With hectic schedules and many responsibilities, find the key to a balanced, healthier you through the transformative potential of osteopathy. With today’s busy lifestyles, finding time to focus on our health and well-being can be challenging. Juggling careers, caring for children and older relatives, household chores, and managing finances can all take a toll on our physical and mental well-being. It’s only when our health begins to suffer and our bodies start to send out alarm signals forcing us to slow down, then we truly begin to focus on ourselves.  

It is essential to take a break from our normal routines and focus on ‘self-care’. This means making time each day to eat healthily, exercise and focus on your wellbeing. This in turn gives your body and brain instant benefits in managing stress, depression, and anxiety. Not only will this benefit your health in the long term, but by spending time on yourself, you ensure that you will continue to be there for those you love for years to come.  

How Can Osteopaths Help?

You may think that osteopaths are there just to alleviate pain. They can help with pain, but osteopathy can do so much more. Osteopaths aim to support the health of those they treat by providing manual therapy treatment, along with tailored health and exercise advice. They can also assist with general care and well-being. They work to restore the body to a state of balance without the use of invasive medical interventions, such as drugs and surgery.  

Did You Know That Osteopathy Is a Regulated Health Profession In The UK? 

A person can only call themselves an osteopath if they are registered with the General Osteopathic Council, which sets high standards of practice and conduct.  

How To Reduce Back Pain

Back pain is a prevalent issue in the UK, causing discomfort, workplace absences and significant healthcare costs. Osteopathy, a safe and effective approach, can help manage back pain.

According to Versus Arthritis, over 20 million people in the UK suffer from back pain. It also affects up to 80% of us at some point in our lives. The NHS spends more than £1 billion per year on back pain-related costs, but even more is lost through workplace absence caused by excessive aches and pains.  Back pain can have many causes, and it is not always obvious what causes it. A common cause of back pain is an injury, such as a pulled muscle or strain. It can also be initiated by medical conditions such as a slipped disc or sciatica. Your spine is made of solid, bony blocks reinforced by strong ligaments and muscles. It is surprisingly difficult to damage the spine, but the surrounding muscles and ligaments can cause discomfort and pain if strained. 

How Can An Osteopath Help With Back Pain?

Osteopathic practice is a safe and effective form of prevention, diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of health problems, including back pain. Often, back pain resolves on its own, but if it persists for more than a few days, an osteopath may be able to help. Osteopaths examine the health of your body as a whole and aim to ensure that all your bones, muscles, and joints are functioning smoothly together. They use gentle physical manipulation, stretching, and massage to increase joint mobility and relieve muscle tension. Together with exercise and advice designed to promote and maintain the best environment for a healthy back, an osteopath can offer this type of treatment for both short-term and long-term lower back pain. Research evidence suggests that these osteopathic treatments can have beneficial effects, particularly for managing back pain. 

What Happens At Your Appointment?

A first appointment typically involves a consultation and may include some initial treatment. The osteopath will discuss your general health, back pain, and the treatment you are undergoing. They will examine your entire body, focusing on your back pain, and may observe you making simple movements and stretches. Additionally, they will also examine your joints, ligaments, and tissues. Osteopaths are highly trained professionals skilled in diagnosing health issues, including those that may require further investigation. 

The method used to treat your back pain will be tailored to you, as it depends on your exact location, the duration of your pain, its severity, your age, and any relevant medical history. The treatment often focuses on releasing tension, stretching muscles, and improving mobility – all of which may help relieve pain.

There is no need to consult a GP before visiting an osteopath, although you may wish to do so. An osteopath can provide guidance on methods to aid recovery and maintain a healthy back.

REMEMBER: Back pain is rarely due to any serious disease and the long-term outlook is good. If you do have any concerns about your back, you can discuss these with an osteopath. 

The UK National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provides guidance for health services that recommend manual therapy, such as that provided by osteopaths, as part of a package of care for the management of low back pain and sciatica. 

Tips For Caring For Your Back

• Check your posture. We are spending more and more time sitting and working at a desk, so make sure your chair has adequate back support and use a portable adjustable laptop stand if need be 

• When lifting and carrying, always keep the item close to the body. Ensure that you bend your knees and let your legs do the work. Try not to twist the back – turn with your feet.

• Engage in regular exercise. People who are physically fit generally experience less back pain and recover more quickly if they do develop it. Engage your core with exercise. Pilates and yoga are good for this. 

• You can take care of your feet with appropriate footwear. Shoes provide stability and support for your posture, so ensure your footwear is comfortable and well-fitting. 

• Adjust your car seats, use a rolled-up towel to support the lower back and take regular breaks on long journeys 

• Mattresses and sofas wear out over time and can cause back pain. If you have one that is over seven years old, it may be time to get a new one. A good, supportive pillow is also essential for maintaining spine alignment.