Without a doubt, the most common complaint which we see in Osteopathy is lower back pain; Lumbago. In fact, this problem is most often reason given for absenteeism in the work place in the UK. Lumbago costs Britain a vast amount of money each year and when the facts are sifted and studied, not a great deal is known about it and even less about how to treat it! Lumbago is defined as pain across the very lowest part of the back, it is called acute if it comes on suddenly and is severe and chronic if it lasts more than three months—as in many cases in medicine this is mere descriptive and is of little diagnostic significance. If this pain shoots into the back of the leg it will be described as sciatica.

The official word from the NHS is that in the majority of cases (75%) there is no diagnosable cause for this pain. In the remaining 25% there will be causes such as a “slipped disc”, that is to say the spongy cartilage material separating the bones of the spine have moved significantly or prolapsed and allowed the bones to impinge a nerve caused intractable pain, osteoporosis (brittle bone deterioration), spinal deformation or more rarely spinal trauma or a tumour. In these cases the patient is best advised to see a specialist and surgical intervention is a likely necessity. If the patient observes certain symptoms no time is to be lost and you should go immediately to Accident and Emergency. These symptoms include: sudden severe NUMBNESS in the lower back and/or leg, an inability to control the bladder or bowel or a reduced muscle bulk in your leg. These are signs that the spinal cord itself is impinged and the sooner treatment is applied the less likely that permanent damage will result.

The majority of back pain is treatable either by the patient or by a qualified therapist. In sudden and moderate Lumbago, due to straining (lifting, etc.), muscle spasm or tension, the sufferer may resort to painkillers such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs which are available over the counter. Keep warm (avoid drafts—you can come to our Shul where there are NO drafts or fresh air) and try to remain active.