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Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain is one of the most universal health complaints there is. Globally, hundreds of millions of people are living with it at any given time, and it remains one of the leading causes of disability worldwide.
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At PEAK, we’d put it more simply: almost every patient who walks through our Hawthorne or New Farm doors has dealt with it at some stage, whether from a single awkward lift or a slow build-up of poor posture and stress. (At PEAK, we call all our patients Athletes, not because of fitness level but because of mindset: our job is to help you reach your goal, whatever that is.)
The good news is that most lower back pain isn’t dangerous, and it responds well to the right plan. This guide covers why lower back pain happens, what we look for in clinic, and how to know when it’s time to get it properly assessed.
Lower back pain rarely comes from one isolated event. The patients we see usually have a combination of contributing factors:
You can’t eliminate every risk of injury, but you can stack the odds heavily in your favour:
This is one of the most common questions we get, and the honest answer is: both can help, and you don’t have to choose. Physiotherapy focuses on movement, strength, and rehabilitation; Chiropractic care uses spinal manipulation and joint-focused techniques to restore mobility and reduce pain.
Many of our patients see benefit from a combination of both, which is exactly why PEAK brings both disciplines under one roof, where your practitioners can collaborate on your plan rather than you having to coordinate between separate clinics.
Most lower back pain is mechanical and not a sign of anything serious. But a small number of symptoms (sometimes called red flags) warrant prompt medical attention:
If you notice any of these, seek medical care promptly rather than waiting for a routine appointment.
At your first visit, your PEAK Practitioner will take a full history and conduct a physical assessment, then build a plan that may include manual therapy, targeted exercise, postural correction, and education on managing flare-ups, all guided by PEAK’s pain, prevention, and performance approach: ease what hurts now, build the strength and habits that stop it returning, then help you get back to full performance. For patients with chronic back pain who have a GP-issued Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) referral, Medicare rebates may also apply.
Beyond hands-on treatment, our Exercise Led Prevention Classes help build the strength and control that keeps lower back pain from becoming a recurring pattern.
It’s extremely common (most people experience it at some point in their life), but common doesn’t mean it should be ignored, especially if it’s persistent or recurring.
Both can help, and many patients benefit from a combined approach. At PEAK, our physiotherapy and chiropractic teams work together under one roof, so you don’t have to choose.
Acute episodes often improve within a few weeks with the right management. Pain lasting longer than this, or recurring frequently, is worth having properly assessed.
Often yes, with some modification. Movement is generally helpful for recovery. A practitioner can guide you on what to adjust and what’s safe to continue.
Seek prompt medical attention for new bladder or bowel changes, numbness in the saddle area, significant leg weakness, or back pain following major trauma.
Don’t wait for lower back pain to become a bigger problem. Book an appointment with our Hawthorne or New Farm team, or give us a call:
Find Relief from Lower Back Pain: Book Your Appointment Today.