Relieving Back Pain with Osteopathy

Relieving Back Pain with Osteopathy

Why is back pain so common?

Back pain is one of the most common ailments in today's society, and its causes can vary from mild muscular problems to more serious conditions such as herniated discs or degenerative diseases. But why is it so common? And how to relieve back pain with Osteopathy

1. Sedentary lifestyle: We spend many hours sitting, either in front of the computer, in the car or on the sofa. This lack of movement weakens the back muscles and generates tension.
   • Practical exampleI remember a patient who worked 10 hours a day in front of a computer. His pain was not caused by a serious injury, but by stiffness accumulated due to lack of movement and poor posture.
2. Incorrect postures: Many people are not aware of how poor posture can put strain on the spine. Leaning forward when using a mobile phone or keeping your back hunched for hours can cause tension in the vertebrae and muscles.
3. Stress and emotional tensions: Stress not only affects our mind, but also our body. In my practice, I have observed that many people accumulate tension in the cervical and lumbar areas when they are under emotional pressure.
4. Lack of regular physical activity: Muscles need movement to stay strong and flexible. Inactivity can lead to muscle imbalances that increase pressure on the spine.

Impact on quality of life and the importance of seeking effective solutions

Back pain is not only a physical discomfort; it also affects the quality of life in many ways:

• Limitations in daily activities: Simple tasks like bending over, lifting an object, or even walking can become challenges.
  • Real case: A patient told me that he stopped playing with his children in the park because he found it impossible to run after them without pain.
• Emotional effectsLiving with constant pain can lead to frustration, anxiety or even depression. Many people feel that their lives are limited by this problem.
• Sleep problems: Back pain can make it difficult to find a comfortable position to rest, which affects physical and mental recovery.

What is osteopathy and how can it help with back pain?

Simple definition of osteopathy

Osteopathy is a manual therapy that seeks to restore the body's natural balance. It is based on the idea that all the body's systems are interconnected and that the body has an innate ability to heal itself if any blockage or restriction in its functioning is removed.

When it comes to back pain, osteopathy does not only focus on the symptoms, but on finding the underlying cause. For example, lower back pain can be related to pelvic dysfunction, poor posture or even visceral tension. The goal is to restore mobility and harmony to the body, reducing pain and improving quality of life.

Differences between osteopathy, physiotherapy and chiromassage

• Osteopathy:
  It focuses on a comprehensive diagnosis of the body and uses specific manipulations and techniques to treat the causes of pain, not just the symptoms. In consultation, it is common for an osteopath to explore not only the back, but also how other parts of the body interact, such as the pelvis, diaphragm or even internal organs.Practical example: A patient with recurrent back pain found that the cause was a blockage of the diaphragm due to stress. A release technique in that area relieved his discomfort.
• Physiotherapy:
  More oriented towards rehabilitation and strengthening after an injury or surgery. It uses tools such as exercises, electrotherapy and manual techniques, but with a more localized approach.
  Key differenceWhile physiotherapy usually addresses the affected area directly, osteopathy looks for global connections that can influence the problem.
• Chiromassage:
  It focuses on relaxing soft tissues, such as muscles and tendons. It is very effective in relieving tension and improving circulation, but it does not address the structural or functional causes of pain as deeply as osteopathy.Practical exampleIn cases of lumbar tension due to stress, a chiromassage can relax the muscles, while osteopathy would work on the joints and movement patterns to prevent the pain from returning.

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Osteopathic principles applied to back care

1. Structure and function are interrelated
   This means that if a joint or tissue is restricted, it affects its function. For example, a blocked lumbar vertebra can cause pain that spreads to nearby muscles and nerves. Releasing that restriction improves mobility and reduces pain.
2. The body is a unit
   In osteopathy, it is not just the back that is treated, but how it interacts with the rest of the body. Lower back pain can be related to a shorter leg, an imbalance in the pelvis or even an abdominal scar that restricts movement.
3. The body has self-healing capacity
   Osteopathic techniques do not directly “cure” but rather help the body to find its balance. By releasing tensions and blockages, the natural recovery of tissue is encouraged.
4. Movement as the key to health
   Movement is essential to maintaining a healthy back. Osteopathy seeks to restore mobility to joints, tissues and systems, as a body that moves well tends to hurt less.

