Back pain is the most common reason people come to us — and the one where the story you are told about it changes the outcome most.
Low back pain covers everything from a disc that has become irritated to a joint that has stiffened up to muscle that has simply had enough. The reassuring part, which often does not get said: the large majority of episodes settle, and imaging findings like disc bulges and degeneration are extremely common in people with no pain at all.
Assessment first: what moves, what does not, what reproduces your pain and what settles it. Then hands-on treatment to get you moving comfortably, and — the part that decides whether it comes back — a loading program that rebuilds capacity in your back, hips and trunk. We do that on a gym floor because that is where load lives.
Most acute episodes improve substantially within a few weeks. Persistent back pain takes longer and responds to graded loading rather than rest; we reassess rather than guess.
Only the ones that make sense for this problem — listing all three on every page would be advertising, not information.
Usually not, and often it makes things worse rather than better: disc bulges and degeneration show up in large numbers of people who have no pain at all, so a scan can hand you a frightening word for something normal. Imaging matters when there are specific clinical signs — your physiotherapist screens for those at the first visit and will refer you if they are present.
Keep moving, within reason. Prolonged rest makes back pain worse in almost every case. What we work out together is which movements to keep doing now and which to reintroduce as things settle.
Go to a doctor promptly if you have numbness around the groin or saddle area, loss of bladder or bowel control, progressive weakness in a leg, unexplained weight loss, fever, or back pain following a significant fall or accident.
Not sure this is what you have? That is exactly what an assessment is for — and if it turns out to be something else, we will tell you.
Related: Sciatica · Neck pain · Physiotherapy at Forge West End
No referral is needed for a private appointment. Bring one only if you are claiming through Medicare, DVA, WorkCover or insurance.
Unit 4, 249 Montague Road — a short run from South Brisbane, Highgate Hill, Dutton Park, Woolloongabba and South Bank, and from the CBD across the river.
Can’t get to the clinic? We also offer physiotherapy home visits across the same area, with travel included in the fee.
Book your assessment at Forge West End and start a plan built around your goals — not a generic exercise sheet.
Unit 4, 249 Montague Road, West End QLD 4101 · No referral needed for a private appointment · HICAPS on site
