At Blackberry Clinic we specialise in treatment and rehabilitation for acute or chronic low back pain. Sudden onset acute back pain can be very frightening and debilitating, especially if you have never had back pain before. Jordan Smith, one of the physiotherapy team at Blackberry Clinic Milton Keynes, explains what to look out for if you experience sudden onset acute back pain and what we can offer at our Blackberry Clinics to help you.
Jordan Smith MCSP
Physiotherapist Blackberry Clinic Milton Keynes
Should you fear your acute low back pain?
Acute (up to 6 weeks) low back pain is something that over 80% of us will experience at some point in our lives. It can often begin to consume our lives and make it difficult for us to come to terms with the associated disability that it brings. Although the overall prognosis for those with acute low back pain is benign in nature, approximately 10-15% of these individuals will eventually develop chronic (12 or more weeks) low back pain. It is therefore crucial, in the early stages of low back pain, to tackle the issue head on with a variety of treatment methods and education in order to minimise both the likelihood of developing chronic low back pain as well as the severity of future disability.
One area of rehabilitation for low back pain that can often be over looked is the psychological aspect. One method as healthcare practitioners we use to explain this is the fear avoidance model. Simply put, this model describes how through a painful experience and negative beliefs regarding acute low back pain, an individual becomes fearful and therefore avoidant of physical activity which ultimately leads to long term pain and progression of disability.
What can I do if I suddenly get back pain?
The safest and most beneficial way of addressing your pain for long term health and function of your low back should you get acute low back pain is to seek professional advice and guidance as soon as possible. This can be from a doctor specialising in musculoskeletal conditions, a physiotherapist or a chiropractor for example. Only about 1-3% percentage of acute low back pain cases are deemed medical emergencies so in the meantime, ensuring that you stay as active as possible within pain limits is your best option. This could involve simply going for a short walk.
What can we do at Blackberry Clinic for you?
Each patient will present differently on a broad spectrum of both pain and disability. As healthcare practitioners, we can investigate potential diagnosis causing the low back pain and then tailor a progressive rehabilitation programme using pain education, exercise and passive treatments to ensure the likelihood for acute low back pain developing into chronic low back pain is minimised as much as possible.
We have a multi disciplinary team who are experts in the treatment of acute and chronic low back pain. We work closely with radiologists so if your acute back pain requires further investigation such as an MRI the doctors can refer you to have this done quickly at a local centre. Often the first port of call will be with our physios, osteopaths or chiropractor but if you are in acute pain you can book in to see one of our Musculoskeletal Medicine Doctors or Pain Management consultants who can offer a variety of spinal injections to alleviate your pain, following a thorough examination and diagnosis.
RED FLAG SIGNS
If you are experiencing any of these red flag symptoms below, in conjunction with your recent onset of low back pain, seek professional medical advice immediately.
· Loss of control with either bladder or bowels
· Loss of sensation and strength suddenly down either leg
· Loss of sensation around the groin or buttock area
· Recent sexual dysfunction
Low back pain is not something you have to put up with, at Blackberry Clinic we pride ourselves on getting our patients back on their feet, back to work and back to sport and every day activities.
Read our testimonial page to find out more about the patients we have helped.
