By Peter Pascalis, Clinical Myotherapist
2 Minute Read
2 Minute Read
Low back pain is commonly seen in clinical presentations. The cause of many back pain complaints is myofascial pain (coming from the muscles and fascia) or somatic referred pain (originating from the lumbar discs, facet joints, lumbar ligaments, and referred pain from the sacroiliac joints (SIJs).
Other sources of back pain include nerve-related irritations or entrapments, such as sciatica (also known as Deep Gluteal Pain Syndrome) or peripheral neuropathies, where nerves become compressed by bony structures.
This is by no means an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all the known causes of back pain, but these are some of the more common ones. Radiculopathy, which involves changes in sensation and strength in the lower limb, can also be associated with back pain.
Other sources of back pain include nerve-related irritations or entrapments, such as sciatica (also known as Deep Gluteal Pain Syndrome) or peripheral neuropathies, where nerves become compressed by bony structures.
This is by no means an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all the known causes of back pain, but these are some of the more common ones. Radiculopathy, which involves changes in sensation and strength in the lower limb, can also be associated with back pain.
Why is the cause of back pain important?
When treating pain or dysfunction, it is crucial to understand, or at least infer, which structures or factors are involved to provide the best patient care. This knowledge allows us to direct treatment toward its resolution.
Somatic pain may require slightly different treatments compared to painful radiculopathy, as different anatomical structures are affected. Treatments beneficial for nerve pathology may not be effective for muscle dysfunction.
Some common treatments for muscular pain include soft and deep tissue massage, followed by activity modifications for a period of time, and exercise to address underlying factors such as weakness or instability that need to be addressed for long-term benefit. Dry needling can be very helpful in desensitizing painful structures by improving muscle health and delivering non-painful input into the nervous system, which can override the painful signals arriving at the spinal cord and brain.
Nerve disorders can be significantly improved with techniques that decompress vertebral structures, as these are where the nerve roots exit the spine, and mobilization exercises aimed at moving the spinal nerve along its anatomical pathway, affecting the entire leg and spine.
Education plays an invaluable role in treatment outcomes, as back pain has a strong association with mental health and other factors that contribute to lowering our pain threshold (the minimum stimulus required for us to perceive pain).
When treating pain or dysfunction, it is crucial to understand, or at least infer, which structures or factors are involved to provide the best patient care. This knowledge allows us to direct treatment toward its resolution.
Somatic pain may require slightly different treatments compared to painful radiculopathy, as different anatomical structures are affected. Treatments beneficial for nerve pathology may not be effective for muscle dysfunction.
Some common treatments for muscular pain include soft and deep tissue massage, followed by activity modifications for a period of time, and exercise to address underlying factors such as weakness or instability that need to be addressed for long-term benefit. Dry needling can be very helpful in desensitizing painful structures by improving muscle health and delivering non-painful input into the nervous system, which can override the painful signals arriving at the spinal cord and brain.
Nerve disorders can be significantly improved with techniques that decompress vertebral structures, as these are where the nerve roots exit the spine, and mobilization exercises aimed at moving the spinal nerve along its anatomical pathway, affecting the entire leg and spine.
Education plays an invaluable role in treatment outcomes, as back pain has a strong association with mental health and other factors that contribute to lowering our pain threshold (the minimum stimulus required for us to perceive pain).
Peter is our treating myotherapist who specialises in all things nerve and joint pain! He is dedicated to creating a safe space where he can support you through your recovery. Book your first consultation with him today!
