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

Damage To The Spine By Bending Forward

Injuries sustained in bending occur when the forces involved exceed the coping capacity of the tissues of the spinal structures. The movements of the lumbar spinal bones in a living person undergoing a rapid forward bend are controlled mostly by the strength and length of the disc and ligamentous tissues. Initial damage occurs to the more superficial ligaments which connect the spines of the individual vertebrae posteriorly and if some side bending or twisting motion is added then the capsules of the facet joints can be stretched to their limits. The rear part of the disc wall may act like a ligament in extreme bend, restricting further bending.

In slower bending where a position is held for a time the resistance of the spinal tissues to bending decreases, allowing greater movements between the vertebrae and a slow change in the internal disc alignment. Due to the mechanical properties of the tissues quick movements have an increased likelihood of damaging the ligaments and discs, while holding the spine in flexion for some time may both reduce the protection activity of the back muscles and the ability of the ligaments to protect the lumbar segments as they move.

Environmental Risks for Low Back Pain

The risks of low back pain are well known to be connected with high risk activities such as lifting heavy objects from the floor whilst twisted or doing activities requiring quick bending and twisting. A sudden and unplanned occurrence of having to exert high levels of muscle power quickly is also risky for developing low back problems. The physical demands of work such as lifting, twisting, bending and vibration are all risk factors for developing back trouble and in worsening already existing cases of back trouble. There is not a clear connection between work and back trouble although work stresses, if prolonged, can cause episodes or back pain or prolong already existing ones.

The reasons for not being able to work and for developing disability from a back pain problem are more closely related to complex factors of a psychosocial nature which are both individual and work related. Factors relating to sport have been contradictory in the research literature but activities which demand heavy loads such as gymnastics and weight lifting are associated with a higher risk of disc degeneration which could lead to symptoms in time. Spinal tissues may be affected adversely both by too little activity and by too much.