Lower back pain, especially when it's your occupational based is multi-faceted.

There isn't one specific thing that causes lower back pain, but there are mechanisms, and when they combine it increases the likelihood of suffering lower back pain.

You've probably seen ads for pain-killers to help cope with the pain, however this is only temporary. The way our society functions is we rely on Physio's, Osteo's or any other Allied Health Professional to "Fix us". We're not like cars where we can simply replace a part if it's damaged, so we need to take a different perspective on this.

As an Exercise Scientist, we understand lower back pain is a Biomechanical issue that has a biomechanical long-term solution. Yet we also know people's fears can hold them back from making progress through the rehab/training phase. So a level of education, coaching, and inspiration is required to help them overcome their fear.

At Inner Athlete, we have a few individuals who work in the health sector and have suffered occupational based lower back pain. We also have members with Rheumatoid Arthritis of the lower back which can be challenging to address, as they may have had it for a long time. However we've successfully helped these members overcome their lower back issue and get them stronger so it doesn't flare up again. We make it our responsibility to show them what needs to be done to look after their body and in the long term, they are strong enough and can apply what they've learned to their work environment.

The three key areas to overcome occupational lower back pain are:

• The work environment/tasks

• The individual's physiological structure and biomechanics (how they move)

• The individual's mental state/psychology, as the pain has a large psychological component

After assessing the above, we're able to create a training program to help them understand how their body moves, address limitations in mobility and stability, and builds one&';s confidence to perform tasks that once aggravated their lower back. This process takes time, persistence, and work. But once achieved, they're more likely to appreciate the process and will look after themselves better.

Is your occupation causing you ongoing lower back issues? Have a chat to an Exercise Scientist!

Trent Pirihi
Founder and Head Strength Coach