Ms Hertman, what does back pain really start with?
The causes of back pain can be truly varied. Most often, however, it is a problem caused by our lifestyle. Our work is often sedentary—eight hours a day, with only short breaks. Frequently, we work at an unsuitable workstation: the monitor is at the wrong distance, the desk is the wrong height, or the chair is unsuitable. Then there is the car, because the pace of life requires us to get to work as quickly as possible, go shopping immediately after work, and pick up the children from school or preschool. Everything is done in a rush and mostly while sitting. Physical activity is often irregular and insufficient. Poorly chosen beds and mattresses, watching television and reading books in the wrong position—all of this takes its toll. Our spines simply cannot withstand it.
How is it that back and spine problems were not so widespread in the past?
Yes, you are right. The alarming pace of life, cars everywhere and a lack of time for movement are factors that, 20–30 years ago, we did not face on such a scale. The biomechanics of our musculoskeletal system are changing, while our anatomy cannot adapt quickly enough to different types of strain. Anatomically, we are adapted for movement, not for sitting.
However, changing one’s lifestyle and way of working is not always possible.
Again, I have to agree with you. A working person who has a family may find it difficult to radically change their rhythm of life. Therefore, when there is no time for recovery and we constantly add stimuli that negatively affect the body, overuse injuries occur. These, in turn, tend to accumulate. Our bodies have limited ability to adapt to poor conditions, and every mechanism, even the most perfect one, has its limits. Its durability is lower the more heavily we use it. Our bodies also say stop at some point. This is where back pain problems begin.
That sounds almost like a sentence. It seems that nearly all of us are doomed to pain.
Unfortunately, yes. At present, more than 30% of people over the age of 40 have chronic spine problems. Most often these are disc disorders, overuse of muscles, tendons and ligaments, or degenerative conditions affecting the joints of the spine. Degenerative diseases, or arthroses, actually affect every joint in the body. It is such a widespread problem that it deserves more attention in a future article.
So can we try to fight the problem—or its potential future consequences—in some way?
Of course. The simplest solution is to remove the stimuli that cause harm. Even if we reduce their amount, we may already feel some relief because the body will have a chance to regenerate somewhat. That is why it is worth investing in a properly adjusted workstation and a well-chosen mattress, avoiding reading in bed, and changing our position while watching television. Ideally, we should sit or lie on the floor and exercise during the TV programme.
Wouldn’t it be better to seek help from a specialist?
Of course, that is possible and it is a very good idea, because the help will be provided professionally and quickly.
Who can help in such a situation, and how?
A doctor and a physiotherapist can really help. It often happens that a patient first goes to a doctor, who prescribes medication and recommends treatments, and then goes to a physiotherapist and chooses those treatments. Recent legal regulations have enabled physiotherapists to fully perform examinations of the musculoskeletal system and prescribe physiotherapy treatments. Patients can therefore shorten their route to receiving help somewhat, while doctors have a little less work. It is important that the specialist the patient visits is genuinely a physiotherapist with the right to practise. Otherwise, under the law, they unfortunately cannot diagnose or recommend physiotherapy treatments.
What treatments can help with back pain?
Most often, patients come for therapeutic massage and individually tailored therapies. They also very frequently book physiotherapy treatments, including electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, ultrasound, laser therapy, Sollux lamp treatments, and peat and paraffin packs. One of the most effective methods is MBST therapy. Its advantage is that its effects are very lasting—they can continue for up to four years after the treatment ends. It is also a quick method. A course consists of only 5, 7 or 9 treatments, selected one per day, with a break for the weekend. More information about MBST therapy can be found at: mbst-terapia.pl.
Can each of these treatments be performed on every patient?
Of course not. We always follow the recommendations of the doctor the patient initially visited, or the physiotherapists themselves select treatments based on the condition and any contraindications. This takes place during the first physiotherapy appointment. A patient record is then created and a diagnostic examination is carried out. It is important for the patient to bring their test results and previous medical records to this appointment.
I understand that such comprehensive care is available at your clinic?
Absolutely. Every patient who comes to our clinic can count on highly professional assistance and a pleasant atmosphere. The physiotherapists working at our facility have higher medical education. It is also important that at Przychodnia Starzyńskiego Rehabilitacja we focus on convenient and modern solutions. Patients can book appointments online. We send each patient an individual SMS reminder about their booked appointment one day beforehand. Given the current pace of life, this is a major convenience.
How can the clinic be contacted?
We invite you to visit our Facebook profile: PrzychodniaStarzynskiegoRehabilitacja. Patients can also find the booking system there. Of course, we also invite you to contact us by phone at 606 818 429 or visit us directly at our facility at 2b/2 Starzyńskiego Street in Bolesławiec.
Thank you very much for the interview.
Price list
For those interested in the prices of services at Przychodnia Starzyńskiego Rehabilitacja, below we present the prices of several sample treatments.
- qualification appointment for MBST – PLN 70
- first appointment (with physiotherapy diagnosis), approximately 40 minutes – PLN 70
- therapeutic massage, approximately 20–25 minutes – PLN 50
- sports massage, approximately 25 minutes – PLN 60
- hot stone massage, approximately 30 minutes – PLN 60; 60 minutes – PLN 110
- kinesiotaping – PLN 25–40
- physiotherapy treatments (electrotherapy, laser therapy, ultrasound, magnetotherapy, Sollux, Bioptron) – PLN 8/treatment
- individual therapy – PLN 60
- peat/paraffin packs – PLN 10/treatment
