Suffering from back pain, lower back pain or sciatica?

Our expert back pain physios & sports therapists can offer advice and treatment tailored to your needs.

Book Now

Physiotherapy for back pain

At our Response Physio & Sports Therapy clinics located across the UK, we specialise in treatment for back musculoskeletal conditions, from acute back injury to chronic muscle pain, nerve pain, ligament pain, and spine pain.

Lumbar back pain is one of the most common medical conditions that we treat in physiotherapy, affecting around 8 in 10 people at some point during their lifetime. Back pain can range from a dull, aching pain to sharp, sudden pains, and can significantly affect one’s ability to complete daily activities.

How can physiotherapy help back pain?

Our Chartered Physiotherapists, located at our 17 clinical locations nationwide, are experienced in treating mild to chronic back pain issues. Our team will complete a full assessment and create a personalised back rehabilitation plan that suits you, so you can be back to feeling yourself again.

Our Physiotherapist will combine their in-depth knowledge of the body and how it works with specialised hands-on clinical skills. Depending on your condition, the root cause of the pain and goals, your Physiotherapist will devise a personalised treatment to help your recovery.

Book appointment

What are the best treatments for
back pain?

Response Physiotherapists use a wide range of treatments and techniques to help with back pain, as well as offering advice on looking after your back. Our expert back pain Physiotherapists may suggest treatments such as a sports massage for back pain, hands-on mobilisation and manipulation of the joints, spinal traction, electrotherapy, or K-taping depending on your problem. Whether you are looking for treatment for a pulled back muscle, how to heal a herniated disc, or how to treat a trapped nerve in back, our personalised physio treatment care plans help you get back on track.

Back pain treatment is usually most effective when it involves strengthening exercises. Your Physiotherapist may prescribe stretches and exercise programs to strengthen the core, improve or restore mobility in the back and address any underlying imbalances or postural problems.

Learn how to alleviate back pain at home before your appointment with our ‘Lockdown back pain’ article, including remedies for back pain.

Physiotherapy

Virtual Physiotherapy

Sports Massage

Sports Injury & Sports Movement

Biomechanics, Gait Analysis & Orthotics

Acupuncture

Reflexology

Hydrotherapy

View all treatments

Main causes of back pain

Back pain is very common, but its cause can be determined on a case-to-case basis, although sometimes it can be unclear (this is referred to as ‘non-specific’ back pain). In cases where the pain originates from the joints, bones or soft tissues in and around the spine, it is referred to as mechanical back pain.

The most common cause of back pain, particularly lower back pain, is a combination of poor posture and inactivity, typically seen in individuals who sit for prolonged periods. When the source of the pain is in your spinal joints, discs, vertebrae, or soft tissues, it is usually referred to as mechanical back pain.

There are many potential causes of mechanical back pain, the main ones including:

  • An accident or fall causing damage or strain to a muscle, ligament, spinal disc, nerve or bone
  • Poor posture for prolonged periods such as slouching at your desk
  • Lifting heavy objects
  • Muscle, bone or tissue weakness due to lack of activity/exercise

There are also many potential medical causes of back pain, this includes:

  • Herniated, ruptured, or bulging or slipped discs
  • Arthritis / osteoarthritis
  • Osteoporosis
  • Degenerative or wear-and-tear changes within the spine
  • Inflammation and wear of the sacroiliac joint which can happen because of arthritis, infection, or even pregnancy

WHAT ARE THE COMMON SYMPTOMS OF BACK PAIN?

The symptoms of back pain, if due to strain or posture, are usually short-lived but can last for days or weeks. Back pain is chronic when symptoms have been present for longer than three months. If you experience any of the following symptoms of back pain, book an appointment today.

Common symptoms of back pain include:

  • A dull or strong ache in the lower back that gets more painful when you move and prevents you from straightening up
  • Central pain or pain on either side of the spine
  • An inability to stand up straight without pain
  • A decreased range of motion and diminished ability to flex the back
  • Pain that radiates down into the buttocks, the back of the thigh or even the lower leg (sciatica)
  • Frequent pins and needles or numbness in the buttocks, lower limbs or feet

The above symptoms need to be properly assessed by an experienced Physiotherapist, who can diagnose the cause of your back pain and provide the most appropriate treatment, management and advice.

How to prevent back pain

Many cases of upper and lower back pain can be easily prevented by changing some of your simple daily lifestyle habits. Here are some of the best ways to prevent back pain:

  • Sit up properly and arrange your desk to best suit your height and shape. This includes ensuring you use an ergonomic office chair with lumbar support.
  • Don’t sit in the same position for too long, stand up every 15-20 minutes to recover the arch in your spine.
  • Go for a 30-45 minutes walk each day, or aim for at least 10,000 steps per day.
  • Stretch regularly throughout the day.
  • If you are driving long distances, get out and stretch your legs every hour or so.
  • Arrange an appointment with one of our chartered Physiotherapists if you have pain that stays for longer than 48 hours.

WHY CHOOSE RESPONSE PHYSIO & SPORTS THERAPY
for Back Pain?

We are one of the UK’s leading providers of musculoskeletal (MSK) physiotherapy in the leisure, NHS, and corporate wellbeing markets.

Response Physio & Sports Therapy delivers high-quality physiotherapy to patients across the UK. With a network of clinics, a team of qualified Physiotherapists and Sports Therapists, we can offer a choice of clinics near you and personalised treatment plans to get you feeling better faster.

