Lumbar spondylosis (lower back spine arthritis) is one of the most common causes of lower back pain in the elderly population. As you age, most people develop some degree of wear and tear in the lumbar spine leading to spondylosis. The other causes include, prolonged poor posture, injuries to spine, overuse of spinal joints, and excessive body weight. Pain and stiffness in the lower back are the usual early symptoms, however few people might be symptom-free for a long time. Although severe cases may require surgical treatment, most people will respond well to physiotherapy and exercise-based treatment.

At MoveFree Physio we provide individualised exercise programs to help spondylosis by:

• Restoring muscle strength and flexibility
• Increasing spinal joint mobility
• Increasing blood circulation to promote natural healing
• Improving postural awareness, core control and joint position

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the canal or the foramen within the vertebrae of the spinal column that results in too much pressure on the spinal cord and/or nerve roots. Spinal stenosis is common in men and women over 45 years of age, often results from a gradual degenerative ageing process of the spine. However, it may also occur in the younger population with a narrowing of the spinal canal at birth or as a result of injury to the spine.

In lumbar stenosis, the spinal nerve roots in the lower back are compressed causing pain, tingling, weakness or numbness that radiates from the lower back into the buttocks and legs, especially with activity. If the narrowed space within the spine causes irritation of the sciatic nerve root, it may result in radiating pain down the course of the sciatic nerve, known as sciatica.

Most of the mild to moderate level of spinal stenosis responds well to physiotherapy. The treatment for spinal stenosis is aimed at reducing pain and numbness, restoring normal spine range of motion, restoring strength and flexibility of spinal muscles, increasing quality of life and preventing a recurrence. The spinal decompression therapy (Traction) is quite useful in treating sciatica. At MoveFree Physio we provide spinal decompression therapy using modern technology.

Slip disc or protruding disc occurs when the cushion-like cartilage (the disc) in between the vertebrae is torn, and the central core (Nucleus Pulposus) of the disc leaks. Slip disc can occur at any part of the spine, cervical (neck), thoracic (upper and mid-back) and/or lumbar spine (lower back).  Slip disc can be caused by a sudden trauma or by long-term pressure on the spine. People aged between 30 to 50 years are most commonly affected by slip disc. Repeated lifting, poor posture, sedentary life style and obesity are some of the risk factors for herniated disc.

A herniated disc injury is suspected when the back pain is aggravated by:

• prolonged sitting
• lifting weights
• forward bending
• coughing or sneezing

In severe cases, a prolapsed disc might compress the sciatic nerve causing radiating pain, which runs from lower back, down through the buttock, hamstrings and into the lower leg, known as sciatica.

The majority of the slip disc do not require surgery and it responds well to physiotherapy. The treatment for slip disc is aimed at reducing pain, restoring normal spine range of motion, restoring strength and flexibility of the muscles, increasing quality of life and preventing a recurrence. The spinal decompression therapy (Traction) is quite useful in treating slip disc. At MoveFree Physio we provide spinal decompression therapy using modern technology.