How can I improve my posture?

Most people improve posture by combining awareness, movement breaks, strength work, flexibility, and a better desk or home setup. Posture exercises, ergonomic changes, and regular mobility work can all help. A physiotherapist may also identify whether stiffness, weakness, overload, or work habits are the main drivers.

Who can help with posture improvement?

A physiotherapist can assess your posture, movement, strength, flexibility, and workstation setup. They may help you identify the main factors contributing to discomfort and guide a practical plan that includes exercises, ergonomic advice, and movement strategies tailored to your work, sport, or daily routine.

Where is hip pain usually felt?

Hip pain may be felt in the groin, outer hip, buttock or thigh depending on the structure involved.

What causes buttock pain?

Buttock pain may come from the hip, sacroiliac joint or lower back, including sciatic nerve irritation.

What is the most common cause of outer hip pain?

Gluteal tendinopathy and greater trochanteric pain syndrome are common causes of outer hip pain.

Can groin pain come from the hip joint?

Yes. Groin pain can come from the hip joint, including hip impingement, labral irritation and hip arthritis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Neck Pain Causes

Article by John Miller & Erin Runge

Neck pain causes cervical spine rotation assessment with physiotherapist — Assessing neck movement can help identify likely pain drivers.

Neck pain causes range from simple muscle overload to more complex joint, disc, nerve, or inflammatory problems. Most episodes improve with the right advice, activity changes, and treatment. However, persistent or severe symptoms deserve assessment. At PhysioWorks, we commonly assess neck pain, posture-related neck pain, and related problems such as headaches, arm pain, or stiffness.

If your symptoms are limiting work, sleep, driving, exercise, or daily movement, a neck physiotherapy assessment can help identify the source of irritation and guide the next step.

What are the most common neck pain causes?

The most common neck pain causes include muscle strain, poor posture, joint irritation, disc injury, whiplash, nerve irritation, and age-related wear and tear in the cervical spine. Some people also develop neck pain with headaches, dizziness, or pain that spreads into the shoulder blade or arm.

Quick summary

Muscle strain and posture overload are common after desk work or device use.
Joint, disc, and nerve irritation can cause sharper or spreading pain.
Whiplash may trigger stiffness, headaches, dizziness, or arm symptoms.
Persistent, worsening, or neurological symptoms should be assessed promptly.

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How your neck is built

Your neck, or cervical spine, contains seven vertebrae, discs, facet joints, muscles, ligaments, and nerves. These structures support your head and allow you to turn, look up, look down, and keep your balance. Because several tissues work together in a small area, pain can come from more than one source at the same time.

That is why neck pain may feel local, refer into the shoulder blade, trigger a cervicogenic headache, or travel into the arm with cervical radiculopathy.

Common neck pain causes

1. Muscle strain and overload

Muscle strain is one of the most common neck pain causes. It often follows long periods of desk work, device use, awkward sleeping positions, gym overload, or repeated lifting. Tight or overloaded muscles can also contribute to a neck sprain or ongoing protective stiffness.

2. Poor neck posture

Poor sitting posture, slumped shoulders, and long periods looking down can overload the cervical muscles and joints. Over time, this pattern may contribute to text neck, stiffness, and fatigue-related pain. A better workstation setup and movement breaks often help reduce repeated flare-ups.

3. Joint irritation and stiffness

The small joints in your neck can become irritated after awkward movement, overload, poor posture, or sudden turning. This may cause local pain, reduced movement, and pain when looking over your shoulder. In some cases, symptoms fit patterns such as cervical facet joint pain or wry neck.

4. Disc irritation and age-related changes

Age-related changes in the cervical spine can affect the discs, joints, and surrounding tissues. These changes may include degenerative disc disease, bulging discs, or cervical spondylosis. Not all age-related changes are painful, but they can contribute to stiffness, reduced tolerance, or flare-ups.

5. Pinched nerve or cervical radiculopathy

A nerve may become irritated or compressed as it leaves the neck. This can cause neck pain with pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness into the shoulder, arm, or hand. Common related diagnoses include cervical radiculopathy and neck arm pain.

6. Whiplash injuries

Whiplash commonly follows motor vehicle accidents, sporting collisions, or sudden jolts. Symptoms can include neck pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, jaw tension, and reduced concentration. Some people recover quickly, while others need guided rehabilitation to restore movement and confidence.

7. Headache or dizziness linked to the neck

Some neck pain causes also produce headache or dizziness. A neck headache often starts near the base of the skull and may spread toward the temple or eye. Others develop cervicogenic dizziness, especially when neck movement and balance problems occur together.

8. Work, sport, and lifestyle factors

Repetitive work, awkward positions, stress, poor recovery, contact sport, and low activity levels can all contribute to neck pain. For some people, an ergonomic workstation assessment helps reduce the repeated loading that keeps symptoms going.

Why neck pain can spread to the head, shoulder, or arm

Neck structures share pain pathways with nearby muscles, joints, and nerves. Because of this, pain is not always felt only in the neck. You may notice symptoms around the shoulder blade, into the upper arm, or into the hand. Others notice headaches, dizziness, or a feeling of tightness across the top of the shoulders.

If your symptoms spread below the shoulder, or include pins and needles, weakness, or clumsiness, your physiotherapist may also assess for nerve pain or cervical radiculopathy.

What this may mean

Local neck pain often behaves differently from pain that spreads into the arm, hand, head, or jaw. Spreading symptoms do not always mean something serious, but they usually deserve a more detailed assessment so the main driver is not missed.

When should you worry about neck pain?

You should seek prompt medical or physiotherapy advice if your neck pain follows significant trauma, keeps getting worse, causes numbness or weakness, disturbs sleep badly, or is linked with severe headache, dizziness, fever, or unexplained weight loss. For a general consumer overview, Healthdirect also explains neck pain symptoms and when to seek care.

How are neck pain causes diagnosed?

Diagnosis starts with a detailed history and physical examination. Your physiotherapist will usually assess your posture, neck movement, muscle strength, joint stiffness, symptom behaviour, and whether pain is referring into the arm or head. Imaging such as X-ray, CT, or MRI is sometimes useful, but it is not needed for every case.

The goal is to identify the main pain driver, rule out concerning signs, and work out whether the problem is more muscular, joint-based, disc-related, nerve-related, or linked to another condition such as age-related neck pain.

Neck pain treatment options

Treatment depends on the likely cause and how irritable your symptoms are. Management may include physiotherapy, activity modification, manual therapy, exercise, ergonomic advice, and a progressive return to normal tasks. Some people also benefit from massage, especially when muscular tension is a major factor.

Physiotherapy rehabilitation often aims to improve movement, reduce protective muscle guarding, restore neck and shoulder strength, improve posture tolerance, and help you return to work, driving, sleep, gym, or sport with more confidence. In more complex cases, your physiotherapist may liaise with your GP or medical practitioner if further review is needed.

If an inflammatory or systemic condition is suspected, medical assessment may be needed for diagnoses such as ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other less common causes of neck pain.

Can neck pain be prevented?

Many common neck pain causes can be reduced by changing load, posture, and recovery habits. Regular movement breaks, better desk setup, shoulder and neck strength work, and avoiding long periods in one position can help. Office workers often do better when they combine exercise with workstation changes rather than relying on posture alone.

Useful prevention strategies depend on the main driver. For posture-related symptoms, a better screen height, regular movement breaks, and progressive neck and shoulder strengthening may help. If symptoms keep returning, your physiotherapist may check your neck movement, shoulder control, workstation habits, sleep position, and exercise load.

Helpful next reads include neck strengthening, posture exercises, and neck pain relief tips.

Neck pain causes cervical spine control exercise guided by physiotherapist — Guided neck control can support recovery and prevention.

Why guided exercise matters

Recurring neck pain often improves best when treatment matches the likely cause. Guided neck and shoulder exercises may help improve movement control, posture tolerance, and confidence with daily tasks.

Neck Pain Causes FAQs

Can neck pain be caused by stress?

Yes. Stress can increase muscle tension, jaw clenching, shallow breathing, poor sleep, and pain sensitivity. While stress may not be the only cause, it can aggravate neck pain and slow recovery. Good treatment usually considers both the physical load on your neck and the other factors that may be keeping symptoms active.

What causes neck pain when looking down?

Looking down for long periods commonly overloads the muscles and joints at the base of the neck. Device use, laptop work, reading in bed, and poor workstation height are common triggers. Repeated strain may contribute to postural neck pain, text neck, or headache symptoms.

Can a pinched nerve cause neck pain and arm symptoms?

Yes. A pinched or irritated cervical nerve can cause pain that travels into the shoulder, arm, or hand. Tingling, numbness, burning pain, or weakness may also occur. This pattern often needs careful assessment to determine whether symptoms match cervical radiculopathy or another nerve-related presentation.

Do age-related changes always cause neck pain?

No. Many people have age-related changes on imaging without any pain. However, these changes can reduce tissue tolerance and may contribute to flare-ups in some people. Your symptoms, movement findings, and clinical examination are often more useful than scans alone.

Can sleeping position cause neck pain?

Yes. Sleeping with your neck twisted, unsupported, or held in one position for too long can irritate joints, muscles, or nerves. Pillow height, mattress firmness, side sleeping position, and recent changes in activity can all matter. If morning neck pain keeps returning, assessment may help identify whether the issue is posture, stiffness, muscle overload, or another neck pain cause.

