Lower back pain

Lower back pain: Possible orthopaedic causes

Sacroiliac joint syndrome (SIJ syndrome)
Pain in the lower back is often caused by sacroiliac joint syndrome. The sacroiliac joint connects the spine to the pelvis and is also known as the sacroiliac-iliac joint. Compared to other joints, the SIJ has limited mobility as it is held taut by strong ligaments. A blockage of the SIJ, which can be caused by prolonged incorrect posture, overloading or accidents, for example, can result in pain and restricted movement. In this case, the joint surfaces of the SIJ shift against each other and also become blocked due to increased muscle tension.

Slipped disc
A slipped disc, medically known as a prolapse, can also affect the lumbar spine (lumbar disc herniation). The gelatinous core of an intervertebral disc breaks through its fibrous ring and presses on the nerves, which typically causes pain that can radiate into the legs and feet. Sensory disturbances such as tingling or numbness in the leg also occur frequently. The pain intensifies when coughing, sneezing and during movement. Poor posture and incorrect movements are the main causes of a herniated lumbar disc.

Wear and tear on the spine
Over the years, the joints of the spine wear out. In some cases, pronounced age-related joint wear occurs, which can be accompanied by unpleasant pain in the lower back. In such situations, osteoarthritis may also be behind the symptoms.

Spinal canal stenosis
The spinal canal runs through the spine and houses the spinal cord. It carries nerve signals back and forth between the brain and the body. In the case of spinal canal stenosis, the canal is narrowed at certain points and exerts pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots. This can cause pain in the sacrum area.

Curvature of the spine
In scoliosis, the natural alignment of the spine is disturbed. In this clinical picture, the spine sometimes leans visibly to the left or right. This lateral curvature can also cause pain in the lower back. Tension and a tilted pelvis are also often associated with scoliosis.

Spondylolisthesis
If the vertebrae are unstable, they can shift more easily. While some sufferers may have no or only minor symptoms, others may experience back pain when straining or making certain movements. In some cases, sensory disturbances and paralysis can also occur if a displaced vertebra presses on a nerve root.

Muskelverspannungen
Manchmal sind es auch verspannte Muskeln, die Schmerzen im unteren Rücken verursachen. Sie resultieren oft aus Fehlhaltungen oder Bewegungsmangel.

Muscle tension
Sometimes it is also tense muscles that cause pain in the lower back. It often results from poor posture or lack of exercise.

Treating lower back pain: how we can help you at our practice in Frankfurt

Depending on your findings, we can help you with various therapies at our private practice for orthopaedics and traumatology in Frankfurt. We can treat your lower back pain with the following methods:

Neural therapy
In neural therapy, we inject local anaesthetics and anti-inflammatory substances near nerves or hardened muscles. Neural therapy can help with lower back pain by reducing inflammation and muscle tension.

Segmental therapy
Segmental therapy is a form of manual therapy that focuses on the targeted treatment of specific spinal segments and their effects on the body. Through targeted exercises and mobilisation, we can use segment therapy to strengthen your back muscles and realign the spine. In this way, we can relieve pain and improve the function of the lower back.

Infiltrations close to the spine
In this specialised treatment, we inject special therapeutic substances into the area near your spine. There are different types of spinal infiltrations, including epidural injections (into the epidural space around the spinal cord), facet joint infiltrations (into the small joints between the vertebrae) and sacroiliac joint infiltrations (into the joints between the sacrum and the pelvic bones). We can use these procedures for various back problems such as herniated discs, osteoarthritis or inflammation to relieve your pain and improve your symptoms.

Chiropractic therapy
This is based on manual techniques in which we use our hands to apply targeted movements, pressure or manipulation to the affected tissue. This enables us to improve the function and mobility of the affected structures. Chiropractic can help with lower back pain by correcting misalignments of the vertebrae or joints that may be the cause of the pain. We can also use it to release muscle tension and blockages that can trigger lower back pain. Manual therapy can also be used to increase the mobility of your spine and joints, which can relieve pain and improve function. We can also promote blood circulation and metabolism in the affected area to support healing.

Traction treatments
Traction therapy uses traction forces on the spine or other parts of the body to treat certain orthopaedic problems. For lower back pain, traction treatments can reduce pressure on the discs and create space for the nerve roots. We stretch your muscles and ligaments to relieve tension and improve flexibility. Traction treatments can also increase blood flow to the affected area, which promotes healing and reduces inflammation.

Kinesio taping
Kinesio taping is a therapy method in which we apply elastic, self-adhesive tapes to your skin in a specific system to treat various muscular and orthopaedic problems. These tapes are specially designed to lift the skin and apply gentle tension to the underlying muscles and tissues without restricting your freedom of movement. We can use taping to relieve your lower back pain. The tapes provide gentle support and reduce tension in the affected muscles. They can also help to increase the stability of your spine, especially in the case of minor injuries or muscle tension in the lower back. The procedure can also activate circulation in the affected area to help heal tissue damage. We can apply the kinesio tapes to help you adopt a more correct posture and avoid the misalignments that can cause your back pain.

Acupuncture
We like to use this traditional Chinese healing method in orthopaedics to relieve pain and treat musculoskeletal problems. For the treatment, we place fine needles at specific points on your skin, the so-called acupuncture points. These are located along the energy pathways in the body, known as meridians. The treatment is also indicated for lower back pain. The needles can stimulate the release of the body’s own pain-relieving substances, such as endorphins, and thus reduce acute or chronic pain. They can also relieve muscle tension in the lower back, which leads to improved blood circulation and loosening of your affected muscles. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture is also believed to harmonise the flow of energy (Qi) in the body. Blockages or stagnation of Qi can cause pain and the needles can release these blockages. Acupuncture can also reduce inflammatory processes in the body that can cause pain and discomfort in the lower back.

Lower back pain treatment: We are here for you at our practice in Frankfurt!

As you can see: There are many different causes of lower back pain – and just as many treatment options! At our orthopaedic practice in Frankfurt, we will examine you in detail and check where your pain is coming from. After a thorough diagnosis, we will determine which treatments are best suited to your individual symptoms and draw up a personalised treatment plan. Feel free to contact us to tackle your pain!