Condition
Back pain: causes, symptoms and treatment
A clear, clinically reviewed guide to back pain — what causes it, when to worry, and how most people recover.
Quick answer
Back pain is discomfort anywhere along the spine, most often in the lower back. The large majority of cases are mechanical and settle within a few weeks with staying active, targeted exercise and manual therapy. Persistent or severe pain should be assessed by a clinician.
Key facts
- Around 8 in 10 adults experience back pain at some point in their lives.
- Most back pain is mechanical — related to muscles, joints and discs — not a serious disease.
- Staying gently active usually aids recovery more than bed rest.
What is back pain?
Back pain is any pain felt along the spine, from the neck to the lower back, though the lower back (lumbar spine) is the most common site.
It is usually described as mechanical, meaning it comes from the muscles, joints, ligaments or discs of the spine rather than from a serious underlying disease. Most episodes are short-lived and improve on their own.
What are the symptoms of back pain?
The main symptom is aching, stiffness or sharp pain in the back, which may spread to the buttocks or legs and often changes with movement or posture.
- A dull ache or sharp pain in the back
- Stiffness, especially in the morning or after sitting
- Muscle tension or spasm
- Pain that eases with movement or worsens with certain positions
What causes back pain?
Most back pain is caused by strain of the muscles or joints, disc problems, or age-related wear rather than a single injury.
- Muscle or ligament strain from lifting, twisting or poor posture
- Disc problems such as a bulge or herniation
- Age-related changes like degeneration or arthritis
- Prolonged sitting and deconditioning
How is back pain treated?
Most back pain is treated without surgery, using a combination of staying active, targeted exercise, manual therapy and short-term pain relief.
The aim is to reduce pain, restore movement and build support around the spine so episodes are less likely to return.
At Postura Wellness, care for back pain is built around OrthoRestore™ — our signature method that combines chiropractic and physiotherapy into one coordinated plan. Depending on your assessment, it can bring together chiropractic adjustments, dry needling, muscle manipulation, Active Release Technique, and targeted exercises, supported where helpful by technology such as shockwave therapy and bioelectric therapy. The aim is to relieve symptoms while addressing the underlying causes, with a plan tailored to you.
Get emergency medical attention for loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the groin or inner thighs, or sudden severe weakness in a leg. These can signal cauda equina syndrome, a rare but serious condition.
Get a clear plan for your back pain
Book an assessment at either branch and get a tailored plan.
This page is for general information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified clinician about your individual condition.
Sources
- Back Pain — MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine
- Know Your Back — North American Spine Society
- Health Topics — NIH National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
- Sciatica — MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
- Sciatica — NHS inform (Scotland)
- Bones, Joints and Muscles — MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine