Surgery by Appointment Only
Tuesday & Wednesday: 7am-8am
Morning Appointments: 8:30-10:30
Afternoon Appts: 14:00-17:30
Slateford Medical Centre
27 Gorgie Park Close
Edinburgh, EH14 1NQ
Fax No: 0131 442 8722
Opening Times
Monday - Friday: 8am-6pm
Back Pain
Back pain affects thousands of people, but in most cases is not serious and medical treatment is not always necessary.
Most back pain is caused by
Stiffness or spasm of the muscles caused by sleeping in an uncomfortable position
Doing activities you are not used to
Other causes
- Being overweight
- Pregnancy
- Incorrect lifting techniques
- A disc between the base of the spine moving out of position or pressing on a nerve
Common back problems
- Pain of the upper or lower back
- Pain spreading from the back of the thigh to the ankle (sciatica)
Back problems can be prevented by
- Keeping active
- Keeping to a healthy weight
- Sleeping on a firm mattress
- Lifting heavy weights correctly – crouch down, straighten knees and keep your back straight
Treatment at home
- Stay in bed, but no longer than one or two days
- Massage the painful area; supply heat
- Take painkillers
- Exercise gentlyVisiting your chiropractor
Treatment consists of well defined manipulation techniques which are aimed to improve joint pain and muscle spasms. Chiropractic is currently the second most frequently consulted complementary therapy.
The Medical Research Council have found that chiropractic is more effective then hospital outpatient treatment for lower back pain.
Chiropractic treatment is particularly favoured for easing back pain, sciatica, tension, neck, shoulder and arm pain.