Chronic low back pain and osteopathy

Chronic low back pain

Definition

Chronic low-back pain is persistent pain in the lumbar region, i.e. the lower back, that has lasted for more than three months. It's the most common cause of disability, work absenteeism and reduced quality of life, affecting a large proportion of the world's population. Low back pain can be of mechanical origin, linked to alterations in the spine and surrounding structures, or non-mechanical, with more complex causes such as inflammatory or metabolic diseases.

Causes of low back pain

Mechanical factors: They are the most frequent causes. They include postural disorders, lumbar osteoarthritis, herniated discs, intervertebral discs degeneration, muscular contractures.
Non-mechanical factors: Less common, these causes can include inflammatory pathologies (such as ankylosing spondylitis), infections, or visceral disorders such as kidney disease.
Psychosocial factors: Stress, anxiety, depression and other psychological disorders can influence pain perception and promote chronicity.

Symptoms

The symptoms of chronic low back pain are varied and can include:

Diffuse pain in the lower back, sometimes radiating to the buttocks and legs.
Morning stiffness, especially after prolonged periods of rest.
Functional limitations in everyday movements such as bending or lifting.
Sometimes tingling, burning or numbness in the lower limbs.

Chronic back pain treatment and management

1. Medications

Analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and sometimes muscle relaxants are often prescribed to reduce pain. In some cases, antidepressants or antiepileptics may be used for their action on chronic pain.

2. Functional rehabilitation and physiotherapy

Physiotherapy aims to strengthen back muscles and improve posture. Stabilization, muscle-strengthening and stretching exercises are essential to reduce pain and prevent recurrence.

3. Cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT)

CBT can help modify negative pain-related behaviors and perceptions, particularly in patients suffering from depression or anxiety associated with their low-back pain.

4. Osteopathy and manual therapy

Principles of osteopathic medicine treatment applied to low-back pain

Global assessment: The osteopath begins with a detailed assessment to identify the potential causes of low-back pain. He examines posture, movement and flexibility of the spine, as well as other areas of the body (hips, pelvis, lower limbs) that may influence the lumbar region.

Structural techniques: These aim to restore mobility to the spinal joints. They include gentle manipulations to rebalance the spine, reduce muscular tension and improve local circulation.

Myofascial techniques: These apply to soft tissues such as muscles, ligaments and fascia. They aim to release accumulated tension in these tissues and improve overall flexibility.

Treatment of lesion chains: Sometimes, back pain is due to imbalances in other parts of the body, such as poor posture or mobility problems in the lower limbs. The osteopath will seek to correct these imbalances to reduce pressure on the lumbar region.

Prevention and advice: Osteopathy is not just a one-off treatment. The osteopath can also advise on ergonomics, posture, maintenance exercises and lifestyle habits to prevent relapses.

Benefits of osteopathy for chronic low-back pain

Lasting relief: Osteopathic techniques aim to treat the root causes of pain, often providing longer-lasting relief than symptomatic treatments.

Improved mobility: By reducing muscular tension and joint restrictions, osteopathy helps restore flexibility and freedom of movement.

Non-invasive approach: Unlike drugs or surgery, osteopathy is a gentle method that encourages the body's self-healing capacities.

Overall well-being: Osteopathy treats the body as a whole, which can contribute to an improvement in overall health, both physical and mental.