9 minute read
MSK technique helps where and how to treat
MSK technique helps decide where to treat and how to treat
SKART (Structural Kinesiology Acupressure Release Technique) is a diagnostic and therapeutic technique designed for the management of back, neck, hip and leg pain. It is now available as an online training course.
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Image: jcomp/freepik
Above: Amanda White, solving back issues using gentle correction techniques
HAVING qualified as a nurse (RGN) in 1989, AMANDA WHITE developed back problems from lifting patients. This set her on a journey of discovery. She became a qualified BAA acupuncturist and ran an NHS chronic pain clinic for 18 years. It was here that SKART was researched and developed.
SKART uses the technique of kinesiology to test for issues. It is a way to communicate with the body, which allows practitioners to use the patient’s own body as the research tool to find out what it needs, where to treat, how to treat. It also gives feedback on whether the correction has held and corrected the problem area.
Research has also shown that one of the most under-recognised causes of chronic back pain is due to misalignments. Misalignments of the vertebrae in the spinal column put pressure on nerves, causing shooting pain, weakness, numbness, tingling and different leg lengths if the pelvis is involved.
Back and neck problems can be the cause of pain, headaches, dizziness, leg pains and restless legs. One patient reported experiencing such systems for around 18 months, responded to the first treatment, and within six weeks was functioning well with no relapse after nine months.
Another area for treatment is the symphysis pubis, the joint at the front of the pelvis between the pubic bones. Unfortunately, this can become misaligned leading to pain in the groin, hip area, leg weakness and imbalance, and pain radiating down the outside of the leg. It can also contribute to the destabilisation of the back, causing general back pain as a secondary problem. A patient presenting severe groin pain and pain down the side of her leg, reported the pain had stopped after three treatments, removing her reliance on a walking stick and enabling her to resume outdoor activities.
Other typical areas needing pain location and treatment include: l cranial issues which can cause headaches, pressure pain and excess crying in babies l lymphatic problems leading to feelings of sluggishness, toxic build up and reduced energy l jaw issues leading to pain l shoulder problems causing pain, tingling and numbness down the arm and in the fingers l ileocecal valve problems causing pains in lower right abdominal area and gut spasms l hiatus hernia issues linked to pain and discomfort under the left ribs, indigestion and nausea.
SKART allows the practitioner to solve back issues using practical, safe, nonforce, and gentle correction techniques. Amanda has written a full qualification specification which has been approved and accredited by the International Institute for Complementary Therapists (IICT). n Amanda White is founder and CEO of SKART International and is a BackCare professional member.
Misalignments of the vertebrae put pressure on nerves
Cut price on course
BackCare is able to provide readers the SKART online course at the discounted rate of £199, reduced from £450.
Osteoporosis: can it cause back pain?
Comparison of normal (top) and osteoporotic (bottom) bone structure
YOU may not realise it, but our bones are alive and constantly changing. In childhood, our skeleton increases in density and renews itself in just two years. Bone mass then continues to increase slowly into your mid-twenties. After middle age (35-55), bone loss increases as part of the natural ageing process. This can lead to osteoporosis in men and women.
So, what is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bones to lose strength and break more easily. It occurs when the structure of bone gets thinner, making it fragile and more likely to break easily. There are 3.5 million people with the condition in the UK today.
Does it cause back pain?
“It’s a common misunderstanding that osteoporosis causes aches and pains,” says Julia Thomson, specialist nurse at the Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS).
“Having low bone density or osteoporosis itself does not cause pain – but breaking a bone can be painful. In fact, an easily broken bone is often the first sign that our bones have lost strength. When we talk about the ‘symptoms’ of osteoporosis, we mean the broken bones it causes and the impact of these,” says Julia.
Images courtesy of Prof Tim Arnett (UCL)
How do I know if I’ve had a spinal fracture?
Although osteoporosis usually affects the whole skeleton, it most commonly causes broken bones or fractures in the spine, wrist and hip.
