Chiropractic care can be an option for many types of mechanical lower back pain. Treatment may include spinal manipulation, mobilisation, soft tissue techniques and advice on movement and exercise. Before recommending treatment, we’ll assess you to establish the likely cause of your back pain and whether chiropractic care is appropriate.

Lower back pain can have many different causes. These include muscle and joint problems, strains and sprains, irritated spinal joints, disc problems, sciatica, injuries and age-related changes. Sometimes there is no single obvious cause. A thorough assessment can help determine what may be contributing to your symptoms.

Sciatica usually describes pain caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, often producing pain that travels from the lower back or buttock into the leg. Depending on the cause of your symptoms, chiropractic treatment and appropriate exercises may form part of your treatment plan.

Some people with disc-related back pain can be managed without surgery. Whether chiropractic treatment is appropriate depends on your symptoms, examination findings and the extent of any nerve involvement. We’ll assess you first and, if your condition requires further investigation or specialist medical care, we’ll explain this to you.

Not necessarily. Most people with back pain do not routinely require an X-ray. If, following your consultation and examination, your chiropractor believes imaging is clinically indicated, we have digital X-ray facilities available at our Leigh-on-Sea clinic.

In most cases of uncomplicated lower back pain, remaining reasonably active is preferable to prolonged bed rest. The type and amount of activity that is appropriate will depend on your symptoms. We can advise you on movement and exercises appropriate to your individual condition.

Recovery times vary considerably. Some episodes of back pain settle relatively quickly, while persistent or recurrent problems can take longer to improve. Factors such as the cause of the pain, how long you have had it, your general health, activity levels and how you respond to treatment can all affect recovery.

Most back pain is not caused by a serious condition. However, certain symptoms require urgent medical assessment. These can include new problems controlling your bladder or bowels, numbness around the genitals or saddle area, significant or worsening weakness in the legs, or back pain associated with serious trauma or significant illness. If you develop these symptoms, seek urgent medical attention rather than waiting for a routine chiropractic appointment.

We’ll discuss your back pain, medical history and how your symptoms are affecting you before carrying out an appropriate physical examination. This may include orthopaedic, neurological, movement and postural assessments. X-rays may be taken if clinically indicated. We’ll then explain our findings and discuss the treatment options appropriate for you.

Optimum Spine Centre is located at 1212 London Road, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 2UA. We treat patients with back pain from Leigh-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea, Westcliff, Hadleigh, Benfleet, Rayleigh and surrounding areas. You can book a consultation online or call us on 01702 710084.