Lower back pain can often be resolved through a personalised physiotherapy plan that includes exercise therapy, hands on treatment, laser therapy or shockwave therapy. Addressing poor posture, weak core muscles and restricted movement, physios build rehab plans that improve strength, relieve tension and prevent flare ups. Whether you’re managing acute or chronic back pain, early physiotherapy intervention leads to faster and longer lasting recovery.
Lower back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek help from a physiotherapist. Whether it’s a dull ache, sharp twinge, or ongoing stiffness, back pain can interfere with daily life, work, and sleep. The good news? You don’t have to live with it.
In this blog, we’ll explain how physiotherapy can help fix lower back pain and explore a range of evidence-based treatments which can include exercise, shockwave therapy, laser therapy, and hands-on care as some examples.
Understanding Lower Back Pain:
Lower back pain can be caused by many things, including:
- Poor posture or long periods of sitting
- Muscle strain or tightness
- Herniated discs or sciatica
- Arthritis or age-related changes
- Stress and tension
It may come on suddenly or build up over time. In most cases, back pain is mechanical, meaning it’s related to how your muscles, joints, or discs move—not something serious or dangerous.
A physiotherapist can help assess what’s contributing to your pain and create a plan to fix it.
1. Exercise Prescription:
Exercise is one of the most effective ways to treat and prevent lower back pain. A physiotherapist will assess your movement and tailor a program to suit your condition.
Common types of exercises include:
- Core strengthening (e.g., pelvic tilts, bridges)
- Flexibility work (e.g., hamstring and hip stretches)
- Mobility drills (e.g., gentle spinal rotations)
- Functional training (e.g., squats, lifting techniques)
These exercises are designed to:
- Improve posture and alignment
- Strengthen supporting muscles
- Restore normal movement
- Prevent reinjury
A 2022 review confirmed that individualised exercise programs are among the most effective treatments for chronic low back pain (1).
2. Manual Therapy:
Manual therapy refers to hands-on techniques used by physiotherapists to reduce pain and improve mobility. This may include:
- Joint mobilisation to restore normal motion
- Soft tissue massage to ease muscle tension
- Trigger point therapy for tight, sensitive areas
- Stretching techniques to improve flexibility
These techniques can be especially helpful in the early stages of treatment to reduce stiffness and discomfort before starting exercises.
Many patients find manual therapy provides immediate relief and helps them move more freely. It’s often used alongside other treatments to enhance results.
3. Shockwave Therapy:
Shockwave therapy uses sound waves to stimulate healing in soft tissues. It’s non-invasive and increasingly used for stubborn or chronic cases of lower back pain.
It works by:
- Increasing blood flow to the affected area
- Breaking down scar tissue or muscle knots
- Starting a healing response in the body
Shockwave therapy may be recommended if your pain is linked to tight muscles, fascia, or tendon issues. It’s especially effective for myofascial pain syndrome, which involves tight bands of muscle causing referred pain.
A growing body of evidence supports its use in chronic musculoskeletal pain, with one study reporting significant improvement in pain and mobility after several sessions (2).
4. Laser Therapy:
Laser therapy (also known as low-level laser therapy or LLLT) uses light energy to reduce inflammation and promote healing. It’s painless and safe, and some patients find it a useful option when other treatments haven’t helped.
Benefits of laser therapy for lower back pain include:
- Reducing inflammation around irritated nerves or joints
- Improving pain free movement
- Accelerating tissue healing after strain or injury
Physiotherapists may recommend laser therapy as part of a comprehensive plan, particularly for nerve-related or inflammatory pain.
A 2021 systematic review concluded that LLLT can reduce pain and improve function in patients with chronic lower back pain when combined with exercise therapy (3).
Creating a Personalised Plan:
The approach when dealing with lower back pain can change from person to person. That’s why a good physiotherapist will:
- Listen to your history and symptoms
- Perform a physical assessment
- Identify the cause of your pain
- Create a tailored treatment plan
Your plan may include a mix of exercise, manual therapy, laser or shockwave treatments, and posture advice. You’ll also receive guidance on activity levels, sitting and sleeping positions, and how to avoid future problems.
The goal is to fix the root cause of your pain, not just treat the symptoms.
When to Seek Help:
See a physiotherapist if:
- Your back pain lasts more than a few days
- It keeps returning or gets worse with activity
- You’re struggling with sleep, work, or mobility
- You feel stiff, stuck, or uncertain about movement
Physiotherapists are trained to rule out serious causes and get you on the right path quickly.
Final Thoughts:
Lower back pain may be common, but it doesn’t have to control your life. With the right approach whether through exercise, hands-on care, or innovative therapies like shockwave and laser, relief is possible.
Don’t wait for the pain to go away on its own. A personalised physiotherapy plan can help you feel better, move better, and live without fear of flare-ups.
George Block
BSc Sports Rehabilitation
References:
- Hayden JA, Ellis J, Ogilvie R, Malmivaara A, van Tulder MW. Exercise therapy for chronic low back pain. BMJ. 2021;372:m4825. doi:10.1136/bmj.m4825
- Vahdatpour B, Ghasemi M, Momeni F, Taheri M. Comparison of radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy and supervised exercise in patients with chronic low back pain: A randomized clinical trial. J Res Med Sci. 2021;26:17. doi:10.4103/jrms.JRMS_223_20
- Glazov G, Yelland M, Emery J. Low-level laser therapy for chronic non-specific low back pain: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Acupunct Med. 2021;39(2):85–93. doi:10.1136/acupmed-2020-011134