With apologies for the tongue twisting title, my name is Laurence Kirk and I am in charge of the training of osteopaths in the School of Health and Social Care at Oxford Brookes University. When the students have passed all the necessary examinations they are assigned to The Mill Court Clinical Centre in Headington, a little enclave of the University specifically set up to offer osteopathic treatment to the local community at heavily subsidised rates. Many people are unfamiliar with the work of osteopaths and I hope in some small way, over the coming months, to give a little insight into the serious aspects of treating individuals who may be suffering considerable pain and discomfort as well as, occasionally, the more light hearted side of things.
The main problem seen by the osteopaths at Mill Court is undoubtedly low back pain, which, unless you’ve suffered yourself, may seem like a minor complaint. If you do however, suffer a first bout of low back pain you realise how much you need your back and how intense and distressing the pain can be! Sadly, part of the burden of our comfortable 21st century lifestyles seems to be an increasing susceptibility to low back pain. Incredibly, according to research, there was a 1000% increase in reported disability from low back pain in the four decades from 1950 to 1990. In addition, later research reveals the none too comforting observation that 90% of us will suffer back pain at some point during our lifetime.
On an interesting note, research students have recently noted a trend towards middle and upper back pain, often partly as a consequence, believe it or not, of wearing a poorly fitting bra. Logical when you think about how much time the average woman will spend on a daily basis wearing that bra. Think about the potential effects of a tight elastic strap on both the spine and shoulder if that bra is undersized, and conversely the lack of support, particularly for larger women, if their bra isn’t up to the task required of it. Patients are being advised to have their bra size checked by a specialist fitter (available in most lingerie departments) to ensure that they minimise this particular risk!