Can neck pain cause headaches or dizziness?

Yes. Some neck pain causes can contribute to headache or dizziness, especially when symptoms change with neck movement, posture, or sustained positions. This pattern may occur with cervicogenic headache or cervicogenic dizziness. Severe headache, sudden dizziness, neurological symptoms, fever, or symptoms after trauma should be assessed promptly.

Neck Pain
Overview of common neck pain symptoms, causes, and treatment options.
Whiplash
Discusses symptoms, treatment, and recovery after a whiplash injury.
Text Neck
Explains how prolonged phone and screen use can aggravate neck pain.
Cervical Radiculopathy
Useful if your neck pain spreads into the shoulder, arm, or hand.
Cervicogenic Neck Headache
Explains how neck problems can trigger headache symptoms.
Cervicogenic Dizziness
Discusses dizziness that may be linked with neck dysfunction.
Neck Posture
Practical advice for reducing posture-related neck strain.
Ergonomic Workstation Assessment
Helpful if desk setup or work habits are contributing to neck symptoms.
Neck Strengthening
Useful for improving neck and shoulder control after recurring symptoms.
Neck Pain Relief Tips
Simple strategies that may help calm neck pain and stiffness.

What to do next

If your neck pain is not settling, keeps returning, or is spreading into your head or arm, it is worth having it assessed properly. Identifying the main pain source early can help you avoid unnecessary aggravation and start the right treatment plan sooner.

A physiotherapist may help you work out which neck pain causes are most relevant in your case and guide you through treatment, exercise, posture advice, and recovery planning.

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References

Blanpied PR, Gross AR, Elliott JM, et al. Neck Pain: Revision 2017. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2017;47(7):A1-A83. doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.0302.
Osborne D, Jadhakhan F, Falla D. The effects of neck exercise in comparison to passive or no intervention on quantitative sensory testing measurements in adults with chronic neck pain: A systematic review. PLoS One. 2024;19(5):e0303166. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0303166.
Jones LB, Jadhakhan F, Falla D. The influence of exercise on pain, disability and quality of life in office workers with chronic neck pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Appl Ergon. 2024;117:104216. doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2023.104216.
Plener J, Nolet PS, Côté P, et al. Conservative Management of Cervical Radiculopathy: A Systematic Review. Clin J Pain. 2023;39(4):229-247. doi:10.1097/AJP.0000000000001092.

Neck Pain FAQs: Causes, Treatment & When to Seek Help

Article by John Miller & Chelsea Gan

Neck pain physiotherapy assessment observing cervical movement and posture in clinic

Assessing neck movement and posture

Neck pain FAQs help you quickly find reliable answers about common causes, treatment options, exercises, posture, pillows, headaches, dizziness, and when to seek help. If you want the broader overview first, start with our Neck Pain guide, then use the sections below to jump to the most relevant question.

Many people with neck symptoms are not sure whether the main issue is simple stiffness, text neck, cervical radiculopathy, acute wry neck, a neck-related headache, or posture and load problems building over time. This guide pulls those answers together in one place.

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Quick Neck Pain Guide

Local stiffness often fits a mechanical neck pain pattern.
Pain into the arm may suggest nerve irritation.
Headaches and dizziness can sometimes come from the neck.
Poor sleep support and posture habits may keep symptoms going.
Persistent, worsening, or traumatic neck pain deserves assessment.

What causes neck pain?

Neck pain can come from several sources, including muscle overload, joint irritation, nerve sensitivity, posture strain, sleep position problems, and sudden twists or awkward movements. This FAQ guide also links you to focused pages on exercises, headaches, dizziness, pillows, and treatment options so you can choose the right next step more quickly.

General Neck Pain FAQs

Symptoms linked with neck pain

How can physiotherapy help neck pain?

Physiotherapy for neck pain may help reduce pain, improve movement, settle nerve irritation, and build better tolerance for work, driving, sleep, sport, and gym training. Treatment usually combines assessment, practical advice, targeted exercise, and hands-on care matched to your symptoms and goals.

If you are deciding whether to book, read Do I Need Physiotherapy for Neck Pain?. If your main issue is stiffness and reduced control, our Neck Strengthening page explains how specific exercise fits into recovery.

Treatment and management FAQs

What exercises and daily habits help neck pain?

The best starting points for neck pain usually include gentle mobility, posture resets, progressive strength work, and better daily load management. Simple changes to desk setup, phone use, driving posture, sleep support, and movement breaks often matter just as much as the exercises themselves.

Neck physiotherapy exercise with guided cervical movement and posture control

Guided neck movement and posture control

For practical next steps, visit Neck Exercises for Pain Relief, Good Neck Posture Tips, and Posture Correction.

Exercise, posture, and sleep FAQs

Can neck pain cause headaches or dizziness?

Yes, neck pain can sometimes contribute to headaches or dizziness, especially when upper neck joints, muscles, posture, or movement control are involved. However, not every headache or dizzy spell comes from the neck, so the full symptom pattern still matters.

Read more about cervicogenic neck headache, how to get rid of a neck headache, and cervicogenic dizziness if those symptoms sound familiar.

When should you seek help for neck pain?

You should seek help for neck pain when it follows trauma, keeps recurring, limits driving or sleep, causes arm pain, numbness, weakness, dizziness, or headaches, or simply does not settle as expected. Early assessment is also sensible when you are unsure which type of neck problem you may have.

If your symptoms are severe or changing, start with When Should You Be Concerned About Neck Pain?. For broader posture and movement contributors, you can also review What Is Good Posture? and Posture Exercises.

Common Neck Pain Questions

What are common causes of neck pain?

Common causes of neck pain include muscle overload, joint irritation, poor posture tolerance, awkward sleeping positions, repetitive desk work, and nerve irritation. Some people also develop symptoms from a sudden twist, sport, stress-related muscle tension, or longer-term degenerative change.

Can bad posture cause neck pain?

Posture can contribute to neck pain, but it is rarely the only reason. Symptoms usually build from a mix of sustained positions, low movement variety, stress, weakness, stiffness, and daily load. That is why treatment works best when it targets the whole pattern rather than posture alone.

What helps neck pain at home?

Short-term neck pain often responds to relative rest, gentle movement, heat or cold, posture changes, and avoiding one position for too long. However, repeated flare-ups usually improve more reliably when you also address strength, movement control, work habits, and sleep support.

Can neck pain cause dizziness or headaches?

Yes, it can. Some headaches are referred from the neck, and some dizziness patterns relate to neck dysfunction, especially after injury or with ongoing stiffness and poor movement control. Because other causes also exist, assessment is useful if symptoms keep returning or feel unclear.

Do you need scans for neck pain?

Not always. Many cases of neck pain improve with good assessment and conservative care without immediate imaging. Scans are more likely to be considered when symptoms follow trauma, do not improve, involve significant arm symptoms, or suggest something more serious.

When should you see a physiotherapist for neck pain?

You should consider physiotherapy when neck pain affects work, sleep, exercise, driving, concentration, or confidence to move. It is also sensible when pain keeps returning, spreads into the arm, or links with headaches, dizziness, or reduced movement that is not settling well.

What to do next

If you are trying to work out what your neck pain means, start with the main Neck Pain guide, then use the linked FAQs above to narrow down the most likely issue. If your symptoms are ongoing, changing, or affecting daily life, a physiotherapy assessment can help clarify the cause and guide the right treatment plan.

If neck pain is already interfering with work, sleep, study, training, headaches, or arm symptoms, booking early is often the fastest way to stop guessing and start making progress.

Neck pain recovery with normal movement and relaxed posture in physiotherapy clinic

Comfortable movement after neck pain

Neck Products

These neck products are commonly used by our physiotherapists to improve strength, posture, movement, plus assist home exercise programs.

Christmas Gift Ideas, Gift Ideas, Ice & Heat, Pain Management, Pillows/Cushions
PhysiPak Heat Pack – Long Neck
$54.00

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Ice & Heat
Ice Pack – Lockeroom Ice Mate Pro
$44.99

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Kinesiology Taping, Strapping
Kinesiology Tape
$17.00

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Exercise Equipment, Neck, Posture
Head Laser for Neck Pain
$69.00

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-15%

Pillows/Cushions, Christmas Gift Ideas
FlexiPillow Harmony Pillow
$109.95

Add to cart
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-20%

TENS Machine, TENS Machine & EMS
Digital TENS Machine
$184.99

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Ice & Heat, Pain Management
Lockeroom Ice Mate
$46.99

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Ice & Heat
Flexeze Heat Wrap
$5.50

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Gift Ideas, Ice & Heat, Pain Management, Pillows/Cushions
PhysiPak Heat Pack – Upper Body Regular
$99.00

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Hot
-14%

Ice & Heat, Pain Management
Allcare InstantPac Cold Gel Pack
$5.99

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-14%

EMS Machines, Pain Management, TENS Machine, TENS Machine & EMS
NeuroTrac Rehab (TENS Machine + EMS)
$299.95

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Back, Exercise Equipment, Neck, Resistance Band
66Fit Over Door Neck Traction Unit
$63.00

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-11%

Liniments & Gels, Massage Liniments, Pain Management
Fisiocrem
$16.95 – $39.95

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Ice & Heat
23cm Ice/Hot Bag
$14.00

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-15%

Christmas Gift Ideas, Neck, Pillows/Cushions
FlexiPillow Alleve Pillow
$109.95

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Hot
-17%

Ice & Heat, Supplements
Flexeze Heat Patches
$2.50

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View all neck products

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References

Sterling M, Zoëte RMJ, Coppieters I, Farrell SF. Best evidence rehabilitation for chronic pain part 4: Neck pain. J Clin Med. 2019;8(8):1219. doi:10.3390/jcm8081219
Blanpied PR, Gross AR, Elliott JM, et al. Neck pain: Revision 2017 clinical practice guidelines linked to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2017;47(7):A1-A83. doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.0302
Healthdirect Australia. Neck pain. Accessed April 9, 2026.

Common Causes of Lower Back Pain Explained

Article by John Miller & Chelsea Gan

What Causes Lower Back Pain?

Physiotherapist explaining spine injury using model during consultation in Brisbane clinic

Understanding the common causes of lower back pain

The most common causes of lower back pain are muscle strain, joint irritation, disc injury, and nerve irritation. However, lower back pain is often multifactorial, which means more than one structure or movement issue may be contributing at the same time.

Many episodes settle well with the right advice, sensible activity, and guided rehabilitation. If you want a broader overview, see our guide to lower back pain or explore other common causes of back pain.

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Common lower back pain causes at a glance

Muscle or soft tissue strain after lifting, bending, or overuse
Disc irritation or disc injury
Facet joint pain or spinal joint stiffness
Sciatica or other nerve irritation
Sacroiliac joint pain or hip-related referral

What causes lower back pain most often?

Most lower back pain comes from relatively common musculoskeletal causes rather than a dangerous spinal problem. The biggest groups are muscle and soft tissue injuries, disc-related irritation, spinal joint pain, nerve irritation, and referred pain from nearby regions such as the hip or pelvis.

Muscle and soft tissue causes of lower back pain

Muscle and soft tissue overload is one of the most common causes of lower back pain. It often develops after lifting, repeated bending, sport, gardening, poor load tolerance, or a sudden increase in activity.

These problems often respond well to temporary load reduction, gradual return to movement, and progressive strengthening. In some cases, a physiotherapist may also prescribe core stability training to improve spinal control and load tolerance.

Can discs cause lower back pain?

Yes. A lumbar disc can become irritated, bulge, or herniate and cause lower back pain. Some disc injuries stay local to the back, while others irritate a nearby nerve and create pain, tingling, or numbness into the buttock or leg.

Disc-related pain can be aggravated by prolonged sitting, bending, lifting, coughing, or repeated flexion movements.

Physiotherapist assessing lower back pain with lumbar spine palpation and movement testing

Assessing the source of lower back pain

Joint and spinal causes of lower back pain

Not all lower back pain comes from muscles or discs. The joints and bones of the lumbar spine can also become painful, especially when movement control, posture, loading, or age-related change is involved.

These causes can become more noticeable with standing, walking, arching backward, or longer periods of activity.

Why does nerve irritation cause lower back pain and leg symptoms?

Nerve-related lower back pain happens when a spinal nerve becomes irritated or compressed. This often causes pain that spreads into the buttock, thigh, calf, or foot rather than staying only in the lower back.

If your symptoms travel below the knee, feel electric, or include pins and needles, nerve irritation becomes more likely.

Can the hip or pelvis cause lower back pain?

Yes. Pain from the pelvis, sacroiliac joint, deep gluteal region, or hip can feel very similar to lower back pain. That is why a thorough assessment often looks beyond the lumbar spine alone.

Other possible causes of lower back pain

Some lower back pain has a less common but still important cause. These presentations deserve extra thought when symptoms do not fit the usual pattern or recovery is not progressing as expected.

When should you worry about lower back pain?

Most lower back pain is not serious, but a few features deserve prompt review. You should seek professional advice if your pain follows significant trauma, causes progressive weakness, includes numbness that is worsening, spreads strongly into the leg, or is not settling as expected.

Red flags that deserve urgent medical attention

Loss of bladder or bowel control
Numbness around the saddle area
Rapidly worsening leg weakness
Severe pain after a fall, crash, or other trauma
Fever, unexplained weight loss, or feeling systemically unwell

What is the best treatment for lower back pain?

The best treatment depends on the cause of lower back pain, symptom behaviour, and how long it has been there. For many people, treatment includes a clear diagnosis, reassurance, movement advice, progressive exercise, pain management strategies, and a sensible return to work, sport, or daily activity.

Back pain physiotherapy
Strength and mobility exercises
Load management and pacing
Postural, lifting, and ergonomic advice
Guided return to bending, walking, work, or sport

A physiotherapist may also help you work out whether your symptoms fit a muscle, disc, joint, or nerve pattern and then tailor treatment accordingly. For broader public guidance, the World Health Organization also outlines key facts about low back pain.

What should you do next if your lower back hurts?

If you are unsure what is causing your lower back pain, the next step is to get the right assessment early. That helps identify the main pain drivers, rule out more serious causes, and build a practical recovery plan that suits your goals and daily life.

In the meantime, avoid complete rest, keep moving within reason, and change positions regularly. Gentle walking, easier movement, and gradual reloading are often more helpful than doing nothing.

FAQs about the causes of lower back pain

What is the most common cause of lower back pain?

The most common cause of lower back pain is usually a muscle or soft tissue strain, often combined with reduced load tolerance, joint irritation, or disc sensitivity. Many people do not have one single structure to blame.

Can stress cause lower back pain?

Stress does not directly injure your spine, but it can increase muscle tension, pain sensitivity, poor sleep, and reduced recovery. That can make lower back pain feel stronger or last longer.

Does a bulging disc always cause lower back pain?

No. Some bulging discs cause no symptoms at all, while others irritate nearby tissues or nerves and become painful. Scan findings need to match your symptoms and clinical assessment.

Why does lower back pain keep coming back?

Recurring lower back pain often reflects a combination of load spikes, deconditioning, stiffness, poor recovery, stress, and incomplete rehabilitation. Identifying the pattern usually matters more than chasing one label.

Do I need a scan for lower back pain?

Not always. Many people with lower back pain do not need imaging early on, especially if symptoms fit a straightforward musculoskeletal pattern and there are no red flags.

Patient bending and lifting comfortably after lower back pain physiotherapy with improved movement

Returning to bending and lifting with more confidence

Back Support Products

These back support products are commonly used by our physiotherapists to help reduce back pain, improve comfort, and support your recovery at home.

Back, Braces & Supports, Maternity, SIJ
Core Stability Support – OPPO 3462
$54.00

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Braces & Supports, Back, Maternity, SIJ
Maternity Support Belt – OPPO 4062
$37.00

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-15%

Back, Braces & Supports, Posture
OPPO 1064 Lumbar Back Support
$84.95

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-7%

Braces & Supports, Back, Maternity, SIJ
SIJ Serola Sacroiliac Belt
$64.95

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Back, Braces & Supports, Maternity, Posture
Pregnancy Belly Band & C-Section 3-in-1
$94.99

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Back, Braces & Supports
Sacro Lumbar Support AOB49
$54.99

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Back, Braces & Supports, Maternity, Posture
Maternity Back Support – OPPO 2062
$60.00 – $64.00

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-29%

Braces & Supports, Back, Maternity, SIJ
AOM38 AllCare Ortho Core Stability Belt
$49.95

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View all back support products

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References

Maher C, Underwood M, Buchbinder R. Non-specific low back pain. Lancet. 2017;389(10070):736-747. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30970-9
Hartvigsen J, Hancock MJ, Kongsted A, et al. What low back pain is and why we need to pay attention. Lancet. 2018;391(10137):2356-2367. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(18)30480-X
Foster NE, Anema JR, Cherkin D, et al. Prevention and treatment of low back pain: evidence, challenges, and promising directions. Lancet. 2018;391(10137):2368-2383. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(18)30489-6
World Health Organization. Low back pain. Published June 19, 2023. Accessed April 14, 2026.
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. Low Back Pain Clinical Care Standard. Accessed April 14, 2026.

Back Pain FAQs: Causes, Treatment & When to Seek Help

Back Pain FAQs

Article by John Miller & Jack Campbell

Back pain FAQs guide with physiotherapy links for causes treatment and prevention — Back pain FAQs guide to causes, treatment and prevention.

Back pain FAQs often centre on the same concerns: what causes back pain, what helps it settle, when you should worry, and when to see a physiotherapist or doctor. Back pain can come from muscles, joints, discs, nerves, posture, loading errors, or a mix of factors, so the best next step depends on your symptoms, your activity level, and how long the problem has been there.

This guide answers the most common back pain questions in one place. If you need more detail, you can also explore our broader back pain hub, lower back pain, sciatica, and back pain physiotherapy pages.

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Quick Answer

Most back pain improves with the right mix of movement, pacing, exercise, and guided rehabilitation. However, severe pain after trauma, bladder or bowel changes, groin numbness, fever, or progressive leg weakness needs urgent medical review.

Back Pain Symptom Guide

Local back pain and stiffness → may relate to muscles, joints, posture, or loading irritation
Back pain with leg pain, tingling, or numbness → consider sciatica or nerve irritation
Pain worse with sitting and bending → may fit disc-related pain such as a bulging disc
Repeated flare-ups → consider poor load tolerance or recurrent back pain
Severe or worsening symptoms → seek assessment promptly

Why does back pain occur?

Back pain can develop when the structures of your spine and surrounding tissues become irritated or overloaded. Common triggers include lifting, twisting, prolonged sitting, poor load management, sporting demands, repetitive bending, and reduced strength or conditioning. Some people get a sudden flare-up, while others notice stiffness or pain that builds over time.

