Lower back pain is one of the most commonly diagnosed physical ailments in the world, with ACC estimating that as many as 90% of the New Zealand population will experience some form of back pain in their lives.
It’s important to differentiate between the symptoms and causes of lower back pain so you can receive the proper treatment, so we’ve summarized 4 categories of back pain and their common symptoms.
Local pain
This can be caused by anything that presses or irritates the sensory nerve endings in the area. Causes could include fractures, tears or strain to soft tissues, including muscles, ligaments, tendons, synovial membranes and the like. There may be local swelling present. The pain could be constant or intermittent, experienced as sharp or dull and very localized. The muscles in the area may go into protective spasm causing a reduction in movement. Massage therapy can be used as both a preventative measure and an effective treatment, as the increased range of movement and flexibility can reduce the risk of injuring back muscles. Muscle strain and soft tissue can be healed, they are generally caused by heavy lifting, twisting, or sudden movement.
Referred pain
This is due to the projection of pain from one area to another. Referred pain to the lower back commonly emanates from the lumbar and abdominal regions and can be experienced as diffuse, deep and aching.Trigger points in the soft tissue of this region are commonly found and can be treated by massage therapy. In some cases the referral may be coming from the local viscera ( or organs). It is less likely that movement will aggravate the pain if it is visceral. In these cases you would need to seek medical advise from your health professional.
Radicular or Nerve pain
Often experienced as sharp or shooting pain radiating downwards. The pain will be localized to the areas supplied by the nerves involved. Movement of the spine that irritates the nerve will trigger the pain, including coughing & sneezing. Irritation of the L4, L5 and S1 nerve root will produce what is termed Sciatica. It can be experienced down the back and sides of the legs. Numbness and tingling can be experienced with Sciatica. Pain described as jabbing, burning/cold are often caused by nerve pain. At this point we would recommend more than massage therapy and suggest you make a doctor’s appointment.
Muscle Spasm
Pain resulting from muscle spasm is often described as ‘cramping’ or ‘a dull ache’. Muscles can shorten and cramp for various reasons. Muscles may spasm as a protective mechanism where there is an underlying injury or simply could be a result of exercise or overuse. In any case the team at Fruition will be able to assess what massage is appropriate for you in theses instances.
If you have been suffering from lower back pain, Fruition Massage & Stretch Therapy know how to ease your discomfort and set you on the right path for a pain free future. We’re already providing this service for our clients in the Wellington area, call us today and experience the difference our professional team can make.
