Education and Advice
Understanding your pain, activity options and self-management plan can reduce fear and support better decision-making.
Marna Webb Physiotherapy
Your partner in health and recovery
Condition Guide
Low Back Pain
Low back pain is common and may affect movement, sleep, work, exercise and everyday activities. Physiotherapy can help identify contributing factors, reduce symptoms and support a safe return to function.
Understanding Low Back Pain
Low back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek physiotherapy. It affects people of all ages and can interfere with work, family life, sleep, exercise and everyday activities. Symptoms may begin suddenly or develop gradually over time, and every person’s experience is different.
Pain may come from several structures in and around the spine, including muscles, joints, ligaments, discs or nerves. For some people, symptoms stay mainly in the lower back. For others, pain may travel into the buttock or leg.
Low back pain can be acute, subacute or persistent. It can also be mechanical, where symptoms are associated with movement, posture or loading, or nerve-related, where a spinal nerve may be irritated or sensitive. The exact reason for pain varies between individuals, which is why a proper assessment is important.
Common Symptoms
Low back pain may include:
- Pain or stiffness in the lower back
- Difficulty bending, standing, sitting or walking comfortably
- Pain with lifting, twisting or movement
- Muscle spasm or guarding
- Pain into the buttock or leg
- Pain getting out of a chair
- Pain when coughing or sneezing in some cases
- Difficulty putting on shoes and socks
- Difficulty getting out of bed
- Reduced confidence with movement
- Sleep, work, sport or daily activity limitations
Symptoms can vary from person to person. The severity of pain does not always tell the full story, and pain does not always mean that there is ongoing tissue damage.
Why Does It Happen?
Back pain is usually influenced by a combination of factors rather than a single injured structure.
Possible contributing factors may include:
- A recent strain, overload or unaccustomed activity
- Reduced movement or prolonged positions
- Sudden increase in activity
- Heavy or unfamiliar lifting
- Reduced confidence in movement
- Muscle weakness or reduced endurance
- Joint or disc-related irritation
- Nerve sensitivity
- Previous injury
- Stress, sleep and general health factors
- Gradual deconditioning
These factors are not the same for every person. Your physiotherapy assessment helps identify which factors may be relevant to your symptoms, goals and daily life.
When Should I Seek Urgent Medical Attention?
Seek prompt medical assessment if low back pain is associated with any of the following:
- New bladder or bowel changes
- Numbness in the saddle area
- Severe or progressive leg weakness
- Major trauma
- Unexplained fever or significant illness
- Unexplained weight loss
- Severe unrelenting night pain
- A history of cancer with new unexplained back pain
These symptoms do not automatically mean there is a serious condition, but they require prompt medical assessment.
Physiotherapy Assessment
At Marna Webb Physiotherapy, assessment is tailored to the individual. Your physiotherapist will listen to your symptom history, discuss how pain affects your daily life and assess the areas that are relevant to your presentation.
Assessment may include:
- Symptom history
- Movement and functional assessment
- Neurological screening where indicated
- Strength and mobility testing
- Work, activity and lifestyle factors
- Goals, concerns and expectations
The aim is to understand what may be contributing to your symptoms and to plan treatment around your needs.
How Physiotherapy Can Help
Treatment for low back pain is individualised. Depending on your assessment, physiotherapy may include education, exercise rehabilitation, hands-on treatment, muscle and soft tissue treatment, dry needling where clinically appropriate, and graded return to activity.
Exercise Rehabilitation
Exercises are selected according to your assessment and may focus on mobility, strength, endurance, control or confidence with movement.
Hands-on Treatment
Hands-on treatment may be used where appropriate to help reduce pain, improve movement and support active rehabilitation.
Muscle and Soft Tissue Treatment
Muscle and soft tissue treatment may help with guarding, sensitivity and movement comfort as part of a broader plan.
Dry Needling
Dry needling may be considered where clinically appropriate. Dry needling is only recommended when it is appropriate for your condition and after discussing the potential benefits with you.
