Back Pain / Slipped, Herniated & Bulging Disc (Disc Dislocation)
A Personal Message from Lorna Mair
Causes of back pain can arise from disc problems, a Herniated disc, Bulging disc (Disc dislocation) or Slipped disc. Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction, Muscle spasms, Injuries, Congenital Conditions (such as scoliosis, and kyphosis), Kidney Stones, Arthritis , Menstruation, Infections and other complications within the body, are also very common causes of back pain. Although some causes of back pain are not preventable, the majority of people I treat have developed their condition through occupational hazards, or injury, with prolonged sitting becoming a major contributing factor to many I treat presenting with Sacroiliac Discomfort. Using Bowen therapy for such issues seems to produce more immediate relief than other therapies such as chiropractic or physiotherapy, as the therapy reduces the pressure around the area as it relaxes the surrounding soft tissue. Treatment for back pain using the Bowen Technique will differ than other therapies you may have tried, both due to the gentle pain-free technique, and the speed in which we practitioners expect to see results. If there were no changes within 3 sessions, practitioners worldwide would suggest further investigation, as they would be pretty confident that your condition was not just soft tissue related. Recent studies show that 80% of our aches and pains are related to soft tissue tension and/or damage, and this would co-inside with the results I see in the clinic, although in my opinion, I would rate that percentage higher. The actual procedures used to assist with your condition vary on your symptoms and medical history. In every session, my initial assessment focuses on the full alignment of the body and with additional work in any areas that need further encouragement. I feedback to every individual my findings and any additional work that needs to be done to improve their condition. As I tell everyone it is very much a “we process”, and ask that they note all changes between sessions, as that information assists me in even further in helping with the condition. I can see what I see, and I can feel what I feel with my fingers, however, I can never feel what’s going on inside one’s body. As an Accredited, Certified Bowen Practitioner, I see the body as a whole and am not only concerned with the area of pain. On making an appointment, you will be sent an electronic form to complete which will give me useful information as to the original cause of your condition. Falls, accidents, even from decades ago or all relevant especially if it involved a fall to your bottom, such as slipping on a wet floor, ice, skiing, roller blading , skating injury etc. Often dehydration and underlying emotional issues can also be contributing to the cause of chronic pain, so during your consultation, I may also ask a few other questions, such as water intake and stress levels, sleeping patterns, lifestyle etc. This information also allows me to better choose from the vast number of Bowen Procedures to use and which specific areas of the body to target. Depending on the severity of your symptoms I may also prescribe those I feel may be deficient, transdermal application of Magnesium Oil, to specific parts of the body. I tend to leave this until at least the second session, however, as I like to observe how the body has responded to treatments from receiving Bowen alone. On occasion, I suggest the use of Bowtech Ease® (only available through your Bowen Therapist), which many now call my “Magic Potion”! Applied onto the skin at the area of pain, I find if provides fast acting, totally natural, pain relief for many, allowing them to be as comfortable as possible as they continue to heal.”Lorna J Mair Dip.BT MFHT
Additional Information by Sue Hamilton (Bowen Instructor)
A herniated, slipped disc? or bulging disc is when an inter-vertebral disc is constantly compressed which causes the nucleus (the soft center) to bulge, or possibly rupture the tough fibrous outer layer like the outside of a tire. This prolapse may push on the spinal cord or on the nerve roots, causing intense sharp pain in and around the lower back. The majority of disc herniation occur in the lumbar region (lower back), because that part of the vertebral column bears much of the weight of the body, and it is also the region which does the most bending and flexing. What is the cause of a slipped disc? The term ‘slipped disc?’ does not really describe the condition accurately as the disc does not actually slip out of place, but bulges out towards the spinal cord. This puts pressure on the spinal nerves causing acute pain in and around the lower back. If the roots of the sciatic nerve are compressed the pain can radiate down the posterior thigh, through the calf, and occasionally into the foot This condition is called Sciatica. Hard physical labor can increase the likelihood of a herniated disc, excessive strain or pressure on the spine can also cause a herniated disc. They are also seen following trauma such as an injury from a fall or a car accident. On occasion, they seem to just happen without any obvious cause. Bowen therapy and the treatment of a Herniated disc Herniated discs respond well to Bowen treatment. This particular type of therapy seems to have a much more immediate response than other treatments such as chiropractic or physiotherapy as the pressure around the herniated disc disc is decreased immediately. The specific Bowen moves relieve the tension in and around the herniated area. Utilizing special procedures in a Bowen treatment as well as the Basic Relaxation Moves, most clients get a degree of immediate relief from a Herniated disc after the first session. Many clients only require a few treatments to fully treat the Herniated disc. This depends, of course, on the severity of the condition. Inter-vertebral discs are the 23 narrow spongy shock absorbers which fit between the 24 separate bones of your spine. Without the discs, these bones would grate and crunch every time you moved. Inter-vertebral discs have very little in the way of nerve supply and contain no blood. They are made up largely of water. The inside is filled with something kind of like toothpaste. As your disc begins to lose water it is like letting air out of a radial tire; the sides begin to bulge. As you get older the amount of fluid in your discs will diminish slightly, – hence why drinking water is very important in maintaining spinal health.Source: Click here Bowen Training Australia Sue Hamilton – Instructor