Common causes include a pulled back muscle, bulging disc, lumbar facet joint pain, sciatica, spinal stenosis, and posture or movement-related irritation. If your pain is more severe, this page may also help: Severe Back Pain: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment.

What are the most common signs and symptoms?

Back pain may feel like a dull ache, sharp pain, tightness, spasm, or a catching sensation with movement. Some people only notice pain in the lower back. Others feel referral into the buttock, thigh, or leg. Stiffness first thing in the morning, pain with sitting, and pain when bending or lifting are also common.

If your symptoms travel below the knee, include tingling, numbness, or leg weakness, the pain may involve nerve irritation rather than just local back tissues. In those cases, a more specific assessment is useful.

How is back pain usually treated?

Back pain treatment depends on the cause, your symptom pattern, and how irritable the problem is. For many people, the best approach combines advice, activity modification, exercise progression, and manual therapy where appropriate. Short-term symptom relief matters, but long-term improvement usually comes from rebuilding movement confidence, strength, and load tolerance.

Useful starting points include best back pain treatment, physiotherapy for back pain, and gym back exercises.

What can you do at home for back pain?

Mild back pain often settles with relative rest, gentle movement, walking, heat, and avoiding aggravating loads for a short period. Complete bed rest is rarely helpful for long. Instead, most people do better when they keep moving within tolerable limits and build up gradually.

keep walking if it feels manageable
change position regularly instead of staying still too long
avoid sudden spikes in lifting or training load
use heat or simple relief strategies if they help
start guided exercises once your pain settles enough

Walking can help some people manage back pain and keep moving comfortably — Walking may help some back pain sufferers stay active.

What are the best exercises for back pain?

The best exercises depend on the reason for your pain. Some people need mobility work first, while others need core endurance, hip strength, walking tolerance, or graded return to lifting. Good exercise selection is based on what eases your symptoms, what aggravates them, and what functional goals you are trying to return to.

You may find these related pages useful: back pain exercises, good back posture tips, and walking and back pain.

How can you help prevent back pain?

Back pain prevention usually comes down to better load management, regular exercise, movement variety, and building resilience rather than chasing perfect posture all day. Prevention is not about avoiding all bending or lifting. Instead, it is about improving capacity so normal tasks feel easier and less threatening.

strengthen regularly
break up long sitting periods
improve lifting technique where needed
pace new exercise programs gradually
address repeated flare-up patterns early

For more detail, read back pain prevention tips and what causes repeat low back strains and sprains.

When should you see a physio or doctor for back pain?

You should book a physiotherapist if your pain is not settling, keeps returning, limits work or sport, or you are unsure what movements are safe. Physiotherapy can help clarify the likely source of pain, reduce fear of movement, and guide a more reliable treatment plan.

You should seek urgent medical review if you have severe pain after a fall or accident, new bladder or bowel changes, numbness around the groin, fever, unexplained weight loss, or progressive leg weakness.

Back Pain Red Flags

new bladder or bowel control changes
groin or saddle numbness
progressive leg weakness
severe pain after significant trauma
fever or feeling unwell with back pain
unexplained weight loss

What about repeated bouts of back pain?

Repeated back pain flare-ups often happen when the original pain settles but the underlying capacity issue remains. The back may feel better, yet strength, coordination, or tolerance to bending, sitting, lifting, or training load has not fully recovered. As a result, the same activities trigger the same pain pattern again.

If that sounds familiar, read recurrent back pain and repeat low back strains and sprains.

Common Back Pain FAQs

Why does back pain occur?

Back pain commonly occurs when muscles, joints, discs, ligaments, or nerves become irritated by lifting, twisting, prolonged sitting, repeated bending, or sudden spikes in activity. Some people also develop back pain from deconditioning, poor load tolerance, or recurring strain patterns.

How can I treat back pain at home?

Mild back pain can often be managed with short-term easing of aggravating activities, gentle walking, heat, and simple mobility work. Staying completely inactive for too long usually slows recovery, so graded movement is often more helpful than prolonged rest.

What are the best exercises for back pain?

The best exercises depend on your symptoms and the cause of your pain. Walking, gentle mobility, trunk endurance work, and hip strengthening often help, but the right program should match your irritability, goals, and stage of recovery.

Is my back pain serious?

Most back pain is not serious, but some symptoms need prompt medical review. Warning signs include major trauma, new bladder or bowel changes, groin numbness, fever, feeling unwell, unexplained weight loss, or progressive leg weakness.

How long does back pain take to heal?

Many mild back pain episodes improve within days to a few weeks, although the timeline varies depending on the cause, severity, and how well you manage your recovery. Recurrent or more persistent cases often need a structured rehabilitation plan.

Should I stretch or rest with back pain?

Most people do better with gentle movement rather than prolonged rest. Stretching may help some forms of back tightness, but the right mix of walking, mobility, pacing, and strengthening usually matters more than stretching alone.

When should I see a doctor for back pain?

You should seek medical review if back pain is severe, does not improve, or is linked to leg weakness, numbness, bladder or bowel changes, fever, trauma, or unexplained weight loss. These features can suggest a more serious problem.

Can physiotherapy help with back pain?

Yes. Physiotherapy may help by improving movement, reducing pain, identifying aggravating factors, and building strength and confidence so you can return to normal work, sport, and daily activities more safely.

What to do next

If your back pain is mild and improving, keep moving, pace your activity, and avoid sudden jumps in lifting or exercise. However, if your pain is recurring, travelling into the leg, or stopping you from doing normal daily tasks, a tailored physiotherapy assessment can help you work out the likely cause and the best path forward.

PhysioWorks can help assess common back pain presentations, explain what your symptoms are most likely to mean, and guide a practical recovery plan that fits your work, sport, and lifestyle goals.

Some people also benefit from simple support products during recovery, especially when combined with exercise, pacing, and good advice.

Back Support Products

These back support products are commonly used by our physiotherapists to help reduce back pain, improve comfort, and support your recovery at home.

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References

World Health Organization. WHO guideline for non-surgical management of chronic primary low back pain in adults in primary and community care settings. Published December 7, 2023.
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. Low Back Pain Clinical Care Standard. Accessed March 27, 2026.
Hall AM, Aubrey-Bassler K, Thorne B, Maher CG. Do not routinely offer imaging for uncomplicated low back pain. BMJ. 2021;372:n291.
Hayden JA, Ellis J, Ogilvie R, Malmivaara A, van Tulder MW. Exercise therapy for chronic low back pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021;9(9):CD009790.

Upper Back Pain Physiotherapy FAQs

Upper Back Pain Physiotherapy: Causes, Treatment & Relief

Article by John Miller & Erin Runge

Thoracic spine posture assessment with physiotherapist guiding upper back movement

Thoracic spine posture assessment in clinic

Upper back pain physiotherapy helps identify the likely source of pain around the thoracic spine, improve movement, and guide the right next step before symptoms become more persistent. Upper back pain can come from joints, muscles, discs, nerves, ribs, posture overload, or, less commonly, an underlying medical condition.

If you are comparing possible causes, it also helps to review broader thoracic pain conditions and related problems such as thoracic facet joint pain. A physiotherapist can assess your symptoms, identify likely pain drivers, and guide treatment that matches your work, activity, and recovery goals.

Upper back pain may feel stiff, aching, sharp, tight, or hard to settle.
Symptoms often worsen with prolonged sitting, twisting, lifting, coughing, or poor posture.
Common sources include thoracic joints, muscles, discs, ribs, and nerves.
Many cases improve with guided treatment, better load management, and progressive exercise.

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Physiotherapy · Remedial Massage · Exercise Physiology · Private health funds and HICAPS

Related upper back pain pages

What causes upper back pain?

Upper back pain usually comes from overloaded thoracic joints, strained muscles, rib or spinal stiffness, disc irritation, posture stress, or referred pain from nearby structures. In some cases, symptoms relate to a more specific diagnosis, so the pattern of pain, stiffness, and aggravating activities matters.

Many people notice symptoms after long periods of desk work, sudden lifting, awkward twisting, sport, coughing, poor sleep positions, or repeated postural strain. Healthdirect also notes that most upper back pain is not caused by a serious medical problem, although some symptoms do need prompt review. Healthdirect’s upper back pain guide is a useful overview.

Common causes of upper back pain

Thoracic joint irritation: including thoracic facet joint pain and stiffness through the thoracic spine.
Muscle pain and strain: including pulled back muscle, side strain, DOMS, or postural overload.
Postural contributors: prolonged slumped sitting, repetitive desk work, or reduced thoracic movement.
Structural conditions: such as Scheuermann’s disease, scoliosis, or osteoporosis.
Disc or nerve irritation: including bulging disc, thoracic outlet syndrome, or pinched nerve.
Inflammatory or systemic conditions: such as ankylosing spondylitis, fibromyalgia, or rheumatoid arthritis.

How can upper back pain physiotherapy help?

Upper back pain physiotherapy helps by assessing the structures involved, identifying aggravating movements or loads, and matching treatment to your symptoms and goals. Treatment often combines education, targeted exercise, manual therapy when appropriate, posture advice, and a gradual return to normal activity.

Your physiotherapist may look at thoracic mobility, rib movement, shoulder blade control, breathing pattern, lifting mechanics, work setup, training load, and how long you have been in pain. If symptoms overlap with back pain, neck pain, or posture-related problems, they may also assess nearby regions to make sure the pain source is not being missed.

