You Are Not Alone!

Back pain? You’re not alone

Eight out of ten people in the UK will experience some form of back pain at one point in their lives. It's a serious health problem that often goes untreated. One of the reasons back pain is so common is that it can be caused by so many different things.

Work-related injuries
Sports injuries
Poor posture
Stress
Car accidents
Improper lifting

Any of these things can cause your spine to shift from its normal position or affect your range of motion. This puts pressure on the joints, muscles, and nerves in that area, and is what causes most back pain. A healthy back is essential for a healthy body. For some people, chiropractic treatment is like a regular tune-up for their back, to help deal with the daily wear and tear of life. For others, it's an effective treatment when back pain strikes. Take the time to discuss with your chiropractor the level of care that's best for you.

Back problem warning Signs:
Here are some symptoms which might indicate that you suffer from a back problem:

Leg pain with numbness, tingling, and/or weakness

Back or leg pain with coughing or sneezing

Difficulty standing up after sitting for any period of time

Stiffness in the morning that decreases when you move around

Pain in your hip, buttock, thigh, knee, or foot

Inability to turn or bend to each side equally

Unbalanced posture, when your head, neck, or shoulder may be higher on one side than the other

Pain which prevents you from sleeping well

Pain that persists or worsens after 48 hours.

A Physical Therapist treats your back pain by addressing the cause of the pain. A Physical adjustment allows your spine to return to its proper position and improve your range of motion, letting you feel like yourself again. It's simple, and it works.

Just How Safe is Osteopathy?

How safe is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy has one of the best safety records of any medically related profession, however no form of medical treatment is ever 100% safe in every case.

Osteopaths have been trained to recognise any condition that might make osteopathic treatment inadvisable so that they can refer their patients for appropriate medical intervention when necessary. In the same way that a family physician regards safety as the most important factor in selecting the appropriate medication for a particular patient, Osteopaths also select the most appropriate style of treatment with safety as the prime consideration.

Contrary to that which some might try and lead you to believe, NO healthcare professional wants you to come to any harm.

Are there any side-effects or risks to osteopathic treatment?
Yes, but there are risks in everything that we do in life. Most of osteopathic patients feel no reactions at all.

Common: general ache or soreness for 24-48 hours following a positive response to osteopathic treatment.

Infrequent: exacerbation of symptoms due to reaction to osteopathic treatment.

Extremely rare: serious complications requiring medical intervention.

Upper Neck (Cervical HVT or HVLA) Manipulations

This leads us neatly into 'upper neck manipulations'. A topic that at best is described as "run-of-the-mill" and at worst is likened to the "handy-work of the devil himself". As is often the case, the truth is somewhere in between and YOU have to decide whom to believe as there is no simple answer.

If someone is NOT trained and experienced, you are asking for trouble. If your practitioner (osteopath or chiropractor) REFUSES to manipulate your neck, even if they are trained and you insist upon it, then you are a liability to both yourself and your practitioner.

Neck manipulations, whether osteopathic or chiropractic, are exceptionally safe when done by trained and experienced professionals. For example, a woman in the UK has more chance of dropping dead from using the contraceptive pill than suffering a stroke (or worse) from a neck manipulation. Think about it. how many women do YOU know who have died from using the contraceptive pill? For me, none, but I am very aware that inexperience in neck techniques can still be a liability.

Let's clear up exactly what a "stroke" is: a stroke is damage to the brain due to the interruption of its blood supply either by a small clot or a narrowing/overstretched blood vessel. Symptoms can involve headache, dizziness, confusion, visual disturbance, slurred or loss of speech, a difficulty in swallowing and, in some cases, death.

The causes of a stroke are unpredictable and can occur through sudden or extreme end of range positions. Look at the list below:

· leaning your head back over a basin at the hairdressing salon
· coughing
· sneezing
· turning your head while reversing your car
· or any of a number of other day-to-day neck movements.

The problem is this: there is no way possible for any osteopath, physician or chiropractor to predict with 100% certainty whom (if anyone) is susceptible to a stroke, just as we cannot predict which (if any) woman will suffer from using the contraceptive pill.

So how safe are osteopathic manipulations? The British health benefits (insurance) company BUPA describes osteopathy as follows: "There is a general consensus that osteopathy is less risky in terms of spinal injury because osteopaths usually use less forceful manipulation techniques on the spine."

Add the above quote from BUPA to data from North American chiropractors suggesting that 1 in every 1.46 million chiropractic neck manipulations will result in a stroke (1 in 1 million women in the UK will die from using oral contraception) and you can see how safe UK osteopaths can be... and that is not to take anything away from chiropractors and their expertise either.

So why do all the scare-mongers lay in to osteopaths and chiropractors? For me, it is a matter of some members of the public wanting someone to blame rather than taking responsibility for their own actions and also some physicians clinging to "medical paternalism" when the world of healthcare is changing rapidly.

Experience in these matters is essential and that is why full-time specific osteopathic training is second-to-none in the UK. I know that it will upset other countries trained osteopaths when I say this, but if someone is going to manipulate MY upper neck I know exactly whom I want to do it (and whom not). If they haven't had a tutor breathing down their neck daily for 4 years non-stop, then they are probably not as badgered about neck manipulations as our Osteopaths are in Britain.

The bottom line:

· If you have any concerns about neck manipulations, you should refuse them.

· If your Osteopath is concerned, he/she has the right to refuse to manipulate your neck, no matter how much of a fuss you create.

· If you are concerned with ANY symptoms either before or after osteopathic treatment, see your physician.

· If experienced osteopathic and chiropractic neck manipulations are as dangerous as some say, patients would be dropping like flies on a daily basis.

· Make up your own mind and don't let anyone (including me) convince you of something that you are not happy with.

www.backtrouble.co.uk/

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis embraces a broad spectrum of clinical conditions with the common feature being that of primary joint failure.
Prevention is the ideal goal, however opportunities to achieve this are limited by our incomplete understanding of the aetiopathology.

The principles of Preventive Intervention are education about the condition, modification of lifestyle, and judicious exercise and joint protection, together with adequate pain relief. Optimum management involves a team approach that includes orthopaedic surgical expertise, as surgery can provide an alternative to continuing discomfort and limited mobility.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorder in humans and increases with increasing age. It affects up to 70% of the world population over 65 years of age as well as a significant proportion of younger people. Osteoarthritis is multifactorial in causation and may be defined as primary failure of the joint with degeneration of articular cartilage.

The pathophysiology of the condition has been well reviewed.

Physical, Genetic, Chemical and Immunological factors are involved. The disorder may be primary or the almost inevitable sequel to previous joint damage.

Clinical Presentation:

There are 3 broad groups:

a. symmetrical peripheral arthritis
Heberden's nodes

Primary generalised osteoarthritis (PGOA) in females
Non-nodal OA in males

b. Oligoarticular large joint disease

c. Spinal arthritis
Spondylosis
Apophyseal OA

While OA is generally accepted as non-inflammatory in nature, localised inflammation can be demonstrated and may be prominent in certain forms such as 'erosive OA' of the fingers. However, in most instances, the precise aetiology cannot be defined and changes in articular cartilage are present long before clinical manifestations become apparent.

Preventive intervention:

Osteoarthritis is aggravated by several factors including obesity, occupation, and the nature of any previous joint damage and the presence of underlying joint disease. Recognition of these factors provides an opportunity for primary, secondary and tertiary preventive interventions, which include:

1. Weight reduction
2. Occupational modification (Posture/Occupational Assessments)
3. Joint protection
4. Team management approach (GP, Osteopath, Chiropractic, Surgeon, and Physiotherapist)
5. Analgesic techniques
6. Education groups for patients and relatives

Conclusion:

There are many approaches to the management of patients with osteoarthritis. It is my belief that Preventive Intervention has an important role in the total care of the patient and is often undervalued and under-utilised.

T. O'Brien (Back Trouble UK)

Your Foot & your Leg?

Podiatry is primarily concerned with treating problems and injuries that occur due to altered foot function. Our Podiatrists will look at the relationship between your foot and leg and their working effect on the rest of your body. They will look at the causes of the injury and altered foot mechanics and, where appropriate, prescribe orthotics to improve the foot mechanics. It has been shown that a high percentage of lower back pain, hip, knee pain, shin and foot pain can, in some cases, be improved through improving altered foot function.

Visiting the Podiatrist:

Call us....or request a Free Consultation?

The Podiatrist will first take a detailed history of your condition together with any relevant past medical history. A physical assessment will then be undertaken to determine the clinical diagnosis of your problem. The patient's movement may be analysed, walking and running on a treadmill with a digital video camera from the rear and side view. The digital camera allows for freeze-frame analysis of specific points in the gait. Pressure plate gait analysis may also be used to provide objective data on a limb function and foot pressure distribution. From the results of this comprehensive analysis the podiatrist can paint a picture of the causes of the injury problems. These causes are usually a combination of factors, such as poor flexibility, strength and mis-alignment of the foot or lower leg. The main purpose of an orthotic is to place the foot in a position in which it can move naturally and remain stable. Therefore, the orthotic tackles only the mis-alignment problems.

