Solihull Birmingham Osteopath (alternative to Solihull Chiropractor) reviews treatment of back pain
John Williams
February 18, 2008
Back pain and back ache are so common that nearly all of us will experience some kind of back related complaint in our lifetime. What causes back pain and what is the best form of treatment for back pain relief. If you visit your GP you may be prescribed pain killing medication in the form of one drug or another. This form of treatment is designed to treat your symptoms of back pain and not the cause. Drugs may have unwanted side effects and perhaps an alternative approach that treats the cause of your back pain is a better solution.
Who treats back pain?
Osteopaths, Chiropractors, Physiotherapists and Acupuncturists all treat back pain as well as Orthopaedic Consultants. The choice is varied and each profession will have a different approach to back pain.
Orthopaedic Consultants may use injections into the spine or facet joints to reduce inflammation and pain. Spinal surgery for disc damage is common when it involves pain from trapped nerves such as sciatica. Surgery may result in tethering of the nerves from scar tissue post operatively and this can lead to a return of your symptoms in some cases. All invasive procedures have a risk involved and should be considered very carefully before you proceed with this option. There is no guarantee of success and some patients may indeed feel worse if the procedure is not successful.
Chiropactic treatment is a choice of some who believe that manipulation is the answer to their problems. Chiropractors believe that the joints in the spine have to be in line in order for the body and its nerves to function correctly. Subluxions or spinal segments that are not in line are supposed to be unhealthy and the chiropractic practitioner will manipulate your spine in an attempt to realign your spine and solve the problem for you. Chiropractors may use diagnostic equipment such as xrays or thermal scanning computer machines to highlight what they feel is your problem. Some scanners are computer generated images which allegedly highlight spinal subluxations, these scanners are unlikely to be used by other professions such as osteopaths, phyiotherapists and orthopaedic consultants.
Manipulation of the neck is potentially dangerous and have resulted in strokes, although this is relatively rare, this procedure once again should be carefully considered before giving your permission for a neck manipulation. Your practitioner should inform you of any intent to manipulate your neck and explain the risks involved before you consent to this treatment. Manipulation of upper cervical structures is highly controversial as it could cause injury to vertebral arteries which supply the brain with blood. There is much debate about neck manipulation amongst practitioners who manipulate spinal structures. Neck manipulations performed following a careful case history being taken and diagnostic tests such as a VBI test should help reduce the risk of injury. Osteopaths are now recommended to use an informed consent form which informs the patients of the potential risks of neck manipulations and requires them to sign it prior to manipulation.
Osteopathy treatment is a choice of musculo-skeletal treatment available which also uses spinal manipulations as part of its treatment options. "Osteo" means bone and osteopaths treat spinal conditions and back pain in a similar way to chiropractors.
Both professions have a 5 year training degree programme and both professions can manipulate the spine. One profession is not better at spinal manipulations than the other as it is down to the individual talent and expertise of the practitioner. The fundamental difference on manipulations between osteopaths and chiropractors is the fact that chiropractors tend to favour short lever direct adjustments whereas osteopaths employ longer levers to achieve the adjustments using your arms and legs as levers to avoid pressing over painful areas.
Osteopaths work on the appendicular skeleton (which is your limbs) in addition to your spine and pelvis.
Osteopaths have chosen not to adopt the title of "Doctor" before their name whereas chiropractors and some dentists have. Your chiropractor may be referred to as "Doctor" as the word "Doctor" is not a protected title and anyone can use the term. In most cases your chiropractor will be referred to as a "Doctor" of chiropractic which is not a medical doctor such as a GP. Orthopaedic consultants prefer to be called "Mr" and not "Doctor"
Physiotherapy treatment is the most well known amongst the general public and is available on the NHS. Back pain is a common problem and long NHS waiting lists are not helpful. Often patients are in acute pain and dosing on prescribed pain relief medication for months before they can access any physiotherapy.
Physiotherapy often relies on self treatment via a series of exercises which the patient is supposed to carry out unsupervised at home. This is not the best of solutions which often results in patients seeking help from the private physiotherapy sector who manage their condition for them. Diagnostics is always a problem when treating back pain and an accurate diagnosis of the problem needs to be made before treatment commences. Ensure you select a physiotherapist with back pain expertise as some physiotherapists lack experience in this area of work.
Acupuncture treatments are widely used within the NHS and in private practice. First ensure that your practitioner has received adequate training in acupuncture and is suitably qualified and insured. They should also be registered with the local authority who visit the premises and issue a licence to practice. If they do not display this, I suggest that you ask where it is and report anyone who is not registered. This is done for your safety!
Acupuncture makes claims that it treats everything and has a large following of people who believe it helps their condition. There is once again debate whether it treats the cause or just treats the symptoms as many patients have to continually receive treatments to sustain long term relief from pain. There is western acupuncture and chinese acupuncture as well as electro-acupuncture and acupressure which all use meridians or energy channels as their focus. For pain relief and back pain relief acupuncture will work for some but maybe not for others. Claims of a back pain cure using acupuncture for just a few sessions need to be viewed with caution and practitioners who try and get you to sign up for many sessions and pay up front should be avoided. Try it first and see if it works for you before booking a course of treatment.
Atlas Pain Relief Centre has a clinic in Hall Green, Birmingham which specialises in neck and back pain. They offer Osteopaths, Physiotherapists, Acupuncture, Massage, and Podiatry/Chiropody. The Clinic is called Solihull Back Pain Clinic and is located on the Robin Hood Island, Hall Green Birmingham, West Midlands. They have no chiropractors working at the clinic and offer an alternative approach to back pain.
Testimonials can be viewed from delighted customers by visiting
www.solihullbackpainclinic.co.uk
For Free Consultations phone
0121 745 8792
Who treats back pain?
Osteopaths, Chiropractors, Physiotherapists and Acupuncturists all treat back pain as well as Orthopaedic Consultants. The choice is varied and each profession will have a different approach to back pain.
Orthopaedic Consultants may use injections into the spine or facet joints to reduce inflammation and pain. Spinal surgery for disc damage is common when it involves pain from trapped nerves such as sciatica. Surgery may result in tethering of the nerves from scar tissue post operatively and this can lead to a return of your symptoms in some cases. All invasive procedures have a risk involved and should be considered very carefully before you proceed with this option. There is no guarantee of success and some patients may indeed feel worse if the procedure is not successful.
Chiropactic treatment is a choice of some who believe that manipulation is the answer to their problems. Chiropractors believe that the joints in the spine have to be in line in order for the body and its nerves to function correctly. Subluxions or spinal segments that are not in line are supposed to be unhealthy and the chiropractic practitioner will manipulate your spine in an attempt to realign your spine and solve the problem for you. Chiropractors may use diagnostic equipment such as xrays or thermal scanning computer machines to highlight what they feel is your problem. Some scanners are computer generated images which allegedly highlight spinal subluxations, these scanners are unlikely to be used by other professions such as osteopaths, phyiotherapists and orthopaedic consultants.
Manipulation of the neck is potentially dangerous and have resulted in strokes, although this is relatively rare, this procedure once again should be carefully considered before giving your permission for a neck manipulation. Your practitioner should inform you of any intent to manipulate your neck and explain the risks involved before you consent to this treatment. Manipulation of upper cervical structures is highly controversial as it could cause injury to vertebral arteries which supply the brain with blood. There is much debate about neck manipulation amongst practitioners who manipulate spinal structures. Neck manipulations performed following a careful case history being taken and diagnostic tests such as a VBI test should help reduce the risk of injury. Osteopaths are now recommended to use an informed consent form which informs the patients of the potential risks of neck manipulations and requires them to sign it prior to manipulation.
Osteopathy treatment is a choice of musculo-skeletal treatment available which also uses spinal manipulations as part of its treatment options. "Osteo" means bone and osteopaths treat spinal conditions and back pain in a similar way to chiropractors.
Both professions have a 5 year training degree programme and both professions can manipulate the spine. One profession is not better at spinal manipulations than the other as it is down to the individual talent and expertise of the practitioner. The fundamental difference on manipulations between osteopaths and chiropractors is the fact that chiropractors tend to favour short lever direct adjustments whereas osteopaths employ longer levers to achieve the adjustments using your arms and legs as levers to avoid pressing over painful areas.
Osteopaths work on the appendicular skeleton (which is your limbs) in addition to your spine and pelvis.
Osteopaths have chosen not to adopt the title of "Doctor" before their name whereas chiropractors and some dentists have. Your chiropractor may be referred to as "Doctor" as the word "Doctor" is not a protected title and anyone can use the term. In most cases your chiropractor will be referred to as a "Doctor" of chiropractic which is not a medical doctor such as a GP. Orthopaedic consultants prefer to be called "Mr" and not "Doctor"
Physiotherapy treatment is the most well known amongst the general public and is available on the NHS. Back pain is a common problem and long NHS waiting lists are not helpful. Often patients are in acute pain and dosing on prescribed pain relief medication for months before they can access any physiotherapy.
Physiotherapy often relies on self treatment via a series of exercises which the patient is supposed to carry out unsupervised at home. This is not the best of solutions which often results in patients seeking help from the private physiotherapy sector who manage their condition for them. Diagnostics is always a problem when treating back pain and an accurate diagnosis of the problem needs to be made before treatment commences. Ensure you select a physiotherapist with back pain expertise as some physiotherapists lack experience in this area of work.
Acupuncture treatments are widely used within the NHS and in private practice. First ensure that your practitioner has received adequate training in acupuncture and is suitably qualified and insured. They should also be registered with the local authority who visit the premises and issue a licence to practice. If they do not display this, I suggest that you ask where it is and report anyone who is not registered. This is done for your safety!
Acupuncture makes claims that it treats everything and has a large following of people who believe it helps their condition. There is once again debate whether it treats the cause or just treats the symptoms as many patients have to continually receive treatments to sustain long term relief from pain. There is western acupuncture and chinese acupuncture as well as electro-acupuncture and acupressure which all use meridians or energy channels as their focus. For pain relief and back pain relief acupuncture will work for some but maybe not for others. Claims of a back pain cure using acupuncture for just a few sessions need to be viewed with caution and practitioners who try and get you to sign up for many sessions and pay up front should be avoided. Try it first and see if it works for you before booking a course of treatment.
Atlas Pain Relief Centre has a clinic in Hall Green, Birmingham which specialises in neck and back pain. They offer Osteopaths, Physiotherapists, Acupuncture, Massage, and Podiatry/Chiropody. The Clinic is called Solihull Back Pain Clinic and is located on the Robin Hood Island, Hall Green Birmingham, West Midlands. They have no chiropractors working at the clinic and offer an alternative approach to back pain.
Testimonials can be viewed from delighted customers by visiting
www.solihullbackpainclinic.co.uk
For Free Consultations phone
0121 745 8792
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