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An estimated 7 out of 10 people will suffer from back and spine pain at some point in their life. As one of the most common reasons to be signed off sick from work, it’s no surprise that many people visit One Health to hear about treatments, management and surgery solutions.
Back pain is the largest single cause of disability in the UK. While some conditions require surgery, others can be treated with injections, manipulative therapy, and physiotherapy. This page explains more about our treatments for the back and spine, so you’ll understand what to expect.
The spine consists of 24 bones (vertebrae) plus the sacrum and coccyx. In between these small bones is a disc that absorbs shock during movement, allows your spine to flex, and prevents friction.
Down the centre of your spine lies the spinal cord. This delicate structure carries nerves from the brain to the rest of the body. Your back also has 40 muscles and 5 ligaments, some of which are attached to the spine itself.
How to look after your back
Taking care of your back can reduce the risk of developing injuries or making pain worse. You can do this by taking regular exercise with proper form, working your core, focusing on optimal posture, moving your body correctly, and investing in a decent office chair or a lumbar roll.
Some back and spine conditions come with age, while injury can cause others. Common conditions include pulled muscles, slipped discs, and trapped nerves, as well as ankylosing spondylitis, spinal nerve root inflammation, fracture, or wear and tear.
Some conditions compressing nerves, such as degenerative spondylolisthesis and lumbar disc protrusion, can be helped with physiotherapy, medication, lifestyle changes, and manipulative therapy. However, if you and your surgeon agree that treatment isn’t working, surgery is an option.
For other conditions like spinal stenosis, surgery is a must as the pressure needs to be taken off the nerves. Patients with compressed nerves often experience lower back pain, leg pain, stiffness, numbness, pins and needles and muscle tenderness.
Back and spine conditions can often be treated and managed through injections, physiotherapy, and surgery, helping you maintain your quality of life and return to activities.
The cause of back pain may be due to:
Thankfully, there are several ways to help back and spine pain, including surgery, medication, heat, TENS machines, and targeted exercises.
When you suffer from back and spine pain, you should first consult your GP or Pharmacist who will be able to offer advice and suggest medication or refer you to a specialist.
Physiotherapy is often encouraged as a first step to help improve movement patterns, strengthen weak muscles, and reduce pain. If physiotherapy does not solve the back and spine pain or address the cause, then surgery or injections may be necessary.
One Health has a team of specialist Spinal Surgeons who work closely with Physiotherapists and healthcare professionals on the diagnosis and treatment of back issues. Whether you’re looking for surgery or non-invasive options, we offer a range of treatments for conditions affecting the back and spine.
Microdiscectomy, discectomy, and spinal decompression surgery are some of our most common spine and back surgeries.
Microdiscectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure to remove a portion of a herniated disk that’s pressing on a nerve. Using a small incision and microscope, the surgeon relieves nerve compression. This reduces pain and improves function.
A discectomy removes part or all of an intervertebral disc. A discectomy can be performed in open surgery or using minimally invasive methods. The goal is to reduce pressure on spinal nerves or the spinal cord, but it can also remove the disc material.
Lumbar decompression and stabilisation are performed under general anaesthetic. The surgeon makes an incision in the midline of the back and lifts the muscles from the bony arch. The surgeon clips the bone and the facet joints to remove pressure on the nerves. The surgeon assesses the spine's stability and considers a bone graft or a spinal fusion.
Injections are available to help with back and spine pain and diagnose conditions.
For example, steroid injections help with joint and soft tissue disorders by easing pain and reducing inflammation. Other injections may help doctors diagnose and treat conditions.
Injection treatments at One Health Group include:
Whether you’re having a decompression or a discectomy, the preparation for spine and back surgery remains the same.
Firstly, you should optimise your health to aid your recovery. This could mean addressing your diet and, if you smoke, quitting. Ahead of the surgery, read about the operation from reputable sources, give your consent, and ask the doctor or surgeon to clarify any questions or concerns you have.
You’ll need to tell the consultant if you’re undergoing treatment for any conditions (even if it’s unrelated) and if you’re pregnant. If you have new pain or symptoms, such as bladder or bowel incontinence, you should tell us. We may need to arrange an urgent valuation, scans, emergency surgery, or postpone the operation.
At your pre-assessment visit, you’ll receive further advice on preparing for your surgery and ask any questions. You may also be asked to change lifestyle habits that could impact your condition, treatment and recovery, such as exercise, diet and smoking.
As with all surgeries, back and spine surgery has risks and, in some cases, may lead to complications. You should always discuss the specific risks with your surgeon.
The risks can include:
If you’re having a fusion procedure, be aware of factors that can negatively impact a solid fusion and cause complications. These include:
Recovery times vary, but initial pain and swelling improve within a few weeks. Full recovery might take several months. Recovery involves immediate post-treatment care, such as managing pain and swelling, followed by a rehabilitation phase that includes a gradual increase in activity. Assistive devices like scooters or compression stockings can aid mobility and recovery. Use them as your provider recommends to support your healing process and improve comfort. Long-term care includes maintaining lifestyle changes and attending follow-up visits. Seek medical attention if you notice any concerning symptoms.
There are some red flags to watch out for that could indicate something serious linked to back pain. If you have the following symptoms accompanying back pain, consult your GP or 111:
Do I need to arrange my own physiotherapy?
How soon can I go home after my surgery?
What activities are safe after surgery?
When can I go back to work after surgery?
When can I start driving after surgery?
What activities can I do while I recover?
One Health waiting times from consultation to treatment are 2 - 12 weeks on average.
