Why lower back pain keeps coming back
Most lower back pain isn't caused by a single injury. It builds over time — through sustained postures, repetitive loading, and movement habits that gradually accumulate mechanical stress on the lumbar spine. Rest reduces the pain temporarily. But without addressing the loading pattern that caused it, the cycle repeats.
Acute vs chronic vs disc-related — why the distinction matters
Not all lower back pain is the same. Acute muscle strain responds differently to care than chronic disc irritation or facet joint dysfunction. Identifying which pattern you're dealing with is the first step — and it's what a thorough assessment is designed to do.
The role of sitting
Prolonged sitting increases intradiscal pressure in the lumbar spine by up to 40% compared to standing. For desk workers, trades workers between jobs, and drivers — sustained sitting is often the primary aggravating factor that no amount of stretching fully counteracts.
How we assess lower back pain
Our initial assessment covers a detailed history of your symptoms, postural and movement screening, orthopaedic and neurological testing where indicated, and a clear explanation of findings. We're looking for the mechanical driver — not just the painful area.
How we manage it
For disc-related presentations, Flexion Distraction is our primary tool — a gentle, table-assisted decompression technique that reduces intradiscal pressure without forceful manipulation. For muscular and joint-related pain, a combination of manual therapy, soft tissue work, and targeted rehabilitation is used. Exercise and rehab prescriptions are provided for between-visit work.
A realistic care plan
We don't use open-ended treatment plans. After your assessment, you'll receive a clear recommendation — how many visits, what milestones to expect, and what you can do independently to support your recovery.