Physiotherapists in Kingsbury 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.

Treatments for Acute Neck Pain

A collar used to be recommended for neck injuries but are only suggested now if the injury is very severe or the spine is unstable. Keeping the neck in collar over a long period can increase the stiffness and pain, although wearing a more flexible .beanie. type collar at night only may improve a patient.s sleep. Overall, collars are to be avoided for the best chances of a quick recovery. Using cold on the area over the first forty eight hours or so may be useful to reduce pain, with the best technique to use a packet of frozen peas inside a wet tea towel for ten minutes or so, repeated regularly.

Placing a frozen object on the skin could give a cold burn so a wet tea towel should always be used between the cold and the skin. After 48 hours heat can be used for pain relief and to relax muscles, and many people prefer this at any stage, using a hot water bottle or heat pack or having a bath. Heat can burn the skin so the same precautions should apply, putting something between the object and the skin if needed, and limiting the time initially.