“Spinal fractures caused by osteoporosis happen when the vertebrae squash down on themselves and can happen without a fall or injury. Although these fractures heal in the same way as others, they heal in their new shape,” says Julia.
“This means that spinal fractures can lead to the height loss, back pain and postural changes that are sometimes associated with osteoporosis. So, if you have unexplained back pain and muscle spasms, height loss, a curved spine or notice a change in posture, this could be a sign of spinal fractures. These symptoms will become more noticeable the more broken bones you experience.”
What should I do?
“If you think you have any of these symptoms, speak to your healthcare professional. They can investigate whether your symptoms are caused by spinal fractures or something else,” says Julia. “Spinal fractures aren’t always painful and there are many other causes of back pain, including conditions like arthritis.”
Osteoporosis: can it cause back pain?
What will happen next?
“If your healthcare professional believes you have spinal fractures, they may recommend an osteoporosis medication without doing further tests to reduce your risk of further broken bones,” Julia says.
“In some cases, you may be referred for tests to find out about your bone strength – particularly if you are more at risk of osteoporosis because of other conditions or medications. Things like having had an early menopause, a close family history of osteoporosis, or malabsorption problems such as coeliac disease can all increase your risk. These tests might include a bone density scan, X-ray or MRI to establish whether you’ve broken any bones.”
What can I do to keep my bones strong?
“It’s never too early or too late to take action on your bone health,” says Julia.
“A healthy, balanced diet with adequate calcium, getting enough vitamin D and weight bearing and muscle strengthening exercise are all key.
“Finding out more about your risk factors for osteoporosis can also help you to identify if you could be at risk before you break a bone. You might also identify something you can change to protect your bones,” she says.
“If you’re concerned, discuss it with your healthcare professional who can tell you if a bone health assessment is needed.”
Did you know?
Our bones are made of a thick outer shell and a strong inner mesh that’s filled with collagen, calcium salts and other minerals. The inside looks like honeycomb, with blood vessels and bone marrow in the spaces between bone.
The Royal Osteoporosis Society is the only national charity dedicated to bone health and osteoporosis. Visit theros.org.uk/questions-answered for videos with more information about osteoporosis and bone health, or call the charity’s free Helpline on 0808 800 0035. STRENGTHENING is sometimes referred to as “the forgotten guideline” in comparison to the far better-known national recommendation that adults should do 150 minutes of moderate activity each week. This is among the findings of a 15-month project, funded by Sport England and the Centre for Ageing Better.
The study set out the beliefs, barriers and motivations of people living with long-term conditions when it comes to strengthening and contains key recommendations about effective messaging on the issue to that cohort.
In its report on the findings, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy says people living with long-term conditions have low awareness of the benefits of strengthening and fear it may make their symptoms worse, but they do recognise the role physiotherapy staff have in increasing participation.
The need is for physiotherapy staff and other healthcare workers to discuss strengthening with patients in the same way they would talk with them about the broader benefits of being active.
Sara Hazzard, the CSP’s assistant director for strategic communications, was encouraged to see how trusted physiotherapy staff were as a source of advice but stressed the importance for members to use the findings to inform their consultations. She said: “This is especially important after the events of the past year, which will have caused millions of people to decondition while in lockdown, shielding or simply less active than they would otherwise have been.”
www.sportengland.org www.ageing-better.org.uk www.csp.org.uk
The 2021 Back Care Awareness Week will run from 4-8 October. The theme for this year’s campaign is Back Pain and Working From Home. BackCare will be releasing more information in the coming months. To be kept in touch, contact media@backcare.org.uk www.backcare.org.uk
Can you help?
As a charity, BackCare relies on the goodwill of others to further our work and are looking for people to help. We are keen to expand advertising opportunities within TalkBack, so, if you have a background in sales and some spare time to volunteer, we would love to hear from you. For further information contact:
denice.loganrose@backcare.org.uk
Strengthening offers crucial benefits for people with long-term conditions
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