osteopathic treatments to use at my disposal. This includes the likes of: 

  • Soft tissue techniques – to reduce tension in your back and relieve your pain.
  • Articulation – where I will move your joints through their natural range of motion. 
  • Stretching – to help relieve stiffness.
  • Manipulation –  to increase the mobility of the joints and relieve tension.

Osteopathy Proven to Improve Chronic Back Pain and Function

According to a 2021 meta-analysis, which was published in the Complementary Therapies in Medicine, researchers found that osteopathic interventions (like the above) can be “effective in pain levels and functional status improvements in non-specific chronic low back pain patients”.

Combining Osteopathy with Allied Therapies for Better Results

Over the decades, I have learnt first-hand that the more areas I studied, qualified in, and ultimately practised on a personal level, the better I could treat my patients. Therefore, to offer a Osteopathy treatment as bespoke as the patients who come through my clinic doors, I also have a range of allied therapies to draw upon. This includes: 

  • Level laser therapy (LLLT) – LLLT uses low power or ‘soft’ laser light to alter cellular function, improve outcomes and speed up your body’s natural healing process safely and effectively. It’s been proven to be effective in the use of acute and chronic back pain. 
  • Western Acupuncture – this can help with pain relief including musculoskeletal pain, like back pain. 
  • Naturopathy – this complementary treatment is based on the age-old philosophy that the human body has the innate ability to heal itself through nature. As a Naturopath, my role is to rid your body of the toxins and underlying issues that may harm its capacity to perform this function. According to a published trial, Naturopathic care can provide ‘significantly greater improvement’ than physiotherapy advice for patients with chronic low back pain.
  • Autogenic training – this is a potent relaxation therapy which has powerful applications in restoring, healing and developing the body and mind. As published in the National Institutes of Health, relaxation techniques such as autogenic training are often recommended to help relieve low back pain and improve flexibility. 

Preventing Back Pain: What You Can Do?

Not all back pain is avoidable. However, in some cases of non-specific back pain, there are some basic tips you can do to look after the health of your spine. For example, you might try out some tips for improving your posture, like getting your work set up right, investing in a good mattress and considering active and dynamic sitting. 

Exercising regularly can also help keep back pain at bay. The same goes for using the correct lifting techniques, stretching and maintaining a healthy weight. 

Relaxation techniques can also help, as chronic back pain can be both physically and emotionally straining. 

 

If you are suffering with back pain then Osteopathy may be the answer.
To find out more, book an appointment, or get in touch.

 

*https://www.uhcw.nhs.uk/self-care/back/

*https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/low-back-pain

**https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ankylosing-spondylitis/

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It’s a cat’s life

 

Cats stretching out Robin Kiashek osteopathic clinics

Observe any cat and the chances are that they are sleeping, stretching or grooming. Cats really know how to look after number 1, ensuring

that their basic needs are met by their owners while treating themselves to plenty of R&R and time off to spruce up and look wonderful for every occasion! So, in honour of International Cat Day (on 8th August), let’s give it up for the world’s favourite pet.

Health-boosting benefits of owning a cat

While it may seem as if cats have got it all their own way it is, in fact, a two-way street. Research shows that the animals have a positive impact on the 1 cardiac health, of their owners and taking a quick catnap during the day can improve creativity, focus and productivity. Our feline friends can also help alleviate 2 stress, anxiety and depression – and teach us a lot about how to relax and live the good life.

Live like a cat

Sleeping – cats sleep between 12 and 16 hours a day, more than most other mammals and twice as much as humans, reports the University of Arizona’s Rubin Naiman in the Huffington Post. Because cats have few predators, they can sleep safely in the knowledge that they’re unlikely to be hunted while they’re dozing. We might not be able to sleep for as long as a cat but we can improve our own sleep by:

  • switching off electronic devices at least 30 minutes before settling down
  • getting comfortable in bed, with supportive mattress and pillows, and enough covers
  • Maintaining an ambient temperature and level of darkness in the bedroom

Being active – you may think that your cat spends most of its time napping and you’d be right. But when cats move – playing or stalking prey, for example – they can be surprisingly speedy, leaping and pouncing with great strength and agility. We all know the benefits of regular exercise to the human body – weight control, flexibility, cardiovascular and other health and boosting mood to name just a few:

  • Opt for at least 30 minutes’ five days a week, or more if you can manage it safely
  • Limit sitting time by taking regular breaks if you work at a desk or getting up and putting the kettle during TV ad breaks at home, for example
  • Build a healthy exercise habit scheduling in regular exercise and remembering to warm up beforehand and cool down afterwards

Me time – no animal is better at taking time out for themselves, whether this involves resting, playing or grooming. We can do a lot to keep stress at bay by emulating their ‘so what’ attitude (within reason, of course), and grabbing some R&R by:

  • Pursuing a hobby
  • Going out with friends
  • Reading a book or watching your favourite show (remembering to get up during the ad breaks)

Stretching – cats stretch every time they wake up from sleep, which is often! As well as feeling good, the act of stretching loosens and realigns muscles, readying the cat for activity. It stimulates alertness by increasing blood flow to the muscles and brain. It also gets the lymph circulation on the shift, flushing out waste and toxins, including carbon dioxide and lactic acid. Stretching does much the same for humans. Over time, it also reduces tension, improves posture, strengthens and improves the flexibility of muscles (benefiting the joints) and enhances the body’s range of motion.

Safe stretching (for humans)

  • Stretch on both sides of the body to keep things even
  • Hold each stretch for about 30 seconds – and don’t bounce!
  • Keep breathing – breathe out when going into a stretch and hold this while you inhale
  • Focus on each of the different muscle groups in turn – working your way through the shoulders, neck, calves, thighs, hips, arms and the lower back

If you’re still feeling stiff and strained in your neck, arms or lower body do get in touch to see how osteopathy can help release the tension and relieve tight, inflexible muscles and bad posture.

 

  1. University of Minnesota’s Stroke Institute’s 10-year study of over 4,000 Americans, 2008.
  2. A study by the State University of New York reported in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine (September/October 2002).
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