Back pain
A blocked back, low-back pain: when can osteopathy have a place?
The first question is not which technique to use. It is whether the pain looks mechanical and whether anything suggests that medical assessment should come first.
When an osteopathic consultation may be considered
For some mechanical back-pain presentations without warning signs, a consultation may focus on movement, functional comfort and understanding the factors that aggravate or ease symptoms.
When to seek medical advice first
- major trauma, fall or violent impact;
- fever or marked general illness;
- new loss of strength, numbness around the perineum or bladder/bowel disturbance;
- unusual, progressive or unexplained pain.