Physiotherapy for Back Pain

Back Pain Physio

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Targeted Physio for Lower Back Pain

Physiotherapy is an effective way to ease back pain without undergoing surgery or relying on medicines.

Our back pain physio techniques target the root cause of the pain, not just the symptoms, to improve movement, increase muscle strength, reduce swelling and correct posture. 

Whether you have a sore back from recent physical activities, ongoing problems with a bad back, or a nagging backache, the team at Graceville Physio can help.

We will provide a detailed assessment and physical therapy plan targeted at improving your specific condition. If you would like to end your pain, contact our clinic to book a consultation today.

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How We Can Help

Back physiotherapy is tailored to each persons condition and can include a combination of:

  • Joint mobilisation & manipulation
  • Therapeutic exercises
  • Stretching tight muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments
  • Stabilising the core and keeping the skeletal structure in place
  • Home exercise program to assist in recovery and preventative re-occurrence
  • Electrotherapy and hydrotherapy
  • Clinical exercises (including specialist classes for women experiencing pregnancy related back pain)
  • Massage
  • Taping
  • Use of a lumbar brace or sacroiliac belt
  • Alignment techniques
  • Dry needling and acupuncture
  • Trigger Point Therapy
  • Instruction on proper body biomechanics for posture correction and retraining functions like bending, lifting and carrying heavy objects
  • Workplace ergonomic adjustments
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Types of Back Pain 

Lower back pain is a very common problem, with more than 80% of us suffering from it at some point in our lives. Some of the most common conditions we come across are:

Acute Lower Back pain

  • Lasts less than 3 to 6 months
  • Typically, a result of direct damage or injury to soft tissue around the spine or in the muscles, tendons and ligaments supporting the lower back
  • Gradually resolves over time after the injured tissues heal.
  • Sharp, severe pain concentrated in a specific location.
  • Typically experienced by athletes and those starting a new sport or physical activity

Chronic Lower Back Pain

  • Lasts longer than 3 to 6 months and well after injured tissues have healed.
  • This can result from built-up stress on the back that slowly turns into an injury.
  • More difficult to determine the cause, with some cases having no identifiable cause.
  • Structural spine conditions that may lead to chronic back pain include spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease.
  • Dull, muted ache covering a larger region and lasting long periods
  • Typically experienced by pregnant women, people with a sedentary lifestyle, such as those working at a desk, either in an office or at home, and those recovering from major spinal injuries or surgery.

Neuropathic Lower Back Pain

  • A type of chronic pain that does not have an identifiable cause from injury or other conditions affecting the structural integrity of the spine
  • Neuropathic lower back pain occurs when pain becomes an established pathway in the nervous system, a problem in and of itself rather than just a symptom.
  • Different types of pain to musculoskeletal chronic pain that travels along nerves from the spine down the limbs
  • Associated with sharp, stabbing, burning or cold sensations and perhaps numbness, tingling or weakness.

Sciatica 

Pain that starts in the lower back and travels down the leg is usually caused by irritation and compression within the sciatic nerve, which is also the biggest nerve in the body. 

The condition is referred to as Sciatica, which is a persistent sharp or shooting pain running from the lower back region through to the buttocks, hips, legs and feet. Additionally, people may feel tingling, numbness or weakness in the leg.

Our physios are also highly skilled in sciatica pain treatment and can diagnose the condition quickly. 

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Common Back Pain Questions

Can Physiotherapy help my back pain?

Physiotherapy is a widely accepted and effective treatment for lower back pain, supported by research and proven techniques. A physiotherapy program typically includes a combination of manual therapies such as massage and spinal manipulations to alleviate pain and enhance mobility, along with specific exercises, strengthening of core and leg muscles, and gradually returning to normal activities. In addition, physiotherapists may also employ other techniques such as acupuncture, taping, or TENS units to help manage lower back pain.

What could be causing my back pain?

There are several potential causes of back pain, including muscle or ligament strain, bulging or ruptured discs, arthritis, skeletal irregularities, osteoporosis, spinal stenosis, injuries, illness, and improper posture or lifting. In some cases, the exact cause remains unclear even after examination. Most back pain is mechanical in nature from muscle strain, joint issues, or disc problems.

Do I need a scan?

For most cases of lower back pain, a comprehensive physiotherapy assessment will give us all the information we need to treat your pain. Sometimes scans or imaging of the lower back can be confusing, and many abnormalities that are seen on scans are not actually the cause of the symptoms the patient is experiencing. If we suspect a serious issue, we will refer you to a specialist or for a scan.

What are the most common causes?

Back pain is commonly caused by soft-tissue injuries such as disc damage, nerve compression, or simply moving the spine wrong. Another very common cause is pulled muscles in both the lower and upper back.

What can I do at home to relieve the pain?

The key to relieving back pain is maintaining good posture. This includes both when standing or walking and when sitting in a car or at a desk. Correcting this will ease the pressure on your back and work to minimise pain.

Don’t Leave Your Pain Untreated

Untreated lower back pain can persist and worsen over long periods of time, affecting body function. The earlier you see our specialist back physiotherapist, the quicker you can get back to work, sport, and life.

You can book a consultation at our clinic in Brisbane’s western suburbs by calling (07) 3278 1186 or making a booking online.

We look forward to helping you.