Is Back Pain Holding You Back?

If you've ever experienced back pain, you're certainly not alone. In fact, four out of five Australians will experience back pain at some point in their lives.

Back pain is now the leading cause of disability worldwide and affects millions of Australians every year. It can interfere with work, exercise, sleep, hobbies, family activities, and overall quality of life.

The good news? Most people can take positive steps to improve their spinal health and reduce the impact of back pain.

Back Pain Is More Common Than You Think

At any given time, around one in six Australians reports having back problems. For some people, back pain appears suddenly after lifting, gardening, sport, or an awkward movement. For others, it develops gradually over months or years.

Most episodes improve within a few weeks, but recurrence is common. Some people experience ongoing symptoms that persist for months or longer.

Back pain doesn't affect everyone the same way. Some people describe sharp pain, while others experience stiffness, aching, muscle spasms, or pain that travels into the legs. Beyond the physical symptoms, persistent back pain can affect mood, confidence, concentration, and overall wellbeing.

What Causes Back Pain?

Back pain rarely has a single cause. Common contributing factors include:

• Poor posture and prolonged sitting

• Weakness of the core and supporting muscles

• Repetitive bending, twisting, and lifting

• Physically demanding work

• Reduced physical activity

• Excess body weight

• Age-related changes

• Stress and tension

Movement Is Medicine

One of the biggest misconceptions about back pain is that rest is the best solution.

While a brief period of rest may help during severe pain, research consistently shows that maintaining appropriate movement and activity is one of the most important factors in recovery.

Walking, gentle exercise, mobility work, and gradually returning to normal activities often help people recover more effectively than prolonged inactivity. This is particularly important for active adults, runners, gym-goers, and recreational athletes who often worry that movement might make things worse. In most cases, the opposite is true.

The Role of Chiropractic Care

Chiropractors are trained to assess and manage a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, including back pain. At our practice, treatment often includes:

• Chiropractic adjustments where appropriate

• Joint mobilisation

• Movement and posture assessment

• Exercise recommendations

• Lifestyle advice

• Strategies to improve spinal function and mobility

The goal is not simply to reduce symptoms but to help you move better, function better, and return to the activities you enjoy.

What About Pain Medication?

Many people are surprised to learn that international guidelines increasingly recommend caution with pain medications, particularly opioids, for back pain.

While medication may sometimes play a role in short-term symptom management, it does not address the underlying factors contributing to back pain and may not improve long-term outcomes. This is one reason why many people seek drug-free approaches such as chiropractic care, exercise, and rehabilitation.

Take Back Control

Back pain is common, but it does not have to control your life. Whether your goal is to play with your grandchildren, return to running, continue CrossFit training, enjoy gardening, or simply get through the day comfortably, there are practical steps you can take.

If back pain is limiting your activity, don't ignore it and hope it will disappear on its own. A thorough assessment can help identify contributing factors and provide a plan to help you move forward with confidence.

Your spine was designed to move. Helping you move well is what we do.

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Dr Mark has a special interest in helping recreational athletes of all ages perform better and prevent injury. Correct breathing and postural alignment are critical for top performance and injury prevention and is an integral part of “The Over 40 Athlete System” that Mark has developed.

Dr Julie has a special interest in helping mothers and “mothers to be”. Her Post Graduate qualifications in Paediatric Chiropractic and as an ex-midwife give her a unique ability to help pregnant women, new mums and their young children.

Yours in Health,

Dr's Mark & Julie