Tag Archive for: back pain

How do you keep your back healthy?

This week marks Back Care Awareness Week.  As an Osteopath with 25 years’ experience, Robin Kiashek says: “It’s often back issues that first prompt people to approach me”

In fact, according to the NHS, 70 percent of us will suffer with back pain at some point in our lives.  So, Robin has pulled together some quick top tips for protecting our backs throughout our adult life.

Back care under 30

Robin says: “I’m full of admiration for the invincible attitude of youth, whether it’s leaping out of bed and straight out for a run or feeling fully refreshed after just a few hours sleep on a friend’s sofa. But these habits are far from back friendly.”

Robin’s advice is to focus on the basics at this time of life:

  • Invest in the best bed you can afford.  Bear in mind that, from a support point of view, a divan rather than slat base will do a better job and potentially give your mattress a longer life.
  • It’s worth shopping around for a pillow that fits snugly into your neck and shoulders and supports your head.  On which note, many of us sleep with two pillows but one could well be better for you.  The aim is to lift your head slightly to keep your neck and back in alignment.
  • Stretching daily as a stand-alone activity can boost muscle and joint health, decrease the risk of day-to-day injury by improving flexibility, reduce tension and improve posture.

“I know that young people live busy lives but now is the time to lay those foundations for future back health and a few small adjustments to life now could pay dividends in the future,” Robin added.

Tips for back care under 50

Man with backache working from home

“The years between 30 and 50 can be tough on the back,” says Robin.

“Children may have come onto the scene and, in addition to endless joy of course, they bring lifting, carrying and general strain for the back.  There’s the child itself, but also all the paraphernalia – car seats, buggies to be collapsed and opened (while also holding a child) and the list goes on.

“This can also be the period of life when people are stuck by a sudden urge for fitness.”

So, Robin has a few words of wisdom around lifting generally and exercising:

 

  • An oldie but goodie – bend from the knees! If you’re lifting, then let your legs take some of the strain.
  • Keep it close – it’s easier and less strain on the back to lift things if you bring them closer to your body.
  • Avoid the hip pop – mainly one for parents but if you find you’re regularly balance a child on your hip then do try to alternate.
  • Baby steps – nothing to do with babies, this one refers to starting a new exercise or fitness regime. Enthusiasm and a desire for results can see people trying to run before they can walk when it comes to exercise.  But a slow progression gives your joints and muscles time to adjust to the new moves you’re asking of them.  And is less likely to see you injured and back on the couch!

Looking after your back at 50 plus

We all know the benefits of keeping active, eating well and maintaining a healthy weight.  But Robin has a few extra tips for those in their 50s when it comes to looking after your backs.

  • Remember the core. Strong core muscles help maintain your balance and can prevent unwanted strains or sprains. They can also significantly reduce your risk of back pain.
  • Incorporate some weight bearing exercises into your routine. These help with good bone density, which is essential for resistance to breaks and fractures. Everyone loses bone density as we get older, but this is particularly key for women due to the loss of Oestrogen.
  • Investigate those niggles. Back pain doesn’t necessarily mean you have an issue with your back, it could be referred pain from a neck, hip or even knee issue.  So it’s well worth trying to establish the source of any pain

Robin says: “I don’t necessarily subscribe to the train of thought that aches and pains are something to be tolerated as we age.  Some of my best successes have been with patients who had been living with chronic pain for months or even years.  But I’ve been able to vastly improve their quality of life by taking the time to investigate the source of the pain and work on that.”

If you are suffering from back pain then why not get in touch with Robin to find out how he could help?

With the Tour De France setting off on July 1st, cycling fever has set in.

The 3,500km ride will see more than 150 cyclists make their way from the Grand Depart in Copenhagen, through northern France and take on a gruelling Alpe d’Huez climb.

 

What is the Tour De France?

The tour is the world’s biggest annual sporting event, made up of 21 stages over 23 days. It contains six mountain stages along with five altitude finishes.

But already, just over a week in, there has been crashes, chaos, and carnage on the cobbles with wet and slippery conditions forcing cyclists off their bikes.

