Back pain: I've never really had any problems with it. But now that I'm approaching 50, I notice, like many people of that age, that my lower back suddenly doesn't 'go along' as easily with my pace. These days I sometimes have a flaming (stabbing) pain in my back. And then I can't do anything anymore. This even happened at my stretching class the other day. I sat in a pose and I threw my back out. I was then stuck in that position for the rest of the lesson, because I couldn't move anymore.
Causes of a sore back
A doctor from a well-known spa told me that this stabbing pain in the lower back can have various causes. An incorrect posture, muscle tension, an injury or a condition such as sciatica. Fortunately I don't have anything serious and with special back and abdominal strengthening exercises (very important!) I keep myself going. But I also catch myself slumped in my chair behind my laptop every day. A bad posture for your back. A bad unconscious habit that I would like to break. And it's possible!
Spas specialized in back problems
Some spas and wellness hotels have made back pain their specialty. Your back and posture are thoroughly examined here. You will then receive a personal plan for your specific back problems. The physiotherapists treat various disorders: chronic back pain, neurological disorders, musculoskeletal injuries, but also sports injuries.
High tech equipment
The physiotherapists use various techniques such as manual therapy, practical exercises and sometimes also side branches such as haptonomy or chiropractic for the treatment of these back problems. They also sometimes use modern technology such as ultrasound, GAIT analyzes or TR therapy. The physiotherapist provides tips and advice to help you move smoothly again. Physiotherapy as part of a cure program can teach you healthy (lifestyle) habits that will benefit you for the rest of your life.
PureandCure.com offers a variety of retreats, each centered around different themes like yoga, Pilates, juice fasting, fitness, or lifestyle. The Puurenkuur Strengthen Your Back Retreat features specialized yoga sessions designed to strengthen the back and alleviate back issues. These unique yoga sessions are complemented by calming mindfulness elements. Boshotel Vlodrop provides the perfect blend of natural beauty from National Park De Meinweg and exquisite wellness facilities.
Longevity Health & Medical Alvor is an adults-only medical spa with preventative, medical and holistic wellbeing programmes in the heart of the Algarve. Ricardo Rosa is an exceptional Osteopath and Physiotherapist and even recognised by Condé Nast Traveller as one of the Top 20 therapists in the world. Ricardo is a very passionately committed man who who can give the most efficient therapies to address dysfunctions in the briefest time possible, by removing the barriers that stand in the way of the internal healing processes and systems. He supervises the Osteo Rebalance programs (5 nights) of Longevity.
You are in excellent hands for a F. X. Mayr, Ayurveda or thalasso programme at the authentic family hotel, OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel. But OCÉANO also has a professional and specialized team of physiotherapists and osteopaths, offering the OCÉANO STRONG BACK programme. Guests will receive a personal consultation and work collaboratively with our physiotherapist and other experts at the medical gym, and utilize both scientific and alternative approaches to maximize effectiveness and achieve optimal results.
Kamalaya's Structural Revival programme (5, 7 and 9 nights) offers solutions for chronic neck and back pain, myofascial pain syndrome, osteoarthritis and tendinitis. The team of physiotherapists will first evaluate your alignment, posture, gait and any obvious restrictions of movement. The physiotherapy treatments incorporate practical exercises to improve your range of motion, correct muscular imbalances and rehabilitate injuries. The practical exercises are combined with modern technology, such as ultrasound for healing at a cellular level or TR-Therapy, which brings intense pain relief, muscle relaxation and support for tissue healing. The application of ultrasound is especially effective in the reduction of inflammation and the healing of injuries.
Ananda offers the special Pain Management programme. It starts with a detailed assessment by their physiotherapists and Ayurvedic experts. The treatment plan is highly customized, basis the root cause of pain and includes comprehensive physiotherapy procedures, Ayurvedic therapies, stress relieving yogic postures and an anti-inflammatory dietary approach. Dr. Palak Jain, senior physiotherapist at Ananda says 'the majority of pain such as spondylitis, radiculopathy or osteoarthritis occurs due to overuse of postural muscles at wrong angles for a long period of time. A GAIT analysis helps us to understand the cause of muscular and neural related pain. It begins from a heel strike of a foot and calculate the hip, knee and ankle angles of all 8 events occurring in one complete cycle. It is unique to every person.
'All too often, we carry heavy physical and mental loads that put pressure on the spine, intervertebral discs, cartilage and joints,’ says Dr Peter Gartner, medical director at the award-winning medical spa Park Igls Mayr clinic in Tyrol. This can have numerous, painful consequences. Park Igls physiotherapists advise: ‘Sitting for long periods of time is not recommended. Remember to change your sitting position often. The spine needs constant movement – strain and relief – to stay healthy.’ Park Igls offers various programs for back pain and physiotherapy: Neurofit and Physio-Fit.
Atmantan’s Restorative Physiotherapy programme (5, 7 or 10 nights) focuses on restoring mobility, strengthening & improving the quality of movement. The physiotherapists are specialized in treating orthopedic-related conditions, such as osteoarthritis, ligament injuries, sports injuries, post-surgical rehabilitation, joint instabilities, restoration of muscle and musculoskeletal or even certain neurological related conditions. The programs consist of detailed assessment and diagnosis, post which advanced and innovative techniques and modalities manual therapy & mobilisations, ultrasound therapy, postural integration and localised anti-inflammatory treatments. Atmantan combines traditional eastern medicine with western medical knowledge.
RAKxa, an integrative wellness and medical retreat located in the “Green Lung” of Bangkok, provides a tailored Mobilisation programme focuses on restoring the physical movements of the body after a prolonged sedentary lifestyle, injuries, surgeries and other complications. This will comprise both scientific and traditional therapy, along with sessions in the medical gym that will cater to specific treatments that best suit you. RAKxa's programmes provides flexible options that cater to your individual condition and mental well-being, with choices of 5 nights, 7 nights or 10 nights.
This blog is written by Marleen, the founder of PureandCure.com. She travels around the world in search of the best Health & Wellbeing Hotels, Spas and Retreats and shares her know-how, experiences and observations through her blogs.