Therefore, the podiatrist works closely at our clinic's with the physiotherapists to ensure that a correct rehabilitation programme is implemented to correct any postural problems, improve core stability, strengthen the ankle muscles, increase flexibility and improve proprioception. If you don't do these things, the money spent on orthotics may be wasted. We look to manage the condition and prevent problems in the future.

Back Trouble UK = 1st Choice for Back pain!

Babies need help 2 ?

Osteopathy for Baby and Child

It is a common belief that babies and children should have no structural stresses or strains in their bodies, because they are so young. The reality is very different.
Birth is one of the most stressful events of our lives. The baby is subjected to enormous forces, as the uterus pushes to expel the baby against the natural resistance of the birth canal. The baby has to twist and turn as it squeezes through the bony pelvis, on its short but highly stimulating and potentially stressful journey.

A baby’s head has the remarkable ability to absorb these stresses in a normal delivery. In order to reduce the size of the head, the soft bones overlap, bend and warp as the baby descends. The baby’s chin is normally well tucked down towards its chest to reduce the presenting diameter of the head.

Many babies are born with odd shaped heads as a result. In the first few days, the head can usually be seen to gradually lose the moulded shape, as the baby suckles, cries, yawns etc. However, this unmoulding process is often incomplete, especially if the birth has been difficult. As a result, the baby may have to live with some potentially uncomfortable stresses within its head and body.

What effect does this have?

Some babies cope extremely well with even quite severe retained moulding and compression, and are contented and happy.
For others it is a different story, and they can display a variety of problems:
Crying and/or irritable baby wanting to be held constantly or rocked...
The reason - the baby may be uncomfortable, with a constant feeling of pressure in the head similar to a headache. This is made worse by the extra pressure on the head when lying down.
Feeding difficulties, often windy...

The reason - feeding is difficult and tiring due to stresses through the head, face and throat.
Sickness, wind and symptoms of colic...
The reason - regurgitation and trapped wind result due to the irritation of the nerves that supply the stomach and diaphragm (which originate in the neck), this constricts the stomach opening causing overfill reflux and difficulty expelling air.

Sleep disturbances...

The reason - the tension on the bony and membranous casing of the skull keeps the baby’s nervous system in a persistently alert state, they may also be uncomfortable. As the child grows: As the child grows, the effects of retained moulding can lead to other problems. The following are the most common but is not an exhaustive list:

Nasal and Ear Infections

Glue Ear
Sinus and Dental problems
Behavioural problems and learning difficulties
Headaches, aches and pains
Attention difficulties
For the older child - growing pains
Osteopathic treatment of babies and children

Treatment using the cranial approach is very gentle, safe and effective in the treatment of babies and older children.

Specific gentle pressure is applied wherever necessary (not only on the head) to enable the inherent healing ability of the body to effect the release of stresses.

Reactions to treatment are variable; often the baby or child is very relaxed afterwards and sleeps well. Others have a burst of energy after treatment, usually followed by a good night’s sleep. Occasionally the child may seem unsettled and this is merely because treatment may take a few hours or days to complete.

On average, 2 to 6 treatments are sufficient. This varies according to the severity of the actual problem and the age of the child.

Ideally it is best to commence treatment early in a child’s life; it is never too early or late to begin treatment. At Back Trouble UK we treat newly born babies and pensioners alike. The vast majority of our practitioners are also trained in structural osteopathy for those children or adults with more structural problems.

Terry O’Brien-Back Trouble UK (www.backtrouble.co.uk)

Does Physio do the Job?

Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation

One of the most important components of each patient's treatment is a progressive, well planned and executed rehabilitation programme. This will focus on maximum functional restoration and return you to a healthy active life-style. Our aim is to fully assess the patient and provide a comprehensive programme of treatment to anable you to get back to your full potential in the shortest time possible. This will consists of a variety of physical therapy techniques and modalities to assist you in attaining your goal.

All Back Trouble UK clinic’s physiotherapists are chartered and state registered.

We are here to help address your pain and discomfort.

www.backtrouble.co.uk/

Diagnosing Your Condition:

Clinical Examination:

The exam will probably begin with a medical history during which the practitioner will ask about your symptoms, your lifestyle, and about how the pain affects your daily life. This will help the doctor assess the contribution stress and lifestyle factors make to your pain. If this is your first visit, the doctor will also ask about your other medical conditions and about any surgeries you have had.

