Physiotherapists in Glasgow 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.

Performing Neck Exercises

Neck exercises should be performed steadily and slowly, attempting to get the end of the available range each time and pushing that bit further to try and increase the movement for a few seconds. Sitting or standing are the obvious starting positions but high levels of pain may mean that lying down is best for some people, or while they are having a shower due to the warmth. Most people perform the individual movements much too quickly and it is more useful to take up to five seconds for the complete movement in either direction.

Patients can often start with five movements performed three or four times per day, although lower number of repetitions or times per day may be necessary due to some pain problems. Doing smaller movements may also be necessary if pushing into the pain is not helpful, after which the movements can increase in size as the problem eases. Rolling the neck right around should be avoided as this can be aggravating to the neck joints and if exercises cause dizziness or symptoms in the hands they should be stopped and advice taken as to which exercises would suit the condition best.