The majority of back pain people experience stems from biomechanical causes. This means causes are muscular strains, ligamentous sprains, nerve irritations, joint restrictions or a combination of the above. Generally, this manifests as an ache with varying intensities and sharpness, influenced by movement and exacerbated in specific positions. The discomfort is often most pronounced after periods of inactivity, such as when waking up or after periods of sitting, and tends to ease as muscles and joints warm up.

Strained or overworked muscles frequently contribute to back pain, with or without pain radiating away from the site of injury, and persisting even after localized massage.

This kind of back pain responds very well to osteopathic treatment, with relief often seen within a short period of time. To help you with your mechanical back pain, we may use techniques such as soft-tissue manipulation and myofascial releases (similar to remedial massage), dry needling (assessed as an option case by case), balancing of ligamentous tension (gentle joint releasing techniques), muscle energy techniques as well as various joint manipulation techniques, depending on your needs, wishes and comfort levels with the techniques.

Generally, if the pain has lasted more than 3 days, it’s worth discussing it with your preferred health care practitioner.