Low back pain — the most common reason people see a physiotherapist
Back pain is so widespread that, by middle age, most Australians have experienced it. The good news is that the vast majority of low back pain doesn't indicate anything serious — most cases involve everyday strain, posture, deconditioning, or load that exceeded what the back was used to. The frustrating news is that even simple back pain can hang around longer than expected if it's not managed well.
What "low back pain" actually covers
"Low back pain" is a description, not a diagnosis. The same words can describe muscular strain, joint irritation, disc-related pain, nerve root irritation, or any of several other patterns. A good assessment narrows down what's likely going on and what's not — including whether there are signs that warrant further investigation.
Red flags to take seriously
- Significant weakness, numbness or pins-and-needles in the legs
- Changes in bladder or bowel function (urgent — emergency department review)
- Numbness around the saddle area (urgent)
- Unexplained weight loss or fever alongside back pain
- Significant trauma (fall, accident) — particularly in older adults or those with osteoporosis
These are rare but important. If any apply, medical assessment comes first, not physiotherapy.
How a physiotherapy assessment works
Your physiotherapist will ask about how the pain started, what aggravates and eases it, the pattern through the day, your work and activity, and your history. Physical assessment looks at how you move, where pain reproduces, neurological tests if there's any concern about nerve involvement, and a screen of related areas (hips, thoracic spine).
Treatment — what current evidence supports
For uncomplicated low back pain, modern guidelines emphasise:
- Staying active within tolerable limits — prolonged rest doesn't help and often makes things worse
- Education — understanding what's going on (and what isn't) tends to reduce fear and improve outcomes
- Movement and exercise — graded loading, mobility, strengthening
- Manual therapy — used selectively for short-term symptom relief while the active work continues
- Time — most simple back pain settles within weeks; some takes longer
Imaging — usually not needed
For most acute low back pain without red flags, scans aren't required. Imaging often shows findings (disc bulges, degenerative changes) that are common in people without pain — meaning the findings can sometimes mislead rather than help. Where imaging is warranted, your physiotherapist will discuss this with your GP.
The chronic low back pain picture
When back pain has been around for months, the management shifts. Persistent pain often involves a combination of physical, lifestyle and psychological factors — and addressing all of these tends to work better than focusing on any one alone. Outcomes vary between individuals.
What you can do at home
- Keep moving — gentle walking is often the simplest place to start
- Avoid prolonged positions — change position regularly through the day
- Apply heat if it helps; some people prefer ice in the first 24–48 hours of acute pain
- Use the home exercises your physiotherapist prescribes — consistency matters
- Sleep — pain often disturbs sleep, but doing what you can to maintain sleep supports recovery
Practical notes
Our team sees low back pain across Melton, Hoppers Crossing and Sunbury. Suitability of any specific treatment depends on your individual presentation. If back pain is affecting your daily life and isn't settling, an assessment is a reasonable next step.
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