Back Pain and Sciatica Physiotherapy in Melbourne
Whether it is lower back pain, sciatica down the leg, or a back injury from lifting at work, our physiotherapists assess what is driving it and treat it with hands-on care, graded exercise and a plan to get you back to work and sport.
Assessment of your lower back, hips and nerves to find what is driving your pain
Screening for warning signs that need medical review before physiotherapy
Hands-on treatment, graded exercise and Clinical Pilates, chosen from your assessment findings
No referral needed for private appointments at Tullamarine, Carlton and Keilor
Common causes of back pain we see
Back pain has many causes, and often more than one is at play. These are some of the most common reasons people come to see us.
Lower back pain
Pain, stiffness or spasm across the lower back, whether it came on suddenly or has built up over time. Sitting for long periods, a change in activity or training load, and general workload can all play a part.
Sciatica and nerve pain
Pain, pins and needles or numbness that travels from the back into the buttock or down the leg, often from irritation of a nerve in the lower back. Your physiotherapist assesses the nerves as well as the back itself, and refers you on if any findings need medical review.
Disc-related pain
Back pain linked to the discs of the spine, including disc bulges and herniations, sometimes with pain into the leg. Your physiotherapist assesses how your back moves and what eases or aggravates it, and builds a plan around that.
Lifting and work injuries
Back strains from lifting, manual handling or repetitive work. Where there is an accepted WorkSafe claim, you can start physiotherapy for the work related injury without a referral from a medical practitioner. See our WorkCover and TAC physiotherapy page for how claims work.
How we assess your back pain
Your first appointment is about working out what is driving your back pain. Your physiotherapist explains what they find and what they recommend, including when a GP review is the better next step.
A detailed history of your back pain: where you feel it, when it started, what sets it off or eases it, and whether it travels into your buttock or leg
Screening questions for warning signs that need a GP or emergency review instead of physiotherapy
Assessment of how your lower back, pelvis and hips move, and the strength and control of the muscles around them
Where symptoms travel into the leg, a check of sensation, strength and reflexes
A look at your work, sitting and lifting demands, sleep, and the sport or activity you want to get back to
Treatment approaches commonly used in physiotherapy
Your plan is chosen from your assessment findings, so not every approach below will be right for you.
Hands-on treatment
Manual therapy, including joint mobilisation and soft tissue techniques for the back and hips, is commonly used to ease pain and improve movement. It is used alongside exercise rather than on its own.
Graded exercise
A graded exercise program to restore movement and build strength, endurance and control in the back, hips and trunk. Exercises are written for you and progressed as you improve, so you build confidence moving and lifting again.
Clinical Pilates
Where it suits you, your rehab can continue in our Clinical Pilates and small group exercise classes, where everyone follows their own individual program written by a physiotherapist after a one-on-one assessment.
Dry needling, where appropriate
Dry needling may be used to address muscle tension and trigger points in the back and hips. It is one component of a broader treatment plan, not a standalone treatment, and is only used where it is clinically appropriate for you and you are comfortable with it.
Returning to work and sport
Your plan builds towards the things you need your back for, whether that is sitting at a desk, lifting at work, or getting back to training and sport, at a pace your back allows.
When to see a GP or go to emergency
Call 000 or go to emergency
- Numbness or altered feeling in the saddle area: between your legs, around your genitals or back passage
- New problems passing urine, controlling your bladder or bowel, or new sexual dysfunction
- New or worsening weakness in one or both legs, or difficulty walking
- Back pain after a significant fall, car accident or other trauma
See your GP first
- Back pain with fever, or feeling generally unwell
- Back pain with unexplained weight loss, or if you have a history of cancer or a weakened immune system
- Constant pain at night that does not ease with rest or change of position
- Pain that is constant and getting steadily worse
If you are not sure whether your back pain needs medical attention, see a doctor first. If your physiotherapist finds any of these signs during your assessment, they will refer you on.
Back pain physio at three Melbourne clinics
Back pain physio in Tullamarine is on Melrose Drive, with free on site parking, serving Gladstone Park, Westmeadows, Airport West and Greenvale. We also see back pain and sciatica at our Carlton clinic on Drummond Street and our Keilor clinic in Keilor Downs.
Book at whichever clinic is most convenient. All three offer the same services and share the same clinical team.
Back pain physio Tullamarine
Unit 1, 191 Melrose Drive, Tullamarine VIC 3043
03 9116 8691Serving Tullamarine, Gladstone Park, Westmeadows, Airport West and Greenvale. Free on site parking.
Physiotherapy Tullamarine
Back pain physio Carlton
Unit 2, 221 Drummond Street, Carlton VIC 3053
03 9116 8693Serving Carlton, Parkville, Fitzroy, North Melbourne and Brunswick. Walking distance from the University of Melbourne.
Physiotherapy Carlton
Back pain physio Keilor
53 Willys Avenue, Keilor Downs VIC 3038
03 9116 8694Serving Keilor, Sydenham, Taylors Lakes, St Albans and Hillside.
Physiotherapy KeilorBook your appointment
Book online at Tullamarine, Carlton or Keilor, or call the clinic directly and we will find you the next available time. No referral is needed for private appointments.
This page is general information only and is not a diagnosis or a substitute for medical advice. Back pain has many causes. Speak with your GP about any new, severe or worsening back pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, not for private appointments. You can book online or call your nearest clinic. A GP referral is needed if you are using a Medicare EPC care plan, and WorkCover and TAC claims have their own requirements.