The practitioner will examine your neck and/or back and will check your ability to sit, stand, walk, and lift your arms or legs. He/she will also assess sensation (what you feel and how you feel it) and the strength of the reflexes in various parts of your body. This will help determine where the pain originates from (which is not always the same place where you feel the pain), what degree of pain-free motion you have, and whether you have muscle spasms. It will also help rule out a more serious underlying condition as the cause of the pain.

Based on the findings of the clinical examination, the practitioner may recommend some diagnostic tests. The most common ones are:

Xray

Computed Tomography (CT Scan.)

Myelogram

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Electromyogram (EMG)

After the clinical examination and the diagnostic studies, the doctor may determine the best way to treat your pain or may refer you to a specialist (such as an orthopaedist or neurologist), a physical therapist, or a chiropractor for further evaluation and treatment.
If you do not understand what is being explained to you, don’t be afraid to ask for clarification. It is important for you to understand your back pain so you will be better able to make informed choices and to cope with your pain.

Diagnostic Tests For Back Pain:

X–ray imaging can create detailed images of different types of tissues. For example, an x–ray of the spine can show the vertebrae and the central nervous system. It can detect fractures, infections, dislocations, tumours, bone spurs, and disc disease and help doctors evaluate spinal curvature and defects. However, not all spinal injuries can be seen on x–rays, so doctors sometimes recommend other tests such as a CT scan, MRI, or myelogram to provide more information about the structures in the back.

CT (computed tomography) scan—sometimes referred to as a CAT scan—can show the size and shape of the spinal canal, its contents, and the structures around it. A CT scan is especially helpful for showing bone detail, including stenosis. Sometimes a CT scan is done in combination with a myelogram of the spine to provide additional information.

Myelogram is a type of x–ray study that uses a special dye to make the spinal canal and nerve roots clearer. After the area is numbed with a local anaesthetic, a thin needle is used to inject the dye into the subarachnoid space (the fluid-filled space between the bones in the spinal column). It is sometimes used when other tests, such as a CT scan or MRI, do not detect the cause of the pain.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) produces a three-dimensional image of body structures using powerful magnets and computer technology. It can show the spinal cord, nerve roots, and surrounding areas and can identify tumours and areas of enlargement or degeneration.

EMG (electromyogram) measures the electrical impulses in a muscle when it is at rest and when it contracts. This allows doctors to diagnose problems that damage muscles, nerves, and the places where nerves and muscles meet. Herniated disc is one of these problems. This test involves the placement of an electrode into a muscle. A wire connects the electrode to a machine that records the electrical activity in that muscle.

Reiki-What's it about?

Reiki

Reiki is the Japanese word for "Universal Life Energy" and is a form of healing which involves the laying on of hands.

This life energy flows through all living things and can be activated by the channeling of spiritual well-being and healing through the hands of the practitioner - it activates the body's own ability to heal and energise.

Whilst treatment is being received, sensations of warmth or cold are often felt and occasionally a tingling sensation is experienced through the areas being touched.

During treatment, patients have often been known to fall asleep as they feel so relaxed. Patients are fully clothed throughout the treament and are usually lying down on a bench (called a "plinth").

This treatment is extremely beneficial to clients who suffer from depression, stress, migraine, menstrual problems, sinus pain, menopause, back pain and so on. Reiki is completely safe and can be used in conjunction with other forms of medication. Each treatment lasts an hour.

Call Back Trouble UK or simply Request a FREE Consultation?

Lifetime "Spinal Health" Programme!

Our network of clinic’s practice is very much a wellness based practice - recommending ongoing preventative treatment rather than alleviating the present symptoms and waiting for a further reoccurrence.

Our Lifetime ("Back" to Health programme) has been developed specifically for patients who have experienced recurring episodes of back pain. It has been developed to prevent continual reoccurrence. Up to now we have as practitioners been using reactive treatment. What we now offer is proactive treatment.

Reactive treatment is likened to saving a drowning woman, emptying her lungs and then returning her to the water. Our spine plays a fundamental role in our health as it supplies every organ in the body sending and receiving messages to and from the brain.

When a vertebra moves out of place it is called a "subluxation". This can cause nerve impingement and can affect the function of the organ that it is supplying. This can prevent "Optimum Health" and can cause degenerative changes leading to stiffness, pain, and other problems.

Recent research shows that within 3 weeks of a subluxation occurring, the first signs of wear can be detected. We therefore recommend monthly spinal health checks so that any misalignment can be corrected before they cause problems.

To encourage patients to attend monthly we have based it on a standing order. The cost is a modest £25 per month, which is less than 83p per day.

To find out more, simply email: consultants@backtrouble.co.uk