Back Pain

We got your back.

What Is Back Pain?

The back is an intricate region consisting of vital nerves, blood vessels, muscles, ligaments, and bones. It holds us up, gives us mobility, and protects the spinal cord and the crucial network of nerves that send messages from our brains to the tips of our toes.

Because they do so much for us, injuries, complications and pain are inevitable for most of us from time to time. Back pain is one of the most common reasons people take time off work, seek medical help, miss out on social events, and avoid exercise. It’s a costly and disruptive factor. Subsequently, undergoing treatment and preventing further issues is beneficial in countless ways.

Back pain can present in many forms and can last differing lengths of time. Treatment depends on these factors, as well as where your pain is, what is causing it, your lifestyle, and any underlying and contributing factors.

Types Of Back Pain.

The back is a large area involving many elements. Because our back is involved in everything that we do each day, pain can be attributed to a wide range of factors. Some of the most common types of back pain include:

Upper Back Pain

Pain in the top region of the back often involves symptoms such as a sharp stabbing or burning pain, aching, numbness, or tingling. The pain may begin in the spinal area and radiate, involve the ribs, or be more widespread. This often gets worse with use. It can also lead to the involvement of the neck, head, arms, and overall wellbeing. The wide range of causes may include:

Degeneration or damage to the spine or rib cage, such as fractures and bulging dics.
Medical conditions such as osteoporosis and arthritis.
Poor posture.
Injuries due to incidents such as incorrect lifting and falls.
Trauma, such as car accidents.
Smoking.
Obesity.

Lower Back Pain

Pain that develops in the lower region of the back can be very similar to upper back pain in presentation, symptoms, and causes. It can also involve pain, numbness or tingling in the hips, legs or feet. Lower back pain can make it uncomfortable to sit and can reduce mobility.

Generalised Back Pain

Back pain can be ambiguous and involve the whole back region. There may not seem to be a specific trigger or underlying factor or may develop from ongoing overuse and wear and tear. Generalised pain demonstrates the importance of consistent care of the back involving regular assessment of posture, lifting and movement techniques, and lifestyle habits.

Disc Injury

The discs between the vertebrae in our spine act as cushions. They are susceptible to damage and degeneration, leading to issues such as rupture and leaks. This can be extremely painful, lead to mobility limitations, and be a long-lasting problem. Disc issues can be caused by factors such as excessive strain, age, and structural attributes.

Nerve Pain

Nerves are highly important features in our body, and they are sensitive and complex. The back region has many nerves, including those vital to our function, that travel from our brain to the rest of our body. Damage to the nerves can significantly affect the messages sent from our brains, can cause a range of symptoms, and lead to debilitating pain. Nerve pain is often due to damage or disease within the nervous system.

Sciatica

When the sciatic nerve is pinched, compressed or irritated, an array of symptoms can occur, including shooting and burning pain. This often radiates down the legs and can be accompanied by weakness, tingling, or numbness. Sciatica can develop from a range of causes such as:

Bulging discs, injury, trauma, and inflammation.
Facet joint injuries.
Poor posture or manual lifting.
Inflammation.
Spinal degeneration, misalignment or stenosis.
Osteoporosis.
Arthritis.
Piriformis syndrome.

How Optimise Health Can Help You?

Back pain can be significantly troublesome and reduce your ability to carry out your day-to-day activities. It can also affect your mood and ability to concentrate. We approach neck pain holistically and collaboratively at Optimise Health. The range of services we offer can help to reduce your back pain and prevent further problems.

Podiatry

You may not automatically think of seeking help for back pain from a podiatrist. However, foot issues such as flat feet can contribute to back problems. Our podiatrists can identify and treat underlying issues that may be a related factor.

Physiotherapy

For those seeking physiotherapeutic care in Toowoomba or Warwick, our clinic provides an array of treatments designed to restore movement and function. From pilates to hydrotherapy, our services cater to individual needs and objectives.

Pilates

Optimise Health offers onsite 45-minute mat and reformer Pilates classes. These involve a maximum of four people or can be provided one-on-one.
Clinical Pilates can improve and prevent back pain when done correctly and is suitable for most people.

Get Back On The Field With Optimise Health.

We understand how sports can place extreme stress on the body and put us at significant risk of injury. We also understand that each person’s injury and experience with that injury is different, which is why we offer tailored treatment that is designed specifically for you!

At Optimise Health, we have a wide range of services for both rehabilitation and optimisation, including biomechanical examination, movement analysis, and assessments for athletes such as cyclists and runners. In addition to treatment, we incorporate education into everything we do, so that you have the resources to hopefully prevent any further injuries in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions.

Will my back pain go away on its own?

Back pain may improve without treatment depending on the cause, but it may return. It can also be an indicator of other issues. Subsequently, treatment can be beneficial no matter what type of pain you are experiencing and how long it has been present.

If I’m already in so much pain, won’t manual therapy and exercise make it worse?

Our team are highly trained and experienced. We understand the idea of certain types of treatment can seem counterproductive, scary, or overwhelming. We provide treatment that is suitable for your situation and will explain everything we do before carrying it out, so you know what to expect. We are friendly, approachable, and gentle!

What if my back pain is due to something bigger?

The practitioner/s you see will undertake a comprehensive assessment of your back pain to identify or exclude serious causes that need further investigation, which may include scans or assistance from other medical practitioners.

Why Choose Optimise Health?

Proactive Treatment

At Optimise Health, we know that prevention is as important as pain management, or even more so. That is why many of our treatment plans involve options that concentrate on underlying factors, risk reduction, and education.

Multidisciplinary

Our team consists of a range of allied health professionals. This means that you can undergo a variety of treatment options suitable for your requirements and goals.

Onsite classes and equipment

Our clinic has a variety of high-quality resources that make it easy to undergo beneficial and up to date treatment. This includes options such as reformer machines, gym access, and orthotics equipment.

Get Back to A Better Back.

Back pain can be debilitating and impact many facets of life. Putting up with it shouldn’t be an option. By seeking help, you can receive treatment that can decrease your pain and learn more about your back and how to look after it well. Beyond treatment, we’ll support your journey going forward to prevent relapses and other conditions from developing. Our goal is to help you remain healthy and pain-free well into the future. We do so by recommending treatments, exercises, and lifestyle habits that support a healthy back and general well-being.

Optimise Your Health Today.

Our qualified and experienced multidisciplinary team are here to support you. When you visit our clinic, we will look after you well. Contact us to make an appointment for a full back pain assessment.