Lower Back Pain

Unfortunately over 80% of people will experience a lower back injury at some stage of their life. A lumbar disc injury is one of the most common causes of lower back pain, especially for people aged from 20 years old through to 55 years of age.

A lumbar disc is located between every vertebra in our lumbar spine. Discs are designed to provide shock absorption, and for separation of our vertebral bones to allow the nerves exiting our spinal cord sufficient space to exit the spine. These nerves travel down the leg, and an injury to one or more of our lumbar discs can result in pressure on these nerves. This can result in pain down the leg, altered sensation, loss of strength and other sometimes more serious symptoms relating to an interruption to nerve function.

Lumbar Disc Symptoms

• Lower back pain, sudden or gradual in onset.

• Pain on one or both sides of your back, which can sometimes change sides and location.

• May also experience leg pain, pins and needles, numbness or weakness if nerve compression is also present.

• Worse typically with bending forwards, sitting for long periods of time, and heavy lifting.

• Better typically whilst walking.

• Morning stiffness and soreness.

• Occasionally people find they cannot stand up straight.

Common causes

Disc injuries can be caused by either a single traumatic episode, or repeated trauma over time which is more common.

The risk of having a lumbar disc injury is increased significantly by poor sitting postures, incorrect lifting technique, being overweight, and not performing enough regular exercise.

Treatment and Management

If you are experiencing lower back pain, make sure you do the following

• Assessed by a physio

• Clear diagnosis and treatment plan

• Individual exercise program

• Ergonomic assessment for office workers

• Use correct lifting techniques