Seminar th November 2014 Wendy Emberson MCSP Consultant Chartered Physiotherapist Low Back Pain Stort Physio Academy Jointworks Seminars Stort Physio Jenkins Lane Bishops Stortford Herts CM22 7QL stortphysio.com

What are we going to do today? ❖ A little bit of anatomy ❖ A look at the causes of low back pain ❖ What symptoms do you get? ❖ How to help yourself ❖ Questions and discussion

The Lumbar Spine 1. The last 5 bones of the spine - vertebrae 2. These have discs between them 3. The spine sits on top of the sacrum 4. The sacrum is the keystone in the arch of the pelvis

What causes the pain? 1. The facet joints 2. The discs 3. The sacro-iliac joints

Back pain is NOT caused by damaged muscles! These are the deepest layer

There are six layers of muscles They work very hard all day long to keep you upright against gravity - they are not usually weak. To damage them you need to be folded in half to put any stretch on them

Muscles can work to protect the joints underneath

3 main causes of low back pain Sacral dysfunctions Facet joints dysfunctions Disc pathology

Spinal nerve root compression Intervertebral discs can cause pressure on the nerve root. This is a searing, red hot pain down the leg that does not go away

Sacro-iliac joints different dysfunctions identified 2. If it was muscle or ligament strain - how does manipulation resolve the pain and limited movement in 10 seconds? 3. The sacrum provides the platform for the spine. Problems here will affect the spine above. Lumbar lordosis clip

Sharp pain means joint and/or nerves Aching type pain means inflammation

Self help techniques 1. Heat not ice 2. Move it! 3. Strengthen the muscles 4. Regain the trunk/pelvis control 5. Keep your balance

Nurofen or paracetamol?

Professor Stuart McGill and Core Stability