Sixty percent of adults suffer from back pain every year and half of these will become chronic sufferers. According to the Canadian Physiotherapy Association 70% of back problems are from daily activities and the remaining 30% from accidents and other forms of trauma.
Back pain is the result of poor posture, injury and overuse.

Some Causes:

• Postural stress - poor posture stresses your spine, the soft tissue becomes overstretched, muscles tire and your joints and nerves are put under pressure.
• Muscle strains
• Disc injuries - the discs are the shock absorbers between the vertebrae, they are anchored so that they cannot slip out of place. Inside the disc is a soft jelly like substance that can bulge or prolapse, herniate or even rupture in response to mechanical stresses like lifting or twisting.
• Arthritis - vertebral joints may be affected by degenerative arthritis, causing inflammation within the joint and the growth of bony spurs on the edges.

Pain may be limited to the back or it can radiate to the lower abdomen, groin, leg or foot.

A physiotherapist will provide a comprehensive assessment of your back to determine the source of the problem and will develop an individualized treatment plan to treat your symptoms and offer preventative advice.
The plan may include:

• Manual therapy techniques such as mobilizations
• Exercises to mobilize joints or strengthen appropriate muscles
• Postural retraining and general conditioning, core stability
• Education in proper body mechanics and lifting techniques
• The use of modalities such as TENS, ultrasound, acupuncture, interferential, heat or ice

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