“It’s been really interesting to watch the start of the tour,” keen cyclist and Osteopath Robin Kiashek says. “However, it’s always alarming to see people come off their bike. Seeing these accidents happen in real time got me thinking about the issues that might trouble cyclists while taking part in this sport and how, as an Osteopath, I could help.”

 

London to Brighton Cycle

Robin is currently training for the London to Brighton Cycle in September. He is taking part in the 55-mile ride with his son Joel in a bid to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.

On 11th September, the pair will make their way through the country lanes of Mitcham, Banstead and Haywards Heath before taking on the challenge that is Ditchling Beacon.

Ahead of his own cycling event, Robin has pulled together some common issues experienced by cyclists in a bid to help avoid these injuries.

 

Be aware of back pain

Back pain can be a real problem – especially for cyclists who spend hours hunched over handlebars. Plus, when you add this to the working-from-home challenges of 2020, 2021 and 2022 – you’ve got yourself a recipe for poor posture.

But here’s the good news: “Our spine is made of solid, bony blocks reinforced by strong ligaments and muscles,” Robin says.” It is surprisingly difficult to damage. But if strained, the surrounding muscles and ligaments can cause discomfort and pain.”

 

How to prevent lower back pain when cycling

  1. Check your posture. Posture is key when it comes to keeping your back in tip top condition. And this applies as much to cycling as it does to when you’re working at a desk. According to British Cycling, the top of the handlebar should be around 5-6cm below the mid-point of the saddle.
  2. Take a stand. Take breaks from cycling to take some strain off your back, shoulders and neck. This will also help you reset the correct posture with your shoulders back, your head level in line with your body and an engaged core.
  3. Talking of cores – strengthen your abdominal muscles. It’s important to work out the muscles in your abs and back. Why? Your core muscles help you stand, move and go about your daily business. It’s also been proven that a strong core reinforces good form and prevents injury.

 

Watch your knees

On a day-to-day basis we expect great things from our knees. As the largest joint in the human body, the knee basically forms a sort of hinge where the thigh bone (femur) and shin bone (tibia) meet. This enables us to bend, straighten and in this case, cycle.

Cycling might not be a high impact sport. But unfortunately, when pedalling our knees can be a relatively easy mechanism to injure.

Robin explains: “For example, a sudden increase in intensity or duration of exercise can temporarily damage the bone, muscle or ligaments. Problem knees can lock, click, catch, give way or refuse to straighten.”

 

How to look after the health of our knees

  • Check your bike set-up. Is your saddle too high or low? Do you have the correct saddle tilt? Having an incorrect set up can place compression on the patella, it can overstretch your hamstrings and it can place undue pressure on your knees. Follow this handy step-by-step guide to get your saddle height right.
  • Build up knee strength. Calf raises, leg extensions, squats and hamstring stretches can all help. After all, strong muscles around your knee can help to support and protect your joints as propel you forward with each pedal.

 

How Osteopathy can help with these niggles

Robin qualified in Osteopathic Medicine more than 25 years ago. Since then, he has trained in various additional complementary disciplines including Western Acupuncture and Low Level Laser Therapy – both of which can be used to treat pain.

“Non-invasive methods like manual Osteopathy, Western Acupuncture and Low Level Laser Therapy all work towards helping with knee niggles and back pain,” Robin says.

“Gentle osteopathic techniques can help to increase the mobility of the joints and relieve muscle tension. While low level laser therapy stimulates your cells to repair tissue and reduce inflammation and pain.

“Acupuncture can help to enhance the blood supply to the tissues, which in turn promotes the body’s natural healing process.”

And Robin has one last tip for cyclists with a challenge in mind: “It’s well worth considering a bike fit session to make sure set up is as it should be.  These can vary greatly in price and content but there’s some good information in this Cycling Weekly article as a starting point.”

 

If you are suffering pain or discomfort and you would like further information on how Robin may help you, or you would like to book an Osteopathy appointment get in touch.

