Does all backpain need surgery? – Part 1
Expert Blog: Dr Fatemeh Rezaei-Sajadinia
When it comes to back pain, at least 3 people in 5 will experience it once in their life time. They may have different ways of expressing their pain, however, they all say one thing in common – the effect is a heavy burden on their lives.
If the back pain goes to a chronic stage, it will keep coming back in a variety of situations: this could be anything from putting on a pair of socks, to twisting to reach the phone on your desk.
It’s interesting to know that most back pains could have mechanical reasons. This means that they could happen because of poor posture or incorrect movements; bending forward is a good example. How many times a day do you think you bend forward to do your daily tasks? On many occasions, you will lift a load off the floor without even thinking about the damage on your back. This is very bad for the disks in your spine…
Discs are flexible cushions between your vertebrae that give you the flexibility to bend, twist or stretch your spine freely. Without them your back couldn’t perform any of these movements. Discs also absorb any sudden shock to your spine and protect the spine from severe damage.
A healthy disc is flexible and cushiony like a doughnut and has a soft centre called a nucleus which distributes pressure across the disc evenly.
With our daily living, lots of bending forwards puts pressure on the front of the disc, making the soft centre move towards the back of the disc. Each disc is layered, similar to an onion, so the soft centre will slowly push its way out by tearing through these layers – one little movement can now tear the last layer open. Once this happens, the nucleus bulges out and sits on the adjacent nerves creating a sharp, shooting pain. Some people call it an electrifying pain which suddenly disables them from functioning and performing any movement…..!
This pain could settle gradually as the surface of the disc will eventually heal up and stop the direct pressure of the nucleus on the nerves. However, this doesn’t mean that the disc is healthy as the nucleus is still out of place. That’s why it’s so important to take an appropriate plan of treatment to constructively help the discs to heal up and function normally. One treatment would be to opt for surgery, however, not all surgeries are successful and some might have complications. Exercise and physiotherapy can both help with existing problems, but the best way to avoid a damaged back is, quite simply, prevention.
Prevention is better than cure
… it’s cheaper, less painful and more convenient. This doesn’t mean you need to watch what you do with your back every minute of every day, but it means you need to learn how to look after your back.
Stay tuned for part 2… “How to protect your back.”
About the author
Dr Fatemeh is qualified physiotherapist with over 20 years experience in aiding the fitness and wellbeing of people of any ability level.
She is one of only 380 specially trained practitioners in the incredible art of Spinal Touch.
She embraces every opportunity to prevent, treat, ease and cure back pain of any kind, in any patient, of any ability.
Dr Fatemeh is totally dedicated to bringing years of knowledge and experience to anyone who needs her help.
Experience
1998 – 2002: Fitness Instructor
1999 – 2002: BSc Physiotherapy from Northumbria University
2002 – 2010: Doctorate of Science in Physical Therapy from Grendal University
2002 – 2005: Rotational Physiotherapist
2006: Spinal Touch
2004 – 2008: Mission Foods UK – Physiotherapist
2009 – present: Consultant Physiotherapist in Harley Street
Head of Rehabilitation: Iranian Hospital, Dubai
Dr Fatemeh is more than happy to help anyone with back related questions.
Please direct your enquiries to: http://www.fatemehthephysio.co.uk/contact-fatemeh/
Or simply read more about me at: www.fatemehthephysio.co.uk
Look out for more blogs and advice articles from Dr Fatemeh on Medzooma.com and M Magazine our weekly online magazine full with News, Interviews, Reviews and Advice Articles on Health, Beauty, Fitness, Nutrition and Well-Being; delivered direct to your inbox every Monday for FREE. Subscribe today by clicking here>> M Magazine Subscription
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