Return to Activity
Your programme may include graded return to work, sport, exercise or daily tasks that matter to you.
Physiotherapy does not follow one fixed recipe. The treatment plan is reviewed and adjusted as your symptoms, movement and confidence improve.
Recovery and What to Expect
Many episodes of low back pain improve with time, appropriate activity and individualised care. Recovery differs between people and may depend on how long symptoms have been present, how symptoms respond to movement, general health, work demands and rehabilitation consistency.
Persistent or chronic pain can still improve. Gradual progress is often more helpful than complete rest, and a flare-up does not always mean that new damage has occurred.
The goal of physiotherapy is to help you understand your symptoms, move with more confidence and return to the activities that matter most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is low back pain always caused by a slipped disc?
No. Low back pain can be influenced by muscles, joints, discs, nerves, activity changes, stress, sleep, confidence and other factors. A physiotherapy assessment helps identify what appears most relevant for you.
Should I rest completely until the pain is gone?
Complete rest is rarely the best long-term strategy. Many people do better with appropriate activity, reassurance and gradual movement, adjusted to their symptoms.
Will I need a scan?
Scans are not required for every episode of low back pain. Imaging decisions should be guided by clinical assessment and medical advice.
Can physiotherapy help if my pain has been there for a long time?
Yes, persistent pain can often improve with education, graded movement, strengthening and an individual plan. Progress varies between people.
How many appointments will I need?
This depends on your symptoms, goals, response to treatment and how long the problem has been present. Your plan is reviewed as recovery progresses.
Can I book by WhatsApp?
Yes. You can book by calling 072 449 0163 or sending a WhatsApp message.
Evidence Corner
Research supports active, individualised management for many presentations of low back pain. Education, appropriate exercise, reassurance and gradual return to meaningful activity are important parts of care for many people.
Treatment recommendations are based on the best available research, clinical expertise and your individual assessment.
Marna’s Clinical Perspective
Low back pain is never just a scan result or a single structure. I look at how your symptoms behave, how your movement is affected, what you need to get back to, and what may be stopping you from feeling confident. My goal is not only to reduce your pain, but to help you understand your condition, regain confidence in your movement and return to the activities that matter most to you.
Marna’s Tip
Try not to judge your recovery only by whether pain is present or absent. Notice whether you can move a little easier, sit a little longer, walk with more confidence or return to small parts of your routine. These are meaningful signs of progress.
Related Services
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
Assessment and treatment for pain, movement and function.
Exercise Rehabilitation
Progressive exercise support based on your assessment.
Hands-on Treatment
Individualised hands-on care where appropriate.
Chronic Pain Management
Education and graded support for persistent pain.
Related Conditions
Sciatica
A condition involving irritation or sensitivity of the sciatic nerve.
Lumbar Disc Injury
Information about disc-related lower back and leg symptoms.
Resource in development
Hip Pain
Hip symptoms can sometimes overlap with lower-back symptoms.
Resource in development
Chronic Pain
Support for persistent pain and daily function.
Resource in development
Related Resources
Exercise Library
Exercise categories are available and being expanded.
Patient Guides
Educational guide content is being prepared.
Resource in development
Recovery Programmes
Structured programme content is being prepared.
Resource in development
Videos
Educational videos are being prepared.
Resource in development
Recommended Exercises
Gentle mobility exercises
Exercise links are being prepared and will be added once approved.
Resource in development
Trunk and hip strengthening
Exercise links are being prepared and will be added once approved.
Resource in development
Graded walking
Exercise links are being prepared and will be added once approved.
Resource in development
Functional strengthening
Exercise links are being prepared and will be added once approved.
Resource in development
Movement confidence exercises
Exercise links are being prepared and will be added once approved.
Resource in development
Your physiotherapist will prescribe exercises that are appropriate for your individual assessment. Our online exercise library is currently being developed.
Let’s Get You Moving Again
Contact Marna Webb Physiotherapy for an individual assessment and treatment plan.