You could be forgiven for thinking that working as a sole practitioner in Osteopathy is a lonely job. And for much of his day, experienced Osteopath, Robin Kiashek, is in individual patient consultations.  But that doesn’t make him a lone wolf!  In fact, during his 25+ years in practice he has built a network of valuable contacts and relationships with other medical professionals.

Part of a pack!

Which is particularly useful if he needs to refer a patient for further diagnostic tests.  Or get a valuable second opinion.

Equally, this wider network can (and does) also call on Robin’s skills.  Particularly around referred pain, the impact of stress and lifestyle on the body and understanding the root cause of an issue.  And this collaborative approach has certainly been in evidence in the past week.  As Robin explains:

“A Neurologist contacted me to see if I could be part of a multi-disciplinary team to review a very complex high-profile case.  Of course, I was delighted to be involved.”

The team comprised experts from several fields,  These included Neurology, Pain Management, Orthopaedics and Rheumatology.  This breadth of involvement and expertise was incredibly helpful.  It was immediately possible to see what had already been ruled out.

A new perspective

Luckily, Robin’s experience of working with complex cases – specifically those slow to respond to treatment  – enabled him to bring a new perspective to the process.  And he was delighted to subsequently receive an acknowledgement for his contribution from the Medical Director responsible for coordinating care.

Robin added: “It was so nice to be part of a wider collaborative team.  Also to have my contribution heard and valued by my peers.  I’m confident that our combined efforts will help towards a reduction in pain for this poor patient.”

Ask your Osteopath

When you choose an Osteopath, do ask about how and when they work with other professionals.  An open and collaborative approach can really enhance the care they provide.

As Robin says: “I am great fan of seeking out new opinions and working with others where necessary to provide the best outcome for my patients.

“Plus, whilst we professionals might like to pigeonhole issues under titles like Orthopaedics or Neurology, unfortunately humans are complex.  So, sometimes our issues need to sit across several disciplines if they are to be resolved effectively.”

If you’ve been struggling with an issue for a while, why not speak to Robin?  He can be contacted here. Or you can call 020 8815 0979.

 

 

What can I do to relieve my back pain?

Google searches around back pain, relief for back pain and back pain exercises skyrocketed in 2020. Which is concerning news for me as an Osteopath.

In some ways it’s not surprising. Back pain affects up to 80% of us at some point in our lives. It’s one of the most common reasons for workplace absence and the NHS spends more than £1 billion per year on back pain related costs. Plus, there’s the challenges of the past year – the long term impact of working from home in an imperfect set up, new, different or abandoned exercise routines and the undoubted increase in stress.

So I can understand why, in the absence of the usual access to NHS services, people are turning to other sources. But Google is not the answer.

The good news about back pain

Pain of any sort can be distressing and worrying. It can lead to feelings of stress which can manifest physically as tightened muscles and thus increased pain. And so the cycle builds. But (and this is the important bit!) back pain is rarely due to any serious disease and the long-term outlook is good.

Your spine is made of solid, bony blocks reinforced by strong ligaments and muscles. It is surprisingly difficult to damage. But if strained, the surrounding muscles and ligaments can cause discomfort and pain.

Why Osteopathy for back pain relief?

In the UK, Osteopaths must be registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) to practise. They are highly trained professionals skilled in diagnosing health issues.  This includes those that may require further investigation. Osteopathy is a safe and effective way to prevent, diagnose and treat a wide range of health problems.  Including back pain.

I qualified in Osteopathic Medicine 25 years ago.  I’ve since trained in various additional complementary disciplines to extend the options I can offer to my patients:

Western Medical Acupuncture
Low Level Laser Therapy (also known as Cold Laser Therapy)
The Perrin Technique for ME/CFS
Neuro Linguistic Programming & Coaching (NLP)

At your first appointment, I take a full medical and lifestyle history to get a proper understanding of the issue that has brought you to my clinic and of you as an individual. This combined with a physical examination enables me to devise a treatment plan specific to the problems you’re experiencing.

How can an Osteopath help with back pain?

At the Robin Kiashek Clinics, I aim to relieve pain and help strengthen the body, making it less susceptible to discomfort or injury. I also try to understand the lifestyle factors which may have contributed to the onset of pain. My range of gentle and effective treatments to relieve back pain includes manual Osteopathy, Western Acupuncture and Low-Level Laser Therapy.

