Back pain: causes, prevention & effective treatment tips

Acute back pain is widespread and is not normally a cause for concern. Almost everyone suffers from back pain at least once in their life - very often they complain of lumbago or low back pain. Sometimes this is due to excessive strain, for example from sitting or lifting for too long, but often no clear cause can be identified. As a rule, acute back pain subsides after one to two weeks. However, if the pain occurs regularly or worsens, it is time to do something to improve your quality of life. The physiotherapy team at Bethesda Hospital's Competence Centre for Therapies will be happy to show you what you can do.

It affects almost everyone at some point: up to 84% of all people suffer from low back pain at least once in their lives.
It affects almost everyone at some point: up to 84% of all people suffer from low back pain at least once in their lives.

Back pain has many causes

Back pain in the lower back is also referred to as low back pain, lumbago or lumbalgia. Muscle tension is often the trigger, for example after sitting for a long time at the computer, lifting weights or an unfavourable position during sleep. In most cases, the symptoms are caused by overloading the weak back, abdominal and leg muscles, which have become irritated as a result.

But what exactly causes back pain? Medical professionals often talk about degenerative changes (signs of wear and tear) in the lumbar spine in connection with back pain. These include wear and tear of the intervertebral disc or the vertebral joints (facets). However, this alone is rarely the reason why the back hurts.

Psychological factors such as stress or worries can also affect the back or exacerbate existing back pain. Describe your current situation in detail and let our physiotherapy experts help you.

Important to know

Find out everything you need to know about back pain here and find out about the various treatment options we offer.

When the muscles weaken

Back pain is often accompanied by the following additional symptoms:

  • Leg pain
  • stiff back
  • Tingling or feeling of falling asleep in the legs
  • disturbed sleep (no comfortable position possible)

Pain in the lower back often leads to restrictions in the body's mobility. In the case of lumbago in particular, pain-free movements are often no longer possible. The symptoms manifest themselves in everyday life, e.g. during the following activities:

  • Driving a car
  • Cycling
  • Vacuum cleaning
  • Lifting or holding loads
  • Reaching to take things from high shelves or cupboards
  • etc.

Are you plagued by back pain or struggling with lumbago? Then make an appointment for therapy!

  • Monday to Friday from 8.00 - 12.00 and 13.00 - 17.00

+41 61 315 23 64 or +41 61 315 23 65

physiotherapie@bethesda-spital.notexisting@nodomain.comch

To physiotherapy

Clarify back pain precisely

In most cases, a clinical diagnosis of back pain is sufficient. In a consultation, those affected describe their complaints and are asked by our specialists where exactly their back hurts, which movements cause pain and whether there are movements that alleviate the symptoms of back pain.

It is also important to know whether there was a specific trigger for the low back pain (e.g. an accident or fall) and how the symptoms manifest themselves throughout the day (day/night pain).

After the clarification discussion, a detailed functional examination takes place. This assesses the following points:

  • general posture
  • active and passive mobility of the spine
  • Sensitivity, strength and reflexes of the lower extremities
  • Examination of the neighbouring joints (e.g. hip, pelvis and thoracic spine)

All these steps are necessary to rule out the possibility that the back pain is not a symptom of another disease. Imaging examinations such as X-ray, CT or MRI are unnecessary in most cases and are not recommended in the international guidelines.

Are you plagued by back pain or struggling with lumbago? Then make an appointment for therapy!

  • Monday to Friday from 8.00 - 12.00 and 13.00 - 17.00

+41 61 315 23 64 or +41 61 315 23 65

physiotherapie@bethesda-spital.notexisting@nodomain.comch

To physiotherapy

Therapy for back and lower back pain

The best way to treat back pain is to relieve the overstimulated muscles. A holistic approach is used for this: on the one hand, the posture of those affected is optimised in everyday life and during hobbies by our physiotherapy team. This is complemented by localised passive therapy of the lumbar spine (manual therapy). The associated muscles are also treated, e.g. with trigger point treatment or dry needling.

