CASE STUDY 2 - LOWER BACK PAIN, HIP PROBLEM

55 year old company director, lower back/hip pain, overweight

Client attended for pain relief as he drives huge distances each week (50-60,000 miles per year), and is often unable to get out of his car when he arrives at his destination. Severe lumbar pain, also right hip/glute.

Client was obviously overweight, due to traveling lifestyle, and was finding it increasingly difficult to maintain his job visiting branches throughout the UK. He had been reasonably fit in earlier years but due to lack of time, and now back pain, couldn't exercise.

At the start of the course of treatment his lower back was so tender that I could hardly apply any pressure, so concentrated on warming and passively stretching the back muscles. After a couple of sessions I was able to apply enough pressure to start to release the muscles. Although some progress was made in each treatment the effects didn't last long and I recommended that he see an osteopath for a skeletal assessment.

This showed that his pelvis was misaligned (we think because he spent many hours sitting on his wallet that he always carried in his right rear pocket!). Once this was corrected the massage treatments were much more effective and the results longer lasting.

We soon got to a point where he could, with a personal trainer, start a supervised exercise program targeting weight loss and core muscle strength.

I also recommended that when he change his car it was from the low slung touring models he usually had to something with a more upright, natural sitting position.

He now recognizes the signs when he is tightening up and we do a treatment every 3-4 months.