Low Back Pain
80% of people experience low back pain at some point in their life.
At any given moment, nearly 9% of people are experiencing back pain right now.
Navigating back pain is often frustrating and confusing and the causes of back pain are numerous: nerve, muscle, joint, ligament, weakness, instability, degeneration, physical trauma, surgical trauma – all of which further branch out into other conditions. Whether it is joint, fascia, or muscle, taking a hands-on approach can provide alleviation of pain and freedom of movement.
The low back is where our body weight is most supported, and protects the portion of our spinal cord responsible for important organs and function of the legs, as well as the generalized movement of our trunk (like bending forward and back).
It’s made up of our lumbar spine and part of our pelvis (sacrum). Then we have layers of muscle, ligaments and tendons that make up the movement part of our spinal column and core.
Many people ask “will this resolve on its own?”
Yes it could. BUT identifying the cause, getting the right treatment, and having a plan can drastically reduce its effects on you both currently and in the long term. Overloading the low back tissues can lead to strains of the muscles and sprains of the ligaments, resulting in pain and movement impairment.
With Active Release, we assess the ligaments, tendons, muscles and joints in the low back. Sometimes there are obvious offenders such as disc herniations, which can affect the low back and go down the leg and may require a longer treatment plan to help the body heal the disc that is affecting the lower body. Or there are more tiny issues, such as a smaller muscle - called the Multifidus muscle which is the deepest most inner muscle and controls all movement of the spine.
We also use a Flexion Distraction table to help stretch the lumbar erectors muscles along the spine and to help with disc health.
Additionally, exercise is truly the best medicine. Guided movements and exercise help both acute and chronic patients. We can guide you through movements that strengthen your core, pelvic floor, glute muscles, and general compound movements.
The rate of healing can be sped up when we facilitate it in the right direction through movement and manual therapy.
Things to note with low back pain:
You especially need to see a healthcare professional if you experience bowel or bladder problems, numbness or tingling down the feet, and weakness through your legs and feet corresponding with your low back pain. If you find that you cannot hold your bladder, please seek a healthcare professional as soon as possible.