This should be followed by reconditioning (strengthening the weakened muscles). Optimising body awareness and the ability to stabilise is also a focal point of therapy. This is because patients can only react positively and preventively if they recognise the situations that trigger their complaints.

As is always the case with physiotherapy for the back, patients are instructed to carry out the exercises at home and integrate them into their everyday lives. This is the only way to expect satisfactory therapeutic success.

Are you plagued by back pain or struggling with lumbago? Then make an appointment for therapy!

  • Monday to Friday from 8.00 - 12.00 and 13.00 - 17.00

+41 61 315 23 64 or +41 61 315 23 65

physiotherapie@bethesda-spital.notexisting@nodomain.comch

To physiotherapy

Widespread back pain

It affects almost everyone at some point: up to 84% of all people suffer from low back pain at least once in their lives. There is no difference between the sexes. As a general rule, the risk of back and low back pain increases with age.

Are you plagued by back pain or struggling with lumbago? Then make an appointment for therapy!

  • Monday to Friday from 8.00 - 12.00 and 13.00 - 17.00

+41 61 315 23 64 or +41 61 315 23 65

physiotherapie@bethesda-spital.notexisting@nodomain.comch

To physiotherapy

FAQs on back pain

We have compiled the most frequently asked questions about back pain, answered by our medical experts.

Do you have any other questions that are not answered here? Please feel free to contact us - we will be happy to help you.

In most cases, a clinical diagnosis of back pain is sufficient. During a consultation, those affected describe their symptoms and are asked by our specialists where exactly their back hurts, which movements cause pain and whether there are any movements that can alleviate the symptoms of back pain.

Back pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including muscle tension, herniated discs, arthritis, osteoporosis or injury.

Back pain is usually caused by tension. Exercise in general, but also stretching and general strengthening of the muscles are very good ways of preventing tension. Heat promotes blood circulation in the muscles and therefore relaxation. In the long term, well-trained muscles are no guarantee of freedom from pain, but they do make an important contribution to a strong and healthy back.

Gentle stretching exercises, Pilates, yoga and swimming can help to strengthen the back muscles and relieve back pain.

If the pain is severe, lasts longer than a week, does not improve with rest or is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, you should consult a doctor.

If symptoms persist or worsen, it is advisable to consult a specialist. The normal procedure is as follows: You register with your family doctor. After the medical assessment, you will usually receive a prescription for physiotherapy. You can use this document to contact our physiotherapy team at the Therapy Competence Centre and make appointments.

A prescription for physiotherapy is normally limited to 9 treatments. If further sessions are required to relieve back pain, your physiotherapist can request a further 9 treatments from your family doctor.

The costs of the therapy are covered by basic insurance, less the deductible. If you have already seen a therapist, you have the option of booking the first consultation directly with us as a "self-payer" for an assessment.

Treatment options include physiotherapy, painkillers, acupuncture, chiropractic treatment and, in some cases, surgery.

Back pain can make daily activities difficult, impair sleep and reduce the general quality of life.

Although many back pains are caused by harmless causes, in rare cases they can also indicate more serious illnesses such as tumours, infections or fractures.

A slipped disc occurs when one of the discs between the vertebrae of the spine pushes out and presses on a nerve. This can cause severe back or neck pain.

A balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D can help maintain bone health and reduce the risk of back pain from osteoporosis.

Yes, stress can lead to muscle tension, especially in the back. Relaxation techniques such as meditation or deep breathing can help to reduce stress and alleviate back pain.

The experienced specialists at Bethesda Hospital will be happy to help you
The experienced specialists at Bethesda Hospital will be happy to help you
(Bethesda Hospital )

The specialists on the topic of loss of strength in old age

Loss of strength in old age falls within the area of expertise of our physiotherapy team at the Therapy & Training Competence Centre. Our experienced specialists will be happy to help you - let them advise you individually on the right programme for your needs.

Training & Therapy Centre

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