Common upper back pain physiotherapy treatments

hands-on therapy for stiff or irritated joints and soft tissues
mobility exercises for the thoracic spine, ribs, and shoulders
strengthening for postural muscles, trunk support, and shoulder blade control
load management advice for work, gym, parenting, and daily tasks
posture and workstation guidance where helpful
graduated return to sport, exercise, or heavier activity

Is posture the real cause of upper back pain?

Posture can contribute to upper back pain, but it is rarely the only reason. More often, symptoms build up when posture combines with long sitting, poor movement variety, stress, fatigue, reduced strength, or a sudden spike in physical load.

That is why treatment usually works best when it improves movement habits, strength, and load tolerance rather than simply trying to sit perfectly all day. If posture is a clear contributor, pages on posture correction, sitting posture, standing posture, and thoracic stiffness can help.

Thoracic spine mobilisation physiotherapy targeting upper back with prone patient treatment

Thoracic spine mobilisation for upper back stiffness

Is upper back pain physiotherapy right for you?

Upper back pain physiotherapy may suit you if stiffness, pain, posture strain, or repeated flare-ups are limiting work, exercise, sleep, or daily activity. It is especially useful when self-management has only partly helped, or when you are unsure whether the pain is coming from a joint, muscle, disc, rib, or nerve-related problem.

Many people also book when symptoms keep returning after desk work, lifting, sport, or long periods of sitting. Early assessment can help you reduce aggravation, improve confidence, and follow a clearer recovery plan.

When should you worry about upper back pain?

You should seek prompt medical or physiotherapy review if upper back pain follows significant trauma, is getting worse quickly, causes marked weakness or numbness, affects balance, disturbs breathing, or is linked with fever, unexplained weight loss, or night pain that does not settle.

Less urgent but still worthwhile reasons to book include pain lasting more than a few weeks, repeated flare-ups, stiffness that limits work or sport, pain with coughing or deep breathing, or symptoms that keep returning despite rest and stretching.

Upper Back Pain Physiotherapy FAQs

Can upper back pain come from muscles?

Yes. Muscles are a common source of upper back pain, especially after lifting, sport, prolonged desk work, coughing, or awkward sleep. Muscle-related pain often feels tight, sore, or stiff and may improve as movement gradually returns.

Can poor posture cause upper back pain?

Poor posture can contribute, especially when combined with long periods of sitting, low movement variety, or weak postural endurance. However, posture is usually just one part of the bigger picture rather than the whole cause.

Do I need a scan for upper back pain?

Usually not. Many upper back pain presentations can be assessed well from your history, symptom pattern, and physical examination. Scans are more useful when symptoms suggest fracture, serious pathology, nerve compromise, or another less common diagnosis.

Is exercise good for upper back pain?

In many cases, yes. The right exercise program can improve thoracic mobility, reduce stiffness, build strength, and improve load tolerance. The best exercises depend on whether your pain is driven by joints, muscles, posture load, or another condition.

How long does upper back pain take to settle?

Recovery varies. A mild muscular flare-up may settle in days to weeks, while persistent joint, disc, postural, or inflammatory presentations can take longer. Early assessment often helps you avoid repeated aggravation and unnecessary delays.

Can physiotherapy help recurring upper back pain?

Yes. Recurring pain often improves when treatment addresses the real drivers, such as thoracic stiffness, repeated load spikes, poor conditioning, lifting habits, or work setup. Physiotherapy also helps you build a plan to reduce future flare-ups.

What should you do next for upper back pain?

If your upper back pain is new, persistent, or keeps returning, a physiotherapy assessment can help clarify the likely cause and guide the most suitable treatment path. Early advice is especially helpful if you are unsure whether the pain is coming from a joint, muscle, disc, nerve, posture overload, or an underlying condition.

If your symptoms are affecting work, exercise, sleep, or daily comfort, booking now can help you move from guesswork to a clearer plan. PhysioWorks can assess your upper back pain, explain what is most likely driving it, and build a treatment plan that matches your goals.

thoracic spine posture improvement standing upright after physiotherapy treatment

Standing taller with improved thoracic posture

If you are looking at supports, posture aids, or home-management tools, these thoracic-friendly products may help support comfort and recovery between sessions.

Thoracic and Upper Back Products

These thoracic and upper back products are commonly used by our physiotherapists to improve strength, posture, movement, plus assist home exercise programs.

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References

Healthdirect. Upper back pain (thoracic pain). Healthdirect Australia. Accessed April 12, 2026.
Risetti M, Gambugini R, Testa M, Battista S. Management of non-specific thoracic spine pain: a cross-sectional study among physiotherapists. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2023;24(1):398. doi:10.1186/s12891-023-06505-8
Sampath KK, Smith T, Farrell G, et al. Diagnosing and treating upper back pain: insights from New Zealand's manipulative physiotherapists and osteopaths. J Man Manip Ther. 2025;33(2):149-157. doi:10.1080/10669817.2024.2438196

Posture FAQs: Answers to Common Posture Questions

Posture FAQs

Article by John Miller & Chelsea Gan

Gamer in their early 20s sitting at a desk with good posture, straight back, feet flat on the floor, and elbows bent at 90 degrees, in a modern room with gaming posters.

Posture FAQs: What Matters Most?

Posture FAQs usually come down to a few practical questions: what good posture looks like, why posture matters, and what to do when sitting or standing starts to hurt. In most cases, better posture is not about sitting stiffly all day. Instead, it is about changing positions regularly, improving strength, and using simple habits that support your posture in daily life.

If you want a stronger foundation, start with good posture basics and an improving posture guide. These posture FAQs also connect closely with neck pain, back pain, workstation setup, and movement habits.

Quick Answers

Good posture reduces unnecessary strain on joints, muscles, and ligaments.
Posture problems often build from long static positions rather than one “bad” position.
Movement breaks, strength, and flexibility often matter as much as sitting tall.
Desk setup, screen height, and chair support can make daily posture easier to maintain.
A physiotherapist may help if posture issues are linked with pain, stiffness, or recurring overload.

Choose your clinic or appointment pathway

Appointment Options View Phone Numbers

Physiotherapy · Remedial Massage · Exercise Physiology · Private health funds and HICAPS

Why is good posture important?

Good posture helps you hold your body in positions that place less stress on your spine, joints, muscles, and supporting soft tissues. It can improve comfort during desk work, study, driving, exercise, and gaming. Just as importantly, it can help you spread load more evenly through your body so one area is not doing too much work for too long.

That said, posture is not the only factor behind pain. The RACGP review on posture explains that movement variety, confidence, strength, and work or lifestyle habits also matter. For many people, the goal is not “perfect posture”. The goal is a posture strategy that feels sustainable and lets you move often.

How can you improve your posture?

Most people improve posture by combining awareness, movement breaks, strength work, and a better daily setup. Helpful starting points include posture exercises, better ergonomics, and regular mobility work. When your neck, thoracic spine, hips, or shoulders are stiff, your body often defaults to positions that feel easier in the short term but become irritating over time.

Core and upper back strength can also help. Pages such as core stability training and flexibility exercises may support better control and tolerance for sitting, lifting, and standing. If you sit for long periods, your sitting posture and monitor position are worth checking first.

What are the common signs of poor posture?

Common signs include rounded shoulders, a forward head position, slumped sitting, reduced upper back movement, and feeling stiff after desk work or screen time. Some people also notice neck tension, shoulder ache, headaches, or lower back discomfort when they stay in one position too long.

Importantly, these signs do not always mean structural damage. Often, they reflect muscle fatigue, habit, reduced movement variety, or a load pattern your body is no longer coping with well. That is why posture correction usually works best when it includes both movement change and strengthening, rather than trying to “sit up straight” all day.

Can poor posture cause neck or back pain?

Poor posture does not guarantee pain, but it can contribute when one region is exposed to repeated load, long sitting periods, or poor workstation habits. Recent reviews have linked more sedentary behaviour with greater neck pain risk, especially with prolonged phone and computer use. Forward head posture can also increase strain through the neck and upper back during desk-based tasks.

If posture-related symptoms are already present, posture correction may involve mobility work, strength training, hands-on treatment, and practical changes to your home, study, or office environment. The best plan depends on whether your symptoms are mainly linked to stiffness, weakness, overload, or an underlying condition.

When should you get help for posture problems?

You should consider professional help when posture issues are linked with recurring pain, headaches, tingling, reduced movement, trouble working comfortably, or worsening exercise tolerance. It is also worth getting checked if self-management has not improved things after a few weeks, or if your posture concerns are affecting sleep, training, or concentration.

A physiotherapist can assess your movement, spine, joint mobility, strength, work setup, and symptom triggers. Then they can explain which factors are most relevant for you and guide a realistic plan. For many people, that plan is more effective than relying on internet tips alone.

Who can help you improve your posture?

A physiotherapist is well placed to assess posture-related problems and explain which factors are most likely contributing to your symptoms. Depending on your presentation, management may include postural retraining, exercise progression, workstation advice, flexibility work, and gradual return to the activities that matter most to you.

If your posture concerns relate to screen use, desk work, gaming, or study, the plan may also include ergonomic advice and pacing strategies. If they relate more to sport or training, the focus may shift towards movement control, strength, and load management.

