Understanding Low Back Pain

With a wealth of experience, Kavita is an expert in treating low back pain, providing a gentle yet effective approach that is customised for each patient.

Recognising the uniqueness of each body, Kavita implements a detailed strategy to ensure that treatments are precise and focused, considering the patient's distinct condition and requirements. The care plan is comprehensive, incorporating various techniques such as diversified adjustments, blocks, drops, activator methods, and soft tissue therapy. The goal extends beyond pain relief to enhance overall health, making sure patients feel supported throughout their healing process.

Kavita's blend of professional skill and empathetic care fosters a nurturing environment where patients can restore their strength, mobility, and confidence, leading to a healthier life ahead. For issues ranging from minor discomfort to chronic conditions, patients can rely on the individualised attention they receive, with each appointment contributing to their recuperation. Additionally, patients receive valuable long-term guidance for preventive care.

Poor posture is often a significant contributor to back pain, causing discomfort during activities such as sitting for long periods at a desk or computer, slouching while watching TV, sleeping on a mattress that is too hard or too soft, hunching the back or shoulders when stressed, and performing daily tasks that involve bending, lifting, and twisting.

Traumas like car accidents, falls, sports injuries, and lifting heavy objects frequently result in back pain. Chiropractic care aims to address the underlying cause of pain, offering more than just the temporary relief that painkillers provide. A comprehensive examination, possibly including x-rays, a review of medical history, posture analysis, and a discussion of lifestyle, helps pinpoint the origin of the back pain.

The treatment involves gentle, precise chiropractic adjustments to alleviate joint stiffness and reduce irritation of spinal nerves. Treatment is guided by the patient's tolerance and is generally pain free. A variety of techniques are used to ensure that each visit is as comfortable as possible while still achieving the treatment goal and increasing mobility.

Instead of prolonged bed rest, which can lead to muscle and bone weakening, an active recovery involving gentle exercise is advised. Applying ice can help diminish inflammation, and as improvement occurs, exercises to increase flexibility and core strength are gradually introduced.

The St Albans Back Pain Clinic offers a range of treatments for many varied common back conditions.

Milton Keynes: 01908 307075 Northampton: 01604 460200 Aylesbury: 01296 489231

Lumbar Disc Degeneration

In a young and healthy back, rubbery discs between the vertebra provide height and allow bending and twisting. As a normal process of aging, the discs begin to wear down. Sometimes the discs wear away completely over time. The bones rub against one another, causing the pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis. After age 40, most people have some disc degeneration, but not always with pain.

Lumbar Disc degeneration is a condition in which pain is caused by a disc that wears down.
Several factors can cause discs to degenerate, including:
• Drying out of the disc with age.
• Tears in the outer portion of the disc due to daily activities and sports.
• Injury.

Unlike other tissues of the body, there is very little blood supply to the disc, so once a disc is injured, it cannot repair itself, and the disc can start to deteriorate.

Symptoms of degenerative disc disease are most commonly found in the low back or neck. The pain may:
• Range from mild to severe and disabling.
• Primarily affect the neck and lower back.
• Extend to the arms and hands.
• Radiate to the buttocks and thighs.
• Worsen when sitting or after bending, lifting or twisting.
• Come and go.
• Cause weakness in the leg muscles or foot drop, which may be a sign of damage to the nerve root.

To diagnose degenerative disc disease, Kavita reviews the medical history and conducts a physical exam. Sometimes imaging like X-rays, a MRI or CT scan is needed to get a better look at the discs and bony structures. This can help make the diagnosis.

Treatments focus on strengthening the muscles that support the area as well as mobilisation of the areas affected and often injured.

Lumbar Disc Herniation

A slipped disc, also known as a prolapsed or herniated, occurs when a cushion of tissue between the vertebrae in the spine bulges outward. a condition that can be painful if it compresses surrounding tissues and nerves. Typically recovery takes place gradually with rest, exercise, and targeted treatment.

A herniated disc can lead to:

• lower back pain

• numbness or tingling in the shoulders, back, arms, hands, legs, or

• neck pain

• difficulties bending or straightening the back

• muscle weakness

• pain in the buttocks, hips, or legs if the disc compresses the sciatic nerve, commonly referred to as sciatica.

Most patients treated at the St Albans Back Pain Center do not a herniated disc, despite exhibiting similar symptoms.

Treatment for a herniated disc encompasses traction, specialised mobilization techniques, and a meticulously managed rehabilitation program that includes stretching and strengthening exercises. Maintaining an active lifestyle is a crucial component of the recovery process

Acute lumbar sprain/strain

One of the most common injuries to the lumbar spine and pelvis. Often an injury will be preciptated by overstretching, a fall or accident. It is a condition that is very commonly seen in clinic and treated very effectively.

Sacroiliac Syndrome

Another very common condition treated very effectively with chiropractic treatment. The sacroiliac joints can become very stiff if placed in a closed packed seated position for long periods of time. This inactivity can cause acute stiffness in the joints which can become inflammed and painful. Treatment includes mobilising the joints and a good routine of stretching/strengthening.

Lateral Stenosis

General wear and tear of the lower lumbar spine is expected aging. The extent of may be influenced by genetic factors or other environmental elements, such as manual work, falls, or accidents. Degenerating facet joints can restrict the exit of the spinal nerves, often resulting in hip, groin, or leg pain. Mobilisation of the frequently alleviates discomfort by reducing nerve irritation.

The St Albans Back Pain Clinic treats numerous lower back conditions, too many to list. Please contact the clinic if you would like some guidance on whether your condition will respond well to chiropractic treatment. The clinic offers free spinal check to ensure an informed outcome.