Building better health, together
“A Lifetime of Health”
Lower back pain is one of the most common reasons people come to see us at our Corio and Norlane clinics in Geelong. Whether it came on lifting at work, after a weekend in the garden or for no obvious reason, our physiotherapists can help you understand what’s going on and get you moving again.
What causes back pain?
Most lower back pain comes from the muscles, joints, ligaments and discs of the spine being irritated or strained. It can be very painful without meaning there is serious damage. Common triggers include lifting, bending and twisting, long periods of sitting or driving, a sudden increase in activity, poor sleep and stress.
The good news is that most episodes of lower back pain improve within a few weeks, and staying gently active usually helps more than resting in bed. Scans are rarely needed to start treatment.
What is sciatica?
Sciatica is pain that travels from the lower back or buttock down the leg, often below the knee, sometimes with pins and needles or numbness. It happens when one of the nerve roots that form the sciatic nerve is irritated, most often by a disc bulge. Leg pain can feel worse than the back pain itself. Many people with sciatica improve with the right care over a period of weeks to months.
How physiotherapy helps
- Explaining what’s causing your pain
- Hands-on treatment to ease pain and stiffness
- Exercises to restore movement and strength
- Advice on work, lifting, sitting and sleep
- Dry needling where appropriate
- A plan to reduce the chance of it coming back
Our director Jordan Keras has a particular interest in lower back pain and nerve-related pain like sciatica.
What to expect at your first visit
We’ll ask about how the pain started, what makes it better or worse, and how it’s affecting your work, sleep and sport. Then we’ll assess how your back and hips move, check your nerves and strength, and explain what we find in plain language. You’ll leave with a plan, things you can do at home, and an idea of how long recovery should take.
When to see a doctor urgently
Seek urgent medical care, at your GP or an emergency department, if back pain comes with any of these: loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the groin or buttocks, leg weakness that is getting worse, fever or feeling very unwell, back pain after a significant fall or accident, or a history of cancer. If you think it is an emergency, call 000.
Related services
- Physiotherapy: Assessment, hands-on treatment and exercise for pain, injury and recovery after surgery.
- Dry Needling: Fine, sterile needles used on muscle trigger points to relieve pain and tightness.
- Remedial Massage: Hands-on treatment to ease tight, painful muscles, improve movement and help you recover.
- TAC & WorkCover: Physio for transport accident and workplace injuries, with the claims paperwork handled.
Help with back pain & sciatica is available at both of our clinics, Corio on Bacchus Marsh Road and Norlane on Melbourne Road, for patients across Geelong including Lara, North Shore, Bell Park and North Geelong. No referral is needed.
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Please book an assessment or speak to your doctor about your own situation.
Back Pain & Sciatica FAQs
Do I need a scan for back pain?
Usually not. Most back pain can be assessed and treated without imaging. If your physiotherapist finds signs that a scan or a doctor’s review is needed, they will tell you and refer you.
Should I rest or keep moving?
For most back pain, gentle movement and staying as active as you comfortably can is better than bed rest. Your physio will help you work out what to do and what to avoid while it settles.
Can physio help sciatica?
Yes. Physiotherapy can help ease nerve pain, keep you moving and guide a gradual return to normal activity. If symptoms are severe or not improving, we will work with your GP on next steps.