Back Pain

What is Back Pain?

Back pain is extremely common — most people experience it at some point, and most episodes settle with time and appropriate management. It can range from a mild ache to pain that limits movement, and may develop gradually or follow a specific incident.

Back pain doesn’t always need treatment. Many episodes improve on their own, and staying as active as you comfortably can is usually more helpful than prolonged rest. Where pain persists, is severe, or is affecting your ability to do the things you want to do, an assessment can help clarify what’s going on and what might help.

This can include localised stiffness, pain that changes with movement or position, or discomfort that occasionally spreads into the leg.

How We Assess Back Pain

Assessment involves understanding how your back pain started, what makes it better or worse, and what’s important to you — whether that’s returning to sport, exercise, work, or everyday activities without pain limiting you.

We assess movement, strength and control through your back and surrounding areas to build a clear picture of what’s contributing to your symptoms, and to identify anything that needs closer attention. In a small number of cases, back pain can be associated with other symptoms that need prompt medical attention — this is part of what assessment looks for, and your physiotherapist will discuss it with you directly if relevant.

Treatment and Rehabilitation Approach

Where treatment is appropriate, it’s guided by what the assessment finds — often combining hands-on treatment, targeted exercise, and guidance on staying active in a way that supports recovery rather than avoiding movement altogether.

For people wanting to return to sport or training, this sits within our wider sports physiotherapy approach, with activity built back in progressively.