STADS Physiotherapy
Back pain (lower back pain)
A painful back can feel frightening, but usually there’s nothing serious going on.
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Your back feels stiff when you get up, bending is a struggle, or after a day of sitting you can hardly stand up straight. Lower back pain is very common and can really hold you back. On this page you’ll read what back pain is, where it comes from, what you can do yourself and when a physiotherapist or GP can help you further.
What is back pain?
By back pain we usually mean pain in the lower back, between your lowest ribs and the crease of your buttocks. Sometimes the pain spreads to your buttock or thigh. Your lower back is made up of five lumbar vertebrae with intervertebral discs between them, which act as shock absorbers. Around the spine are small joints, ligaments and lots of muscles that together provide stability and movement.
In most people with lower back pain, no clear damage can be found. Doctors then call it non-specific lower back pain. That sounds vague, but it’s actually good news: there’s no serious cause. The pain comes from a mix of factors, such as overload, reduced fitness, tension and the way your nervous system processes pain signals. So pain doesn’t automatically mean something is broken. What’s more, scans often show wear or bulging discs in people with no symptoms at all. That’s why a scan is usually not needed.
What symptoms can you have?
- Pain or a nagging ache low in your back, on one or both sides
- Stiffness, especially in the morning or after sitting for a long time
- Difficulty bending, lifting, getting dressed or turning over in bed
- Pain that spreads to your buttock or thigh
- Muscle tension or a feeling of being ‘locked’
- Sleeping worse or tiring more quickly because of the pain
Does the pain spread below your knee, with tingling or numbness? Then a nerve may be irritated. Read more about this on our page about herniated discs.
What causes back pain?
Lower back pain usually doesn’t have a single cause. Often there’s an imbalance between load (what you ask of your back) and load capacity (what your back can handle at that moment). That balance can shift either way. Your back may suddenly have more to deal with, for example because of a house move, a job in the garden or a new sport. But your load capacity can also drop, for example from sitting still for long periods, too little exercise or a spell of illness.
Other factors play a part too:
- Sitting for long periods or always holding the same posture
- Heavy or frequent lifting, especially if you’re not used to it
- Too little exercise and low fitness
- Stress, poor sleep and tiredness
- Fear of moving, which actually makes your back stiffer and more sensitive
A ‘wrong movement’ is often the final straw, not the real cause. And there’s no single perfect posture. Variety matters more for your back than sitting up straight.
How long does back pain last?
The good news: for many people, acute back pain clearly eases within a few days to weeks, even without treatment. If you keep moving, you usually recover faster than if you rest a lot.
Still, it doesn’t go the same way for everyone. For some people, the pain lasts longer or keeps coming back. If it lasts longer than six weeks, we call it subacute back pain, and after three months, long-term or chronic back pain. How your recovery goes depends on things like your general health, how active you stay, your work, stress and how you think about the pain yourself. Even when the pain lasts longer, improvement is often very possible.
When should you see a physiotherapist?
- Your pain hasn’t clearly eased after two to three weeks
- You’re afraid to move, exercise or work
- Your back pain keeps coming back
- You want to know which activities and exercises are good for your back
- You’re at risk of going off sick from work, or are already at home
- The pain spreads to your leg and you want to know what you can do
Can’t work it out on your own?
Our physiotherapists and occupational therapists are happy to help. In most cases you can come without a referral, in Eindhoven or Tilburg.
When should you see your GP straight away?
Back pain is almost always harmless. Still, contact your GP (or the out-of-hours GP service, the huisartsenpost) straight away if you have back pain along with any of these signs:
- Difficulty passing urine or stools, or losing control of them
- Numbness in your groin, around your anus or on the inside of your thighs
- Increasing weakness in one or both legs
- Fever, feeling very ill or unexplained weight loss
- Back pain after a fall or accident, or if you have osteoporosis
- Severe pain that doesn’t ease at rest or at night, especially if you have (or have had) cancer
How STADS helps with back pain
At STADS, we start by listening. How did your pain start, what can and can’t you do, and what do you want to be able to do again? Then we do a physical examination. We look at how you move, test strength and nerve function, and watch for signs that call for a GP.
Next, we explain what we think is going on. Understanding why your back hurts often takes away a lot of uncertainty. We show you that moving is safe, even if it still hurts a bit. Together we set concrete goals, such as sitting through a full working day again, doing the garden or getting back to running.
The core of the treatment is exercise therapy. You get exercises that suit your complaints and goals, and we build up the load step by step. That way your back becomes stronger and you gain confidence in it again. Massage or mobilisation can sometimes bring temporary relief, but we see it as support at most. For specific movement restrictions, manual therapy can be a useful addition. If you want to keep training under supervision, you can do so with medical fitness.
If stress, tension or long-term pain play a big part, psychosomatic physiotherapy can help. If you’re struggling to keep up with your work, our occupational therapists can help you with work and return to work.
What can you do yourself?
- Keep moving as much as you can and carry on with your daily activities, a little more gently if needed
- Avoid long periods of bed rest: it usually slows recovery
- Change position often and get up regularly if you sit for long periods
- Walk every day and build it up gradually
- Use heat if it feels good, such as a warm shower
- Painkillers can help you keep moving for a while; if in doubt, ask your GP or pharmacist
Read also
Related complaints
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a referral?
No. In most cases you can come to us for physiotherapy and occupational therapy without a referral from your GP. At your first appointment, we start with a short screening. We check whether your complaints are suitable for treatment by us, or whether it would be wise to see your GP first. If you do have a referral, feel free to bring it along.
Is the treatment covered by my insurance?
That depends on your health insurance and whether you have a supplementary package. Physiotherapy is usually covered by your supplementary insurance, up to a certain number of treatments per year. For some chronic conditions, a different arrangement applies under your basic insurance. For more information, see our page on reimbursements and rates or check your policy.
Do I need a scan or X-ray of my back?
Usually not. With ordinary lower back pain, an X-ray or MRI changes little about the treatment. Scans often show wear or bulging discs, even in people without pain. That can cause needless worry. A scan only makes sense if there are signs of a serious cause or if surgery is being considered. Your GP or specialist will assess that.
Can I exercise with back pain?
Yes, in most cases you can. Moving actually helps your back recover. Choose activities you tolerate reasonably well, such as walking, cycling or swimming, and build up gradually. A little pain during or after exercise is fine, as long as it isn’t clearly worse the next day. Your physiotherapist can help you plan a good build-up.
My back often plays up. Can I prevent it coming back?
You can’t always prevent it completely, but you can reduce the chances. Regular exercise and training turn out to be the most effective. Think of walking, strength training or a sport you enjoy. Getting enough sleep and paying attention to stress help too. The key is to keep it up. An exercise you enjoy works better than a perfect programme you drop after two weeks.
Our locations
Two practices, one team
In Eindhoven and Tilburg, physiotherapists and occupational therapists work together under one roof. Choose the practice that’s easiest for you.
Eindhoven
Centrally located on Geldropseweg, with spacious treatment rooms and a large exercise room. Easy to reach by bike, public transport and car.
Address
Geldropseweg 28
5611 SJ Eindhoven
Free parking behind the building
Tilburg
Right in the heart of the Reeshof, close to the A58 exit. Also easy to reach from the surrounding villages.
Address
Reeshofweg 40
5036 BK Tilburg
Mon to Fri, 08.00–18.00
Questions first?
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Not sure if we can help, or have a question about your treatment or reimbursement? Feel free to get in touch.
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