September Newsletter

Avoiding overuse injuries

Whether you work in an office, school, store or have a job that requires manual handling, there are common injuries & complaints that we see in the clinic. Many of these injuries happen over time and are known as ‘overuse injuries”. In these cases there are a few common factors that contribute to a build up of niggling pain over time and then, one day, your pain increases seemingly out of nowhere while you’re performing everyday, routine tasks.

This is a pattern that we hear of frequently, especially in the case of overuse injuries, and there are many ways that our physiotherapists can help you to get back on your feet. Overuse injuries can often take a while to fully rehabilitate to a point where the risk of your pain returning is minimal. So – make sure you are ready to put in the hard yards!

Lower back pain

The most common cause of time off work, reduced daily function and source of discomfort is lower back pain. People who experience back pain will find that it’s an ongoing problem and often experience it more than once. Studies show that even after the first episode of lower back pain, the deep core muscles of your body activate differently. This affects the stability of your spine and can lead to you having a lower tolerance for being in certain positions for long periods of time. It can also mean that it takes less time for the next episode of back pain to occur.

What can I do if I get back pain?

• Use a heat or cold pack. This provides short term relief of the pain.
• It is important to remain active, as this will help keep your back muscles from getting too tight and to relieve the pain. Doctors orders of bed rest is out of the question!
• Make an appointment with your local physio. The most effective treatment for this type of pain is a specific, targeted exercise plan that restores and improves movement control.

It is important that you follow your physios recommendation about exercising. We often see people a few times, they improve, don’t return and then we see them a few months later for the same issue. To make sure that you minimise the chance of recurrence, you must follow through with the exercises in your treatment plan and continue, despite the absence of pain.