Lower Back Pain

Osteopath treating a patient's lower back at Newhill Osteopathy Injury Clinic

Lower back pain is extremely common and, in the great majority of cases, not caused by anything sinister. A painful back rarely means lasting damage, and it usually responds well to gentle movement and hands-on treatment.

At Newhill Osteopathy in Horley we treat lower backs of every kind, from one that has suddenly locked up bending to tie a shoelace, to a long-running ache that builds through a day at a desk. This page explains the kinds of back pain we treat, what tends to cause them, and what an appointment actually involves.

What types of lower back pain can osteopathy help with?

A back that has suddenly “gone”

The classic locked, seized-up back that comes on after a lift or an awkward twist. It feels frightening and is very sore, but this kind of sudden spasm normally settles well with gentle treatment and a little time.

Long-running or recurring aches

A grumbling low backache that comes and goes, often linked to sitting, driving or a physical job. These tend to respond to a mix of treatment and a few simple changes to keep it away.

Back pain with sciatica

When a nerve in the lower back is irritated you may feel pain, pins and needles or a heavy, weak feeling travelling into the buttock, leg or foot. We test the nerves carefully, treat gently, and refer you on if that is the right thing to do. There is more on this in our sciatica myths article.

Posture and desk-related back pain

Long spells sitting, particularly with a slumped set-up, tire the muscles that support the spine. Back pain that builds through the afternoon and eases at weekends is a classic sign.

Backs with wear and tear

Age-related changes in the spine are normal and very common. They do not mean that nothing can be done, and easing the stiffness and muscle tension around a worn area usually helps a great deal.

Why does lower back pain happen?

There is rarely one single cause. It is usually a mix of everyday things:

  • Lifting or twisting awkwardly – a sudden strain on a back that was already a little stiff or tired.
  • Too much sitting – long spells in one position leave the back stiff and the supporting muscles sluggish.
  • A sudden increase in activity – a big gardening session, a house move, or overdoing it at the gym.
  • Stiffness elsewhere – if the hips or mid-back do not move well, the lower back ends up doing their share of the work.
  • Stress and poor sleep – both lower your pain threshold and leave muscles tense.
  • Old injuries – a strain from years ago can leave an area that still grumbles.
  • Not enough movement – backs are happiest when they are used regularly.

What happens at your appointment?

  • We listen first. Where the pain sits, what brought it on, what makes it better or worse, and what you have already tried.
  • We examine you. We look at how your back, hips and pelvis move, check your posture, and test the nerves if pain or symptoms are travelling into a leg.
  • Hands-on treatment. Gentle joint movement, soft tissue massage, stretching and, if you are happy with it, manipulation. The techniques are always chosen to suit you, and you can say no to anything.
  • Practical advice. Simple exercises, lifting and sitting tips, and a realistic plan to stop the pain coming back.

Simple things you can try at home

  • Keep moving. Gentle, regular activity within comfort settles a back more quickly than resting up in bed, which tends to make things last longer.
  • Short, frequent walks are one of the kindest things you can do for a sore back.
  • Gentle stretches, such as easing both knees towards the chest while lying on your back, kept well within comfort.
  • A warm wheat bag or hot water bottle across the lower back for ten to fifteen minutes to help tight muscles let go.
  • Break up long spells of sitting – stand, stretch and move about every half hour or so.

Please see a doctor straight away if your back pain comes alongside difficulty passing or controlling urine, loss of bowel control, or numbness or weakness spreading into both legs – these need urgent medical attention rather than osteopathy. You should also see your doctor if your pain follows a serious fall or accident, comes with a fever, unexplained weight loss or feeling generally unwell, or if you have a history of cancer.

More reading on lower back pain

Related condition: neck pain. You can also see everything we treat on our conditions page.

Frequently asked questions

Should I rest or keep moving with lower back pain?

Keep moving, within reason. It is natural to want to take to bed when your back is sore, but we now know that resting up for more than a day or so tends to make back pain last longer, not shorter. Gentle, regular movement – pottering about, short walks, changing position often – keeps things from stiffening and helps the back settle more quickly. You do not need to push into sharp pain, but staying as active as the pain sensibly allows is one of the best things you can do.

Do I need an X-ray or a scan for my back?

Usually not, and this surprises people. For most ordinary back pain, a scan does not change what we would do, and it often shows perfectly normal age-related changes – worn discs and a bit of wear and tear – that are present in plenty of people with no pain at all. Seeing those on a report can worry you unnecessarily. Scans really earn their place when there are specific warning signs, or when pain is not settling as expected, and in those cases we will say so and point you in the right direction.

I have been told I have a slipped disc. Is that serious, and can osteopathy help?

A “slipped” disc sounds alarming, but the term is misleading – discs do not actually slip out of place. What usually happens is that part of a disc bulges and irritates a nearby nerve, which can be very painful and may send symptoms into the leg. The reassuring news is that the large majority settle over weeks to a few months without surgery, as the bulge naturally reduces and the nerve calms. We can help ease the muscle spasm and stiffness around it, keep you moving safely, and keep an eye on your progress, referring you on if that is ever the right thing to do.

How many appointments will I need before my back feels better?

That depends on how long the problem has been there and what is driving it, so we would rather not promise a number before we have examined you. As a rough guide, a recent, straightforward bout of back pain often eases noticeably within two or three sessions, while a long-standing or recurring problem may take a few more, along with some exercises at home. We will give you an honest estimate at your first appointment, and if you are not responding as we would expect, we will tell you rather than simply keep booking you in.

Is it safe to have my back manipulated or “clicked”?

For most people, yes, when it is the right technique for them. Manipulation – the gentle, quick movement that sometimes produces a click – is only ever one option among several, and it is not suitable or necessary for everyone. We assess you first, choose techniques to suit your age, comfort and the state of your back, and rely more on gentle mobilisation and soft tissue work where that is the better fit. Whatever we suggest, you are always free to say no, and we will explain what we are doing and why before we do it.

Book an appointment

If lower back pain is getting in the way of work, sleep or everyday life, we would be glad to help. Call 01293 369 442, email [email protected], or book online.

Book an appointment