Low back pain for many of us is somewhat of a middle age problem. Lots of sufferers begin to seek physio care in their thirties and forties and wonder how it all happened. Perhaps it was a sneeze, a long drive, or gardening in the yard that set the pain off. But you were always able to do these things before without so much as a chirp from your low back. And now things are different. Even job stress can add to back pain.
So how come your back seems so weak, when it was so strong before? What changed? Not much in fact. The reality is that back problems begin during our youth. With advances in MRI technology we can study changes in the discs of the back to see when these injuries first occur. Spinal degeneration begins to occur at age 10, provided some trauma has occurred, such as from competitive sports or simply goofing off as a child. Rarely is significant pain involved and the child seems to shake off the injury with little future consequence. But having back pain is not the same as a having a back problem, such as a sprain of the disc. When the pain subsides, it does not always mean that symmetrical motion of the joint is restored and the vertebrae are now back in their normal position...but the pain may be much less.
Our bodies have a tremendous capacity to heal on their own without any type of doctor helping out. Mother Nature and innate intelligence is the best doctor. But sometimes recovery and return to full and optimum health is incomplete.
Over time the effects of gravity, and daily stresses, cause the joint to become more injured until something as simple as making the bed causes excruciating pain. But was it really the bed making? Probably not because this is something you have done every day of your life. A thorough examination by a chartered physiotherapist prior to the onset of pain could have perhaps discovered one of these "silent" injuries. But most people wait until the pain happens before seeking help.
It is important to be checked after a trauma, even in young children. Properly diagnosing the extent of injury is the first step to getting you the care you may need.
The pain often goes away quickly and we often think the problem has also completely healed.
Getting regular checkups to make sure the motions of your spine are fluid and symmetrical is one potential way to avoid bigger problems down the road. We can also advise you on preventive strategies to minimise the risk of injury, such as proper lifting techniques. Email [email protected] to get our free book Secrets to a Healthy Spine, or for more information about back Pilates and availing of a free trial visit everardpilates.com/backfreetrial
