Lower back pain

If the muscle corset is well trained it protects the spine and reduces the load on intervertebral discs. Act now to combat pain or prevent it!

Strength training keeps the spine flexible and maintains spinal disc elasticity

The spine consists of 7 cervical, 12 thoracic and 5 lumbar vertebrae linked by vertebral joints. In between the vertebra are intervertebral discs made up of cartilage. They increase the back’s range of motion and act as a shock absorber. When you lift or carry something, you are not only working your back muscles. You are also working the discs. This work does not damage healthy discs and in fact it’s essential. Provided that a load on a disc is followed by a release of that load, the cartilage is provided with nutrients. Strength training keeps your spine flexible and maintains spinal disc elasticity. If you suffer from lower back problems, the first step is a medical examination by our doctor who will decide whether you should start off by doing Medical Strengthening Therapy.

80% of symptoms are the result of weak lower back muscles

According to leading orthopaedic specialists, about 80% of back problems are due to weak lower back muscles; in particular the main risk factor for back pain is weak deep lower back extensors or to be precise the lumbar extensors and the deep autochthonous back muscles. Strength training for either prevention or therapy is an effective approach. The University of Florida has carried out pioneer research into the muscular causes of back pain. It was the first to test and verify the hypothesis that weak back muscles could be a cause of chronic lower back pain. Tests on thousands of individuals provided surprising results. Most people – including trained athletes – had weak lumbar extensor muscles and targeted training of these muscles increased strength by up to several 100%!

The less trained a muscle the more it can be trained and the greater its potential strength gain

We are specialist in lower back problems and offers strength training for health based on scientific evidence. As a rule, Medical Strengthening Therapy is done for 26 sessions twice a week. At each therapy session, the deep back extensors are isolated and then strengthened. The aim is to reduce painful symptoms, normalise the range of motion of the spine and reduce anxiety-induced avoidance behaviour. Patients acquire the confidence and strength they need for everyday activities. On completion of therapy, strength levels should equate to those of an average healthy individual.

Patients with chronic back pain, eve those who have failed to respond to traditional therapies (e.g. injections, heat treatment, back school, avoidance of painful movements, etc.) can significantly improve their condition by targeting the muscles that stabilise the spine and strengthening them.