Basic information on back diseases for patients in our practice for osteopathy
According to the Deutsches Ärzteblatt (1), back pain is the second most common single diagnosis for sick leave in Germany – with an upward trend. Between 2003 and 2006, a back pain study (2) showed that the frequency of daily back pain in Germany is between 32% and 49%.
In terms of lifetime frequency, the frequency lies between 74% and 85%. It is assumed that this figure is underestimated because some of the participants in this study may have forgotten about previous episodes of back pain they had in the past (2).
According to the Robert Koch Institute, at least 80% of all back pain is classified as non-specific back pain. Non-specific back pain are cases in which neither a described disease nor a pathological process can be identified as the source of the pain (3).
(1) https://www.aerzteblatt.de/nachrichten/91853/Rueckenschmerzen-werden-ein-immer-groesseres-Problem
(2) Schmidt CO, Raspe H, Pfingsten M et al. (2007) Back Pain in the German Adult Population. Preva-lence, Severity, and Sociodemographic correlates in a Multiregional Survey. Spine 32 (18): 2005–2011
(3) https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/Gesundheitsmonitoring/Gesundheitsberichterstattung/GBEDownloadsT/rueckenschmerzen.pdf?__blob=publicationFile
Herniated and bulging intervertebral discs
The intervertebral discs can be compared to small cushions that lie between the individual vertebrae. These cushions are filled with a gelatinous fluid and fulfil a shock absorbing function for the spine. With age, the consistency of the gelatinous fluid changes and the hard outer layer of cartilage stiffens. Long-term stress and stiffening of the outer layer of this cartilage can lead to bulging of the intervertebral discs. This bulging is also called disc protrusion. Since the outer layer of the intervertebral disc remains intact, bulging discs are generally not symptomatic.
In contrast to disc bulges, a herniated disc results from a tear in the hard outer layer of the disc cartilage which subsequently leads to the seeping out of the discs internal gelatinous fluid. When this gelatinous fluid contacts a nerve root, the nerve root becomes inflamed leading to pain and/or altered sensations in the nerve roots sensory region. Due to this nerve irritation, a herniated disc also manifests with radiating pain into the arms or legs. In some cases, paralysis occurs.
This information has been provided to you as a general source of background information only, as in accordance with german law as Heilpraktikers, we are forbidden to list conditions or diseases we potentially treat, as this is considered a promise of cure. If you would like to know whether osteopathy is an option for your back symptoms or disc injury, please feel free to call us.
Kyphosis
Kyphosis is a severe protrusion of the spine leading to a rounding of the mid back. This can occur at all ages including older women secondary to osteoporosis or to adolescents during puberty as a result of Scheuermann’s disease. Since Scheurmann’s disease can progress rapidly, an existing kyphosis in adolescents should be checked regularly.
If a kyphosis is severe, it can cause pain and a visible deformation of the upper back. Some patients are symptom-free, others complain of shortness of breath or cardiovascular problems.
This information has been provided to you as a general source of background information only, as in accordance with german law as Heilpraktikers, we are forbidden to list conditions or diseases we potentially treat, as this is considered a promise of cure. If you would like to know whether osteopathy is an option for your back symptoms or kyphosis, please feel free to call us.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a sideways deformation of the spine that is very common. In principle, most scolioses are mild and symptom-free, but during puberty, especially in girls, a so-called juvenile idiopathic scoliosis can develop. Juvenile idiopathic scolisis occurs in 0.47-5.2% (1) of the population and should be monitored regularly by X-rays, as rapid progression can lead to impaired heart and lung function. Most commonly, pronounced scoliosis is first noted as unequal shoulder, waist or hip heights.
This information has been provided to you as a general source of background information only, as in accordance with german law as Heilpraktikers, we are forbidden to list conditions or diseases we potentially treat, as this is considered a promise of cure. If you would like to know whether osteopathy is an option for your back symptoms or scoliosis, please feel free to call us.
(1) Konieczny MR, Senyurt H, Krauspe R. Epidemiology of adolescent idiopathic scliosis. Journal of Children’s Orthopaedics 2013 Feb; 7(1): 3-9.
