Hunter Physio Sports Clinic Newcastle helps patients suffering from back, lower back and pelvic pain
Low Back Pain is an extremely common complaint in modern society with up to 80% of the population suffering some form of lower back pain in their lifetime.
What Causes Lower Back Pain?
Low back pain generally comes on from placing too much stress on structures in the back including discs, joints, ligament and muscles.
Low back injury can occur acutely through direct trauma such as lifting incorrectly or a sporting injury, but can also develop slowly over a long period of time due to poor posture, muscle imbalances, and an inability to correctly activate the core stabilizing muscles. Fortunately, most people will recover quickly with the right treatment.
Thorough Assessment and Treatment
The physiotherapists at Hunter Physio Sports Clinic will conduct a thorough initial assessment of your Lumbar spine and pelvis to determine which structures are contributing to your pain and dysfunction and therefore be able to tailor treatment to address your specific needs.
Below is a list of some of the conditions we commonly treat:
Lumbar Spine (Lower back pain)
- Lumbar Disc Bulge
- Sciatica
- Pinched Nerve
- Scoliosis
- Lumbar Disc Prolapse
- Facet Joint Sprain
- Spondylolisthesis
- Lumbar Stress Fracture
- Sway back
- End Plate Degeneration
- Lumbar Spine Osteo-Arthritis
Pelvic Pain
Pain and dysfunction involving the joints of the pelvis i.e. sacro – iliac joints and pubic symphysis are often difficult to diagnose and treat and therefore require assessment by physiotherapists experienced in this area.
Pelvic Dysfunction Can Influence Low Back Pain
Research suggests that up to 30% of low back pain is related to pain and dysfunction in the joints of the pelvis.
Pelvic dysfunction can occur after a fall on the buttock or knee, a tripping injury, a lifting injury, or commonly during childbirth.
Symptoms of Pelvic Dysfunction
Pelvic dysfunction can cause a multitude of problems including pain in the pelvic and buttock region with walking or standing on one leg, groin pain, hip pain, or even altered bladder control.
It can also cause changes to neural tension in the lower limb which may predispose an athlete to hamstring muscle tears, quadriceps muscle tears or calf strains.
Strengthen Your Core
Ineffective core activation can mean that lumbopelvic stability is insufficient to cope with the rigours of exercise and may even affect activities of daily living.
Pelvic Pain During Pregnancy
During pregnancy many women experience low back, pelvic and/or buttock pain due to the additional load placed on their body due to their growing baby. Hormonal changes which change ligament elasticity cause increased mobility at the pubic symphysis and sacro – iliac joints, which can produce pain and inflammation at these joints or occasionally, the extra mobility within the pelvic joints can leave the joints vulnerable to injury, such as might occur with a slip or a fall.
Expert Physio During and After Pregnancy
At Hunter Physio Sports Clinic our physios have particular expertise in managing injuries related to pregnancy and childbirth and, after thorough assessment, plan a programme of treatment which addresses your specific needs. This may be techniques to restore pelvic symmetry; exercises to improve core muscle strength or a combination of the two.