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Back Pain Physio Melbourne
At Eastside Physio + Co, we specialise in treating back pain through personalised physiotherapy at our Surrey Hills clinic, conveniently located in Melbourne's eastern suburbs. Our first step is to find out what's causing your back pain. From there, we'll create a personalised treatment plan that may include physiotherapy and exercises.
Common causes of back pain
Back pain often starts in the muscles and joints of the spine or from the discs between the vertebrae. Typically, a simple strain is the main culprit, rather than a serious condition, and most people find relief with the appropriate treatment. Spending extended periods at a desk, coupled with a lack of physical activity, frequently contributes to discomfort. Office workers, in particular, often experience this type of pain. Sports can also lead to back injuries, which we frequently treat
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Muscle and joint causes
This is where most back pain is found. Muscle strain and muscle spasm usually follow an awkward lift or a sudden twist. Facet joint irritation in the lumbar spine causes stiffness and localised joint pain. Poor posture and deconditioning (where the muscles that support your spine have grown weak) are what keep the problem coming back.
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Disc-related back pain
The discs located between your vertebrae help support your body's weight, and they allow for flexibility in your spine. Bulging or degenerative discs exert pressure on nearby structures and can cause pain that spreads. Degenerative disc disease is the normal wear and tear of the intervertebral discs, but it does not always cause symptoms.
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Nerve-related back pain
When a nerve in the lower back gets compressed, the pain can travel into the buttocks or legs. Sciatica is a common example of this, where nerve pain runs down the back of the leg. Nerve compression and spinal stenosis (a narrowing of the space around the spinal cord) create a similar leg pain, sometimes with altered sensation.
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Less common causes
A small number of back problems are caused by other issues, such as an infection or a fracture. Inflammatory conditions, such as ankylosing spondylitis, can also be responsible, but these are rare. We look for them during your assessment, so anything serious is picked up early.
Back pain symptoms and when to seek medical attention
Back pain varies from individual to individual. It may present itself as chronic discomfort that won’t stop, while in another person, it is an acute pain that comes abruptly when performing certain activities. The usual signs of back pain are stiffness and muscle spasms that occur following physical exertion, like heavy lifting or after prolonged sitting.
Some people feel weakness, or pain that radiates from the lower back into the hip or leg, sometimes with numbness or a tingling, pins-and-needles feeling in the leg. If your main problem is in your neck rather than your back, our neck pain treatment covers that separately.
Most cases of back pain settle in just a few weeks, but if your pain does not go away or recurs, then it is time for you to make an appointment for an assessment. Most patients recover as their injured tissues heal and as they start to move around. Some signs require immediate attention from a medical professional.
You should seek immediate medical attention if you lose control of your bladder or bowel. A sudden, severe weakness in either leg, or numbness around the saddle area (the groin and inner thighs), needs the same emergency care. Book an urgent medical review if your back pain comes with a fever or unexplained weight loss. The same applies after a recent significant injury to your back.
How physiotherapy treats back pain
Physiotherapy treats back pain in stages. We start by finding out what is driving the pain and then easing it with hands-on treatment. Then we rebuild your strength and mobility with prescribed exercises. The hands-on side eases the pain enough to move, and the exercise is what maintains the improvement, because a back that is only rested is likely to stiffen and lose strength.
Hands-on treatment could include joint mobilisation and soft-tissue work, which will be matched to where your pain is coming from. Your first visit sets the treatment, and the care is tailored to your own needs rather than following a standard procedure. You can see the full range in our physiotherapy services.
Depending on what the assessment finds, your back pain physio may use any of these:
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Manual therapy, including joint manipulation and massage
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Prescribed exercises and stretches to load the area safely
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Shockwave therapy for stubborn soft-tissue pain
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MLS laser therapy to support tissue recovery
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Clinical Pilates and Mat Pilates for core control and steady movement
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Strapping and bracing for short-term support
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Rehabilitation programs that progress as you improve
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Self-management advice for handling flare-ups at home
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Referral for imaging when the assessment indicates it
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Post-operative care after back surgery
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Liaison with your doctor about medication, as part of a multidisciplinary approach
As you progress through your recovery, you’ll notice that your treatment plan evolves. Early on, passive treatments may play a bigger role, especially when your pain hinders your movement. As your pain decreases and your strength begins to return, prescribed exercises become more prominent.
The main goal is to reduce your pain and improve your movement, while equipping you with the strategies you need to manage these on your own. Throughout your journey, you will remain actively involved. Your physiotherapist will clarify the purpose of each phase of your plan and make sure you can maintain your progress between appointments at home.
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Why we treat back pain with active, evidence based care
Taking part in active treatment gives you your best chance of getting lasting relief from your back pain. That means movement and graded exercise instead of extended bed rest. Rest can help in the first day or two, but staying still for longer than that could actually make the problem worse.
Just using passive care on its own, such as massage or heat packs, only gives you short-term relief. The plan is to always build toward exercise and self-management, with pain management strategies for those harder days, because that is what creates the improvement.
This is where exercise therapy comes into play. Even chronic low back pain that has lasted for years will respond to active treatment and steady pain management. Active care means a set of exercises you can do at home, adjusted as you get stronger, alongside personal advice on your posture and daily movement needs so that flare-ups become a lot less frequent.
Our physiotherapists follow a modern, evidence-based approach to treating your back pain, and careful listening and assessment shape the treatment. People who remain active generally tend to recover better and faster than those who just wait the pain out.
You do not need a scan to start treatment, and the majority of back pain does not need any surgery. We only refer for imaging when your assessment shows a clear reason. Our approach to healthcare is evidence-based and it is proven to reduce pain, and we pride ourselves on delivering the outcome you want in the shortest possible time.
What to expect at your first back pain appointment
Your first appointment starts with a full initial consultation. Your physiotherapist will take your medical history, carry out a physical examination, then explain the diagnosis in plain language before agreeing a treatment plan with you. Every treatment plan starts with getting an understanding of your goals, so your plan fits what you actually want to get back to.
You can schedule a private physiotherapy session without a referral. If you want to claim a Medicare rebate, things work a bit differently. You'll need a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP) along with a signed referral from your doctor. This plan lets you receive a rebate of $63.40 for each service, according to MBS item 10960, though the schedule fee is $74.55 as of July 2026.
Each year, you're eligible for up to five allied health visits, but these sessions encompass all the services in your plan, not just your physiotherapy treatment. Previously called CDM or EPC plans, the GPCCMP will still honour these older plans up until June 30, 2027. To make sure you're eligible, check if your plan has been prepared or updated within the last 18 months.
We'll confirm the fees when you book. To prepare, you might want to review our fee schedule or glance over the new patient information. For those with a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan, bulk billing is an option. We'll verify your eligibility at the time of booking. We also accept private health rebates along with WorkCover, NDIS, TAC, and Home Care payments. Just inform our reception team when booking and remember to bring any relevant documents with you.
Clinic information
Eastside Physio + Co has treated Melbourne's eastern suburbs from our Surrey Hills clinic since 2017, with more than 6,300 clients.
Address: 427 Canterbury Road, Surrey Hills VIC 3127
Phone: (03) 9836 1333
Email: info@esphysio.com.au
Referral: none needed to book. Medicare rebates need a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan.
Private health: claim on the spot via HICAPS, all major insurers.
WorkCover, TAC and NDIS clients welcome.
Parking: three bays at the front of the building and two at the rear, plus street parking on Canterbury Road and the adjoining streets.