Acute low back pain is back pain that has started recently, usually within the last few weeks. It is most often caused by a strain of the muscles or ligaments around the lower back and pelvis, for example after lifting, a sudden twist or a long day at a desk.
Although it can be very painful, most acute back pain improves within a few weeks. Physiotherapy helps you move more comfortably, recover faster and lower the chance of it happening again.
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- Sudden back pain, back strain or a pulled back muscle
- Pain relief and gentle movement to help you recover
- Exercise and lifting advice to prevent it coming back
- Doctor on site if medicine or a scan is needed
- Lifting while bending and twisting
- Sudden awkward movement
- A fall or sports injury
- Long hours sitting
- Weak or deconditioned muscles
- Pain across the lower back
- Pain that may spread to the buttock or back of the thigh
- Stiffness and muscle spasm
- Difficulty bending, sitting or getting out of bed
How physiotherapy helps
- Assessment: We find the likely source of your pain and screen for warning signs.
- Early relief: Advice on positions, heat or ice, and staying gently active.
- Treatment: Hands-on treatment, and SIS therapy, electrical stimulation or ultrasound where helpful.
- Recovery: Exercises for core and back strength, and advice on lifting and desk set-up.
Our doctor is on site and can prescribe pain relief or anti-inflammatory medicine, arrange scans, or discuss an injection if it is needed.
- numbness around the groin or buttocks
- new difficulty with your bladder or bowels
- weakness in the legs
- back pain with fever, unexplained weight loss, or after a significant fall
Book physiotherapy for lower back pain
One-to-one sessions with our AHPC-registered physiotherapist at 79 Serangoon Garden Way, from $200 for 45 minutes. Home physiotherapy also available.
Frequently asked questions
Should I rest in bed?
No. Staying gently active usually leads to a faster recovery than bed rest.
When should I see someone?
If the pain is severe, not improving after a few days, or you have any warning signs above. Read more in our article on lower back pain from desk work.
Do I need a referral?
No, you can book physiotherapy directly. If you need medical review, our doctor is on site.
Prefer us to call you?
Leave your details and our team will contact you within one working day.
Information reviewed by our physiotherapy team at Ashford Medical Centre. This page is general information and is not a substitute for a personal assessment.
