Lower back pain is a common condition that affects most people at some time in their lives. It can be short lived and resolve on its own, or with simple pain killers. Sometimes low back pain can become longer lasting. Back pain is the most common problem dealt with by Osteopaths and with its comprehensive approach to health care, Osteopathy is a particularly successful treatment approach.

The back is a very complicated area and is made up of many different anatomical structures that can be responsible for pain. Sometimes lower back pain can come from mainly one single structure or type of structure such as an inflamed facet joint or degeneration to the fibres of your discs causing them to either rupture or bulge. A bulging disc can cause compression or squashing of the nerves in your back, causing pain down the back of your leg to your foot "sciatica". Other structures that can be responsible for lower back pain are weak, fatigued or spasms in your back muscles. Very rarely, back pain can be caused by more serious conditions or refer from your organs such as kidneys or gall bladder. Your osteopath will perform appropriate tests to diagnose which structure/s may be involved and will refer you to your GP if necessary.