HomeAbout
Services
General PhysiotherapySports PhysiotherapyExercise RehabilitationDry NeedlingRemedial Massage
FeesContact
Book OnlineCall 08 6113 8062
Back Pain
★★★★★4.9 · 434 Google Reviews

Back Pain Treatment in Perth

From sudden sharp pain to long-standing stiffness — our physiotherapists get to the root cause and build a plan that actually works.

Book an Appointment08 6113 8062

Back Pain

Back Pain Treatment in Perth

Back pain is one of the most common conditions we see at Move Physiotherapy, and also one of the most mismanaged. Too often, people are told to rest and wait it out — or given passive treatment that provides short-term relief without addressing why the pain occurred in the first place.

Whether you are dealing with acute back pain from a sudden injury, a recurring issue that flares up regularly, or long-standing stiffness that has been limiting your activity for years, our approach is the same: identify the root cause and treat it.

Our physiotherapists will assess your full movement picture — including the strength of the muscles surrounding and supporting the lumbar spine — identify the contributing factors, and build a plan that combines hands-on treatment with progressive rehabilitation.

🛡️
Satisfaction Guarantee
Have we met your expectations? If not, we will refund your out-of-pocket expense — no questions asked.
Back Pain
Back Pain
🛡️
Satisfaction Guarantee
Have we met your expectations? If not, we will refund your out-of-pocket expense — no questions asked.
VALD Technology

Technology-Based
Injury Assessment

Included gap-free with every initial assessment.

Move Physiotherapy uses VALD force measurement technology — the same systems used by AFL, NRL and Olympic programs — to objectively measure your strength, symmetry and recovery. This means your physiotherapist can track your progress with clinical precision, making data-driven decisions at every stage of your rehabilitation rather than relying on subjective estimates.

Learn more about VALD technology →
📊
Limb Symmetry Index (LSI)
Track strength symmetry between limbs objectively — the key metric for safe return to activity.
🏋️
Force Plate Testing
Measure landing mechanics, single-leg stability, and explosive power with real data.
✅
Objective Stage Gates
Technology removes subjectivity from progression decisions — you advance when the numbers confirm readiness.
VALD technology assessment at Move Physiotherapy

Gap-free with every initial assessment

Technology-based assessment is included as standard — no additional out-of-pocket cost.

Causes

Common Causes of Back Pain

Muscle or ligament strain from a sudden movement or overload
Disc injuries — bulge, prolapse, or herniation
Lumbar facet joint dysfunction or degeneration
Poor posture and sustained loading positions
Gluteal, hamstring, and core muscle weakness
Osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine
Sciatica — nerve root irritation or compression
Sedentary lifestyle and deconditioning

Our Approach

The Move Process

01
Thorough Assessment
We assess your movement, posture, strength — including glutes and hamstrings — and neural function to accurately identify the source of your back pain and what is driving it.
02
Hands-On Treatment
Joint mobilisation, soft tissue therapy, and dry needling to reduce pain and restore movement. Effective manual therapy creates the window for rehabilitation to work.
03
Movement & Load Education
Understanding what aggravates your back, how to move well under load, and how to manage flare-ups independently is an essential part of lasting recovery.
04
Strengthening Rehabilitation
Progressive exercise targeting the glutes, hamstrings, and trunk stabilisers — the muscles that protect your lumbar spine. Programs are tailored to your specific deficits.

Why Move Physiotherapy

What sets us apart

✦
Root Cause Focus
We identify why it happened — joint stiffness, disc irritation, muscular weakness, or movement dysfunction — and target the driver, not just the symptom.
✦
Manual Therapy & Exercise Combined
The best outcomes for back pain come from combining hands-on treatment with progressive exercise. Every treatment plan at Move includes both, from the first session.
✦
VALD Strength Testing
We objectively measure the gluteal, hamstring, and hip strength deficits that commonly drive lower back pain, tracking improvement at each stage.
✦
Private Gym Facilities
All three clinics have fully equipped private gyms, allowing us to progress your strengthening in a supervised, structured environment.
✦
Satisfaction Guarantee
Have we met your expectations? If not, we will refund your out-of-pocket expense — no questions asked.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I rest or keep moving with back pain?+
For the vast majority of back pain, staying gently active produces better outcomes than bed rest. Prolonged rest leads to deconditioning, increased fear of movement, and slower recovery. The key is appropriate activity — not avoidance, but also not pushing through severe pain. Your physiotherapist will guide you on exactly what activities are appropriate.
Do I need a scan before seeing a physio?+
In most cases, no. A skilled physiotherapist can accurately diagnose and begin treating back pain without imaging. Research shows MRI and X-ray findings often do not correlate with symptoms — the majority of people over 40 have disc degeneration or bulges on MRI without any back pain. Imaging is warranted when there are specific red flags.
How long does back pain take to recover?+
Acute non-specific back pain typically improves significantly within 4-6 weeks with appropriate physiotherapy management. However, approximately 60-80% of people experience recurrence within 12 months without addressing the underlying drivers. Chronic back pain (lasting more than 3 months) still responds well to physiotherapy in the large majority of cases.
Can physiotherapy help with disc injuries?+
Yes. The majority of disc bulges, prolapses, and herniations respond well to physiotherapy-guided rehabilitation without surgery. Discs have a natural capacity to resorb over time, and the inflammatory process around the nerve typically settles with appropriate management. Surgery is considered only when conservative management has been genuinely exhausted, or when there is a serious progressive neurological deficit.
What is the difference between back pain and sciatica?+
Back pain refers broadly to pain in the lumbar region. Sciatica describes pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness that travels from the lower back into the buttock and down the back of the leg, following the path of the sciatic nerve. Sciatica is a symptom — not a diagnosis — and can arise from disc herniation, joint irritation, piriformis syndrome, or spinal stenosis.
Should I see a physiotherapist or a GP first for back pain?+
Either pathway is appropriate. Physiotherapists are specifically trained to screen for conditions requiring medical investigation. If you have back pain without red flags, seeing a physiotherapist directly is efficient and cost-effective. Your physiotherapist will refer you to a GP or specialist if the assessment reveals anything that warrants it.
Will my back pain come back?+
Without addressing the underlying causes — poor movement patterns, muscle weakness, load management issues — recurrence is common. This is why we focus on building long-term resilience, not just short-term pain relief. Patients who complete a full rehabilitation program including strengthening have significantly lower recurrence rates.

Full Treatment Pathway

Related Services

Effective treatment for back pain often involves more than one service. Explore the approaches we use as part of a complete care pathway.

General Physiotherapy

Expert assessment, hands-on treatment, and progressive rehabilitation for all musculoskeletal conditions.

Learn more →
Dry Needling

Trigger point dry needling to reduce muscle guarding, relieve pain, and restore movement quickly.

Learn more →
Exercise Rehabilitation

Progressive, gym-based rehabilitation programs that rebuild strength and prevent recurrence.

Learn more →

Ready to get moving?

Beeliar, Booragoon and East Fremantle -- early morning, evening and Saturday appointments available.

Book OnlineCall 08 6113 8062