What to do next

If posture issues are starting to cause neck pain, back pain, headaches, stiffness, or reduced comfort at work, it is worth getting a clear assessment. Many people improve faster when they know whether the main problem is load, strength, flexibility, workstation setup, or a separate musculoskeletal condition.

A physiotherapist may help you identify the key drivers, explain the best next steps, and guide a practical posture improvement plan that suits your daily routine.

Posture Products

These posture products are commonly used by our physiotherapists to improve posture, postural strength, endurance and flexibility, plus assist home exercise programs.

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Posture Learn how posture affects comfort, movement, and daily load tolerance.
What Is Good Posture? Learn what good posture looks like and why it matters.
Improving Posture Simple habits and strategies to make posture change easier.
Posture Exercises Exercises that may help improve posture and reduce strain.
Ergonomics Workstation and workplace advice to support better posture habits.
Correct Sitting Posture Practical tips for desk work, study, and long periods of sitting.
Neck Pain Common causes of neck pain and how posture may contribute.
Back Pain Explore common back pain triggers, treatment, and prevention options.
Core Stability Training Improve trunk control and support for daily posture demands.
Flexibility Exercises Mobility work that may help reduce stiffness affecting posture.

References

Meng Y, Xue Y, Yang S, et al. The associations between sedentary behavior and neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Public Health. 2025;25(1):453. doi:10.1186/s12889-025-21685-9
Mazaheri-Tehrani S, Arefian M, Abhari AP, et al. Sedentary behavior and neck pain in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Prev Med. 2023;175:107711. doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2023.107711
Yang S, Boudier-Revéret M, Yi YG, et al. Treatment of Chronic Neck Pain in Patients with Forward Head Posture: A Systematic Narrative Review. Healthcare (Basel). 2023;11(19):2604. doi:10.3390/healthcare11192604
Smythe A, Jivanjee M. The straight and narrow of posture: Current clinical concepts. Aust J Gen Pract. 2021;50(11). doi:10.31128/AJGP-07-21-6083

Teenager Back Pain: Causes, Treatment & Prevention

Teenager Back Pain

Article by John Miller & Erin Runge

Teenager back pain physiotherapy assessment checking posture and lumbar spine movement in clinic — Physiotherapist assessing posture and lumbar movement in a teenager with back pain.

Teenager back pain can affect sport, school, sleep, and everyday comfort. It may relate to growth, posture, training load, muscle weakness, or a specific spinal condition. Many teenagers improve well with early assessment, sensible activity modification, and a tailored back pain physiotherapy program. Related issues can include spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis.

Quick Summary

Teenager back pain is common and often improves with early care.
Poor posture, rapid growth, sport load, and muscle weakness can contribute.
Gymnastics, cricket fast bowling, tennis, and repeated extension sports may increase risk.
A physiotherapist may help identify the cause and guide safe recovery.

Choose your clinic or appointment pathway

Appointment Options View Phone Numbers

Physiotherapy · Remedial Massage · Exercise Physiology · Private health funds and HICAPS

Why does teenager back pain happen?

Teenager back pain often happens when growing bodies are asked to cope with long hours of sitting, poor posture habits, reduced strength, or heavy sport loads. Back pain may come from joints, muscles, discs, or bone stress. Some teenagers also develop pain from repeated bending, twisting, or arching during sport.

Teenagers are often flexible, but flexibility alone does not protect the spine. When trunk strength, movement control, or training balance is lacking, the lower back may become overloaded. Long periods of sitting, heavy school bags, growth spurts, and reduced recovery time may also contribute. You can also read more about posture, how to improve your posture, and back pain prevention.

Common causes of teenager back pain

A teenager may develop back pain from simple muscle overload or from a more specific spinal condition. Common causes include:

muscle strain or overload
poor posture and prolonged sitting
reduced core and hip strength
rapid increases in sport or gym training
growth-related coordination changes
spondylolysis
spondylolisthesis
scoliosis
Scheuermann’s disease

Teenager back pain in sport

Sports that involve repeated extension, twisting, impact, or fast loading may increase the risk of back pain. This includes gymnastics, dance, cricket fast bowling, tennis, and some field and court sports. Good load management, strength training, and technique review may help reduce flare-ups and improve resilience.

When should a teenager seek help?

Teenager back pain should be assessed if it persists, keeps returning, affects sport or school, or causes night pain, leg symptoms, or difficulty moving. A physiotherapist can assess the spine, hips, strength, movement control, and sport load to help identify the likely cause and guide treatment.

Medical review is also sensible when pain follows trauma, is severe, is associated with fever or unexplained weight loss, or does not settle as expected. Early assessment matters because some teenage back conditions respond better when managed before pain becomes persistent.

How can physiotherapy help teenager back pain?

Physiotherapy for teenager back pain may help reduce pain, improve movement, and restore confidence with activity. A physiotherapist may recommend a mix of education, activity modification, strength work, posture advice, and a gradual return to sport plan.

Treatment often includes:

assessment of pain triggers and aggravating activities
posture and movement advice
core, hip, and trunk strength exercises
mobility work where appropriate
sport-specific load management
guidance for safe return to school, training, and competition

What can teenagers do to prevent back pain?

Many teenagers can lower their risk of back pain by staying active, building strength, and managing posture and study habits well. Prevention does not mean avoiding activity. Instead, it means balancing training, recovery, and good movement habits.

Stay active: Regular exercise supports spinal health and general fitness.
Build strength: Trunk, hip, and leg strength can improve spinal support. Read more about strength training.
Improve desk setup: A good study setup may reduce unnecessary strain. Read How to Set Up Your Workspace.
Take movement breaks: Regular breaks from sitting can reduce stiffness and help posture.
Manage sport load: Increase training gradually and allow recovery time.
Address posture habits: Read more about good back posture and posture correction.

What does the research say about teenager back pain?

Recent research suggests adolescent back pain is common and should not be dismissed as “just growing pains”. Early assessment, exercise-based management, and attention to physical and lifestyle factors may improve outcomes. In sport, repeated spinal loading and training errors can also increase risk in some teenagers.

What to do next

If your teenager has ongoing back pain, book a physiotherapy assessment. Early advice may help identify the source of pain, reduce irritation, and guide a safe return to school, exercise, and sport.

Back Support Products

These back support products are commonly used by our physiotherapists to help reduce back pain, improve comfort, and support your recovery at home.

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References

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Teenager Back Pain FAQs

What causes teenager back pain?

Teenager back pain may come from muscle overload, posture habits, growth spurts, reduced strength, sport load, or a specific spinal condition. In some teenagers, repeated bending, twisting, or arching during sport can irritate the lower back and lead to ongoing symptoms.

When should a teenager see a physiotherapist for back pain?

A teenager should see a physiotherapist if back pain lasts more than a few days, keeps returning, affects school or sport, or causes stiffness, reduced movement, or leg symptoms. Early assessment may help identify the cause and guide a safer recovery plan.

What sports can trigger teenager back pain?

Sports with repeated spinal extension, rotation, or impact may increase the risk. Gymnastics, dance, cricket fast bowling, and tennis are common examples. Good technique, sensible progression, recovery time, and strength work may reduce the likelihood of overload injuries.

What exercises help teenager back pain?

The best exercises depend on the teenager’s diagnosis, symptoms, and activity level. Many benefit from trunk and hip strengthening, mobility work, and gradual return-to-sport loading. A physiotherapist can tailor exercises so they match the teenager’s age, sport, and pain pattern.

Can poor posture cause teenager back pain?

Poor posture on its own is not always the only cause, but prolonged slouched sitting, low movement variety, and weak postural endurance may contribute. Posture advice usually works best when combined with regular movement, strength training, and better study or screen habits.

Is physiotherapy effective for teenager back pain?

Many teenagers respond well to physiotherapy. Treatment may include education, activity modification, exercise, posture advice, and return-to-sport planning. The aim is to reduce pain, improve movement, and help the teenager get back to normal activities with more confidence.

What Causes Hip and Groin Pain?

Article by John Miller & Erin Runge

hip and groin pain causes assessed with standing hip flexion and rotation

Hip movement checks help guide the next step.

Hip and groin pain causes can include hip joint irritation, groin strain, tendon overload, or pain from the lower back or pelvis. Many people notice pain with walking, running, sitting, stairs, squats, kicking or changing direction.

A hip pain physiotherapy assessment can help sort out the likely source. This is helpful when hip pain overlaps with groin pain.

Quick Answer: What Causes Hip and Groin Pain?

The most common hip and groin pain causes include hip arthritis, femoroacetabular impingement, hip labral tear, groin strain, adductor tendon pain, hip flexor pain, gluteal tendon pain and lower back referral.

Pain site, stiffness, clicking, weakness, limping and activity triggers often give useful clues. A careful check is usually needed because hip, groin and back symptoms can overlap.

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Common Hip and Groin Pain Causes

Most causes sit in six groups: hip joint problems, muscle and tendon overload, outer hip pain, referred pain, bone stress, and inflammatory health conditions.

Deep groin pain often points to the hip joint. Inner-thigh pain may involve the adductor muscles or tendons. Outer hip pain often relates to the gluteal tendons or nearby bursa. Back pain can also travel to the hip or groin.

Hip joint clues: deep groin pain, stiffness, clicking, catching, pain with sitting, squats or twisting.
Muscle or tendon clues: pain with sprinting, kicking, lunges, stairs, running or change of direction.
Back-related clues: burning pain, pins and needles, numbness, or symptoms that change with back movement.
Bone stress clues: deep pain that worsens with running, jumping or long walks.