Through these non-invasive methods and by working closely with your lifestyle, I can help minimise or even resolve symptoms and improve your overall health.

We’ve also recently added another string to our bow. With our Home Office Ergonomics service, we review your home working arrangements and make suggestions for improvement to help minimise the impact on your physical (and emotional) wellbeing.

Relief from back pain at  home – Tips for self-help

Last August I wrote about back pain and millennials – some top tips for prevention. These are useful guidelines for us all and you can read them here.

If you are in pain, please don’t suffer in silence. Early diagnosis and treatment can help with recovery and get you back to usual activities more quickly. Osteopaths are considered essential workers.  As such, I was vaccinated against Covid-19 in January. I also undertake weekly Rapid Flow Antigen Tests to ensure I’m Covid free. I can continue to treat patients in accordance with government guidelines through lockdown. So, please do get in touch.

 

Lower Back Pain

We’ve spoken before about the seriousness of back pain – a debilitating ailment that can strike at any time. And lower back pain is particularly common.  According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, it is the most common cause of job-related disability.

Lower back pain is often associated with the over 50s, but we’ve recently seen a rise in the number of millennials wanting help with this issue.

Millennial lifestyle

Lower back pain can, of course, be the result of an injury such as a sporting sprain or strain.  Or it can be triggered by an underlying, untreated chronic symptom/s, often very mild and transient, which has been influenced by long-term lifestyle factors.

The current cohort of 20-40-year-olds is the first true ‘digital generation.’ They make up the largest generation in the workforce in the UK.  They are also the people most likely to be found hunched over a computer/gaming screen, in the gym lifting heavy weights and – thanks to COVID-19 – now working from home at make-shift desks.

Robin Kiashek said: “Given these lifestyle factors, it’s not surprising that Millennials are increasingly suffering with lower back pain.  And in our youth we often consider ourselves invincible, so we tend to ignore warning signs such as pain and are often not sufficiently patient with our body’s need to allow time for recovery.”

How to prevent lower back pain

Prevention is clearly the best option when it comes to lower back pain.  Here’s our top tips for avoiding this painful condition:

Watch your posture

Posture is key when it comes to keeping your back in tip top condition. Avoid slumping in your chair or on the sofa and don’t hunch over your desk. Also, watch out for tech neck .  This 21st century phenomena puts unnecessary pressure on your shoulders and back and is caused by resting your chin on your chest whilst looking at a phone or computer screen.  If you work from a laptop then raise it so that the screen is at eye level.

Take a stand

Take breaks from your work. Try to get away from your screen, stand and move about every 30 minutes or so to get your back muscles into action.  I’ve talked before about the benefits of active dynamic sitting. This is where your seating allows or encourages you to move, increase your stability and strengthen your core abdominal muscles.  There are a variety of specially designed seats on the market to improve postural health and the abdominal muscles.  I use the ‘Swopper Chair’ and would highly recommend it.

Exercise, exercise, exercise

It’s so important to work out the muscles in your abdomen and back. That’s because these are the core muscles attached to the spine or pelvis that help us to stand, move and go about our daily life. Just make you do so safely.  If you are lifting weights, be sure to bend at the hips and not your back.

Try to relax

As a trained Osteopath and Naturopath with more than 25 years in the industry, I know there’s a close link between physical, mental and emotional health. Problems originating in one place can often show up as referred pain in another. Some people manifest stress in their minds, others manifest it physically and some will do both. This causes us to tighten our muscles, particularly around our shoulders and down our spine. We all unwind in different ways but my advice would be to find yours and make time for it!

Check out your sleeping situation

We spend a third of our lives sleeping.  So, it’s definitely worth spending money on a good mattress for your back. And do be aware that a divan mattress will support your mattress and back whereas slats do not.

How we can help with lower back pain

At The Robin Kiashek Clinics, we aim to relieve pain and help strengthen the body, making it less susceptible to discomfort or injury. We also try to understand the lifestyle factors which may have contributed to the onset of pain. Our range of gentle and effective treatments includes Osteopathy, Western Acupuncture and Low Level Laser Therapy.

