Musculoskeletal specialists in Leeds

BACK PAIN

Whether you are suffering from annoying twinges of back discomfort that just won't disappear or sudden bursts of severe pain, we can help. Approximately 4 in 5 adults will experience back pain at some point in their lifetime, which normally peaks between 35 and 55 years of age. However, back pain is just as common in adolescents! Usually, there is no single cause of back pain, however, the following factors may contribute:

• Previous history of back pain
• Static posture eg: sitting at the computer or driving
• Obesity
• Poor lifting including frequent bending & twisting
• Low levels of general activity
• Psychological factors eg: stress
• Smoking

In most cases, 90% of people with acute back pain will recover in 6 weeks, but with early physiotherapy this can be improved. Here at The Leeds Sports Injury & Physiotherapy Clinic we offer hands on treatments to reduce pain and increase movement. This will include exercises to get you moving, control movement and increase flexibility. We also specialise in postural re-training and advice to prevent a recurrence of these problems in the future.



Having been fortunate enough to be able to continue to offer our service to the general public during the Covid-19 pandemic, an interesting development we have seen is the increase in back and neck problems. This appears to be the result of home working combined with an overall reduction in everyone's daily activity levels. Physiotherapy can prove invaluable in advising about good ergonomics and work station set up in the home, and how to keep fit and active during the difficult times we're all living through at the moment. So, give us a ring to discuss your problems and book a consultation.

SPRAINS AND STRAINS

Many sports injuries tend to be soft tissue injuries, known as strains and sprains. But what's the difference?

• Strain - an injury to a muscle
• Sprain - an injury to a ligament

Injuries can also be acute or chronic:

• Acute - normally follows trauma or an accident, for example, a fall, twist or kick mid game. Acute injuries are suddenly painful and may be associated with bruising or swelling.
• Chronic - usually 'overuse' injuries, for example, 'runners knee' or 'tennis elbow.'

Some issues can easily be acute or chronic, for example, hamstring or calf strains. In all cases, we can help - especially when it comes to stopping acute problems before they become chronic. We offer years of experience and professional advice to all clients, including self treatments.

It's essential that you always seek help from your GP or physiotherapist following an acute or chronic injury. If you are experiencing immediate swelling or feel unable to take weight, we recommend that you visit your nearest A&E department. If you are seeing moderate swelling after a few hours, you should rest, apply ice and elevate the area.

For further advice or to book an appointment with us, please call 0113 275 4848 - we are always more than happy to help.