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

Risk Factors for Low Back Pain

Studies of risk factors have not given clear indication of the risk factors for low back pain although about 70% of disc degeneration seems to be connected with genetic factors and around 60% of back pain overall. There is a strong association between genetic factors and osteoarthritis in the small facet joints which lie each side of the spine. General levels of fitness and the strength of back muscles seem to have little relevance as does differences in leg length. One study which was well conducted shows that a high risk of poor lumbar mobility and a long back exists in young people who work in health work and are encountering heavy work for the first time. This may be because taller people are exposed to higher mechanical forces to the longer limb and spinal levers they use when lifting weights.

Of little relevance seem to be height or weight, flexibility of the lumbar spine or straight leg raising, and fitness seems also to be not connected. X-ray and MRI examination findings have no connection to whether a person might suffer low back pain in the future. Overall the highest risk factor for future back pain is having had back pain in the past.

Physiotherapy for Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is an increasingly common condition, mostly but not exclusively occurring in women after the menopause when hormonal changes mean the bone density drops steadily with time. Those women who have good bone density to start with and whose density does not drop at a high rate may never reach the risky category. If osteoporosis is present then the incidence of fractures is higher, with vertebral body fractures and fractured neck of femur being the most common, both requiring intervention and causing distress and expense. Physiotherapists are involved in the assessment and management of people with low bone density.

Physios assess patients for their lifestyle, refer them for dietary advice if appropriate, generally advise on management, warn against inappropriate functional activities and prescribe exercise routines to maintain independence and maximise bone health. Physios may advise that lumbar flexion to pick up weights is inappropriate as the front aspects of the vertebral bodies are vulnerable in this activity to crush fractures. General and weight bearing exercises are taught as weight bearing stimulates bone maintenance and growth due to the jarring involved. Swimming and cycling are good aerobic exercise methods but do not have the bone stimulating effect of walking or doing exercises in a gym.