We’ve also recently added another string to our bow. With our Home Office Ergonomics service, we review your home working arrangements and make suggestions for improvement to help minimise the impact on your physical (and emotional) wellbeing.

Get in touch

If you are dealing with lower back pain, why not call us on 020 8815 0979 or request an appointment online?

 

 

How to Keep a Healthy Spine

Did you know that back pain is one of the most common reasons for  sickness absence in the UK*

Healthy Spine

According to the Office of National Statistics, an estimated 141.4 million working days are lost each year to sickness or injury.  With musculoskeletal problems – including back pain, neck pain and upper limb issues – often cited as the reason.  And the bad press about back pain doesn’t end there. It has also been recorded in recent years as the top cause of disability**.

The spine is our body’s central support structure. It’s a column of 26 bones — 24 separate vertebrae inter-spaced with cartilage, plus the sacrum and coccyx.  It makes up the spinal ‘scaffolding’, through which the spinal cord passes, keeps us upright and enables flexible movement.  It also sets us apart from those famous invertebrates – the jellyfish!

And it can be a master of disguise.  Back problems can be felt anywhere along the spine, from the neck to the lower back.  And they might include referred pain, which can give widespread symptoms (pain, numbness, pins & needles and weakness) into the upper or lower limbs, the head and abdominal/chest regions. And these referred symptoms can make diagnosis more difficult.

So, since prevention is better than cure, I’ve compiled a list of five everyday things we can all do to help look after our backs:

Good posture – day and night

Avoid slumping in a chair or on the sofa, hunching over a desk or walking with your shoulders up by your ears. And, of course, the 21st century curse of resting your chin on your chest while using your phone.  Instead, ensure your lower back is properly supported, sit up straight when you’re working on a computer or laptop and keep your chin up while you text!

And since we sleep for a third of our lives (hopefully), it’s also worth spending money on a good mattress and divan (slats do not support your mattress and in turn, your back).  The latter being ‘a mattress for your mattress’.  Ideally, the divan should not incorporate storage boxes as these lessen its effectiveness.

Bend at the hips

Always be sure to bend at the hips and not your back. Try to do this by keeping your upper body upright as much as possible and your chest forward. If you do a lot of lifting or bending, make sure you attend specific manual handling training.

Avoid shoulder/messenger bags

They might look fashionable but carrying heavy loads in shoulder and/or messenger bags can cause an imbalance of weight on your spine. If you lug around weighty items, like laptops and books, as a minimum, opt for a comfortable rucksack and be sure to use both shoulder straps. But ideally, do consider a rucksack with wheels.

Don’t stress – take a ‘chill pill’ (as my children kindly tell me)

As a trained Osteopath and Naturopath, I know there’s a close link between physical, mental and emotional health and that problems originating in one place can often show up as referred pain in another. And while some people manifest stress in their minds, others manifest it physically. Which causes us to tighten our muscles, particularly around our shoulders and down our spine.

Take a stand

Sitting for long periods of time has been proved to be bad for our health.  So get up, go for a walk or get a drink every 30 minutes to get your back muscles (and everything else) working.   If you spend your day at a desk, I’ve written before about the benefits of Active or Dynamic Sitting.  This is where your seating allows or encourages you to move, increases your stability and strengthens your core abdominal muscles.  There are lots of options on the market including the ‘Swopper Chair’, which I use myself.

Look after Your Spine

As we’ve discussed, the spine is a wonderful thing and it’s important to look after it.  So, if you’ve started the new year with back, neck or hip pain then Osteopathy may be the answer.
Why not get in touch for more information or to book an appointment?

We have Osteopath clinics in Central London and North London

 

*Sickness absence in the UK labour market: 2018

** Back pain is a massive problem which is badly treated

 

 

 

 

 

This year’s Backcare Awareness Week (8th to 12th October) focuses on back pain in older people. Awful at any age, back pain can be really disabling and miserable in the over 60s.  BackCare, the National Back Pain Association, offers useful information and resources but I want to talk about how we can help sufferers of all ages at the Robin Kiashek clinics.

