For lower back pain in central London, physiotherapy offers five proven treatments: manual therapy, tailored exercise, shockwave therapy, laser therapy, and electrotherapy. Our clinic in Oxford Circus use these modalities to reduce pain, restore mobility and prevent flare ups. Whether caused by poor posture, prolonged sitting or a chronic condition, these approaches provide non-invasive relief and support long term back health.
1. Manual Therapy:
Manual therapy uses hands-on techniques used by physiotherapists to relieve pain and restore movement. It typically includes joint movements, soft tissue massage, and muscle stretching. This technique helps to reduce stiffness, improve mobility, and ease tension in the lower back.
Manual therapy is especially useful if your pain is caused by muscle spasms, joint dysfunction, or poor posture and used as a starting point before introducing more active forms of treatment like exercises.
According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), manual therapy can be an effective option when combined with exercise for persistent low back pain [1].
2. Injury-Specific Exercise:
Next on the list is injury-specific exercise. This involves either guided stretching and strengthening exercises tailored to your problem. Rather than trying to use general workouts to resolve the issue, these exercises are specifically designed to improve posture, increase core strength, and support your spine.
In Oxford Circus, our clinic offers one-on-one sessions to teach proper movement patterns and avoid re-injury. Over time, consistent exercise can significantly reduce back pain and improve your ability to move freely.
Research shows that exercise therapy plays a crucial role in treating back pain and leads to better long-term outcomes than passive treatments alone [2].
3. Shockwave Therapy:
Shockwave therapy is a safe, non-invasive treatment that can work to deal with stubborn lower back pain. This therapy uses sound waves to target areas of chronic pain and stimulate healing in muscles and soft tissues.
It’s especially helpful for people with long-term or recurring pain that haven’t been responsive to other treatments. The sound waves increase blood flow and break down scar tissue, helping to speed up the recovery process.
Clinical studies have found shockwave therapy is effective for reducing chronic back pain and improving mobility when used as part of a broader physiotherapy program [3].
4. Laser Therapy:
Laser therapy is another modern technique that is used in our Oxford Circus clinic. This treatment uses low-level laser light to reduce inflammation and promote healing in the affected area.
What makes laser therapy appealing is that it’s completely painless and doesn’t require any downtime. It works by stimulating the body’s natural repair processes, making it a great option for people looking for a gentle but effective treatment.
Studies show that low-level laser therapy can significantly reduce back pain and improve range of motion, especially when combined with exercise or manual therapy [4].
5. Electrotherapy:
Electrotherapy is a common physiotherapy treatment for lower back pain. It uses electrical currents to relieve pain and support healing. TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) blocks pain signals for natural relief. EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) helps strengthen weak muscles, improve movement, and reduce spasms. These treatments are safe, non-invasive, and can be adjusted to fit each person’s needs. Our clinic in Oxford Circus often include electrotherapy as part of a more personalised recovery plan to manage pain and aid recovery.
Final Thoughts:
Lower back pain can be a problem that effects people long-term but fortunately there are plenty of strategies that can be used to address it. From hands-on manual therapy to advanced treatments like laser and shockwave therapy, there are a number of effective options to choose from. The key is to work with a qualified physiotherapist who can create a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
If you’re dealing with lower back pain, don’t wait for it to get worse. Book a consultation with a physiotherapy clinic in Oxford Circus and take the first step toward a pain-free life.
George Block
BSc Sports Rehabilitation
References:
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Low back pain and sciatica in over 16s: assessment and management. NICE guideline [NG59]. 2016. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng59
- Hayden JA, van Tulder MW, Malmivaara A, Koes BW. Exercise therapy for treatment of non-specific low back pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005;(3):CD000335.
- Notarnicola A, Maccagnano G, Gallone MF, et al. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy versus exercise program in patients with low back pain: Short-term results of a randomized controlled trial. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2018;31(3):539-545.
- Yousefi-Nooraie R, Schonstein E, Heidari K, et al. Low level laser therapy for nonspecific low-back pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008;(2):CD005107.