Hip Joint-Related Causes

Hip joint pain often feels deep at the front of the hip or groin. It may worsen with sitting, stairs, hills, squats, twisting or getting in and out of a car.

Hip osteoarthritis can cause stiffness, aching and loss of hip range.
Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) can irritate the hip during deep bending or rotation.
Hip labral tear may cause catching, sharp pain or a blocked hip feeling.
Avascular necrosis is less common but important. It affects blood flow to the femoral head.

These problems can feel similar early on. Assessment checks hip movement, strength, walking pattern and how symptoms respond to load.

Muscle and Tendon-Related Causes

Soft tissue overload is common in active people, runners, field-sport players and gym users. Symptoms may build slowly or start after a sprint, kick, lunge or sharp change of direction.

Groin strain often causes sharp inner-thigh pain during sudden load.
Adductor-related groin pain may hurt with squeezing, cutting or kicking.
Hip flexor pain may hurt when lifting the knee, sprinting or rising from sitting.
Gluteal tendinopathy often causes outer hip pain with walking, stairs or side-lying.
Muscle strain may follow sudden or repeated overload.

Muscle and tendon pain often improves with staged loading. The plan should match the tissue, pain level and activity goal.

hip and groin pain causes checked with adductor squeeze test

Adductor testing can help identify groin sources.

Pain Location Clues

Deep groin: the hip joint, labrum, FAI or hip arthritis may be involved.
Inner thigh: adductor muscle or tendon load is common.
Front of hip: hip flexor pain or joint referral may contribute.
Outer hip: gluteal tendons or the trochanteric bursa may be sensitive.
Back, buttock or leg symptoms: lower back referral or nerve irritation may be involved.

Lateral Hip Pain Causes

Pain on the outside of the hip often relates to tendon or bursal irritation. Many people feel pain over the side of the hip with side-lying, stairs, hills or standing on one leg.

The key issue is often load sensitivity around the outer hip. Care may focus on reducing compression, changing activity, improving hip strength and rebuilding walking or running tolerance.

Can Back Pain Cause Hip or Groin Pain?

Yes. Lower back pain, sciatica and a pinched nerve can refer symptoms to the front, side or back of the hip.

Back-related symptoms may include burning pain, pins and needles, numbness, or pain below the knee. Hip joint pain usually changes more with hip rotation, squats, stairs or sitting.

Bone, Health and Inflammatory Causes

Less common causes still matter. Osteoporosis can increase fracture risk. Rheumatoid arthritis can cause joint pain, swelling or morning stiffness. Stress fractures can cause deep pain that worsens with impact.

Seek medical advice quickly if pain is severe, traumatic, worsening, linked with fever, or stops you from weight-bearing.

How Does Physiotherapy Help Clarify the Cause?

A physiotherapist checks the pattern rather than guessing from pain location alone. Your assessment may include hip range, strength tests, balance, walking, squat or step checks, spine screening and sport-specific loading.

This helps decide whether symptoms are more likely to involve the hip joint, adductors, hip flexors, gluteal tendons, lower back or another source. It also helps shape a plan for pain relief, load changes, exercise progressions and return to sport.

Imaging may help in some cases. Your physiotherapist may suggest GP review or imaging if your history, symptoms or test findings raise concern.

Should You Keep Exercising?

You may keep moving if symptoms are mild, settle quickly and do not worsen after activity. Reduce sharp, limping or high-speed movements until the cause is clearer.

Keep comfortable walking if symptoms do not build.
Avoid painful sprinting, kicking, cutting or jumping.
Reduce deep squats if they trigger hip or groin pain.
Restart strength work gradually.
Book an assessment if pain keeps returning.

When Should You Seek Help?

Book an assessment if hip or groin pain lasts more than a few days, limits walking, causes limping, stops sport, affects sleep, or returns when you increase training.

Seek urgent medical care if you cannot bear weight, have severe night pain, fever, unexplained weight loss, major trauma, sudden testicular pain, abdominal pain, or severe pain with feeling unwell.

hip and groin pain causes managed with lateral step reach rehab

Guided control supports safe activity progression.

What To Do Next

If hip or groin pain limits walking, work, training or sport, book a physiotherapy assessment. Early guidance can help identify the likely source, reduce repeated flare-ups and support a safer return to activity.

For athletes and active adults, assessment can also guide load changes, strength progressions and a safer return to running, kicking, cutting or gym training.

Related Information

Hip and Groin Pain FAQs

What causes hip and groin pain?

Hip and groin pain can come from the hip joint, nearby muscles or tendons, bone stress, or referred pain from the lower back or pelvis. Common triggers include walking, running, sitting, stairs, squats and twisting.

Can hip pain cause groin pain?

Yes. Hip joint problems can refer pain into the groin. This can happen with hip arthritis, FAI and hip labral irritation. Pain may worsen with sitting, squats, twisting, stairs or getting in and out of a car.

What does adductor-related groin pain feel like?

Adductor-related groin pain often feels like inner-thigh or groin pain. It may worsen with sprinting, kicking, cutting or squeezing the legs together. It may start suddenly or build slowly with repeated sport load.

When should I see a physiotherapist for hip or groin pain?

Consider an assessment if pain lasts more than a few days, limits daily activity, affects walking, causes limping, stops sport, or keeps returning after rest. Assessment can help guide safe loading.

Can exercise help hip and groin pain?

Exercise may help when it matches the cause and stage of pain. A physiotherapist may guide hip, groin, trunk and leg strength, then progress walking, running, stairs or sport tasks.

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References

Reiman MP, Thorborg K, Hölmich P, et al. Consensus recommendations on the classification, definition and diagnostic criteria of hip-related pain in young and middle-aged active adults from the International Hip-related Pain Research Network, Zurich 2018. Br J Sports Med. 2020;54(11):631-641.
Rolph R, Morgan C, Chapman G, Marsh S. Groin pain in athletes. BMJ. 2020;368:m109.
Short SM, Tenforde AS, Lau B, et al. Hip and groin injury prevention in sport. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2021;16(1):172-183.
Martins TB, Nunes GS, Freitas-Júnior IF, et al. Risk factors associated with groin pain in athletes: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Life (Basel). 2025.

Hip, Groin, Buttock Pain FAQs

Hip, Groin & Buttock Pain Guide (Diagnosis Pathway & FAQs)

Article by John Miller & Erin Runge

Hip, groin and buttock pain often overlap, and the source is not always where you feel it. The tricky part is that pain in this region may come from the hip joint, groin muscles, sacroiliac joint, nearby nerves, or the gluteal tendons on the outside of the hip.

This hip, groin and buttock pain guide helps you narrow down the likely cause based on location, symptoms and triggers. Then you can move to the most relevant PhysioWorks page or book an assessment for clearer diagnosis and treatment advice.

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Start Here: Quick Diagnosis Pathway

Choose the option that best matches your pain:

Front hip or groin pain → Hip Flexor Pain, Adductor Tendinopathy, Groin Strain, or Hip Labral Tear
Outer hip pain → Gluteal Tendinopathy, Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS), or Trochanteric Bursitis
Deep buttock pain → Piriformis Syndrome, SIJ Pain, or Sciatica
Clicking, catching or sharp hip pain → Hip Impingement or Hip Labral Tear
Stiff, aching hip → Hip Arthritis

Step 1: Where is your pain?

Front Hip or Groin

Front hip or groin pain often relates to the hip flexors, adductors, pubic region, or the hip joint itself.

Outer Hip

Outer hip pain is commonly linked to gluteal tendon overload and related lateral hip pain conditions.

Buttock or Referred Pain

Buttock pain can come from deep hip structures, the pelvis, or the lower back and sciatic nerve pathway.

Key Difference Snapshot

Side-lying pain → more suggestive of gluteal tendon or GTPS irritation
Pain with prolonged sitting → may fit sciatica, deep gluteal symptoms, or joint irritation
Clicking, catching or pinching → may point more towards a hip joint issue such as impingement or labral irritation
Pain with sprinting, kicking or quick change of direction → often points towards muscle or tendon overload around the groin

Step 2: What does your pain feel like?

Sharp or catching → more consistent with joint irritation such as labral tear or impingement
Deep ache → may relate to tendon overload or joint irritation
Burning, tingling or travelling pain → more suggestive of nerve-related pain
Stiffness → may reflect arthritis or hip joint restriction

Step 3: What makes it worse?

Running or sport → tendon or muscle overload is more likely
Sitting → sciatic irritation, deep gluteal pain, or hip joint irritation may be involved
Side lying → often aggravates gluteal tendinopathy or GTPS
Twisting or pivoting → may aggravate labral tear or hip impingement

When should you worry about hip, groin or buttock pain?

Seek help sooner if your pain is severe, worsening, follows trauma, causes weakness or numbness, wakes you at night, or makes walking difficult. Early assessment is also sensible if your pain keeps returning with sport, stairs, sitting, or side lying.

Healthdirect notes that hip pain can also be referred from another area, which is one reason these symptoms can be difficult to self-diagnose.

Can physiotherapy help hip, groin and buttock pain?

Physiotherapy aims to identify the primary pain source and guide treatment based on movement, strength, load management and function. Because hip, groin, buttock and lower back symptoms often overlap, accurate assessment matters.

