Back pain is the most common complaint we see at The Physicaltherapy Centre.
The overwhelming majority of back pain is due to postural overload. Whilst sitting at a desk may be the first cause that comes to mind, it may also come about from the repetitive strains of manual labour and sporting activities. The muscles, ligaments, nerves and joints of the spine are subject to huge mechanical forces throughout the day. It’s possible your pain may have come about through repetitive strain over a long period of time.
Understanding how you came to injure your back is vital in making a sound recovery. Our experienced practitioners are highly trained and have the necessary skills to address all of the potential contributors to back pain. Most importantly, we educate you about your condition so that you might understand how to prevent future occurrences.
What should I do if I have back pain?
If you’ve just hurt your back, and you’d describe it as “really bad”, there are three things you should do straight away:
1. Rest
This means avoid the activity or movement that caused your back pain.
Also, because your back is in a worse state, it needs time to heal. Take frequent periods of rest lying face down on the floor with your head turned to one side. This will allow the lower back to rest in a safe position where the muscles can relax on their own accord.
2. Walk
Your body craves movement, and while some movements will aggravate your condition, most people report that walking relieves their low back pain somewhat.
This moderate amount of movement will ensure enough nutrients is delivered to your intervertebral discs [IVDs]. The IVDs serve an extremely important biomechanical function to your spine. As they do not have a blood supply, nutrients must be delivered by osmosis through the activity of the surrounding muscles.
3. Do not bend
Bending is an extremely important movement that all spines should be capable of performing pain free.
However, low back pain is commonly an injury to the posterior part of the spine. Thus, forward bending movements tend to aggravate low back pain complaints.
If you’ve ever cut your finger across the joint line, you’ll know that bending it causes the wound to split open even further. Naturally, you’ll keep your finger relatively extended until the wound heals. At this point, you can start bending your finger again to strengthen the new tissue in the direction that it needs to maintain tensile strength.
The same applies to the treatment of low back pain, forward bending is an important part of rehabilitation, but there’s a time factor to respect before doing this.
What Are the Recommended Treatments for Back Pain?
Chiropractic Treatment
Chiropractic care addresses the mechanical dysfunction in your spine that’s causing your pain.
Through specific spinal adjustments, trained chiropractors restore proper joint motion and alignment to areas that have become restricted or misaligned. This reduces nerve irritation, improves biomechanics, and allows your body to heal more effectively.
Research consistently shows that chiropractic treatment is one of the most effective interventions for acute and chronic low back pain, often providing faster relief than medication alone while addressing the underlying cause rather than just masking symptoms.
Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy accelerates your body’s natural healing process at the cellular level.
The NovoTHOR full body red light therapy bed delivers therapeutic wavelengths that penetrate deep into spinal tissues, reducing inflammation, increasing cellular energy production, and promoting tissue repair. This means faster recovery, reduced pain, and improved function.
Unlike pain medications that only mask symptoms, red light therapy actively repairs damaged tissues and reduces the inflammatory processes driving your back pain. Many patients report significant pain relief and improved mobility after just a few sessions.
The McKenzie Method
The McKenzie Method is a research-based approach to diagnosing and treating back pain through specific movements and positions.
Through a systematic assessment, we identify which directional movements reduce or “centralise” your pain – typically extension-based exercises that reverse the stress patterns causing your symptoms. You’ll learn specific exercises and postures that rapidly reduce pain and prevent recurrence.
The beauty of the McKenzie Method is that it empowers you with self-treatment strategies. Once you understand which movements help versus hurt, you can manage your own symptoms and prevent future episodes.
Active Release Technique
Active Release Technique (ART) is a hands-on treatment that addresses the soft tissue restrictions contributing to your back pain.
Scar tissue, adhesions, and muscle tension often develop in the muscles, fascia, and connective tissues surrounding your spine. ART uses precise tension and movement to break up these restrictions, restore proper tissue function, and improve flexibility.
This technique is particularly effective for back pain caused by muscle strains, chronic tension patterns, or repetitive stress. By releasing these soft tissue restrictions, we restore normal movement patterns and reduce the mechanical stress on your spine.
Which Therapy for Back Pain is the Best?
The best therapy for back pain depends on the individual and what has caused their pain. Certain therapies work better on some people than others.
For a professional diagnosis and customised treatment plan, please make an appointment to visit us at our North Sydney clinic.