A systematic review by Hoy et al (2014) reported that out of 291 conditions studies, LBP was ranked 6th and caused more disability worldwide than any other condition. It is responsible for the 15 million sick days taken in 2013 and with it carries significant health care costs.

Although incidences of LBP can be extremely painful, less than 1% are a result of any sinister pathology (e.g cancer) and only approximately 10% can be diagnosed as some form of nerve root involvement. Typically LBP is mechanical in nature and during the acute and sub-acute phases physiotherapy can assist in pain reduction, facilitate range of movement and implement a graded exercise programme. The key is to restore movement and return to activity as soon as possible.

However, for approximately 5-10% of people their symptoms continue to persist for greater than 3 months and their pain becomes chronic. 

Chronic pain, as already described in the pain chapter, is complex and multifaceted and evidence highlights education and exercise is equally important when compared to other form of treatment.

Unfortunately, in an attempt to identify their source of pain, people turn more to investigatory measures such as x-rays and MRI scans. However, evidence shows that there is no correlation between a persons scan and their symptoms in a large majority of low back pain sufferers. In fact, a study by Hancock et al (2007) reports that 76% of people who reported no symptoms associated with lower back pain but received some form of imaging had some form of 'disc bulge' or 'disc degeneration'.

Unnecessary surgeries still continue and a study by Baber & Erdek (2016) report between 20%-40% of people report no improvement in pain.

As a Physiotherapist, I am an expert at diagnosing and treating lower back pain in both their acute and chronic forms. I understand the complex, multifaceted nature of this condition and I am expertly trained to provide advice and education, and work collaboratively with you to formulate a plan to get you back to doing the things you enjoy and to avoid the risk of unnecessary surgical interventions.