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Chronic back pain:
how osteopathy relieve persistent lower back pain?

personne souffrant de maux de dos chronique supportant son dos avec la main

What is chronic back pain ?

Definition and characteristics 

Chronic low-back pain is persistent pain in the lumbar region, i.e. the lower back, that has lasted for more than three months. It's the most common cause of disability, work absenteeism and reduced quality of life, affecting a large proportion of the world's population. Low back pain can be of mechanical origin, linked to alterations in the spine and surrounding structures, or non-mechanical, with more complex causes such as inflammatory or metabolic diseases.

 

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rachis lombaire dégénératif au niveau L4-L5

​Causes of chronic low back pain​

Mechanical factors

They are the most frequent causes. They include postural disorders, lumbar osteoarthritis, herniated discs, intervertebral discs degeneration, muscular contractures.

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Non-mechanical factors

Less common, these causes can include inflammatory pathologies (such as ankylosing spondylitis), infections, or visceral disorders such as kidney disease.

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Psychosocial factors

Stress, anxiety, depression and other psychological disorders can influence pain perception and promote chronicity.

chronicité douleur lombaire

Symptoms of chronic low back pain

The symptoms of chronic low back pain are varied and can include:

  • Diffuse pain in the lower back, sometimes radiating to the buttocks and legs.

  • Morning stiffness, especially after prolonged periods of rest.

  • Functional limitations in everyday movements such as bending or lifting.

  • Sometimes tingling, burning or numbness in the lower limbs.

Treatment and management of chronic back pain

Medications

​Analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and sometimes muscle relaxants are often prescribed to reduce pain. In some cases, antidepressants or antiepileptics may be used for their action on chronic pain.

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Functional rehabilitation and physiotherapy

Physiotherapy aims to strengthen back muscles and improve posture. Stabilization, muscle-strengthening and stretching exercises are essential to reduce pain and prevent recurrence.

Cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT)

CBT can help modify negative pain-related behaviors and perceptions, particularly in patients suffering from depression or anxiety associated with their low-back pain.

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Osteopathy and manual therapy 

Osteopathy is a first-choice non-drug treatment for chronic lower back pain (or persistent back pain). During a consultation, the osteopath identifies mobility restrictions that overload the spine—vertebral joints, intervertebral discs, fascia, and paravertebral muscles.

In addition, osteopaths specialized in chronic pain will incorporate a prevention and patient autonomy program into their treatment:

  1. Stretching and strengthening program (core strengthening, lumbar stabilization) to consolidate the results of the sessions.

  2. Ergonomic advice: workplace layout, carrying loads, sleeping position.

  3. Therapeutic education on stress management, a major factor in central sensitization.

  4. Personalized follow-up: frequency adjusted according to progress (often 3–5 sessions to initiate change).

ostéopathe manipulant une patiente souffrant de maux de dos persistants à paris 16
Charbel Kortbawi, ostéopathe à Paris examine un patient souffrant de douleur de dos chronique

Treatment recommendations

tableau récapitulatif des recommendations de traitement non médicamenteux de la lombalgie chronique (2)
tableau récapitulatif des recommendations de traitement non médicamenteux de la lombalgie chronique (1)

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75016 Paris

OUR HOURS

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