Physiotherapy and Massage for Low Back Pain in Rickmansworth

Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Assessment for your Low Back and Nerve Pain​

​

In our physiotherapy initial consultation we can clinically assess a range of lumbar spine conditions such as ​sciatica, nerve pain, muscle strains and spasms, mechanical low back pain, postural and any degenerative changes such as stenosis, spondylosis and arthritis in the spine.

​​

The aim of physiotherapy is to improve a tailored programme for your problems to improve range of motion and flexibility (also known as mobility), strength, stability through both exercises and hands on treatment such as massage and mobilisations. Some therapists may also be able to acupuncture as appropriate.​

​

It is also essential to ensure you fully understand your injury in terms of causes, prevention techniques for the future, guide on additional professional advice that might be useful for your condition and to ensure you leave with a clear self management strategy.

​​​

Targeted Massage Therapy for Muscular Low Back Relief ​

​​

​Cumulative tension, stiffness and persistent back issues can cause ongoing stiffness, tension, guarding, spasms and pain in the low back. Our therapists offer sports massage and deep tissue massage treatments that can relieve soft tissue restrictions by improving blood flow to the area and reducing tension.

​

Our massage treatments can be booked either as a standalone treatment which includes a brief assessment and medial history as well as self management exercise plan, or it can complement the physiotherapy rehabilitation process.

 

Massage can be used as an ad hoc treatment for pain relief, during busy and more stressful times, to supplement a more intense exercise training regime or to complement physiotherapy rehabilitation.

​

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

​

1. What are the top 3 causes of low back pain?

 

The top 3 causes of low back pain are:

​

• "non-specific low back pain" i.e. no particular incident, injury or obvious cause. This accounts for up to 90% of low back pain.

​

• Muscular strains and sprains. Often this is from overuse, but that can be cumulative, change of exercise and not necessarily a heavy lift or twist

​

• Degenerative spinal changes. These include age related disc wear, stenosis (narrowing), facet joint arthritis and low back wear and tear from age.

​

Low back pain is normally from a range of a few different factors which need to be identified and discussed to understand what is aggravating and easing in your particular case.

​​

2. Do I need an MRI scan or X-ray?

​

The vast majority of low back pain does not need a scan. Scans are usually used to identify any serious pathologies which are quite rare, or to provide information on whether more invasive treatments such as steroid injections or surgery are needed.

 

Your physiotherapist can discuss this with you and whether they believe a scan would be appropriate after the assessment and the reasons behind that.

​

If you have an MRI already, please bring the report to your appointment as they will provide some context to your physiotherapist.

​

3. ​Should I rest in bed?

​

No. Advice changed in the 1990's not to recommend bedrest for back pain.

​

It is quite important to keep moving little and often and continue non-aggravating activities where you can.

​

Generally speaking if you feel one of the only comfortable positions is lying down in the very early stages, then please only lie for short periods at a time for some relief, but try to minimise this and keep moving gently.

​​

4. Do we manipulate your back? 

​

We do not provide manipulations that chiropractors or osteopaths may utilise. We have a range of hands on treatment techniques, including massage that go alongside exercises to combine pain relieving treatments with long term strengthening, mobility and return to function.

​

5. Can you tell if my spine is out of alignment or needs adjusting?

 

Almost all feelings of alignment or differences in the spine are from differences in muscular tension or guarding, flexibility, natural responses from avoiding painful positioning or offloading sore areas.

​

Any structural differences in the spine, pelvis or length length would be easily identified by the therapist in the assessment and treated appropriately.

​

6. ​​How to help your low back pain?

​

Come and see a physiotherapist to diagnose, treat and rehabilitate your specific injury!​​​​​​

​​

Easy Travel by Car, Tube and for Patients Across Southwest Hertfordshire and Northwest London

​​

Our clinic is central to Rickmansworth on Station Road, within 50m of the High Street and is highly accessible for anyone seeking a back specialist in Three Rivers.

 

We are just a short drive from Watford via the A412 or Northwood via the A404. Patients traveling from further across the 15-mile radius appreciate our proximity to Junction 17 and 18 of the M25.

​

Nearby parking in Northway, adjacent to M&S and tube Station car parks makes it easy to park.

 

By train or tube, there is easy transit links with the local Metropolitan line and train stations a 3 minute walk away. This means there is easy access to Northwood, Pinner, Amersham, Chesham, Chorleywood, Harrow, Northwick Park and Wembley stations. 

​

There is also a local bus links to Croxley, Watford, Northwood, Denham, Chorleywood and nearby towns of Hemel Hempstead and St Albans.

If you are looking to book an appointment, please click the link to book online or contact us below.