Lower back pain is one of the most common conditions worldwide, with the majority of people experiencing it at some point in their lives. It can develop suddenly through lifting or movement, or gradually over time due to posture, workload, or repetitive strain.
The lower back (lumbar spine) is designed to support and transfer load through the body, making it particularly vulnerable to stress from daily activities, sport, and work demands. Pain may present as stiffness, aching, sharp pain, or reduced movement, and in some cases can refer into the hips or legs, sometimes with pins and needles or numbness.
At Physio Mechanics, we complete a thorough assessment to identify the underlying cause of your lower back pain, including how your spine, hips, and surrounding musculature are working together.
Treatment is hands-on and may include joint mobilisation, soft tissue therapy, and targeted techniques such as dry needling or cupping where clinically appropriate to reduce pain and restore movement. This is combined with a structured rehabilitation programme focused on strength, control, and long-term spinal support.
Where appropriate, your treatment plan may also integrate additional services such as chiropractic care, clinical Pilates, or orthotic support to optimise your overall outcome. Our goal is not only to relieve your current symptoms, but to ensure a full recovery and reduce the likelihood of recurrence.
The discs act as shock absorbers between the vertebrae and can become irritated or overloaded over time, or through movements such as bending, lifting, or twisting.
This may present as local back pain or, in some cases, pain referring into the leg if nearby nerves are affected. Treatment focuses on reducing irritation, restoring movement, and progressively rebuilding strength and tolerance to load.
Facet joints are small joints in the spine that guide movement. When irritated, often through compression or sudden movement, they can cause localised back pain and stiffness, particularly with extension or twisting movements.
Manual therapy is highly effective in restoring movement and reducing pain, alongside strengthening to support the spine.
Sciatica refers to irritation of the sciatic nerve, often caused by disc changes, inflammation, or compression within the lower back or along the nerve pathway.
Symptoms can include sharp, shooting pain, aching, or pins and needles travelling into the buttock or down the leg. Accurate assessment is important to determine the source and guide appropriate treatment.
This is the most common type of lower back pain and is often related to strain, overload, or poor movement patterns rather than a single specific injury.
It may present as general stiffness, aching, or tightness, often aggravated by movement or prolonged positions.
Treatment focuses on restoring movement, improving strength and control, and addressing contributing factors such as posture and load management.
Take control of your recovery with confidence. Reach out today.
