Can an Osteopath help with Lower Back Pain?
- MPR Health
- November 25, 2022
Many people seek medical attention because of lower back pain. It can be caused by various factors, ranging from minor strains to severe conditions. In many cases, it’s possible to treat lower back pain without surgery and medication—and an osteopath can help you do that.
In this article, we’ll talk about how osteopathy can help with lower back pain, what an osteopath does and why they might be the best option for your health concerns
Can An Osteopath Help Me Fix My Lower Back Pain?
Osteopathy is a conservative approach to treatment when compared with surgery. It aims to get the body working more effectively and efficiently. This means that it isn’t just about treating the symptoms of your condition—osteopathy aims to treat the underlying cause of your pain and discomfort. Osteopaths may use gentle manipulation techniques. Although a large portion is a hands-on therapy, they will also focus on enhancing muscular strength throughout the body so that you can move more easily and naturally without causing further stress.
When it comes to lower back pain, an osteopathic approach is effective and evidence-based.
What does an osteopath do for lower back pain?
An osteopath will treat your pain’s underlying cause, not just the symptoms. Osteopathy is safe, evidence-based, and holistic, meaning it looks at the whole person to determine what’s causing their lower back pain.
Osteopaths use a variety of techniques to diagnose and treat back pain. They may use gentle pressure on your muscles or manipulate your spine using their hands. The aim is always to relieve body tension so it can start healing itself.
How quickly does osteopathy work?
When it comes to how quickly an osteopath can help your lower back pain, it depends on the source of the problem. Most people feel some relief within a few sessions, but others may need more time. If you’ve been dealing with chronic lower back pain for many years or something else is happening (like an infection or nerve damage), you may need to see an osteopath for several months or longer before feeling relief.
What can I expect from an osteopathic session?
A thorough examination
Osteopaths look at the whole body when determining the cause of your lower back pain. They’ll ask you about your medications, diet, exercise habits, and other lifestyle factors that could influence your condition. They’ll also examine areas like the neck and low back to determine if there are nerve compression or other common signs in these regions.
A discussion of your symptoms and a diagnosis
An osteopath will use their examination findings and diagnostic tools such as X-rays or MRI scans if necessary. This is to accurately diagnose what’s causing your lower back pain and how they can help you resolve it once and for all!
A treatment plan with explanations of what to expect from the treatment
After diagnosing the source of your lower back pain with pinpoint accuracy, an osteopath will present a comprehensive treatment plan for resolving it for good.
They will explain what to expect from the treatment, including how long it will take and what lifestyle changes you should make to get the most out of your osteopathic care.
How many sessions do you need with an osteopath?
The number of sessions you’ll need with an osteopath depends on the severity of your problem and your ability to progress. For example, someone with moderate lower back pain may only require three or four sessions before they’re back on their feet.
This is just a rough estimate based on our experience with our previous patients. We’ve seen people get better after two visits and others who need more appointments before they feel relief from their symptoms. Again, this will vary from person to person based on their health and lifestyle choices.
Even if you’re unsure what’s causing your symptoms (such as lower back pain or headaches), an osteopath can still help. They will evaluate your condition carefully and use the findings to formulate a tailored treatment plan.
Will the effects of my osteopathy treatment be permanent?
One of the most essential things about osteopathy is that it’s preventative. By working on your posture and strengthening your core muscles, you can reduce the risk of back pain occurring in the future. Additionally, suppose you experience back pain at some point. In that case, an osteopath can work with you to treat it quickly and effectively so that it doesn’t become a chronic issue for any longer than necessary.
The other important thing to consider regarding osteopathy is that it’s non-invasive. Osteopaths use their hands to diagnose and treat the body’s spine, muscles, and nerves. They do this by applying pressure in specific areas of your body, testing for any pain or discomfort as they go along.
What are the benefits of osteopathic treatment over other types of treatment?
Osteopathy is an evidence-based, non-invasive manual medical treatment. This means you will be able to rest and relax without the need for painkillers. Osteopaths treat your entire body, not just one area. This means they can help with other health problems besides back pain, such as shoulder pain and headaches.
Osteopaths are trained in a wide range of techniques to tailor your treatment plan specifically to you. They may use massage or gentle stretching exercises, manual therapy, and spinal manipulation (also known as a spinal adjustment). Your osteopath might also recommend specific stretches or activities that will help strengthen the muscles around your spine. And ultimately, prevent future injuries from occurring in the first place!
Can I continue an exercise program while seeing an osteopath?
You can continue an exercise program while seeing an osteopath. Your body will likely respond well to the addition of a personalized exercise plan designed by your osteopath. An osteopath will also guide you through your progress in the best way possible.
Exercise can help to improve mobility and strengthen muscles. It may also reduce pain and improve posture.
When used together with other treatments, such as massage therapy or spinal manipulation (a form of spinal adjustment therapy), exercise can serve as a safe way for patients with chronic pain to ease their symptoms and gain better control over their lives
Osteopathy offers an evidence-based way to treat lower back pain.
As an evidence-based treatment, osteopathy offers a holistic approach to treating lower back pain. Osteopaths address the root causes of your symptoms and work to restore your body’s natural healing ability rather than simply masking your pain with medication. In addition to using manual techniques such as gentle pressure on specific body areas, they may also recommend exercises or lifestyle changes to help ease discomfort.
Osteopathy can be an effective option for people who want a more conservative way to treat their lower back pain without relying solely on medications.
Conclusion
Many different kinds of lower back pain can come from many other sources. So if you’re experiencing lower back pain, it’s important to see an osteopath as soon as possible. An osteopath will help you identify what’s causing your pain and develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
We're ready when you are
Our North Shore Osteopaths are here to help you with your pain so you can get back to living your best life without worrying about pain.
In the spirit of reconciliation, MPR Health acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
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If you want to find a registered Osteopath in the North Shore and Sydney, then you’ve found one. MPR Health provides osteopathy services to the following suburbs: