Lower back pain can occur due to prolonged bad posture, for example from sitting, repetitive strain, or work that involves stretching your arms overhead. Sudden, unusual or repetitive movements can occasionally be a cause.

The painful symptoms are caused by muscle tension, restricted movement in the vertebral joints, and, more rarely, nerve irritation.

In the vast majority of cases, back pain is not associated with tissue damage. Therefore, it is usually possible—and crucial—to maintain adequate physical activity and lead a healthy lifestyle.

Restricted movement and difficulty walking

While back pain, limitations to your usual range of motion and difficulties walking can be very stressful during the acute phase, they usually subside within a short period of time. If your symptoms are highly limiting or persist for a long time, we recommend that you get in touch with us.

Muscle tension, cramps and weaknesses; tingling and numbness in the legs; problems urinating

If a joint has impaired movement, the surrounding muscles pick up the slack to protect the joint or compensate for the poor posture, potentially leading to tension and pain. These symptoms can usually be successfully addressed with chiropractic treatment. Back pain arising in combination with muscle weakness, numbness or difficulty urinating must be investigated immediately. If the physical examination indicates a serious illness, we will initiate further diagnostic measures.

Biopsychosocial factors

Emotional and social challenges can influence and even intensify lower back pain—through what’s known as biopsychosocial interactions. It’s therefore important to address issues that at first glance appear to have nothing to do with the physical problem. Persistent worries, low mood, lack of sleep or stress can delay recovery from back pain. We can make an initial assessment and offer tips, for example on relaxation or how to get better sleep. In some cases, it may be a good idea to involve other specialists—we will be happy to help you with this.

We are committed to providing patients with comprehensive information about treatment options, self-management and prevention. The gold standard in chiropractic medicine involves a thorough consultation and initial examination to determine your ideal and correct treatment. 
This is followed by a detailed explanation of the symptoms and manual treatment over an agreed period of time. Depending on the symptoms, this can last a few to several weeks, or, in the case of concomitant therapy, take place over the long term. During this phase, we’ll provide you with further advice and tips on how to stay active and avoid relapses with the help of specific exercises. If necessary, we will organize additional psychological assistance and support for your successful return to work. In complex cases, we work closely with other specialist departments at Balgrist University Hospital.

In our treatments and consultations, we adhere to the recommendations of the WHO, which include, among other things, that lower back pain should be treated holistically [4]:

• Chiropractic spinal manipulation is recommended for most patients with lower back pain, including older adults.
• Other suitable therapies include dry-needling, various soft tissue therapies and structured exercise programs.
• Beyond structured and standardized education and counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy is an equally central recommendation for managing symptoms.
• Most types of commonly administered medication are unnecessary; only non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (e.g. ibuprofen or diclofenac) are suitable to a limited extent.
• Lumbar support, belts or bandages—along with some medications such as opioid painkillers, which can lead to overdose and dependence—are not recommended. However, the use of biopsychosocial interventions is vital.
• Joint decision-making and recognizing the patient’s needs, preferences and individual situation are fundamental.