We offer flexible opening hours to suit busy lifestyles including early and late appointments, Saturday clinics, and remote clinics. There are no waiting lists and appointments are often available within 24 hours. We accept NHS referrals, self-pay, and all major private health insurers, including AXA, BUPA, and Medico-legal.

We have 17 physio clinics within 15 locations that offer treatment for back pain:

CHARTERED PHYSIOTHERAPISTS

FREE PARKING AND DISABLED ACCESS

PERSONAL PLANS DESIGNED FOR YOU

STATE OF THE ART FACILITIES

CENTRAL BOOKING LINE

FLEXIBLE OPENING HOURS

View all Treatments

FAQs

What causes lower back pain?

Lower lumbar back pain: Mechanical problems with the spine, muscles, tendons, and ligaments are the most common causes of right lower back pain. If you need lower back pain help, book an appointment today.

How to treat lower back pain fast?

There are things you can do to relieve lower back pain, but unfortunately there is no quick fix. The best thing to do is take pain killers, exercise to loosen muscles and use hot/cold compresses. If the pain doesn’t improve after 48 hours of home treatment, you should book an appointment with one of our physio back pain specialists.

What is the best physiotherapy back strengthening exercise?

Our physiotherapists will cover the best strengthening exercises for back pain during your physio appointments. We also have some videos of effective and easy to follow physiotherapy and rehabilitation back pain exercises for you to do at home or in the gym. View our video exercises for back pain.

See what our customers have to say about us

It is our goal to provide exceptional clinical excellence and excellent customer care to all our patients, but don't take our word for it. Read what our customers have to say about our services. We want all our patients to be satisfied with our services. If there’s anything we can do to improve your experience then please get in touch.

With over 390 5 star Google reviews,
Read all our reviews here
Google Rating

Hannah from Response Physio has been absolutely excellent. She diagnosed the underlying problem and then created a treatment plan that after 5 sessions have improved things dramatically. Cannot thank her enough.

Neil Driver

My 2 treatment sections with Kevin were very good throughout my appointments. It was very well explained and he actually showed me how to do the exercises. Some physios gave you printed paper to follow. It was very well explained and If I have further problems with my back, I'd go to Kevin'. I would recommend him to friends

Sarindar Sagoo

Excellent physio, my long-standing shoulder problem that I never thought would resolve is already 90% improved after only a few weeks and getting better all the time. I'm amazed! Online consultation is really simple and works well; friendly and effective service. Highly recommend.

Sally Campbell

I had a very good experience at Response Physiotherapy. The physiotherapist is very knowledgeable and professional. I got a couple of sets of exercises that helped my issue, and a lot of good advice. I would definitely recommend it for anyone doing any sport, even recreational.

Natalia P.

Excellent sports massage from Hannah Dent as Response Embankment. When through everything. Felt a lot better after. Would definitely recommend Hannah to anyone who has niggles or needs some good honest advice.

Mark Dean

I've had three sessions with Jamie to aid in my recovery of a neck and shoulder injury. From day one Jamie was clearly very knowledgeable and professional. Explanations for the movements he put me through were given and stretches to carry out in my own time to keep on top of the injury provided. On top of the excellent professionalism, I found Jamie very personable and easy to chat with as he carried out his work. Wouldn't hesitate on using this company again and would ask for Jamie to be the man to set me straight. Keep up the good work.

Adie Clapham

Very professional. Cured my tennis elbow in no time! Very convenient venue with plenty of parking.

Bartosz Wietrzyk

I was referred to Response Physio by my insurance company as I was not quite getting the help I needed from the NHS. Great experience from the beginning; friendly, professional and knowledgeable staff, clean and modern facilities and best of all, my injury is fixed without the use of painkillers and I have a great aftercare program to make sure it stays that way. Special shout out to the physio Uhr who really is an asset to the clinic. Highly recommended.

Lonnie C

I would highly recommend Urh Munda at Response physiotherapy. I went with chronic back and neck pain and he has given me exercises that have reduced the pain in a very short period. The advice he has given me helped me to see how I can continue to progress into the future.

J Voisey

Would not hesitate to recommend Urh Munda at Response Physiotherapy. Urh took me from crutches and a cocktail of drugs to running and biking in a matter of weeks via a precise set of exercises. Advice given will last way beyond the injury. A very satisfied customer.

Scott Alexander

Mr Kevin Ly was absolutely fantastic. I had gone through lots of pain on my shoulders after a road accident 5 months ago, I was in agony and couldn't even sleep at night and had to take strong pain killers when I started to take physiotherapy sessions with Kevin, he helped me throw it and he offered me a deep massage which was really painful but it worked and after 5 months of pain I could have days without pain which was great, it was like I forgot how it is not to have pain. I'm really grateful and thankful to Kevin for his help and support. I can sleep at night again thanks to Kevin. Great, talented young man. polite, positive and professional. Thank you very much.

hossein ghorbani

Richard treated me for pain in my lower back/hip across 5 sessions. He realigned my posture and stopped my pain in the first session and across a few months working with me to strengthen and regain full mobility again with treatment at David Lloyd Kings Hill and home exercises. Extremely professional and knowledgeable yet friendly service. Recommend.

Rebecca Dales

Find your nearest Physio clinic

View all locations