Physiotherapists in Hornchurch treat many different conditions including the issues profiled below.

Back Pain - Red Flags for Serious Conditions

Most people with back pain have just that, back pain secondary to injury, time and the mechanical stresses of holding a posture or performing an activity. However, a small proportion of people present with back pain when the underlying reason is a serious pathology of some sort. The signs that indicate that mechanical back pain may not be the reason for the patient's pain are called red flags. Physiotherapists routinely ask the red flag questions to try to exclude the likelihood of a patient having a serious underlying condition which might also be worsened by physio treatment. Examples of red flags for back pain are: age over 55 or under 20 when back pain first presents and significant trauma involved (like a fall).

Other red flags include: significant weight loss; significant night pain; use of steroids; a history of cancer; bladder or bowel disturbance and loss of sensation in the saddle area around the genitals and anus. A degree of judgement is required as the outcome of the questions is rarely clear cut and most red flag situations turn out not to be serious conditions but physios routinely evaluate these to ensure safe treatment and refer questionable cases on for medical evaluation.

Stress and Neck Pain

Neck pain causes problems in life, reducing our ability to do things, interrupting comfortable postures and interfering with our concentration. This causes stress and anxiety , a very typical response, and which can increase muscle tension and increase pain. The tension caused by stresses can increase the contraction levels in neck muscles and this spasm contributes towards muscle pain in all the overactive muscles. Figuring out what the stresses are and taking action to reduce them at this stage is very important and may help recovery. Mindfulness, controlled breathing and relaxation techniques may all be useful.

Mindfulness is a technique of placing yourself in the here and now with yourself and not judging yourself and the situation you are in, you just accept and experience it. Relaxation techniques are often practised lying down with a pillow under the knees to relax the low back area. Contracting each set of muscles from the feet up and then letting them go will provide a relaxation, with a guide from a relaxation CD or tape a useful adjunct. Controlled breathing by allowing the abdomen to rise as the diaphragm is used to inhale air in a slow rhythm can also be very relaxing.