Lower Back Pain

Understanding your pain and finding a way forward

Lower back pain is extremely common and can affect people of all ages. It can make everyday activities such as sitting, standing, walking, exercising or working more difficult — and sometimes it can seem to appear without an obvious cause.

Whether your back pain is new, has been coming and going for a while, or is stopping you from doing the things you enjoy, understanding what may be contributing to your symptoms can be an important first step.

At Castle Eden Chiropractic, we take the time to understand your individual symptoms, lifestyle and goals before developing a personalised approach to your care.

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What causes lower back pain?

There isn’t always one single cause of lower back pain. Your symptoms can be influenced by a combination of physical, lifestyle and psychological factors.

Common contributing factors can include:

  • Changes in activity or exercise levels

  • Lifting or repetitive movements

  • Spending long periods sitting or standing

  • Muscle or joint irritation

  • Previous injuries

  • Changes in training load

  • Reduced strength or movement

  • Stress, poor sleep or fatigue

Sometimes, lower back pain develops without a clear trigger. This doesn’t necessarily mean that there is serious damage to your back.

What does lower back pain feel like?

Lower back pain can feel different from person to person. You might experience:

  • An ache or stiffness across the lower back

  • Pain when bending, lifting or twisting

  • Discomfort after sitting or standing for long periods

  • Difficulty getting comfortable in certain positions

  • Pain that comes and goes

  • Reduced confidence with movement or exercise

  • Symptoms that interfere with work, sleep or everyday activities

Some people experience back pain alongside pain into the buttock or leg. If you are experiencing pain that travels down your leg, particularly with symptoms such as numbness, tingling or weakness, this may be more consistent with nerve-related pain such as sciatica and should be assessed appropriately.

How can chiropractic care help?

Your first appointment will begin with a detailed discussion about your symptoms, your health and what you would like to get back to doing.

We will then assess your movement and the areas relevant to your symptoms. This helps us understand your presentation and decide whether chiropractic care is appropriate for you.

Depending on your individual needs, your care may include:

  • Hands-on treatment

  • Manual techniques may be used to help manage pain and improve movement.

  • Exercise and rehabilitation

  • We may recommend specific exercises to help you build confidence, strength and capacity around your symptoms.

  • Advice and education

  • Understanding your symptoms and knowing how to manage them can be an important part of recovery.

  • There is no single treatment that is right for everyone. Your care will be tailored to your symptoms, lifestyle and goals.

For lower back pain, current NICE guidance recommends considering manual therapy alongside exercise and self-management rather than using manual therapy as a treatment in isolation.

Do I need to stop exercising?

Not necessarily.

For many people with lower back pain, staying active and gradually returning to normal activities is an important part of recovery. However, the right type and amount of activity will depend on your symptoms and circumstances.

If you’re unsure whether you should continue running, going to the gym, playing sport or doing another activity, we can help you work out how to modify your activity while you build your confidence and capacity.

When should I seek medical advice?

Most lower back pain is not caused by a serious underlying condition. However, some symptoms require further medical assessment.

Seek urgent medical attention if your back pain is accompanied by symptoms such as:

  • New problems controlling your bladder or bowel

  • Numbness around your genitals, buttocks or inner thighs

  • Significant or worsening weakness in your legs

  • Severe symptoms following a significant injury

  • Other symptoms that make you feel seriously unwell

If you’re concerned about your symptoms, it’s always appropriate to seek advice from your GP or another healthcare professional.

  • This varies considerably between individuals. Some episodes settle relatively quickly, while others can persist or recur. Your recovery can be influenced by factors such as your symptoms, activity levels, sleep, stress and previous experiences with back pain.

  • A chiropractor can assess your symptoms, determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate and provide an individualised management plan. If your presentation requires a different type of care, you can also be referred or directed to an appropriate healthcare professional. Chiropractic care may form part of a management plan for some people with lower back pain. Treatment may include manual therapy alongside exercise, advice and education, depending on your individual needs.

  • Often, yes. Staying active is generally encouraged, although you may need to temporarily modify certain activities depending on your symptoms. A gradual return to your usual activities can help you rebuild confidence and physical capacity.