Back Pain Physiotherapy in Eastbourne
Back pain can range from an annoying ache that keeps returning to pain that makes work, exercise or even everyday movement difficult. At DC Physiotherapy, we assess and treat both new and longstanding back problems, with treatment based around what is actually stopping you from getting back to normal.
Back pain does not always come with one simple diagnosis. Symptoms can be influenced by the joints, discs, muscles and nerves around the spine, as well as your activity levels and how your back responds to particular movements and loads. The important part is understanding your presentation rather than applying the same treatment to everybody with back pain.
How We Can Help With Back Pain
We regularly see people with:
New or recurring lower back pain
Persistent back pain
Back pain related to work, sport or exercise
Sciatica and pain travelling into the leg
Disc-related back pain
Spinal stenosis
Stiffness and difficulty moving normally
Back pain when returning to activity after a period of inactivity
If you have leg pain, tingling or numbness alongside your back pain, your physiotherapist can also assess whether irritation of a nerve may be contributing to your symptoms.
What Happens at Your Appointment?
Your physiotherapist will first spend time understanding how the problem started, what aggravates or relieves it and how it is affecting your day-to-day life.
The physical assessment may include looking at movement, strength and function as well as neurological testing where appropriate.
We'll then explain what we think is going on and discuss a treatment plan with you.
Treatment will vary depending on the findings. It may include manual therapy or massage to help with pain and movement, alongside advice and rehabilitation exercises designed to restore strength, confidence and tolerance to activity.
For most people, the aim is not simply to make the back feel better temporarily. We want to help you progressively return to the things the pain has been getting in the way of.
Do I Need to Rest My Back?
Not usually.
There may be times when modifying an aggravating activity is useful, particularly early on, but complete rest is rarely the long-term solution. Your physiotherapist can help you work out what you can continue doing and how to gradually increase activity as things improve.
What About Sciatica?
Sciatica is commonly used to describe pain travelling from the back or buttock into the leg due to irritation of the sciatic nerve or its nerve roots.
Physiotherapy may be appropriate for many people with sciatica, although the assessment is important because leg symptoms can have different causes. We will assess your symptoms and advise you if further medical investigation is appropriate.
Back pain affecting your work, sport or everyday life?