Back pain is a very common condition that can affect people of all ages and activity levels. It may come on suddenly or develop gradually over time and is often influenced by a combination of movement habits, loading, posture, lifestyle, and stress, rather than a single cause.
Most back pain is classified as non-specific, meaning there is no serious underlying damage to the spine. In some cases, symptoms may be linked to muscle or joint irritation, disc-related pain, or nerve sensitivity.
Common symptoms include stiffness, aching or sharp pain, reduced movement, muscle spasm, and discomfort with certain positions or activities. Pain may sometimes spread into the buttock or leg, but this does not always indicate serious injury.
Back pain can present in different ways and may be classified based on the source of symptoms, duration, or how it behaves with movement. Understanding the type of back pain helps guide appropriate management and recovery.
Non Specific is the most common type of back pain and refers to pain that cannot be linked to a single structure or serious injury. It is often influenced by movement patterns, muscle tension, loading, stress, and lifestyle factors. Most non-specific back pain improves well with active rehabilitation and education.
Mechanical back pain is related to how the spine moves and responds to load. Symptoms often change with position or activity and may feel worse with bending, lifting, prolonged sitting, or standing. This type of pain typically responds well to physiotherapy and graded movement.
Disc-related pain may occur when a spinal disc becomes irritated or sensitised. Symptoms can include local back pain, stiffness, or pain that refers into the buttock or leg. In some cases, nerve irritation may be present. Most disc-related back pain improves with conservative management and does not require surgery.
This type of back pain occurs when a spinal nerve is irritated or compressed. It may cause sharp, burning, or shooting pain that travels down the leg, along with pins and needles, numbness, or weakness. Physiotherapy focuses on symptom relief, movement strategies, and gradual return to activity.
Physiotherapy plays a key role in managing back pain and focuses on: