What is back pain?

Back pain results from a combination of reasons based around poor or sustained posture, a lack of regular exercise, stress, illness, or sports injury. In the back there are a combination of muscles, ligaments, discs, nerves and blood vessels and any one of these structures can become strained or overloaded, resulting in lower back pain.

Sometimes discomfort may develop immediately after lifting something heavy, or after an awkward twisting movement, equally pain can appear for no apparent reason. The back can often react like a sprained ankle after a quick unexpected movement. This will then have a reflex action where muscles respond by contracting quickly to protect you. The muscles then become painful because there is reduced blood flow, and toxins such as lactic acid build up resulting in swelling, and often restricted and painful movement. Like the ankle, all of these structures can heal with treatment, usually over a period of 6-12 weeks. Occasionally after a period of treatment some symptoms can remain, stiffness, tightness, weakness and discomfort requiring further treatment.

Other types of back pain include nerve root pain, often called sciatica. This type of back pain is less common and by definition means that a nerve coming out from the spinal cord is irritated or compressed by a joint or disc. Varying levels of discomfort are felt along the course of the nerve, often down the leg and sometimes as far as the calf and foot. Symptoms such as numbness, pins and needles and weakness can be felt.

How we treat Back Pain at Richmond Osteopaths

During the natural healing time (6-12 weeks) we treat back symptoms most frequently by mobilising the joints, stretching and massaging the muscles and ligaments. Deep tissue massage helps improve the movement of joints and muscles in order for healing to occur. Exercises are suggested in order to help maintain the movement. After the treatment period more progressive and challenging exercises are given to further mobilise and strengthen the back.

Our advice

Rest initially, this means take it easy for a day or two. Apply ice immediately, even if this doesn’t make you feel any better straight away. Try to keep moving, such as walking around and fidgeting. Don’t be afraid of painful movements but listen to your body.  Book an appointment with us today.

Testimonials

• This was a game changing session for Anthony - for the first time a therapist gave him hope, that with time and effort, he could retrain his back. We have booked two more sessions and he is doing his exercises religiously ! HP was very professional, friendly and informative. Thank you Katherine on Anthony's behalf. HP

• Amazing! Amazing! I can not recommend Richmond Osteopaths more highly. I've been going for about six months (mainly for knee and achilles issues but now to improve overall mobility) and then subsequently three out of four of our children/teenagers have gone. Everything from glue ear to lower back pain after a rowing competition. We have seen Claire and Suraj - both perfect professionals but beyond that lovely people with a manner that has made us all feel like we are in the best hands. Isabel, Richmond

• Karlee was fabulous.  Really experienced and great at working through my problems.  She gave me really simple exercises to do inbetween sessions which were easy to follow and to fit into my schedule.  She was always prompt and friendly and I wouldn’t hesitate to see her again or to recommend her to anyone in need of treatment.

  An excellent service!

  Karlee O'Brien

• Hello,

  Thank you very much for this first session!

  It was first time and I didn't know what to expect, however the Ellie professionalism made this experience really good...and less pain on my back.

  Best regards,

  Ellie Walpole

• Hello, I just wanted to provide feedback for my treatment with HP at Richmond Osteopaths. I usually do not do feedback for anything (I probably should) but I don’t. So the fact that I am even writing this means that I truly had a good experience. I have seen HP now for ten sessions. He is always happy and very informative. I felt like he always understood how my body was feeling, and was great at answering my questions and providing further insight. I have a high tolerance for pain, and do not make a lot of sounds, and would not really say if an area was hurting, and I felt like I never had to say anything, he always knew right where something was off and would go back to that exact area without me even having to say anything! That is talent being able to read the body like that! I usually give some constructive criticism to help improve things, but I honestly have none.  HP was great! I would and will recommend him to anyone and I will be back in the new year! Warm Regards, Jessica Feeling better with HP

• Hello Richmond Osteopaths,

  Karlee O'Brien is lovely and very gifted, she worked her magic on my lower back and neck and I feel so much better.

  I will be back!

  Many thanks

  Donna

  Healing hands with Karlee

• Some years ago, I had major surgery on my brain that involved my head being held stationary at a difficult angle for 12 hours.  The surgery was very successful but I developed severe headaches.  Over the years I have tried many different pain killers, some of which changed my personality and affected my balance and ability to concentrate, three different physio’s, chiropractors, exercise with a trainer, acupuncture - British and Chinese - and hypnotherapy. All helped to a degree but nothing significantly.

  A few weeks ago I visited Nicolette who from the start appeared to understand my problem. Today, I am no longer taking any pain killers, my movement is much better, my balance is improved and my headaches are an occasional phenomenon  rather than a debilitating constant. What more could I have asked for ?   I have got my life back and I am very grateful.

