Lower back problems

Lower back pain is a common problem and over 80 % of the population suffers from it at some point of their life. Back pain causes half of all disability pensions and sickness absence periods.

What causes lower back pain?

The most common cause of lower back pain is a minor tissue injury in the back area.

The underlying cause of back pain can often be unbalanced straining of the back. Poor habitual postures, tight or weak muscles, lower extremities of different length and malfunction of feet may increase the risk of back problems.

How is back pain treated?

• The patient should avoid total rest; in the beginning of the treatment, light exercise is better.
• After the pain is relieved, the patient’s control of the hip and back is increased with exercise.
• If the patient’s muscles have been tightened due to poor habitual postures, the muscles’ mobility is increased by exercising.
• If the patient suffers from poor foot alignment, this is corrected by exercising and with individual orthotics.
• Orthotics might also be useful in order to level the hip position if the patient has feet of different length.