Back pain is by far the most common injury we treat on a daily basis here in the Physio Performance clinic. Working on a building or construction site can increase your chances of a back injury as it can be physically challenging & take a toll on your body. If you are someone who struggles with acute or persistent low back pain, it can cause havoc on a normal working day in this line of work.
Back pain is often classed as a multi-factorial issue. This means that many different things can contribute to the onset, severity, duration and resolution of back pain. While clearly we may have suffered a muscle spasm or low-level ligament sprain which has brought on the pain, the severity of the pain we feel can far outweigh the extent of the injury.
The Anatomy behind Back Pain:
Back pain that comes on suddenly is known as “acute”, however if you are someone who has struggled with this for more than 3 months, it is known as “chronic” back pain. The lower spine consists of many lumbar vertebra and facet joints . You might experience a constant dull ache or a sharp shooting pain.
There can be many triggering factors when it comes to lower back pain, however three of the most common we see are: bulging discs, mechanical strain due to lifting or bending and osteoarthritis.
How Can Physio Help With Back Pain?
Your local physio will firstly assess you using a variety of movements to determine the likely cause. From there, they will put a personalised plan in place specific to your injury, using a combination of manual therapies for short term pain relief & exercises for long term management and strengthening.
Manual therapies for short term pain relief may consist of joint mobilisations, lumbar manipulations, deep tissue massage & glute/hip release. Relaxation also an essential part of managing low back pain. Methods such as meditation, heat therapy such as TECAR therapy & dry needling have all been used to relax both the area of pain, and the body as a whole.
Once the initial acute pain has settled, a long term customised exercise & rehab program will be put in place to help strengthen up your back. This will help with future management of your injury , particularly at work, in order to prevent further flare ups.
The Physio Performance Way:
Are you working in the construction industry and struggling with acute or ongoing low back pain?
We are here to help you!
We will educate & empower you to help you understand the cause of your back pain and how you can stay pain-free.
Next step:
Want to get in touch with our team or a therapist or you are looking for some advice?
You can contact us on 041-9877059 or at info@physioperformance.ie. You can also book an appointment online with us HERE.
1. Why is back pain common among construction workers?
Working on a building or construction site is physically challenging and takes a toll on the body. The nature of the job, which often involves heavy lifting and bending, increases the chances of suffering from mechanical strain and back injury.
2. What is the difference between acute and chronic back pain?
Acute back pain is pain that comes on suddenly, often due to a specific incident. If you have struggled with pain for more than 3 months, it is classified as chronic back pain.
3. What are the most common causes of lower back pain you see?
While back pain is multi-factorial, the three most common triggers we see in the clinic are bulging discs, mechanical strain (due to lifting or bending), and osteoarthritis.
4. What anatomy is involved in lower back pain?
The lower spine consists of many lumbar vertebrae and facet joints. Injuries to these structures can result in a constant dull ache or a sharp shooting pain.
5. How does Physio Performance treat back pain for construction workers?
We start with an assessment to determine the cause. Then, we create a personalized plan that uses manual therapies for short-term relief and customized exercises for long-term strengthening and management.
6. What manual therapies are used to relieve back pain?
To provide short-term pain relief, we use techniques such as joint mobilizations, lumbar manipulations, deep tissue massage, and glute/hip release.
7. Do you use heat therapy or dry needling for back pain?
Yes. We use methods like TECAR therapy (heat therapy) and dry needling to help relax the area of pain and the body as a whole. Relaxation is an essential part of managing low back pain.
8. How can I prevent back pain flare-ups at work?
Once the acute pain settles, we implement a long-term exercise and rehab program. This strengthens your back specifically for the demands of your job, helping to prevent future flare-ups on the construction site.
9. What is the “Physio Performance Way”?
Our philosophy is to educate and empower you. We don’t just treat the pain; we help you understand the cause of your injury so you can stay pain-free and manage your health long-term.
10. How can I book an appointment for back pain in Drogheda?
If you are struggling with back pain, you can contact our team at 041-9877059, email info@physioperformance.ie, or book an appointment online via our website.