Common causes of back pain treated by osteopathy

1. Muscle tension and incorrect postures

Daily stress, long hours in front of the computer and poor posture are responsible for many muscle tensions that end up affecting the back.

• What's going on? Muscles work harder than they should to compensate for postural imbalances, such as one shoulder higher than the other or an exaggerated curvature of the spine (hyperlordosis or hyperkyphosis). This can lead to localized or radiated pain, stiffness and difficulty moving.
• How osteopathy works:
  • Release muscle tension through gentle techniques such as specific stretches or muscle inhibitions.
  • Corrects postural imbalances by adjusting the position of the vertebrae and improving joint mobility.
  • Practical example: A patient who worked standing for long hours was suffering from constant lower back pain. We discovered that he was slightly tilting his pelvis forward, which was putting stress on the lower back muscles. With pelvic adjustments and muscle work, his pain improved significantly.

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2. Joint blocks and their impact on movement

The joints of the spine, such as the intervertebral and costovertebral joints (between the ribs and vertebrae), can become blocked or have restricted mobility due to sudden movements, lack of exercise or prolonged poor posture.

• What's going on? A joint blockage not only causes pain in the affected area, but can also affect the movement of other parts of the body. For example, a blockage in the thoracic area can make it difficult to breathe deeply and put strain on the lumbar or cervical area.
• How osteopathy works:
  • Uses precise and safe joint manipulations to release blockages. These techniques, known as adjustments, restore spinal mobility.
  • They combine joint work with relaxation of the surrounding muscles to prevent the blockage from returning.
  • Practical example: An athlete who complained of back pain after training had two blocked vertebrae in the thoracic area. With gentle manipulation and mobilization, he regained his range of motion and the pain disappeared.

3. Visceral problems related to back pain

Osteopathy does not only focus on bones and muscles; it also considers the relationship between internal organs (viscera) and the musculoskeletal system. Problems in organs such as the stomach, intestines or kidneys can manifest as back pain.

• What's going on? The viscera are connected to the musculoskeletal system through fascia and nerves. If an organ is in dysfunction (due to inflammation, tension or scarring), it can generate tensions that are transmitted to the spine. For example:
  • A liver problem can cause pain on the right side of the back.
  • Chronic constipation can cause lower back tension.
• How osteopathy works:
  • Applies visceral techniques to improve the mobility and function of the affected organs.
  • Releases fascia and reduces reflex tensions that affect the back.
  • Practical example: A patient with chronic lower back pain had a history of digestive problems. By working with visceral techniques on the gut and releasing tension in the lower back, the pain decreased significantly.

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Osteopathic techniques to relieve back pain

1. Gentle manipulations to release tension

Gentle manipulation is one of the most well-known tools of osteopathy. It is used to release muscle tension and improve balance in the joints and surrounding tissues.

• How do they work?
  These techniques involve applying controlled and precise movements to the spine or related joints. Although they may sometimes include a “click” or cracking sound, this is not always necessary. The goal is to restore lost mobility and release any restrictions that may be causing pain.
• Benefits:
  • Reduces compression on joints.
  • Improves circulation in the affected area.
  • Relieves associated muscle spasms.
  • Practical example: A patient with acute low back pain following a misplacement responded very well to manipulation of the sacroiliac area, quickly regaining his ability to walk without discomfort.

2. Joint mobilization techniques: how do they work?

Unlike manipulations, mobilizations are gentler, more repetitive techniques that focus on restoring range of motion to joints without straining them.

• How do they work?
  Mobilizations involve slow, progressive movements within the natural range of the joint. They are performed to release restrictions and improve joint function without causing discomfort to the patient.
• Benefits:
  • They are ideal for people with pain sensitivity or chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis.
  • They promote natural joint sliding and relieve muscle tension.
  • Practical example: A person with back pain caused by long hours in front of the computer experienced a great improvement after mobilization sessions on the thoracic spine. Gentle techniques restored flexibility to his back without the need for rough manipulations.

3. Craniosacral and visceral approaches in specific cases

The craniosacral approach and visceral techniques are very effective methods when back pain has less obvious causes, such as visceral tensions or dysfunctions in the central nervous system.

