What Causes Back Pain?
Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek treatment — and a leading cause of time off work and reduced quality of life. At After Hours Physio, we specialise in treating back pain in Melbourne with hands-on care, expert physiotherapy, and personalised recovery plans.
Whether it’s a sudden strain or chronic discomfort, our experienced Melbourne back pain physios are here to identify the root cause and help you move better, faster.
1. Muscle and Joint Strain (Mechanical Back Pain)
Most cases of back pain are due to mechanical issues such as:
- Muscle strains or ligament sprains from lifting or twisting
- Sustained posture from in the same position for extended periods
- Back and joints stiffness due to overuse or disuse.
2. Disc-Related Issues
The spinal discs act as shock absorbers between vertebrae. When damaged, you may experience localise back pain. Difficulty standing and/or sitting. In come cases, disc material from the damage can irritate nearby nerves resulting in sciatica — sharp pain radiating past the knee.
Most discs-related condition respond to a combination of manual therapy and guided exercise, which our Melbourne physiotherapists for back pain are highly experienced in managing.
3. Spinal Conditions and Alignment Problems
Some back pain stems from structural issues such as:
- Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
- Spondylolisthesis (vertebra forward translation)
- Facet joint dysfunction (irritation of small spinal joints)
4. Nerve-Related Back Pain (Neuropathic Pain)
When nerves are irritated or compressed, pain becomes more severe and may include:
- Burning, tingling, or numbness
- Shooting pain down the leg (often from nerve root compression)
This type of pain may not respond to basic care, which is why seeing a qualified back pain physio in Melbourne early on is key to faster, long-lasting relief.
5. Inflammatory Back Pain
Less common but equally important, inflammatory causes include:
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Autoimmune or infection-related spinal inflammation
This pain is usually worse in the morning and improves with movement. Our physios are trained to recognise when pain may be inflammatory and refer you for appropriate testing if needed.
6. Chronic Back Pain and Central Sensitisation
If pain continues beyond 3–6 months, the nervous system can become over-sensitive, causing:
- Pain even after healing
- Pain from activities that shouldn’t normally hurt
This is known as central sensitisation, and is best managed with a holistic, movement-based approach. Our Melbourne back pain physios understand the complexities of chronic pain and tailor rehab plans that retrain both body and brain.
7. Lifestyle and Psychological Factors
Factors like stress, anxiety, poor sleep, and inactivity can increase pain sensitivity. At After Hours Physio Melbourne, we treat more than just the physical injury — we support the whole person through education, encouragement, and goal-focused recovery plans.
Why Choose Our Melbourne Back Pain Physio Team?
Ignoring back pain or trying to “push through it” may leads to longer recovery times and more complex issues. Our clinic provides:
- Same-day appointments
- After-hours physiotherapy in Melbourne
- Skilled, hands-on treatment focused on long-term results
Whether your back pain is new or ongoing, our expert physiotherapists in Melbourne are here to help you feel better, move better, and live pain-free. Book now.