Non-specific and Sports-Related
Lower Back Pain
Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek physiotherapy — and for good reason. It can affect anyone, from office workers to elite athletes, and can range from a mild ache to more debilitating discomfort that interferes with daily life or sport performance. In active individuals, it is often caused by muscle imbalances, poor movement patterns, spinal overload, or a lack of mobility in nearby joints such as the hips.
Non-specific lower back pain means there is no clear structural damage (e.g. disc herniation or fracture) visible on scans, but pain is still very real and often linked to how the body moves, loads, and recovers. In sport-related cases, repetitive bending, twisting, or impact (such as in tennis, golf, running, or lifting sports) can lead to irritation or fatigue in the muscles and joints of the lower back.
Common symptoms include:
- A dull or sharp ache in the lower back
- Stiffness, particularly in the mornings or after prolonged sitting or activity
- Pain that may refer into the buttocks or upper thighs
- Discomfort during certain movements such as bending, twisting, or lifting
How physiotherapy helps:
Physiotherapy aims to address not just the symptoms, but the underlying causes of your back pain. Through a detailed assessment, we identify factors such as hip tightness, weak glutes, poor core activation, or inefficient movement patterns. Based on this, we build a personalised rehab plan that focuses on:
- Strengthening the core, glutes, and trunk muscles
- Improving hip and spinal mobility
- Teaching you safe and efficient movement strategies for sport and daily life
Prevention strategies
Preventing lower back pain involves maintaining good movement habits, regular mobility and strength work, and cross-training to avoid overloading the same structures repeatedly. Building strength in your hips and trunk, along with staying flexible and balanced, plays a key role in reducing future flare-ups.
Whether you’re dealing with a recent episode or ongoing back issues, early physiotherapy can help restore confidence, reduce pain, and get you back to the activities you enjoy.