Spinal stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the canal in the spine through which the spinal cord passes. The pressure on the spinal cord and blood vessels can cause pain, especially in the extremities during exertion or locally in the affected area of the spine.
In most cases, spinal stenosis is due to wear and tear of the spine, which can lead to changes in the spine, joints, ligaments or discs and subsequently compress the spinal cord.
The initial symptoms are often mild pain that becomes more intense over time. Sometimes there is tingling or numbness in the arm and hand or leg and foot.
This information has been provided to you as a general source of background information only, as in accordance with german law as Heilpraktikers, we are forbidden to list conditions or diseases we potentially treat, as this is considered a promise of cure. If you would like to know whether osteopathy is an option for your back symptoms or spinal stenosis, please feel free to call us.
Spondyloarthritis
Spondyloarthritis is a degenerative disease of the spine in which the joint cartilage thinnens. More precisely, the small vertebral joints (facet joints) are affected. Sometimes bony spurs (osteophytes) develop on the vertebral bodies, which can form new bony connections between the vertebral bodies. This leads to an increasing stiffening of the spine.
Spondylarthrosis develops with increasing age and is often caused by certain sports or professions or obesity. This condition can manifest itself as severe back pain that can radiate into the legs.
This information has been provided to you as a general source of background information only, as in accordance with german law as Heilpraktikers, we are forbidden to list conditions or diseases we potentially treat, as this is considered a promise of cure. If you would like to know whether osteopathy is an option for your back symptoms or spondyloarthritis, please feel free to call us.
Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolisthesis results from the shifting of a vertebral body on an adjacent vertebral body. This shifting can occur either forwards towards the abdominal wall or backwards towards the back. Vertebral slippage most often occurs in the lowest lumbar vertebra. Known causes of this condition are bone defects, wear and tear or accidents. Spondylolisthesis is often symptom-free, but can also lead to lumbar pain and restricted movement. In the worst cases, it can lead to pressure on the nerves and/or spinal cord, causing significant neurological symptoms.
This information has been provided to you as a general source of background information only, as in accordance with german law as Heilpraktikers, we are forbidden to list conditions or diseases we potentially treat, as this is considered a promise of cure. If you would like to know whether osteopathy is an option for your back symptoms or spondylolisthesis, please feel free to call us.
Lumbago
Lumbago is the term for non-specific, shooting, acute pain in the lower part of the spine. Lumbago is often triggered by a jerky movement, lifting heavy objects or other movements in everyday life. It usually affects people between 30 and 50 years of age. The pain comes on suddenly in the lower back and is often sharp and prevents normal movement or straightening of the upper body. In most cases, lumbago subsides after a few days.
This information has been provided to you as a general source of background information only, as in accordance with german law as Heilpraktikers, we are forbidden to list conditions or diseases we potentially treat, as this is considered a promise of cure. If you would like to know whether osteopathy is an option for your back symptoms or lumbago, please feel free to call us.
Whiplash
The term whiplash refers to an injury to the muscles, ligaments and tendons in the cervical spine that results from an acceleration-deceleration traumatic force through the cervical spine. This most commonly occurs from motor vehicle accidents, but also as a result of collisions in contact sports. Whiplash injury typically leads to neck pain and/or headaches, and may also radiate to the shoulder area.
This information has been provided to you as a general source of background information only, as in accordance with german law as Heilpraktikers, we are forbidden to list conditions or diseases we potentially treat, as this is considered a promise of cure. If you would like to know whether osteopathy is an option for your back symptoms or whiplash, please feel free to call us.
Coccygodynia
The coccyx connects to the sacrum at the bottom of the spine. Pain in the coccyx can have many different causes. Coccygodynia can result after a fall, long periods of sitting on hard surfaces, or in women after childbirth. In most cases, the pain disappears after a few weeks, but in some cases it can persists and become chronic, thereby severely diminishing ones quality of life. Symptomatically, patients typically report a twinge or burning sensation at the coccyx that may radiate to the lumbar and hip areas.
This information has been provided to you as a general source of background information only, as in accordance with german law as Heilpraktikers, we are forbidden to list conditions or diseases we potentially treat, as this is considered a promise of cure. If you would like to know whether osteopathy is an option for your back symptoms or coccygodynia, please feel free to call us.