Do you frequently wake in the middle of the night in extreme pain? Are you finding it more difficult to stand? Do you spend a few days feeling better, only to realize your chronic lower back pain has returned with a vengeance? This type of pain can wreak havoc on your quality of life. Osteopathic treatments are an excellent non-surgical option for addressing a wide array of musculoskeletal disorders. If you are suffering from chronic lower back pain in Victoria, BC, Jenna Howe can help. With over 20 years of experience in health and wellness, she can perform gentle manipulations of the muscles, bones, and joints so you can go back to enjoying life again.
How Does Osteopathy Treat Lower Back Pain?
When people experience chronic pain, the first thing many health professionals do is write a prescription for pain killers. While there is certainly a time and place for these medications, they do not treat the problem at its source. They simply camouflage the symptoms. In contrast, an osteopathic approach treats the entire body, directly addressing the structural components that contribute to chronic pain. As a result, many people experience a reduction in pain and stiffness, improved blood flow, decreased muscle tension, increased mobility, and enhanced elasticity.
Common Causes of Lower Back Pain
There are many reasons why lower back pain may develop. Some of the most common causes include:
- Osteoarthritis: This condition is a result of wear and tear, which generally occurs with age. However, osteoarthritis can be exacerbated by hard labor or previous back injuries.
- Slips or falls: Any time you trip and fall, you risk disturbing the mechanics of the pelvic bone. This creates an unsteady foundation for the upper body.
- Fractures: Commonly caused by osteoporosis in older patients, fractures often require adequate pain management.
- Back pain from pregnancy: Chronic back pain during pregnancy is quite common.
Osteopathic treatments can effectively address all of these situations and more. We have seen several clients improve their quality of life through osteopathy.
When Should I Visit an Osteopathic Practitioner?
Ideally, you should make an appointment as soon as possible, though we strongly urge you to seek professional therapy within one month of your injury. In the meantime, you can manage any discomfort with rest and cold compresses.
What To Expect: During a session with Jenna, she may utilize massage, stretching, joint mobilization, spinal manipulations, and other forms of osteopathic care. Before proceeding with your treatment, she will discuss your health history with you at length, and then design a personalized plan based on your unique and individual needs.
Tips For Managing Lower Back Pain
Osteopathic treatments can offer incredible relief, but it is also helpful to know how to handle your discomfort at home. If you have a flare up, these tips and tricks can help you alleviate your pain:
- Practice stress management exercises, such as deep breathing, visualization, or meditation.
- Pace yourself, and don’t overdo it on the good days.
- Find a support group where you can share your emotions openly.
- Limit your alcohol consumption.
- Stop smoking.
- Ask your healthcare provider or manual osteopath about exercises you can perform at home.
Schedule Your Low Back Pain Treatment In Victoria BC Today
If you live near Victoria, BC and are experiencing chronic back pain, schedule a consultation with manual osteopathic practitioner Jenna Howe. She can help you identify the root cause of your discomfort, provide in office treatment, prescribe therapy exercises for you to do at home, and help you begin to feel good again.
