02/11/2022
The 5 Step Plan to Fixing Your Lower Back Pain- an article by Dr Leon Mao
Lower back pain is one of the most common reasons people come to Hawthorn Physiotherapy. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, up to 90% of Australians experience lower back pain at some point.
Back pain can range from being a nuisance to debilitating. It can hinder you from exercising, attending social events or even your essential daily tasks.
Early treatment of lower back pain is crucial to prevent it from reaching these stages. Fortunately, most back conditions are manageable with standard therapies. If you have any issues with your back, it’s essential to get it checked out by one of our friendly physiotherapists.
Step 1. Knowing When to Get An Assessment
Lower back pain is widespread. Sometimes, episodes may only last a couple of days before resolving. Other times, you may need extra help.
Knowing when to get an assessment can be challenging to judge. However, suppose you’re experiencing any of these issues. In that case, it could be a sign to get it checked out by your physiotherapist.
If the pain has lasted more than 48-72 hours
If you cannot bend forward or stand up straight
If there has been a clear injury (e.g. bending forward, picking up a heavy object, etc.)
There is pain or discomfort that is shooting down the bottom and leg(s)
You are avoiding certain activities because of your symptoms (e.g. avoiding social activities, playing sports, etc.)
The pain is getting worse
Getting an early assessment is crucial for receiving an appropriate management plan and preventing symptoms from worsening.
Step 2. Getting An Assessment
So, now you’ve booked in for an initial assessment at Hawthorn Physiotherapy, what now? Once you’ve arrived at the clinic, you will be taken into one of our consultation rooms with a physiotherapist.
Our physios will start by introducing themselves and how the session will run. In the beginning, your therapist will start by asking you relevant questions, such as your location of lower back pain and what aggravates it.
Next, your physiotherapist will perform a physical assessment, which could include the following:
Looking at your lumbar spine (lower back movement)
Assessing specific movements related to your back (e.g. squat, sit up, etc.)
Examining other relevant joints, such as the hip or thoracic spine (i.e. ribcage region)
A palpatory assessment where the therapist uses their hands or fingers to assess your lower back
In some circumstances, your physiotherapist may recommend further testing, such as imaging and/or a second opinion.
Step 3. Getting A Treatment Plan
After an assessment, your physiotherapist will provide a treatment plan based on their findings. A treatment plan will vary depending on your symptoms, fitness level and the presence of any obvious diagnosis. Examples of treatments that your physio may suggest include:
Rehabilitation and exercise therapy
Education about the best practices and lifestyle strategies for managing your pain
Using any assistive devices
Attending clinical pilates
Hands-on therapy (e.g. soft tissue massage, mobilisation, manipulation, etc.)
Electrotherapy (e.g. TENS, interferential, etc.)
Dry needling
Not all your physiotherapy sessions will involve the same treatments beforehand. Your physiotherapist will make amendments to your treatment plan depending on your progress.
Although your physiotherapist will play a pivotal role in your recovery, you will also be responsible for actioning the treatment plan. We often find that patients that follow the recommendations and regularly perform the exercises get the best outcome.
4. Being Monitor and Guided by Your Physiotherapist
There may be a period when your physiotherapist will follow up with you to ensure you’re on track. Your physiotherapist will monitor your progress and decide whether the treatment plan needs to be updated (e.g. progressing your exercises, any changes in how you approach your daily habits, etc.). Touching base with your physiotherapist is essential to ensure that any progress continues until you’ve reached your lower back goals.
5. Long-Term Success
At the end of your journey, your physiotherapist may recommend touching base very infrequently or discharging once they are confident that you have reached your goals.
Once your back pain has improved, you must continue to follow through with your treatment plan. Preventing future episodes of lower back pain should become the next priority. Whilst our physios at Hawthorn Physiotherapy enjoy working with their patients; they would prefer that you are not in pain.
You need to continue the exercises, recommendations and treatments that helped you get out of the pain in the first place.
Conclusion
Lower back pain is one of the most common reasons patients attend Hawthorn Physio. All our therapists will adhere to a similar plan outlined in this article. There is often no single approach to correcting back pain. However, having a structured approach to assessing, treating and monitoring your back will be the stepping stone to reaching your goals. If you need help fixing your back pain, please book with one of our physiotherapists today at
https://hawthornphysio.com.au/book-appointment/
or call 03 98192827