Impact on society

A staggering 80% of us will suffer with some form of back pain during our lives – at my osteopathic practice in London I see several sufferers each week. The human cost in terms of pain, misery, impairment plus the knock-on effects on family and friends is enormous. Factor in the economic impact – NHS statistics for 2016/17 show that a staggering 3.2 million days were lost to back pain – and we can see how society as a whole is affected. And we do abuse our backs, with long hours of driving, sitting hunched over a screen, heavy lifting and carrying, caring for children, the elderly or disabled and some very bad lifestyle habits!

Getting help for back pain

Here at The Robin Kiashek Clinics we aim to relieve pain and help strengthen the body, making it less susceptible to further discomfort or injury. Our range of gentle and effective treatments include Osteopathy, Western Acupuncture and Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT).

We also recommend yoga. It promotes physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing and helps develop and maintain a fit and supple body.  It is also an effective antidote to the stresses of modern lifestyle. A US study among 1000 long-term lower back pain sufferers found that those who practised yoga were most likely to see improved mobility and reduced pain levels. And classes are readily available and safe to try, whatever your age or level of fitness. All you need is a mat!

Based on the premise that prevention is better (or easier) than cure, here are some simple tips to maintain a healthy back:

Top tips for a healthy back

  • Keep mobile – walking, cycling and swimming, (especially back stoke) will help your back to stay supple. Remember to take a short break from sitting every half hour.
  • Reduce excess weight – extra pounds can place enormous pressure on the spine and muscles, exaggerating the curve of your lower back and causing your spine to become misaligned.
  • Lift heavy objects correctly – bend at the knee, not the back. Carry heavy loads in a well-fitted rucksack, using both straps, rather than slinging a bag over one shoulder.
  • Consider your posture – sit up straight, don’t slump in your chair.  Use a laptop riser and walk with your shoulders back and head up (not staring at the ground!).
  • Stop smoking – it can reduce blood supply to discs between the vertebrae and cause disintegration.
  • Check your bed – does it provide the correct support for your weight and build?
  • Manage stress – beat this leading cause of back pain by learning relaxation techniques, such as yoga, meditation or breathing.

 Get in touch

If you are experiencing back pain then why not call The Robin Kiashek Clinics on 020 8815 0979 or request an appointment? We will assess you thoroughly and provide a personalised treatment plan, including exercises and guidance on preventing future occurrences. This can bring relief and even be life-changing and transformative, allowing you to regain and retain independence.

As a practising osteopath in London I see a number of clients each week that experience back pain, in varying forms and severities. For these clients I am able to provide a comprehensive treatment plan and we work together over a number of sessions to treat the problem. In addition to treatment provided by myself I also look to work with clients on what lifestyle changes can be made and other things that can be introduced to try to prevent problems such as back pain recurring again in the future. I was therefore interested to read about a recent study carried out in the US into yoga and the positive benefits it can have on long-term back pain.

Women practicing yoga in a class

A recent study into yoga and back pain

The study analysed more than 1000 men and women who were experiencing long-term lower back pain. It found that those patients who practised yoga were most likely to improve their mobility and reduce their pain levels. These patients were all taught yoga-like exercises by experienced and qualified professionals.

Lead author Susan Wieland, from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, said: “Our findings suggest that yoga exercise may lead to reducing the symptoms of lower back pain by a small amount, but the results have come from studies with a short follow-up.”

Back pain affects nearly one in 10 people in the UK and becomes more common with age. Very often the cause of long-term back pain is unknown, which can be very frustrating for the sufferer. Perhaps putting down the pain-killers and picking up a yoga mat could help to relieve some of the pain.

Following on from this initial research, the scientists involved in the study are also now calling for longer-term studies to really understand the full benefits for patients.

So what is Yoga?

