Around 4 in 5 adults deal with lower back pain at some point, and it is one of the most common reasons people see a physio. It is also the leading cause of disability worldwide. The reassuring part: for nearly everyone, back pain is mechanical rather than a sign of something sinister, and most episodes settle well with the right care.
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At Pimpama Physiotherapy we treat lower back pain and sciatica for office workers, tradies, parents, gym-goers and older adults, either at our Pimpama clinic or at home across the Gold Coast, Logan and Brisbane. Physiotherapy for lower back pain is about settling the pain, getting you moving again and giving you a clear plan so it is less likely to keep coming back.
What Is Sciatica?
Sciatica is the name for pain that travels from the lower back down into the buttock and leg, often with numbness, pins and needles or weakness. It happens when the sciatic nerve, or one of the nerve roots that feed into it, gets irritated or compressed. Common triggers include a disc bulge, a tight or inflamed muscle or a narrowed space where the nerve passes.
Sciatica can be intensely painful, and the leg symptoms can be alarming, but most cases settle with conservative treatment and do not need surgery. Physiotherapy for sciatica focuses on calming the nerve, keeping you moving and addressing what irritated it in the first place.
Common Causes Of
Lower Back Pain
Different types of back pain need different treatment, so working out the likely cause is the first step.
These are the common ones we see at our Pimpama clinic:
Muscle and ligament strains
A pulled or overloaded back, often after lifting, twisting or an awkward movement (see our acute sprains and strains page).
Sciatica and nerve-related pain
Irritation of the sciatic nerve or a nerve root, as described above.
Age-related changes
Spondylosis and arthritis in the spine, which are common and often less of a problem than they sound.
Disc-related pain
A bulging or irritated disc in the lumbar spine, which can refer pain into the buttock or leg.
Postural and
load-related pain
Long hours of sitting or repetitive bending and lifting with little variety.
Joint-related pain
Stiff or irritable facet joints in the lower back.
Pregnancy-related back pain
The extra load and the hormonal changes of pregnancy.
Stress, poor sleep and deconditioning
All of which can wind pain up and slow recovery.
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​How Physiotherapy Helps Lower Back Pain and Sciatica
The first job is to work out what is driving your pain, because different problems need different approaches. We assess your spine, the nerves, the surrounding muscles and the way you move and load your back. We also screen for the small number of cases that need a scan or a medical review.
From there, treatment usually combines a few things:
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Hands-on therapy and gentle movement to settle pain and stop the back stiffening up.
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A graded exercise program to rebuild strength, mobility and confidence in your back.
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Practical advice on sitting, lifting, sleep and staying active while you recover.
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Clear education about what is going on, because understanding your pain is one of the most powerful tools for getting better.
This lines up with the evidence. For non-specific lower back pain, current clinical guidelines recommend staying active, exercise and education ahead of bed rest, strong medication or early scans. We will not tell you to lie down and wait it out, because for most backs prolonged rest slows recovery.
Exercises and Movement for Lower Back Pain
One of the most common questions we hear is which exercises are best for lower back pain. The honest answer is that it depends on your back, your symptoms and what is driving the pain, which is why a generic routine off the internet often does not help and can sometimes flare things up.
After assessing you, we build a graded program that matches your stage of recovery and progresses as you improve, so movement becomes part of your recovery rather than something to fear. For irritable or acute backs, hydrotherapy (exercise in a warm pool) can be a gentle way to keep moving with less load on the spine.
Sciatica Physiotherapy
For sciatica, the aim is to settle the irritated nerve, keep you moving within comfortable limits and rebuild the strength and mobility that take pressure off the nerve.
The Australian Physiotherapy Association notes that most people with sciatica improve with this kind of conservative care, and that surgery is usually reserved for the minority who do not respond or who have significant or worsening nerve signs.
How Long Does Lower Back Pain Take To Settle?
Most acute episodes of lower back pain improve within a few weeks, and a good share settle within about 6 weeks. Sciatica can take a bit longer, sometimes a few months, because nerves are slow healers. Two honest points worth knowing:
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Back pain often recurs, so building strength and good habits matters as much as settling the current episode.
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Pain levels do not always match the seriousness of the problem. A back can hurt a lot and still be safe, and getting moving early usually speeds things up.
Your physiotherapist can give you a realistic timeframe once they have assessed your back.
When Should You Seek Urgent Care For Back Pain?
Most back pain is safe to treat with physiotherapy. A small number of symptoms, though, need urgent medical review rather than a physio appointment. Go to your GP or hospital without delay if you have:
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​Loss of bladder or bowel control, or trouble passing urine.
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Numbness around the saddle area, meaning the groin, buttocks and inner thighs.
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Severe or worsening weakness in one or both legs.
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Back pain with fever, unexplained weight loss or feeling generally unwell.
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Severe pain after a significant fall or accident.
These signs are uncommon, but they are worth knowing. If you are ever unsure, it is safer to get checked.
Lower Back Pain Physiotherapy
In Clinic Or At Home
You can see us for back pain or sciatica at our Pimpama clinic at 29 Dixon Drive, or we can come to you. Home visits suit people whose back pain makes travel difficult, who are in an acute flare-up or who simply prefer to be seen at home. We cover the northern Gold Coast, Logan and Brisbane.
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We also work with a range of funding options, so cost is not the only thing standing between you and getting started. Depending on your circumstances you may be able to use:
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Medicare, for eligible patients on a chronic disease management plan from their GP.
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NDIS, for self-managed and plan-managed participants.
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DVA, for eligible veterans.
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WorkCover, if you hurt your back at work.
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Private health funds with extras cover for physiotherapy.
If you are a participant of the National Injury Insurance Scheme Queensland (NIISQ), you may be eligible for rehabilitation services under the scheme. Contact us to discuss your situation. Eligibility for any funding pathway depends on your individual circumstances and plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Book A Back Pain Physio Assessment In Pimpama
Dealing with a sore back or sciatica? Book an assessment online, or request a home visit across the Gold Coast, Logan and Brisbane. If you are not sure how serious it is, get in touch and we will help you work out the right next step.​
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Phone 0432 730 386 or email admin@pimpamaphysio.com.au.