Lower back pain is one of the most common reasons people take time off work (and one of the most frustrating issues to deal with). If you’ve ever experienced it before, you’d know that it can limit how you move, interrupt your sleep, and affect your overall wellbeing.
Pain in the lower back often builds over time, sometimes without a clear cause. But once it sets in, it can be difficult to manage without the right approach.
Physiotherapy offers practical, proven strategies to reduce pain, restore function, and help you move with confidence again.
What does lower back pain feel like?
Your lower back, or lumbar region, supports much of your body’s weight and movement. When it’s not functioning well, you might feel:
- A dull ache deep in your lower back
- Pain that radiates into your legs when walking
- Difficulty bending over or lifting objects
- Trouble standing up straight
Some symptoms might signal something more serious and should be checked quickly:
- Weakness or intense numbness in the leg or groin
- Discolouration of your lower limbs
- Pain in the abdomen
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- A fever or unexplained weight loss alongside your back pain
Common causes of lower back pain
- Sudden movements or accidents
- Falls or awkward twists
- Lifting something too heavy or using poor technique
- Muscle strains
- Overuse from repetitive movements
- Carrying heavy or awkward loads (like sports gear or groceries)
- Fatigue from daily tasks, especially if your core isn’t supporting you properly
- Sports & physical activity
- Activities like bowling, batting, or repeated swinging motions
- Overtraining without rest or recovery
- Lack of warm-up or improper technique during workouts
- Everyday life habits
- Poor posture while sitting or standing
- Extended periods of sitting without breaks
- Unsupported or improperly set-up workstations
- Weakened core muscles
- Deconditioning from lack of movement
- Insufficient strength to support the lumbar spine
Active vs chronic pain: When is it time to worry?
Most back pain resolves within a few weeks. But if your pain lasts longer than 12 weeks, it’s considered chronic. Studies show that up to 20% of people who experience acute lower back pain go on to develop chronic symptoms.
Early treatment can reduce your risk of chronic pain and the emotional toll that comes with it. Persistent pain can affect your mental health, mobility, and even your financial wellbeing due to time off work and ongoing medical costs.
Understanding the lumbar spine
Your lumbar spine is made up of five vertebrae (L1 through L5) that support the upper body. Between these vertebrae are discs that act as shock absorbers, allowing movement and protecting the bones from rubbing against each other.
While disc changes (such as degenerative disc disease) are common with age and may show up on scans, they don’t always correlate with pain. That’s why a proper assessment is so important since what’s visible on imaging isn’t always the cause of your symptoms.
More serious injuries involving the discs, joints, or nerves often take longer to heal but can still be managed without surgery in most cases.
How physiotherapy helps reduce lower back pain
[IMAGE & ALT TEXT: Hands-on physiotherapy session focusing on lumbar spine treatment at Integrity Physiotherapy, Perth.]
At Integrity Physiotherapy, our approach to lower back pain focuses on a mix of manual therapy, education, and targeted exercises that evolve with your recovery.
Hands-on manual therapy
Manual techniques help reduce muscle tension, improve range of motion, and provide early-stage pain relief when movement is painful. For many, this is the first step in getting out of pain and ready to move again.
Personalised exercise program
We build a tailored home exercise and strengthening program based on your needs, which may include:
- Core muscle strengthening
- Stretching exercises to improve flexibility
- Movement pattern retraining
- Functional tasks that mimic your daily activities
Our goal is to reduce the risk of future flare-ups while helping you regain confidence in movement.
Education & support
Understanding your body and what’s contributing to your pain empowers you to take charge of your recovery. We help identify contributing factors, such as posture, work habits, and general movement patterns, to guide you in making sustainable changes.
Is surgery ever necessary?
Surgery is rarely the first step. Most back pain can be managed with conservative treatment like physiotherapy.
However, in rare cases (such as nerve damage or significant structural injuries) surgery may be necessary. Even then, your physiotherapist will work alongside your medical team to support your pre- and post-surgical recovery.
Strengthening for the long term
Once pain is under control, the focus shifts to long-term resilience. That means building strength, correcting posture, and improving how you move. Some key areas we address include:
- Range of motion in the lumbar spine
- Strength and control in the hips and core
- Daily activities like lifting, standing, and sitting
- Ergonomic setup for work and home
Consistency with your physiotherapy exercise program will help you stay active and prevent flare-ups.
When should you see a physio?
If your lower back pain is beginning to interfere with your daily life, it’s important not to delay seeking support. Consider booking an appointment if you’re experiencing any of the following:
- Pain that persists beyond a few weeks without improvement
- Stiffness or reduced flexibility that limits your ability to move comfortably
- Sharp or radiating pain, particularly into the legs or buttocks
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the lower limbs
- Difficulty sleeping, walking, or performing normal work and household tasks
Early intervention can significantly improve your recovery outcomes, helping you return to your usual routine with confidence and less discomfort.
Ready to start moving again?
Lower back pain can take a real toll on your daily life. At Integrity Physiotherapy in Como, we offer personalised, hands-on treatment to help ease your pain and get you moving comfortably again.
Our experienced physiotherapists for lower back pain focus on long-term recovery so you can get back to doing the things you enjoy.
Book your appointment today and take the first step towards moving with confidence again.