Yoga, stemming from the Sanskrit work ‘yuj’ to yoke or join, yoga aims to “coordinate the breath, mind and body to encourage balance, both internally and externally,” according to the British Wheel of Yoga. Yoga is a practical philosophy and a system of asanas (postures), promoting physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. It is an effective antidote to the stresses of modern lifestyle and encourages a fit and supple body. Yoga is a ‘science of the mind’ and philosophical system that originated in India thousands of years ago.

A typical yoga class here in the UK will last between 60-90 minutes and you can find them at leisure centres, gyms and in local halls and community centres. Yoga is very accessible for all body shapes and ages and you really don’t need much equipment (or even shoes!) to give it a go.

Experiencing back pain?

If you are experiencing back pain why not try a yoga class near you, or call The Robin Kiashek Clinics for a consultation on 020 8815 0979.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2017/01/12/yoga-key-relieving-long-term-back-pain-new-study-suggests/

Are you giving your back pain the attention it deserves?

london osteopath w1 n2 n10Treating people with a range of back problems is a mainstay of any Osteopath’s job. Therefore, we welcome a campaign such as Backcare Awareness Week (promoted by BackCare – the National Back Pain Association) that highlights this important public health issue. This year the campaign is aimed at younger people. The campaign reports that 1 in 4 secondary school children suffer from back pain. Naturally, the focus is on prevention this year, and who better to carry good practice and knowledge forward than children between the ages 11-16.

Back pain in adults in the UK

The statistics for adults too show why action needs to be taken. In the UK each year the people who suffer most commonly with back pain are people aged 35-55, but 8 in 10 of us will report some back pain at least once in our lives. The cost to the NHS in 2014 was £1m There is an enormous amount of help available in the form of pain clinics, health practitioners such as physiotherapists and osteopaths, and in extreme cases, surgery, but these are staggering statistics none the less.

Treating Back Pain at The Robin Kiashek Clinics

subhome-column-1Robin Kiashek has over two decades of experience in treating a range of painful conditions related to the spine. By providing a thorough assessment and a treatment plan, including exercises and guidance on how to prevent future occurrences, patients receive a personalised treatment plan well-rounded individual treatment that can bring relief and independence. If the problem is severe or prolonged, such as acute pain resulting from injury, a treatment plan can be adjusted over time to help a patient regain optimum movement and strength.

How Back Pain Can Affect Society

If we consider the toll that chronic pain takes on individuals and families, it is easy to see how the whole of society is affected. This is particularly true in people’s daily occupations: heavy lifting at work, long hours of driving, looking after children, the elderly or disabled. According to NHS statistics, in 2013/2014 2.8 million working days were lost due to back pain. If you are a sufferer or live with someone who is, then you’ll know how debilitating it can be.

Transformative Treatment for Back Pain

getty_rf_photo_of_hands_on_backYou will also recognise how life-changing good treatment is. At The Robin Kiashek Clinics the aim is to make treatment as transformative as possible, not merely temporarily effective. The treatment you will be given will not only relieve pain but help to strengthen the body in order to prevent further pain or injury. It is possible to relieve symptoms with an array of gentle treatments, all with your agreement, ranging from Osteopathy to Western Acupuncture and Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT). Everything that Robin can offer is at your disposal to get you free of pain, or to get you to a place where pain is manageable and you are able to anticipate and mitigate problems yourself.

Experience tells us that back pain is very individual, often is the result of multiple factors interacting in a complex way, and that the best outcome for any sufferer is a tailored treatment plan, employing a few different methods, from changes in lifestyle, to regular re-evaluation. In many instances, consultation can be a re-education for a patient who has had little explanation of his or her condition in the past.

Want Help With Back Pain?

So, if a trip to the GP has not addressed your pain, or you feel that you have neglected to seek further help for long-standing back pain, call Robin Kiashek for a consultation appointment and highly individualised therapy. You have a choice two clinics, one in North London and one in Central London. Why not request an appointment today.

Back in June, we posted an article describing The Dripping Tap Syndrome, which aims to explain the reason why many people visit an Osteopath.

This month we follow this up with a video blog from Robin explaining further what this means.

If you would like to speak to Robin about anything covered within this video or to discuss any symptoms you may have please contact the clinic on 0208 8815 0979.