When Lower Back Pain Strikes
Lower back pain is one of the most common conditions we treat on a daily basis at Macarthur Physiotherapy. For many of us, lower back pain is a temporary annoyance that settles within a few days.
But what happens when the pain persists, or starts stopping you from doing the things you love? When an acute episode strikes, it’s important to have a solid game plan to get you back to moving comfortably ASAP.
In 2022 the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care published a Lower Back Pain Clinical Care Standard. This is a helpful guide for us as physios to ensure that our patients receive the best possible care when it comes to lower back pain.
Do I need to see my GP first?
As first-contact practitioners we can assess you immediately. We bridge the gap between "wait and see" and active recovery, helping you understand exactly what’s going on from day one.
Is It Serious?
It is completely normal to feel anxious when your back "goes out," but here is the good news: most acute lower back pain is not serious. In fact, the vast majority of people see significant improvement within two weeks by implementing some simple strategies.
You might also be wondering, "Should I get an X-ray or MRI?" For most cases, the answer is no. Imaging rarely identifies a single "cause" and often reveals natural age-related changes that are present even in people with no pain at all. Unless we suspect a serious pathology (which occurs in less than 1% of cases), imaging won't change your management plan—but it might cause unnecessary worry! There are some cases where imaging is necessary and we can advise whether this is appropriate for you.
3 Simple Tips
If you're currently in the middle of a back pain flare-up, start with these 3 simple strategies:
Prioritize more comfortable postures: work out which positions ease your pain and spend a little more time in these positions. This might mean using a lumbar support or seat wedge while driving, or switching to a standing desk setup temporarily. It might mean setting a reminder on your phone to take more regular standing breaks throughout the day.
Keep yourself moving: While it’s tempting to stay in bed we know that it’s so important to STAY ACTIVE. It is best to keep moving within the limits of your pain.
Temporarily modify your activities: For the first 48 to 72 hours, try to limit the specific movements that sharply aggravate your pain. This isn’t about avoiding movement entirely, but rather giving the initial irritation time to settle down so you can return to normal activity sooner.
How can we help you?
At Macarthur Physiotherapy we aim to identify the factors to your lower back pain with a thorough assessment. I find that many of my patients benefit significantly from manual therapy and exercises that address stiffness in their upper back and hips. I’ve included some examples of exercises that I would commonly prescribe for these areas.
