Do You Suffer Back Pain?
So many of us do. Statistically 80% of adults will go through at least one episode of lower back pain.
An acute episode can last from a few days to a few weeks, but for some people the pain continues and seems to get stuck in a self-perpetuating cycle. There does seem to be a strong correlation between lower back pain and depression. While we can understand the whole experience of pain, restriction, chronic inflammation, sleep interruption, and loss of control would depress anyone it’s important not to overlook that low back pain can be a symptom of nutritional deficiencies, particularly Vitamin D and magnesium. So if you’re having trouble with feeling hopeful then supplementing consistently with these 2 nutrients for a couple of months at least, could be worth a try.
The journey out of chronic back pain can be filled with many setbacks. There are many therapeutic approaches worth looking at. For myself I’ve tried, Physiotherapy, Osteopathy, Chiropractic, Pilates, Alexander Technique, Chi Gung and Yoga, with varying success. Some made me worse, some really helped, and some I continue to do really badly at because I don’t have the motivation to do those pain rescuing exercises once I’m out of pain. But the therapy that has helped me most for the longest period of time is Kinesiology.
That’s why I love using Kinesiology to help people find their way out of back pain. Not only do I know from my own experience how effective it is, but I love seeing people’s pain resolving as their session progresses.
Typically a client with lower back pain will move gingerly as we assess their range of motion, and which movements make them better or worse. They get onto the massage table very carefully, often moving slowly and gasping occasionally as they move, restricted by their pain and the fear of setting it off. Once they are settled and as comfortable as I can make them I can find out which approach is the best for them.
Sometimes it is about tension in the spinal column itself. Sometimes it is all the muscles affecting the lumbar region. Sometimes we work with the Psoas and Piriformis muscles. These two have a lot to do with Sciatic pain. The image here show closely how the sciatic nerve sits to the Piriformis muscle. And sometimes we can approach it by resetting points on the feet known as the footpad sensors. Usually it will involve a pattern of what we call ‘reactive muscles’.
To work with reactive muscles patterns, first we find the start of the problem or reactor muscle. This is one muscle which when activated will result in other muscles either letting go completely or going into spasm. Then we find out which muscles are being affected or reactive. This sort of pattern is seen in many conditions affecting muscles. When working with Scoliosis you see a chain reaction pattern going from the jaw muscles down the spine and back to the jaw. When working with Whiplash it usually involves anterior and posterior neck muscles. Wherever it is, once it’s been identified we can help to resolve the pattern.
I know we’re doing well when the client visibly relaxes, and even better when they say – ‘oh, the pain just went’. And it’s so rewarding at the end of the session to watch the client moving with increasing confidence as they realise the pain really has gone.
I've learnt to caution clients against thinking they are completely fixed, especially if they don't have a good back exercise program as part of their support. It's just so easy for them to think they can go back to doing whatever they want, which is usually the things that got them into pain in the first place.
Back pain can be part of a picture of lifestyle, and physical issues including chronic dehydration, metabolic dysfunction, weight issues, emotional stress and adrenal fatigue. That's why, for most people a series of sessions, at least weekly at the beginning, will be the best approach to get them out of pain and keep them out of pain long term.
Call me now, to take your next step away from chronic pain.