  Alan Stark

  Severe chronic neck pain and headaches

• I have suffered from low back pain for the last ten years, I had seen other therapists with some success but this was only ever short lived. I started to see Karlee O'Brien for treatment about a year ago. I found her to be very reassuring and friendly. She made sure to explain exactly what was causing my pain and how we were going to address this reoccurring issue. In addition to hands on treatment I received a clear home exercise program that enabled me to actively participate in my rehabilitation. I am extremely grateful to Karlee for all her help and feel that my back is at the best it’s been in over a decade. James

• I saw Andre following a particularly painful back spasm.  Andre was able to provide pain relief straight away for my back pain but also showed me a number of exercises to manage/prevent pain -  some of which you can just about get away with doing in the office! I have always been terrified of osteopathy and acupuncture but I felt I could trust Andre due to his calm and reassuring manner and his explanation of the treatment and root causes of pain throughout - I am glad I did as I feel so much better. Thank you Andre. Amber Chaze

• I am in my mid 50ies, live in Richmond and have had a minor back issue for over 30 years. This got significantly worse about 3 years ago and got to the point I could not fully function. For example, sitting was very uncomfortable, I had sleeping difficulties and getting a train was next to impossible... This seriously affected both my work and my personal life I went to a Richmond chiropractor for about 6 months and things did not improve (expect that was for the bank balance of the consultant). I then started going to Richmond Osteopaths and within a couple of weeks my back started to get better. Instead of just a couple of minutes with the a chiropractor I got 45 minutes of hands on treatment from Nicolette Richardson and a full follow up program of exercises/stretching that I could do myself. Today my back is so much better. Last weekend I helped my niece move flat – involving carrying lots of boxes up two flights of stairs. In my wildest dreams I would never have believed this could be possible 3 years ago. If you have a bad back you really should try Richmond Osteopaths and Nicolette Richardson. John

• Seriously, don't put up with back and hip pains, it really isn't worth it. I remember limping into my first visit with Nicolette Richardson (Gygi) (my daughter watched me struggling with hip and back problems caused by structural movement in my body, while I commented on how much better she was getting - used to get migraines frequently but with Nicky's help they are few and far between) my daughter bought me a voucher and as I said above, limped into my appointment but from the first visit felt the benefits and now pain free. The best part of seeing Nicolette is her ability to diagnose body issues without the use of invasive X-rays. Don't waste time suffering, book that appointment and look forward to being pain free. Gloria

• Nicolette  Richardson (Gygi) from Richmond Osteopaths has been to my spine what Hermione was to Harry Potter's glasses. I had given up on ever being pain-free, but her warm expertise and passion for healing has worked wonders on my back. She is simply magical. I would strongly recommend Richmond Osteopaths and Nicolette Richardson. Mary Evans

• I have had ongoing upper and lower back problems for many years that have led to pain felt throughout my entire body! However seeing Nicolette Richardson from Richmond Osteopaths has dramatically helped my management of these issues and helped me understand my body and where these aches and pains can come from. Nicolette Is incredibly skilled at making a sometimes painful sessions bearable by her sunny disposition, her friendly character and incredible skill as an osteopath! Jess P

• I can't believe I put up with pain in my lower back and hips for so long and resisted suggestions to visit an Osteopath until I received a gift purchase for a treatment from my daughter. Since my first visit and seeing Nicolette Richardson I have gone from strength to strength receiving advice and reducing my pain in my lower back and hips. I would highly recommend Nicolette Richardsonat Richmond Osteopaths. Gloria

• As a keen dancer range of motion and movement quality are of up most importance. Since seeing Nicolette Richardson my upper back and shoulders have felt much freer than they ever have before and my often painful, tight hip flexors are pain free. Nicolette is really friendly and I feel completely comfortable and relaxed during our sessions. I couldn't recommend Nicolette Richardson more. Natasha Howard

• I’ve had a number of back injuries over the years including slipped disc, a car accident that caused problems and rugby twists and tears. More recently a ruptured shoulder tendon that took me out of action for 6 months. The upshot has been chronic back pain and problems with the end result of my right arm experiencing pins and needles and my mid back locking up. I went to see Nicolette based upon recommendation (always a good start) and she set to work on releasing and mobilising my back with a combination of soft tissue and gentle manipulation. I was pleased to see an immediate improvement and Nicolette is the first person I’ve seen over the years to really get into the deep tissue and give me some real relief. I would highly recommend her and Richmond Osteopaths. Trevor L

• I came in to see Nicolette Richardson after a personal recommendation from a friend. I managed to slip a disc and I have had shooting pain down my leg for 3 weeks nonstop. I could not sleep properly and driving to work and back was absolute agony. Nicolette was fantastic, she was friendly and highly professional. She gave me lots of advice on how to manage my life as well as a stressful and demanding job. Her effective treatments meant that I was feeling much better within 7 days of coming to see her. I would highly recommend her services as well as Richmond osteopaths. Peter H

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