Physiotherapy condition

Lower Back Pain下背部疼痛

Lower back pain (LBP) refers to pain arising from the lower-back region to the buttock folds. It can be categorised into several types.

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Types of Lower Back Pain

Specific Lower Back Pain

Pain is due to the presence of structural injury.
To supplement a comprehensive physical examination, an X-ray or MRI scan may be done to confirm if the following is present:
- Intervertebral disc injury with or without nerve-root compression, also known as a ‘slipped disc’
- Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
- Spondylolysis (bony defect) or spondylolisthesis (displacement of a spinal segment) with instability
- Vertebral fracture

Rheumatological Disease

Spondyloarthritis is a group of autoimmune arthritic conditions that causes inflammation in multiple areas, commonly including the lower back and buttocks.
Diagnostic tests can be used to identify this condition. A late diagnosis can cause irreversible deformity in the spine.

Cancer

In rare cases, LBP can be a symptom of cancer in the spine. There are certain signs and symptoms unique in cancer that make it different from the rest of the LBP conditions. Your healthcare provider should be on the lookout for this to ensure that you get early medical attention if necessary.

Non-Specific Lower Back Pain

When structural injury or disease has been ruled out through clinical examination and diagnostic investigations, LBP can be categorised as ‘non-specific’. This means the pain is not caused by structural damage, but by a less serious strain of the muscles, ligaments or intervertebral discs.
Although less serious, these types of strain may still present with significant pain.

What Causes Lower Back Pain?

LBP may develop after heavy or repetitive lifting, accidents, jumping and landing from height, or falling onto the back or buttocks. For an older person or someone at risk of osteoporosis, it could also be caused by something as simple as a sneeze.
In most cases, LBP develops in people who have not injured their backs, or whose previous back injury has already healed.
These risk factors may also lead to LBP developing:

Lifestyle Factors

Poor sleep quality
Deskbound work
Physical inactivity
Chronic stress in life or at work
Smoking

Emotional Factors

Depression
Anxiety
Fear of becoming active again

How Can Physiotherapy Help Lower Back Pain?

Physiotherapy is widely accepted as the safest first-line treatment for lower back issues. Treatment for LBP depends on the diagnosis, severity and the progression of the condition. Once our physiotherapist has completed a thorough examination, targeted treatment can begin.
Treatment may comprise of:
- Electrical stimulation for pain relief
- Movement re-training
- Individualised exercise program
- Manual therapy to improve joint movements
A discussion with our physiotherapist can help you work out a holistic plan to target the risk factors.
If anti-inflammatory medication or diagnostic investigations are needed, we can refer you to a doctor or orthopaedic specialist.

Frequently Asked Questions on Lower Back Pain

Is physiotherapy effective for lower back pain?

Yes — physiotherapy is widely accepted as the safest first-line treatment for lower back pain. Targeted treatment begins after a thorough examination and may include movement re-training, an individualised exercise programme, manual therapy, and electrical stimulation for pain relief.

Do you always need an X-ray or MRI for lower back pain?

No — you do not always need an X-ray or MRI for lower back pain. Much back pain is "non-specific," meaning it isn't caused by structural damage, and imaging is used selectively to confirm specific causes such as a slipped disc, spinal stenosis or a fracture.

When is lower back pain a sign of something serious?

In rare cases, lower back pain can signal a more serious condition, which is why a thorough clinical examination is important to ensure early medical attention if needed. Anti-inflammatory medication or a specialist referral can be arranged where appropriate.

What lifestyle factors contribute to lower back pain?

Lifestyle factors that contribute to lower back pain include poor sleep, deskbound work, physical inactivity, chronic stress and smoking, as well as emotional factors such as depression and anxiety.

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