Back Pain Treatment in Kew, Melbourne
Back pain is the most common reason people come to see us. Whether it's your lower back, the middle of your back or between your shoulder blades, it can stop you sleeping, working, training or just picking up the kids. The good news is that most back pain isn't caused by serious damage, and with the right plan most people get back to what they love. At our Willsmere Road clinic we help people from Kew, Kew East and Hawthorn get moving comfortably again.
Types of Back Pain We See
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Lower back pain: The most common type, from a dull ache to sharp pain when you bend or stand up.
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Upper and mid back pain: Stiffness or aching between the shoulder blades, often linked to desk work or the ribs.
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Acute back pain: Sudden pain after lifting, bending, gardening or sometimes nothing obvious at all.
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Recurring or persistent back pain: Pain that keeps coming back, or has hung around for more than three months.
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Disc related pain: Back pain linked to irritation of a spinal disc, sometimes with pain into the buttock.
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Back pain with leg pain: If pain, pins and needles or numbness travels down your leg, see our [sciatica page](/sciatica).
What Causes Back Pain?
Most back pain doesn't come from one single injury. It's usually a mix of things that add up until your back can't keep up with what you're asking of it. Common contributors include:
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Sudden changes in load: A big weekend in the garden, moving house or a jump in training.
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Long periods in one position: Hours at a desk, in the car or hunched over a phone without a break.
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Low strength and fitness: Less capacity to handle everyday demands.
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Sleep and stress: Both change how sensitive your body is to pain.
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Worry about the pain itself: Avoiding movement out of fear can keep things stiff and sore for longer.
Scans often show disc and joint changes in people with no pain at all, so a scan result on its own rarely tells the whole story. Most people don't need one. We'll tell you if you do.
How Osteopathy Helps With Back Pain
We look at how your whole spine, ribs, hips and body are moving, then work on the things that are feeding your pain, not just the sore spot.
Hands-on treatment
Soft tissue work, joint mobilisation, stretching and, if you're comfortable with it, spinal manipulation. The aim is to ease pain and get you moving more freely.
Exercise and movement
Staying active is one of the best things you can do for back pain. You'll get a few simple exercises to build strength and confidence, and a plan to get back to work, sport or the gym at the right pace.
Advice that fits your life
We'll look at your desk set-up, lifting, sleep and anything else that might be keeping things going, and help you change what you can.
Jye Adamson, Osteopath
The thing I tell almost every back pain patient is that gentle movement usually beats rest. Your back is stronger than it feels right now.
What To Expect at Your Appointment
Your first appointment is 45 minutes. We'll talk through your history, assess how you move and explain what we think is going on. Most people get treatment on the day and leave with a plan, a few exercises and an honest idea of how many sessions it should take. If osteopathy isn't the right fit, we'll tell you and point you to the right person.
Related Conditions
Back pain often goes hand in hand with other problems. Read more about: