Presentation
A client in a physically demanding job had experienced persistent lower back pain for over three years, associated with intervertebral disc degeneration. Surgery had been discussed with her as a possible long-term option.
Assessment
Assessment focused on spinal mechanics, how load was distributed through the spine and hips, and the movement patterns she had developed to work around her pain.
Approach
Care addressed the movement and load-distribution patterns identified in assessment. She was encouraged to continue her existing medical care throughout.
What the client reported
Following care, she reported that her symptoms had resolved. At a follow-up more than two years later, she reported that she remained pain-free and active without further care.
Reflection
Disc changes seen on imaging don’t always match how much pain a person experiences. Degenerative disc findings are common in people with no back pain at all, and become more common with age (Brinjikji et al., 2015). That’s one reason how someone moves and loads their spine can be worth assessing alongside their scan results.
This case describes one person’s experience, and her improvement may also reflect natural recovery and other factors. Decisions about surgery should always be made with a GP and specialist. Back pain with numbness or weakness in the legs, or changes in bladder or bowel control, needs urgent medical assessment.
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- Case 37: Long-Standing Breathing Restriction and Rib Movement
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