Lower back pain is a common disorder that affects around one-third of adults in the UK each year. Up to 85% of people worldwide will suffer from back pain during their lives and 50% of the working population will experience back pain symptoms at least once a year. This prevalence is high and is leading cause of disability.
It is more commonly seen in office workers, who sit at a desk for long hours, but it is also visible in sports people with specific under or over developed muscles. Lower back pain can originate from a weak lower back, weak or over developed abdominal muscles, tight hamstrings, weak gluteus muscles, or a combination of any of the above.
Exercise plays a great role in keeping the body strong and healthy. People who exercise have a tendency to develop or have experienced lower back pain before need to make sure they are working out all the core muscles (abdominals, upper and lower back, inner thighs, hips and gluteus) Together they keep all structures around the core healthy, supported and pain free, therefore they should be exercised evenly to avoid any imbalances.
Here at CBR Clinics this is a issue seen daily by our therapists. We speccialise in muscle release techniques such as the Emmett Technique, and some of our therapists also offer Dry-Needling, a westernised form of acupuncture, which is incredibly effective when treatment lower back pain.
Another option for those who have the time and money to invest on lower back pain prevention is Pilates. Pilates is a physical fitness system that aims to not only build flexibility, but also strength, endurance, and coordination in the legs, abdominals, arms and back. It became very popular when Madonna, the “queen of Pop”, revealed Pilates was the secret to her fantastically toned and muscular figure. It comes from the principle that in order to attain control of your body you must have a starting place: the center (core muscles). It helps to create stability and build muscle strength, while shaping your body into better alignment.
By now you probably get the picture as to how important the core muscles are in maintaining the body’s suppleness and integrity. As you keep them strong and flexible you nurture the natural curves on your spine and create a neutral position for its joints, thus creating a close to optimal alignment.
We offer in-house 1-2-1 Pilates and Yoga sessions, tailored to your needs. For a free 15 minutes assessment please contact us on the number above or use our online booking facilities.