Related Guides

What to do next

If your symptoms match one of the conditions above, open that page and compare the features carefully. If the source still is not clear, a physiotherapy assessment can help identify whether the main driver is the hip joint, groin muscles, gluteal tendons, sacroiliac joint, or a nerve-related problem.

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References

Grimaldi A, Fearon A. Gluteal tendinopathy: integrating pathomechanics and clinical features in its management. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2015;45(11):910-922. doi:10.2519/jospt.2015.5829
Donati D, Tedeschi R, Garnum PE, et al. A narrative review on greater trochanteric pain syndrome: diagnostic imaging and non-surgical treatments. Musculoskelet Surg. 2025. doi:10.1007/s12306-025-00924-7
Reiman MP, Goode AP, Cook CE, et al. Diagnostic accuracy of clinical tests for the diagnosis of hip femoroacetabular impingement/labral tear: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med. 2015;49(12):811. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2014-094302
Martins TB, Mitrousias V, Pollastri L, et al. Risk Factors Associated with Groin Pain in Athletes: A Systematic Review. Life (Basel). 2025;15(11):1688. doi:10.3390/life15111688
Hopayian K, Song F, Riera R, et al. The clinical features of the piriformis syndrome: a systematic review. Eur Spine J. 2010;19(12):2095-2109. doi:10.1007/s00586-010-1504-9
Stafford MA, Peng P, Hill DA. Sciatica: a review of history, epidemiology, pathogenesis, and the role of epidural steroid injection in management. Br J Anaesth. 2007;99(4):461-473. doi:10.1093/bja/aem238
Healthdirect Australia. Hip pain. Updated 2025.

What Is the Best Treatment for Hip Pain?

What Is the Best Way to Relieve Hip Pain?

Article by John Miller & Chelsea Gan

The best treatment for hip pain depends on what is causing it. Hip symptoms can come from the joint, groin, outer hip tendons, nearby muscles, or referred pain from your lower back. For that reason, a proper assessment matters. This FAQ supports our broader hip pain guide and links you to the most relevant next step.

Many people need more than short-term symptom relief. Painkillers, heat, ice, or a cortisone injection may help some presentations for a short period, but persistent hip pain usually improves best when treatment matches the diagnosis. Common related causes include FAIS, gluteal tendinopathy, hip arthritis, and piriformis syndrome.

Common signs your hip pain needs a targeted plan

groin or outer hip pain during walking, stairs, or exercise
pain lying on your side at night
hip stiffness after sitting or first thing in the morning
recurrent symptoms when you return to sport or the gym
hip pain linked with back, buttock, or thigh symptoms

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What Is the Best Treatment for Hip Pain?

The best treatment for hip pain is the treatment that matches the source of your symptoms. Many people do best with a combination of accurate diagnosis, education, activity modification, progressive strengthening, and movement retraining. The goal is not just to settle pain, but to restore daily function, improve load tolerance, and reduce the risk of recurrence.

Why does hip pain keep coming back?

Hip pain often returns when the true driver has not been identified or when the hip is asked to do more than it can currently tolerate. That can happen with tendon overload, hip joint stiffness, poor movement control, reduced glute strength, trunk weakness, or referred pain from the lumbar spine. A good management plan looks at the hip, groin, pelvis, lower limb, and lower back rather than the painful area alone.

Common causes of hip pain

Hip pain is a symptom, not a single diagnosis. The location of your pain often gives useful clues. Groin pain can point towards joint or impingement-related problems. Outer hip pain may relate to tendon or bursal irritation. Buttock and posterior hip pain can also come from the lower back, deep hip muscles, or neural irritation.

What does physiotherapy for hip pain involve?

Physiotherapy for hip pain usually begins with a detailed assessment of your pain pattern, joint movement, muscle length, strength, endurance, control, and functional tasks such as walking, stairs, squatting, running, or changing direction. Your treatment may include manual therapy, taping, mobility work, strengthening, and a home exercise plan matched to your diagnosis and goals.

Rehabilitation is often staged. Early management may focus on reducing aggravating loads and settling symptoms. Later stages usually build hip, pelvis, and trunk capacity so you can handle work, daily activity, and sport with greater confidence. Depending on your presentation, useful support pages may include deep hip rotator strengthening and core stability training.

Should you rest or exercise with hip pain?

Complete rest is rarely the best long-term strategy. In many cases, relative rest and a graded exercise plan work better than stopping everything. The key is to reduce aggravating loads while keeping the right movements and exercises going at the right level. A physiotherapist may recommend pacing, targeted strengthening, and modified activity instead of full rest.

For general public guidance, Healthdirect also provides a useful overview of hip pain symptoms and when to seek medical care.

When should you worry about hip pain?

You should seek prompt review if your hip pain started after a fall, you cannot weight-bear, you have severe night pain, fever, marked swelling, significant weakness, or symptoms that are rapidly worsening. Persistent groin pain, locking, or pain that keeps returning despite sensible load reduction also deserves proper assessment.

Hip Pain
- Explore the main causes, symptoms, and treatment options for hip pain and related conditions.
Hip Arthritis
- Learn how hip arthritis can cause pain, stiffness, and reduced walking tolerance.
FAIS
- Read about femoroacetabular impingement syndrome, groin pain, and hip movement restriction.
Hip Labral Tear
- Find out how labral injury can contribute to groin pain, clicking, and catching sensations.
Gluteal Tendinopathy
- See why outer hip pain often worsens with lying on your side, walking, or climbing stairs.
Piriformis Syndrome
- Understand one cause of buttock pain and symptoms that may mimic sciatica.

Frequently asked questions

Can hip pain come from my back?

Yes. Lower back problems can refer pain into the buttock, outer hip, groin, or thigh. That is why a thorough assessment should include the lumbar spine and pelvis, not just the hip joint.

Are injections the best treatment for hip pain?

Not usually on their own. Injections may help some people in selected situations, but they do not replace a proper diagnosis, activity modification, strengthening, and movement-based rehabilitation.

How long does hip pain take to improve?

That depends on the diagnosis, severity, symptom duration, and how well the treatment matches the cause. Mild overload problems may improve over weeks, while joint, tendon, or persistent pain presentations can take longer.

Is walking good for hip pain?

Walking can help some people, especially when it is comfortable and kept within tolerance. However, some conditions flare with longer walks, hills, or fast pace, so the amount often needs to be adjusted.

What to do next

If your hip pain is stopping you from walking, exercising, sleeping comfortably, or returning to sport, arrange an assessment. A physiotherapist can work out whether the main problem is coming from the joint, groin, tendons, muscles, bursa, or lower back.

Once the cause is clearer, your plan can focus on the right mix of load management, mobility, strengthening, and return-to-activity advice.

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References

Cibulka MT, Bloom NJ, Enseki KR, et al. Hip Pain and Mobility Deficits—Hip Osteoarthritis Revision 2017. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2017;47(6):A1-A37. doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.0301
Moseng T, Dagfinrud H, Haugen IK, et al. EULAR recommendations for the non-pharmacological core management of hip and knee osteoarthritis: 2023 update. Ann Rheum Dis. 2024;83(6):730-740. doi:10.1136/ard-2023-225041
Healthdirect Australia. Hip pain. Accessed March 16, 2026.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Neck Pain Causes

What are the most common neck pain causes?

Quick summary

How your neck is built

Common neck pain causes

1. Muscle strain and overload

2. Poor neck posture

3. Joint irritation and stiffness

4. Disc irritation and age-related changes

5. Pinched nerve or cervical radiculopathy

6. Whiplash injuries

7. Headache or dizziness linked to the neck

8. Work, sport, and lifestyle factors

Why neck pain can spread to the head, shoulder, or arm

What this may mean

When should you worry about neck pain?

How are neck pain causes diagnosed?

Neck pain treatment options

Can neck pain be prevented?

Why guided exercise matters

Neck Pain Causes FAQs

Can neck pain be caused by stress?

What causes neck pain when looking down?

Can a pinched nerve cause neck pain and arm symptoms?

Do age-related changes always cause neck pain?

Can sleeping position cause neck pain?

Can neck pain cause headaches or dizziness?

Related Articles

What to do next

Choose your clinic and appointment pathway

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References

Neck Pain FAQs: Causes, Treatment & When to Seek Help

Quick Neck Pain Guide

What causes neck pain?

General Neck Pain FAQs

Symptoms linked with neck pain

How can physiotherapy help neck pain?

Treatment and management FAQs

What exercises and daily habits help neck pain?

Exercise, posture, and sleep FAQs

Can neck pain cause headaches or dizziness?

When should you seek help for neck pain?

Common Neck Pain Questions

What are common causes of neck pain?

Can bad posture cause neck pain?

What helps neck pain at home?

Can neck pain cause dizziness or headaches?

Do you need scans for neck pain?

When should you see a physiotherapist for neck pain?

What to do next

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Neck Products

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Head Laser for Neck Pain

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Digital TENS Machine

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PhysiPak Heat Pack – Upper Body Regular

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NeuroTrac Rehab (TENS Machine + EMS)

66Fit Over Door Neck Traction Unit

Fisiocrem

23cm Ice/Hot Bag

FlexiPillow Alleve Pillow

Flexeze Heat Patches

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References

What Causes Lower Back Pain?

Common lower back pain causes at a glance

What causes lower back pain most often?

Muscle and soft tissue causes of lower back pain

Can discs cause lower back pain?

Joint and spinal causes of lower back pain

Why does nerve irritation cause lower back pain and leg symptoms?