What can help my lower back pain?

“Cancer patients who use alternative medicine more than twice as likely to die,” is the stark message, which has been reported in the press including  CNN, Daily Mail and the Sun newspaper (see below). https://www.thesun.co.uk/living/4249489/cancer-patients-who-shun-chemo-for-alternative-therapies-are-twice-as-likely-to-die/ I know that I have written blogs about cancer in the past and pointed recent ideas and research.  But I want to make it crystal clear that I believe in complementary therapy not alternative therapy.  While this may sound like symantics its a crucial difference.  At Vitality Therapy we always recommend you follow your GP, consultant and conventional medicine's recommendations and we work in a manner that is complementary to that advice, guideance and medication. In the articles I mentioned earlier, people were using "Alternative Medicine" instead of conventional cancer treatments.  The researchers concluded that people using "Alternative Medicine" were less likely to survive after a cancer diagnosis for 5 years. What I discuss in my blog articles and we recommend in clinic is "complementary therapy" which is completely compatible will all forms of western medicine. Below is an extract from the NHS choices - Cancer section.. "There are reports that some people find complementary medicines (CAMs) of benefit during cancer treatments. For example, some people have said that acupuncture helped them cope better with the side effects of chemotherapy." The basic premise of the press articles is that ignoring medical advice on the treatment choices that potentially offer the most benefit for cancer (or any other illness) could be fatal.  Here at Vitality Therapy we never suggest or imply that you ignore medical advice.  

Hip pain is common problem, and it can be confusing because there are many causes.  The most common cause of Hip Pain is arthritis for which you will need to see your GP for them to advise on the best treatment option of you. Trochanteric Bursitis Trochanteric bursitis is an extremely common problem that causes inflammation of the bursa, which is a protective cusion over the outside of the hip joint.  There are two main bursa which protect the hip joint, the superficial trochanteric bursa and the deep trochanteric bursa.  The superficial trochanteric bursa lies beneath the tensor fasciae latae (one of the muscles on the side of your hip) and the deep trochanteric bursa lies beneath the the largest of your glutes (gluteus maximus) both of the these muscles insert in to the Iliotibial Band (ITB).  Reduced flexibility in your gluteus maximus, tensor fasciae latae or ITB can cause trochanteric bursitis, from too much cycling or running or from running on uneven surfaces.  Another common cause is some women is an imbalance between your abductor and adductor muscles.  Trochanteric bursitis can also be caused by clients altering their posture as a result of a previous back injury. In all these cases a deep tissue or sports massage can help.  However if the cause is walking with more weight going through the outside of your foot (excessive foot eversion) then your make need to see a podiatrist for personalized orthotics. Hip Flexors Illiopsoas the main hip flexor, shortens when we sit down, so prolonged sitting can cause contracture (anatomical shortening) which can cause either lower back or hip pain.  I have personally found this to be a common cause of hip pain which can be successfully treated with deep tissue or sports massage. If you experience lower back or hip pain when standing up from a seated position then rectus femoris which is one your largest quadriceps muscle make be tight and/or your gluteus maximus which is the other muscle which helps your stand from a seated position may be weak.  If you suspect you have weak glutes you can strengthen them with squats and lunges. Fractures Hip fractures are common in the elderly with osteoporosis.  Stress fractures of the hip are common in people who participate in high impact sports e.g. long distance running, treatment is usually to avoid the high impact sport and this is usually successfully. When should I see my GP about my hip pain?  

• Inability to walk comfortably on the affected side
• Injury that causes deformity around the joint
• Hip pain that occurs at night or while resting
• Hip pain that persists beyond a few days
• Inability to bend the hip
• Swelling of the hip or the thigh area
• Signs of an infection, including fever, redness, warmth
• Any other unusual symptoms

Deep tissue is a very descriptive name and is self-explanatory.  The confusion comes when it is compared to sports massage.  The big difference is the focus. Sports massage is dedicated to

• improving sports performance
• prevention of and treating sports injuries

• You work out religiously, but aren't as relgious about stretching
• You cycle or run to work and don't think to stretch
• You play sports but don't cross train so have specific trouble spots
• Your performance (in a particular sport) has dropped
• You have a history of injuries and want to reduce the likely hood of further injuries

• You work at a computer all day and your neck, shoulders & back are chronically sore
• You are so tense your back feels like concrete
• You have tired achy legs
• You are in pain
• You are stiff (or are unable to move your neck/arm/leg freely)
• You are stressed or anxious
• You have a knot or a muscle spasm