How effective is physiotherapy for non-specific low back pain?

Non-specific low back pain does not have one clearly identified cause such as a fracture or infection. A physiotherapist can assess how your spine, hips, muscles and movement habits work together. Treatment may include gentle mobility, strengthening for the trunk and hips, advice on pacing, and practical changes for sitting, lifting or sleeping.

Progress is usually measured by easier walking, bending, working or getting dressed rather than by pain alone. Some soreness after a new exercise can occur, but a steady worsening pattern needs review. Improvement may build gradually as your body becomes more comfortable with normal activity.

At the first visit, describe what makes symptoms better or worse, how they affect sleep and work, and what activities you want to regain. Follow the home programme at the agreed frequency, using the technique shown by your physiotherapist. Short, regular movement is often more useful than avoiding activity for long periods.

Ask how to modify an exercise if symptoms flare. Keep track of useful changes, such as walking farther or sitting longer, and share them at follow-up. A plan may be adjusted when progress stalls, when a new symptom appears, or when your goals change.

Seek urgent medical assessment for back pain with new loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the genitals or inner thighs, or marked weakness in both legs. Prompt review is also appropriate after a significant injury, or when pain comes with fever, unexplained weight loss, or feeling seriously unwell.

Contact your clinician if symptoms continue to worsen despite following the plan, begin travelling down a leg with increasing weakness, or repeatedly interrupt sleep. These features do not identify one diagnosis by themselves, but they can change the assessment needed.

What movements should I continue, and which should I temporarily modify? How will we measure useful progress? Could my work setup or lifting technique be contributing? What symptoms would mean I should contact you sooner?