info@coventgardenphysio.com
0207 497 8974
Somerset House, New Wing (level-1), Strand, London, WC2R 1LA
0207 497 8974
Book Now
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About
    • Meet the Team
    • What We Do
    • Our Partners
    • Our Sister Clinics
  • Treatments
    • Physiotherapy
    • Pilates
    • Sports Massage
    • Acupuncture
    • Podiatry
    • Injury Rehabilitation
    • Knee Braces
    • Vestibular Rehabilitation
  • Appointments
  • Blog
  • Reviews
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About
    • Meet the Team
    • What We Do
    • Our Partners
    • Our Sister Clinics
  • Treatments
    • Physiotherapy
    • Pilates
    • Sports Massage
    • Acupuncture
    • Podiatry
    • Injury Rehabilitation
    • Knee Braces
    • Vestibular Rehabilitation
  • Appointments
  • Blog
  • Reviews
  • Contact Us

Why a Strong Back is a Pain-Free Back

  • Posted by Covent Garden Physio
  • On 17th May 2019
  • 0 Comments
  • back pain

Many people who experience back pain are concerned that there may be an issue with their spine and, as a result, become fearful of exercises or activities that stress the back. However, in most cases, this will only make back pain worse or increase your risk of further injury.

If you avoid exercises such as deadlifts because you think “my back can’t take it”, you might be missing out on the best cure for your back pain!

 

How does muscle weakness cause back pain?

Your back muscles are more likely to be the cause of your back pain than your spine. Our lifestyles, as a whole, are becoming increasingly sedentary with many people spending eight hours or more sitting behind a computer.

Such work doesn’t provide many opportunities for the lifting, twisting and bending necessary to keep your back strong. Even if you compensate by going to the gym, you may not be doing enough exercise or the right exercises to strengthen your back.

Over time, this underutilisation of back muscles will lead to weakness and imbalance. All it takes then is a minor increase in load to cause an injury, which is why so much pain begins with something as simple as bending down to tie a shoelace, lifting luggage into an overhead or even just sneezing.

In many cases, there isn’t an acute injury to pin the blame on. Weak back muscles can be gradually overloaded simply through the strain of sitting all day, especially when there is a muscle imbalance.

 

What is muscle imbalance?

Muscles in your body can broadly be separated into the muscles that provide power and those that provide stability.

Each is very specifically adapted to their particular function: a muscle that provides power works in short bursts but can’t stay active for long, while a stabilising muscle can’t provide much power but can stay active for hours.

When one muscle can’t fulfil its role, another muscle has to pick up the slack. If a muscle meant for generating power has to stay active for hours to provide stability, it will become overloaded and painful, while a muscle meant for stability being forced to generate power will be easily injured.

Such imbalances are very difficult to address without professional diagnosis and exercise prescription.

Simply throwing yourself into the gym to exercise your back may not help at all (or even make it worse) because you need to target specific muscles with specific exercises in order to restore balance.

This is often how people who are fit and active can still end up with chronic back pain without any acute injuries despite not being the demographic you would expect to develop it.

 

What if my back pain is caused by a structural problem in the spine?

Here’s the thing: your spine probably has structural issues.

In MRI scans of people who report no back pain, 52% of 30 year olds were found to have disc degeneration. By 50, this number shoots up to 80%. This tells us that disc degeneration is a normal part of ageing and doesn’t necessarily lead to pain.

It also means that if structural issues are discovered, we can’t assume that they are the cause of the pain. If we determine through our diagnosis that the cause is most likely muscular, the presence of degeneration should not contradict that.

However, there are certain structural issues which should be taken seriously, but their symptoms present very differently to typical back pain.

For example, a herniated disc which is pressing on a nerve may result in pain, tingling and numbness which travels down your arms or legs depending on which nerve is affected.

If you’re just feeling pain with no other symptoms then you probably don’t need to worry. However, you should always see a medical professional to rule out the possibility that it is caused by something more serious.

 

No matter the cause of your back pain, you should see a physiotherapist

Back pain is a complex, multi-faceted issue which can be caused or exacerbated by everything from weakness and injury to stress and lack of sleep.

At CGP, we take a holistic approach to our diagnosis and treatments to give you the best chance of a recovery that lasts.

To book your appointment, email info@coventgardenphysio.com, call 0207 497 8974, or book online.

London Physio - Kevin Kong Covent Garden Physiotherapy
Kevin Kong
BPhty Physiotherapist

 

0 Comments

Treatments
  • Physiotherapy
  • Sports Massage
  • Acupuncture
  • Sports Injury
  • Podiatry
  • Pilates
  • Knee Braces
  • Vestibular Rehabilitation
Latest News
  • A Stoics response to pain 5th May 2021
  • When pain stops protecting us. 4th September 2020
  • How to Avoid Injuries when Training for the Marathon 11th February 2020
Find Us
COVENT GARDEN PHYSIO Somerset House, New Wing (level-1), Strand, London, WC2R 1LA Tel: 020 7497 8974

How to Prevent the Most Common Running Injuries

Previous thumb

Common Back Pain Myths That You Probably Believe

Next thumb
Scroll

Ready to book an appointment? Call 02074978974 or book using our online system

Book online now

cglogo

Our Locations

Somerset House, New Wing (level-1), Strand, London, WC2R 1LA

Telephone Number

020 7497 8974

Email Address

info@coventgardenphysio.com

Recent News
  • A Stoics response to pain
  • When pain stops protecting us.
  • How to Avoid Injuries when Training for the Marathon
  • Two Back Pain Diagnoses That Science Doesn’t Support
  • Common Back Pain Myths That You Probably Believe
Covent Garden Physio
Covent Garden Physio
4.8
powered by Google
Alex Pitt
Alex Pitt
18:05 19 Oct 21
An excellent experience. Both Kevin and Anthony are superb, I can't recommend them enough.
Joseph N’Guessan
Joseph N’Guessan
09:45 29 Apr 21
Highly recommend Anthony. Great service - understanding and knowledgable.
Geoff L
Geoff L
14:05 17 Mar 21
Kevin Kong at Covent Garden Physio is outstanding ! I have seen a lot of physios in my time but Kevin is by far and away the best ! He has taken me from long term back problems which were casuing me huge issues to fully functional again and sorted my knees out too. Don't waste your time and money on random physios.... go see Kevin and get great results !read more
Holly Lazarev
Holly Lazarev
05:35 26 Aug 20
I recently found myself suffering from a lower back and leg injury that brought with it very bad pain, numbness in my leg and also weakness. Seeing as I have a history of having herniated discs in my lower back, I just assumed that I was having another issue related to the discs in my back and I began to get concerned. Not sure what to do, I spoke to my GP who recommended trying Physiotherapy first to see if that would alleviate my issues and I did an online search and came across Covent Garden Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic. Not only were they conveniently located to where I live, but their reviews were wonderful so I decided to give them a call. My first point of contact was Victoria, the office manager and she was so incredibly kind, helpful and accomodating. She got me in for an initial visit right away and she recommended that I see Scott Branny for my Physiotherapy needs. Scott was so incredibly knowledgeable, kind, attentive and helpful and from my first visit with him up until my last visit, he always knew just how to help me feel better and get me on the road to recovery. Every exercise that he showed me worked magnificently and before I knew it, I was no longer experiencing any pain or weakeness and I was back to myself! I am so thankful and grateful to Scott, Victoria and everyone at Covent Garden Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic for providing such an excellent service and for being so kind and compassionate! I highly reccommend them to anyone in need of Physiotherapy! :)read more
Jay Owens
Jay Owens
13:41 03 Dec 19
Cannot recommend highly enough. Physio Anthony Vidis is genuinely a wizard, and has often managed to set me right in a single session. This makes Covent Garden Physio way more cost-effective than other places that might have you coming back week after week - and I have recommended him to many friends. Booking online is easy and convenient, they often have appointments available before/after work - and practice manager Victoria is helpful with bookings short notice. Don't go anywhere else.read more
Stevie Mann
Stevie Mann
11:42 29 Nov 19
Very happy with my experience here, the consultation was thorough and came out with a plan to move forward. Physiotherapist makes you feel at ease. Highly recommend.read more
Geoff Y
Geoff Y
10:11 10 Oct 19
My shoulders and neck are broken, well not broken but in a bad way. On a suggestion from a colleague, I went to try this out. I saw Anthony Vidis and within a few minutes he'd already started on a plan. He seemed skilled and knowledgeable, asking a lot of questions before he started any manipulation. The first session left me with a lot more movement and the second session even more so. Less pain and more flexibility has definitely provided a better life experience.read more
Dan Redfearn
Dan Redfearn
19:39 24 Sep 19
I was referred to Scott Branney due to a shoulder injury. This was my first physio experience and I have been very satisfied with the treatment I have received from Scott. Scott is very knowledgable, has set a really thorough exercise routine to compliment the treatment. On top of everything he's a really nice guy! Very happy to recommend him.read more
PB Creative
PB Creative
11:29 15 Aug 19
I've been receiving treatment from Scott for the last 8 months following shoulder surgery and have been very happy with everything throughout. Scott has done a great job in successfully rehabilitated my shoulder back to pretty much full health and has been very supportive and proactive in prescribing and monitoring my progress through bi-weekly checkups and home exercise programmes. In general, I have found Covent Garden Physiotherapy to be a friendly, welcoming and highly effective place to receive treatment and would highly recommend them.read more
Rachel Sloan
Rachel Sloan
20:53 31 May 19
I went to Covent Garden Physio with a groin injury three weeks ahead of the Edinburgh Marathon. My physiotherapist, Scott, was extremely helpful and as well as clearly explaining and quickly sorting the problem, gave me good advice for avoiding future injuries. Highly recommended!read more
Owen Turner
Owen Turner
16:57 25 Mar 19
My physiotherapist, Scott, was able to help me to sort my knee out in time to complete the London Landmarks Half. Very happy with the price and service. The advice he gave me on running technique will serve me well in the future, hopefully avoiding any future injuries due to bad form. Would recommend to friends and family!read more
Carlos Heywood
Carlos Heywood
21:11 05 Dec 18
Kevin Kong. Make sure to book him as he knows his stuff and can help massively.
Jennifer Tye
Jennifer Tye
12:20 10 Sep 18
Excellent. Smiley staff, great physio.
Giulia F
Giulia F
20:30 19 Sep 17
Had a very good experience. The team was very quick to book me in and answer my questions. I was visited by Anthony who was very friendly and helpful, he really helped me to fix my issue, explaining what had happened by my back and the pain was gone in 24h! Very good price for excellent service.read more
Ryan Jay
Ryan Jay
13:47 28 Feb 17
I have been seeing Andrew Marshall for the past six weeks, after my recovery of a hip replacement had slowed. I must say that the service has been fantastic, and I have felt significant improvements in the functionality and comfort of my new hip. Andrew has demonstrated a remarkable expertise on the muscular and anatomical factors regarding my recovery, but he always explains them in a concise, practical fashion. He answers questions brilliantly and ensures that I am comfortable and confident with each exercise before leaving me to progress through them. On top of this, Andrew's colleagues are friendly and the facilities they operate in are top notch. I would recommend Covent Garden Physio to anyone with not only hip issues, but any other injuries or recovery periods that they may need help with.read more
Pete McDonnell
Pete McDonnell
18:37 20 Feb 17
Been using Covent G Physio on and off for 10 years... from post surgery to sports injury. Recommended to a number of friends who were equally impressed. Physio, deep tissue and acupuncture .. very friendly, polite and professional staff ... issue sorted every time. Highly recommend them. And in a very interesting & lovely location. read more
Next Reviews
©2020 Covent Garden Physio The Covent Garden Physiotherapy Clinic Limited Company Number: 8471627 Correspondence Address: Somerset House, New Wing (level-1), Strand, London, WC2R 1LA