Sometimes in life, we forget to look after ourselves. We let our muscles become stiff and tight. We wake up morning and we can’t touch our toes any more. Then one day you bend over to tie a shoe lace and you find you can’t stand up because your back muscles have locked and won’t let you move. Some people find tension build-up goes to their neck, and they wake one morning and can’t look left or right.

This is all treatable and preventable. But mostly we tend to just live with aches and pains, a constant dull ache in the low back, a stiff neck, headaches, and sore shoulders. We think it is just part of life, a side effect of modern day living, but it doesn’t have to be like that.

If you don’t look after your muscles and joints, they will become stiff, tight, creaky and begin to break down and cause you pain. If you don’t put oil in a car, it will break down. If you leave it standing out in the rain for 20 years it will become rusty, creaky and slow.

How can osteopathy help back pain?

Osteopaths are skilled in diagnosing and treating back pain. Most back troubles result from mechanical disturbances of the spine. Osteopaths are trained in analyzing your spine not just from a pathological perspective but in terms of how it functions. An osteopath will assess how your spine is working as a whole, he sees pain as a warning sign from the body that something is wrong and needs to be treated.

Osteopathy is grounded in the understanding that pain is a sign of imbalance within the body. The osteopath identifies points of stiffness and weakness and identifies excessive strain throughout the body.

After a thorough assessment, the osteopath will employ a variety of gentle techniques, such as soft-tissue massage, joint mobilization, spinal manipulation, and muscle stretching to ease your back pain.

How long will I suffer with pain from a herniated disc?

The duration of pain and stiffness experienced after a herniated disc can vary greatly from person to person. In general, acute symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks, while chronic symptoms may persist for months or even longer.

Osteopathy and herniated discs

The role of osteopathy in treating herniated discs is a topic of debate among medical professionals. Osteopathy is a form of alternative medicine that focuses on manipulating the musculoskeletal system to promote healing and overall health. Some osteopathic techniques, such as spinal manipulation and mobilization, may provide short-term relief from pain associated with herniated discs by reducing pressure on the affected nerve roots. Osteopathic treatment may also aim to improve the overall alignment and functioning of the musculoskeletal system.

Here are a few ways in which osteopathy may help reduce the healing time and manage pain associated with a slipped disc:

1. Pain management: Osteopathic techniques such as soft tissue manipulation, mobilization, and gentle spinal adjustments can help reduce pain and inflammation, allowing the body to heal more comfortably.
2. Improving spinal alignment: Osteopathic treatment aims to restore proper alignment and mobility of the spine. By addressing any misalignments or dysfunctions in the affected area, it may help alleviate pressure on the nerves and reduce pain.
3. Enhancing circulation and healing: Osteopathic techniques can help improve blood flow and lymphatic drainage to the affected area. This enhanced circulation can aid in delivering nutrients and oxygen to the injured tissues, promoting healing.
4. Postural education and rehabilitation: Osteopaths often provide advice on proper posture, body mechanics, and exercises to strengthen the surrounding muscles. These recommendations can help support the spine, improve stability, and reduce the risk of future disc problems.

It’s important to remember that every individual and case is unique, and the effectiveness of osteopathy in reducing healing time may vary. It is advisable to consult with a qualified osteopath or healthcare professional who can evaluate your specific condition and provide appropriate guidance and treatment.