Are we treating this common health issue in entirely the wrong way?
“Scans rarely reveal the cause of back pain,” says Professor Kieran O’Sullivan, Chartered Physiotherapist and Head of the School of Physiotherapy at the University of Limerick. He points out that so-called “abnormal findings” found on scans, such as bulging discs, degenerative discs and arthritis, are common and normal for most people without pain, especially as they get older. So why do some people experience back pain and others not? According to Professor O’Sullivan, 90% of back pain is caused by a combination of physical and non-physical factors, such as lack of sleep, relationship or family stress, job dissatisfaction and financial pressures. The key to successfully managing pain is to first understand the cause of the pain and then find a treatment. Professor O’Sullivan talks to In the News about how to understand back pain and how to deal with it. Hosted by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan.
“Scans rarely reveal the cause of back pain,” says Professor Kieran O’Sullivan, a chartered physiotherapist and head of the School of Physiotherapy at the University of Limerick, who points out that so-called “abnormal findings” on scans, such as bulging discs, degeneration or arthritis, are common and normal for most people without pain, especially as they get older.
So why do some people experience back pain and others don’t? According to O’Sullivan, 90% of back pain is caused by a combination of physical and non-physical factors, including lack of sleep, relationship or family stress, job dissatisfaction and financial pressures.
First understanding the cause of the pain and then finding ways to treat it is the key to successful pain management.
O’Sullivan speaks to In the News about how to understand and treat back pain.
The presenter is Bernice Harrison and the producer is Suzanne Brennan.