• Craniosacral approach
  • It is based on work on the craniosacral system, which includes the skull, spine and sacrum.
  • It consists of very gentle and precise movements that seek to release tension in the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
  • Benefits: Helps in cases of back pain related to stress, migraines or nervous system dysfunctions.
  • Practical example: A patient with chronic lower back pain related to emotional stress improved significantly after releasing the sacrum and working on the connection with the cervical spine using craniosacral techniques.
• Visceral techniques
  • They focus on improving the mobility and function of internal organs that may be related to back pain. For example, problems with the diaphragm, stomach or kidneys can cause reflex tension in the spine.
  • Benefits: By releasing tension in the fascia that connects the viscera to the musculoskeletal system, pain is reduced and movement is improved.
  • Practical example: A patient with recurrent lower back pain and a history of digestive problems (constipation) found relief after working on the bowel and releasing tension in the lower back with visceral techniques.

Tips for maintaining a healthy back after treatment

1. Simple exercises to prevent pain

Moderate and regular physical activity is key to maintaining back health. Here are some easy exercises you can incorporate into your daily routine:

• Cat-Cow Stretch
  This movement helps maintain spinal flexibility and relieves accumulated tension.
  • Place your hands and knees on the floor.
  • Arch your back up (like a cat stretching).
  • Then, gently arch your back downwards (as if you were lowering your belly).
  • Repeat 10 times.
• Glute Bridge
  Strengthens the lumbar, gluteal and abdominal muscles, which are essential for back stability.
  • Lying on your back, bend your knees and place your feet on the floor.
  • Lift your pelvis toward the ceiling while keeping your glutes contracted.
  • Lower slowly. Repeat 10-15 times.
• Abdominal plank
  Improves core strength, reducing pressure on the spine.
  • Support yourself on your forearms and the balls of your feet.
  • Keep your back straight and your abdomen firm for 20-30 seconds.
• Spine rotation
  Relaxes the lower back.
  • Lying on your back with your knees bent, drop both legs to one side while turning your head to the opposite side.
  • Hold the position for 20 seconds and switch sides.

2. The importance of maintaining good posture on a daily basis

A proper posture is essential to avoid tension and overload in the spine:

• At work:
  • Adjust the height of your chair and monitor so that the screen is at eye level.
  • Keep your feet flat on the floor and your back straight.
  • Take breaks every 30-60 minutes to get up, stretch, and move around.
• When lifting objects:
  • Bend your knees and use the strength of your legs instead of your back to lift the weight.
• At home or walking:
  • Avoid leaning forward when using your cell phone or reading.
  • Carry backpacks with both straps adjusted or use cross-body bags to distribute the weight.

3. When is it necessary to go to the osteopath for regular check-ups?

Even if you feel fine, regular check-ups with an osteopath are key to maintaining balance in your body. When should you come back?

• After a period of stress or intense activity: Physical and emotional stress can generate accumulated tensions that, if left untreated, can turn into pain.
• If you notice mild or recurring discomfort: Sometimes, small discomforts are the beginning of a bigger imbalance. Treating it in time prevents it from becoming a chronic problem.
• Every 3-6 months as maintenance: Just as we have regular check-ups with the dentist, a regular osteopathic consultation helps to detect and correct small imbalances before they cause problems.

Summary of treatment benefits

Osteopathy is much more than just temporary relief for back pain – it is a comprehensive approach that treats the underlying causes of the problem. From releasing muscle tension to restoring joint mobility or improving the interaction between organs and the musculoskeletal system, this manual therapy helps to:

• Relieve pain effectively and safely.
• Restore mobility and functionality of the body.
• Prevent future discomfort by addressing imbalances before they become chronic problems.
• Improve your quality of life by allowing you to perform your daily activities without limitations or pain.

Invitation to actively take care of your back

Your back is key to your overall well-being, and taking care of it requires an active commitment. Osteopathy can be the first step to relieve discomfort, but maintaining the results depends on adopting healthy habits:

• Perform regular exercises to strengthen and make your spine more flexible.
• Pay attention to your posture at work and at home.
• Listen to your body and don't ignore signs of tension or pain.

An osteopathic consultation not only treats pain, but also provides you with the tools to better understand your body and keep it in balance. Start taking care of your back today and enjoy a more active, pain-free life!

If you need guidance or want to learn more about how osteopathy can help you, do not hesitate to contact us. Your well-being is in your hands, and We are here to accompany you on the journey. 😊

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