Low Back Pain
Understanding Low Back Pain
Low back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal conditions and can affect people across all ages and activity levels.
Symptoms may develop gradually over time or occur following lifting, prolonged sitting, repetitive movement, sport, changes in activity levels, injury, or periods of increased stress and physical demand.
In many cases, low back pain is influenced by a combination of movement habits, strength and endurance capacity, recovery demands, mobility, and overall tolerance to load over time rather than a single isolated structure alone.
Physiotherapy focuses on identifying contributing factors and developing practical rehabilitation strategies to improve movement confidence, function, and long-term resilience.
Common Low Back Conditions
Conditions may include:
Mechanical and movement-related low back pain
Recurrent or persistent low back pain
Disc-related irritation and referred symptoms
Sciatica and nerve-related symptoms
Facet joint irritation
Muscle strain and overuse-related pain
Degenerative and arthritic spinal changes
Postural and work-related back pain
Pregnancy and postpartum-related low back pain
Pain associated with prolonged sitting, driving, lifting, or repetitive movement
Recovery following surgery or injury
Recurrent and Mechanical Low Back Pain
Many episodes of low back pain are influenced by:
repetitive loading over time
reduced movement variability
changes in strength and endurance capacity
prolonged sitting or sustained postures
sudden increases in physical demand or activity
Symptoms may fluctuate depending on movement, stress, sleep, recovery, and activity levels.
Rehabilitation focuses on improving movement tolerance, strength, confidence, and gradual return to activity.
Disc-Related and Nerve Symptoms
Some low back conditions may involve irritation or sensitivity affecting the nerves traveling into the buttock or leg.
Symptoms can include:
radiating pain
numbness or tingling
burning sensations
stiffness or mobility restrictions
symptoms aggravated by sitting, bending, lifting, or prolonged positions
Assessment focuses on identifying contributing movement and loading factors while guiding appropriate recovery strategies.
Work, Sitting, and Driving-Related Back Pain
Low back pain is commonly associated with:
desk and computer work
prolonged sitting
working from home
driving
repetitive lifting or bending
physically demanding occupations
In many cases, symptoms are related less to a single “bad posture” and more to prolonged loading, reduced movement variability, muscular fatigue, and overall tolerance to sustained positions.
Treatment focuses on improving tolerance to work and daily demands while supporting strength, mobility, and movement confidence.
Arthritis, Aging, and Degenerative Changes
Age-related spinal changes are common and do not always correlate directly with pain severity.
Physiotherapy may help improve:
mobility and flexibility
muscular support and endurance
walking and activity tolerance
confidence with movement and daily activity
The goal is often to maintain function, reduce stiffness, and support long-term activity participation.
Pregnancy and Postpartum Low Back Pain
Low back pain can also occur during pregnancy and postpartum recovery due to:
changes in loading and mobility
muscular and postural adaptations
altered activity demands
reduced strength and endurance capacity
Rehabilitation focuses on supporting movement confidence, strength, and return to daily activity and exercise.
How Physiotherapy May Help
Physiotherapy may help by:
identifying contributing movement and load-related factors
improving strength, endurance, and mobility
restoring confidence with movement and activity
improving tolerance to sitting, lifting, walking, and exercise
supporting recovery following injury or surgery
Treatment may incorporate:
movement and load-based rehabilitation
exercise prescription and education
manual therapy
intramuscular stimulation (IMS) where clinically appropriate
return-to-work and return-to-activity planning
These approaches are integrated when clinically appropriate as part of an individualized rehabilitation plan.
Who This Applies To
Low back pain can affect:
desk and computer-based workers
people working from home
physically demanding occupations
athletes and active individuals
older adults navigating age-related changes
pregnant and postpartum individuals
people returning to activity following injury or surgery
Related Articles
Learn more:
Why low back pain often fluctuates over time
Understanding sciatica and nerve-related symptoms
Low back pain and prolonged sitting
Movement and strength strategies for back pain recovery
Staying active with degenerative and arthritic spinal changes
What To Do Next
If low back pain is persistent, recurring, or affecting work, sleep, exercise, or everyday activity, a structured assessment can help identify contributing factors and guide rehabilitation.
