Back Pain: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and When to See a Physio
Back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal issues worldwide — and one that physiotherapy can treat effectively. Whether it’s a dull ache after sitting too long or sharp lower‑back pain that makes movement difficult, understanding what’s happening in your spine is the first step toward lasting relief.
What is Back Pain?
Back pain refers to discomfort or stiffness felt anywhere from the neck to the pelvis. It can range from mild muscle tightness to severe nerve irritation that radiates down the leg.
In most cases, back pain relates to irritation, strain, or overload of muscles, joints, discs, or nerves in the spine. A back pain physio assesses which structure is affected and tailors treatment to restore pain‑free movement.
Main Types of Back Pain
Lower Back Pain
(Lumbar Pain)
Mid‑Back Pain (Thoracic Pain)
Nerve Pain and Sciatica
Disc‑Related Pain
Arthritis and Age‑Related Changes
Sacroiliac Joint (SIJ) Pain
Post‑Operative or Post‑Injury Pain
Common Causes and Contributing Factors
- Muscle strain or poor lifting technique
- Prolonged sitting and poor posture
- Weak core or hip muscles
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Stress and disrupted sleep (both increase muscle tension)
- Previous injury or spinal conditions like scoliosis or arthritis
For some, an exact cause isn’t always found; instead, back pain can result from the combined load of lifestyle, posture, and movement habits.
Symptoms and What They Mean
- Dull aching or tightness in the lower back
- Sharp or shooting pain down the leg (sciatica)
- Stiffness after rest or in the morning
- Pain made worse by bending, twisting, or prolonged sitting
- Muscle spasms or reduced mobility
How Long Does Back Pain Last?
Acute back pain (less than 6 weeks) often resolves within days to weeks with physio and self‑care.
Sub‑acute back pain (6–12 weeks) may require a more structured rehabilitation plan.
Chronic or persistent pain (12+ weeks) benefits most from combined physical and behavioural therapy to reduce sensitivity and rebuild strength
The earlier treatment begins, the easier it is to settle pain and restore movement.
When Back Pain Needs Urgent Attention (Red Flags)
While most back pain is mechanical and improves with physiotherapy, urgent medical review is needed if you experience any of the following:
- Numbness or tingling around the groin or buttocks
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Severe pain after a fall or trauma
- Unexplained weight loss, fever, or night sweats
If you’re unsure, a physiotherapist can triage and refer you to the appropriate medical specialist quickly.
How Physiotherapists Diagnose Back Pain
During your assessment, your back pain physio will:
- Take a full history of your symptoms, lifestyle, and movement habits
- Perform movement and strength testing
- Assess posture, joint mobility, and nerve function
- Identify patterns that suggest disc, nerve, or joint involvement
- Use targeted tests to rule out serious pathology
Physiotherapy Treatment for Back Pain
Treatment may include:
Hands‑On Physiotherapy
Joint mobilisation, deep tissue massage, and soft‑tissue release to reduce tension and improve mobility.
Exercise Therapy
Movement Retraining
Coaching to correct posture, lifting habits, and movement patterns that trigger pain.
Rehabilitation Programmes
Tailored plans to build resilience, improve mobility, and prevent recurrence.
For ongoing symptoms, advanced physio approaches such as shockwave therapy, dry needling, or Pilates‑based rehab may be incorporated.
How Physiotherapy Helps Long Term
- Restoring joint movement and muscle balance
- Improving posture and spinal control
- Reducing nerve and disc irritation
- Supporting return to sport, lifting, or day‑to‑day work
- Addressing contributing habits and lifestyle factors
A good back pain physiotherapist will also help you understand your pain, build resilience, and guide you through structured recovery.
When to See a Physio
You should see a physiotherapist if:
- Your pain lasts more than a few days or keeps returning
- You’re waking during the night with back discomfort
- Pain is affecting work, training, or daily life
- Over‑the‑counter pain relief isn’t helping
- You’re unsure whether activity might make it worse
Physiotherapists are trained to diagnose, treat, and guide recovery. Seeing a back pain physio early helps prevent minor issues from becoming long‑term problems.
Take the Next Step Toward Recovery
At One Body, our physiotherapists specialise in back pain treatment — from simple strains to persistent disc and sciatic pain. We combine advanced assessment, hands‑on treatment, and targeted rehab plans to get you moving confidently again.
Your questions, answered
Will physio actually help my problem?
Yes. Physiotherapy is research-backed and used worldwide for muscle, joint and nerve pain — including back pain, sciatica, neck pain, sports injuries and post-op rehab.
This is private physio, not NHS. You get more time, more hands-on treatment, and a plan built for your body.
At One Body LDN, we’re entirely results-based, with thousands of successful treatments, thousands of 5-star reviews, and multiple awards.
Our physios combine deep, effective hands-on treatment with expert rehab. We don’t just give exercise sheets — we treat the problem.
How much is an appointment?
You can start with a free assessment, or get 55% off a full 55-minute assessment and treatment.
To redeem either offer, you must enter code NEWCLIENT at checkout.
We’re competitively priced for a private clinic, while delivering an award-winning standard of care.
Costs are always clear upfront — no wasted sessions, no pressure.
How many sessions will I need?
Typical ranges:
- Recent/acute issues: 2–4+ sessions
- Long-standing or complex issues: 4–8+ sessions
We only recommend what you genuinely need. No sales tactics, full transparency.
We also offer discounts exclusively at the clinic to support faster recovery. The faster you recover, the fewer sessions you need, and the less you spend.
What happens in a session? Will it hurt? Is it safe?
Sessions are safe, professional, and hands-on. Our deep massage treatments can provide the deep “good pain” our clients love. But always, our treatments are controlled and explained, and they’re within your limits.
Every session includes:
- Proper assessment
- Hands-on treatment (massage, manual therapy, joint work)
- Clear rehab advice
We don’t do hands-off physio. You won’t be left alone with an exercise sheet.
You’ll leave knowing what’s wrong, why it happened, and what to do next.
Do you accept private health insurance?
Yes — we accept all major insurers, including AXA, Bupa, Vitality, Cigna, WPA, Healix and many more.
We are also the only clinic to provide a step-by-step insurance portal to make claiming easy.
You can book online instantly, with no phone calls or deposits.
How quickly can I be seen? How do I book?
We have multiple London physio clinics, many of which are open 7 days a week.
Same-day and same-week appointments are the norm for our clients.
Booking takes under 60 seconds online.
Book here
Do you treat my condition or injury?
Yes. We treat everyday pain, sports injuries, complex cases, and post-op rehab, including:
Back pain & sciatica, neck & shoulder pain, knee & running injuries, gym injuries, and ongoing muscle stiffness and tightness.
All our physios are HCPC-registered, highly experienced, and have completed our rigorous onboarding process. Our team comes from NHS and elite sport backgrounds, including work with high-level athletes.
Learn more about back pain
- Our London Back Pain Treatment Clinic
- What Is Back Pain? Causes, Symptoms & When to Worry
- Back Pain at Work: Desk-Related Causes and Fixes
- Back Pain When Running: Why It Happens and What to Do
- Back Pain When Lifting Weights: Why It Happens and What to Do
- How Long Does Back Pain Take to Heal With Physiotherapy?
- The Best Exercises for Back Pain: Physio-Recommended Routine
- When Should I See a Physiotherapist for Back Pain?
This page has been medically reviewed by Rebecca Bossick, Lead Clinical Physiotherapist, HCPC & CSP Registered.