Back · 5 min
Back pain: what to do when pain limits movement
Why back pain is not the same for everyone and how to build a gradual return to activity.
Read the insightPhysiotherapy for
Spine
Not all back pain is the same. We assess your history, habits, movements and goals before defining the pathway.
Understanding the problem
Not only where it hurts.
What it stops you doing matters.
Back pain is a common experience, but intensity and duration alone do not explain what is happening. Your personal history, previous episodes, work habits, sleep, physical activity and the activities affected by pain help us build a clearer picture.
When appropriate, the pathway aims to maintain or gradually resume tolerable activities, improve strength and reduce fear of movement. Strategies need to fit your daily life, not only be manageable in the clinic with us.
When it may help
We begin with what
is limiting you.
These examples provide orientation but do not replace an individual healthcare assessment.
- Lower back pain
- Stiffness
- Radiating pain
- Frequent recurrences
Conditions and recovery needs
Physiotherapy may be appropriate for the conditions listed below. Assessment determines whether and how it can help; after trauma or surgery, the pathway follows the medical specialist’s guidance.
- Acute, persistent or recurrent low back pain
- Mid-back pain and spinal stiffness
- Sciatica and nerve root pain, following assessment
- Symptoms associated with lumbar spinal stenosis, where appropriate
- Restricted movement and reduced tolerance to load
How we work
A pathway that changes
with you.
Screening and assessment
Strategies for painful phases
Gradual recovery
Recurrence prevention
During your assessment
What we look at.
- Nature, duration and behaviour of symptoms
- Movements and loads that change pain
- Strength, mobility and control in relevant tasks
- Screening for signs that require medical referral
Concrete goals
Where we want to get to.
- Resume everyday activity with greater confidence
- Manage sitting, lifting and work
- Return progressively to sport
- Have a clear plan for possible flare-ups
Frequently asked questions
Before you begin,
let’s make it clear.
Is rest best for back pain?
Short periods of rest may help, but when possible it is generally useful to keep up tolerable activity and resume movement gradually.
Do I need an MRI before physiotherapy?
Not always. The need for imaging depends on your history and assessment; if further investigation is appropriate, we will direct you to the right medical route.
Can I return to lifting weights?
Often yes, through a progression based on your capacity, goals and response to load. There is no single dose for everyone.
When to seek urgent medical advice first
Following major trauma, with visible deformity, inability to bear weight, a very hot swollen joint with fever, or sudden loss of strength or sensation, seek prompt advice from a healthcare professional. For neck or back symptoms, new loss of bladder or bowel control also needs urgent attention.
The first step