i love to ride my bike, and had a trip planned to ride some of the great pyrenean mountains. six weeks of treatment and i was back on the bike.
richard townsendnewcastle great park
clinician · davephysiotherapy
back & spine · plain-english guide
low back pain
over 80% of people experience low back pain at some time in their life — it's the most common reason for workplace absence.
evidence-basedhcpc registeredseen in 3 daysone-to-one
first session45 minutes
typical recovery3 – 6 sessions
from£72
seen within3 days
accredited & insurer-ready
what is low back pain?
lower back pain affects over 80% of all people at some time in their life and represents the most common reason for workplace absence. symptoms can be extremely painful and debilitating — but they're also highly treatable.
the causes are numerous, though poor posture and insufficient exercise rank among the most prevalent. modern sedentary lifestyles — with prolonged sitting during breakfast, commutes, desk work up to eight hours daily, and evening activities — contribute significantly. the body requires movement: synovial joints in the spine secrete lubricating fluid only during motion.
extended sitting also stresses the intervertebral discs. slouched positioning compresses the disc's front, pushing the nucleus backward and potentially causing bulging that irritates nearby pain-sensitive structures. other causes include degenerative conditions — osteoarthritis, spondylosis, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoporosis — trauma from sports injuries or accidents, and internal-organ conditions referring pain to the back.
what it feels like.
where the pain is
- in the centre of the low back
- to the right
- to the left
- radiating to the buttocks and thighs
how it feels
- constant
- intermittent
- sharp
- shooting
- dull
- achy
triggers & relief.
makes it worse
- bending
- twisting
- lifting
- prolonged sitting
- driving
- putting socks and shoes on
usually helps
- ice
- heat
- lumbar support
- medication
- changing posture
- exercise
can you treat it at home?
most cases of low back pain respond to a combination of self-management and targeted physiotherapy. here's how to tell which camp you're in.
try at home first
mild & new.
- less than 2 weeks old
- no radiating pain or numbness
- eases with gentle movement
- no sleep disruption
book an assessment
persistent or limiting.
- lasted 2+ weeks with no change
- shooting pain or pins & needles
- stopping you sleeping or working
- recurring flare-ups
how we treat it.
we start every journey with a thorough assessment — the right diagnosis is the foundation of successful treatment. depending on what we find, we typically combine several of the following:
- joint mobilisation and manipulation
- specific soft-tissue massage and mobilisation
- progressive core stability and functional exercise rehabilitation
- postural and ergonomic advice
- muscle energy techniques
- acupuncture and dry needling
- sports and functional fascial taping
private referrals for x-ray or mri imaging are available, with appointments typically within 48 hours and results in 3–5 days.
when to see a gp instead.
physiotherapy is safe and effective for the vast majority of cases — but these signs mean you should contact your gp, 111, or a&e first.
patients who had low back pain.
a few words from patients we've treated for low back pain.
darren was quick and efficient at identifying my problem and actively working to solve it. great north run 2011.
laura robb
clinician · darrensports injury
i didn't think the great north run 2011 was going to happen for me. a few weeks with darren and it did.
paul rickeard
clinician · darrensports injury
faqs.
no — you can book directly with us. if you're using private medical insurance (bupa, aviva, vitality, wpa, axa) your insurer may require a referral; check your policy before booking.
most patients resolve acute issues in three to six sessions. chronic or complex cases can take longer. we'll give you an honest timeline at your first assessment.
something you can move in — shorts and a t-shirt for lower-limb work, a vest for shoulders. we have changing rooms if you're coming straight from work.
most patients are seen within three working days. evening and saturday-morning slots are available but book up quickly.
ready to sort it?
book a 45-minute assessment online, or call 0191 217 1929 and our reception team will match you to the right clinician.
treatments for low back pain
what we'll often recommend.
most low back pain plans combine one or more of the following evidence-based treatments.
most booked45 min
01
physiotherapy
hands-on assessment and treatment for pain, injury, and long-term conditions. 45-minute initial consultation.
from£72
book45 min
03
sports injury
assessment, diagnosis and return-to-sport rehab from physios who've worked with olympic and national teams.
from£72
book30–60 min
05
sports massage
deep-tissue work to improve circulation, reduce doms, and keep you training without niggles.
from£55
bookrelated guides
keep learning.
conditions we see most often alongside low back pain.