Back pain can affect almost every part of daily life — from walking, driving and working to sleeping comfortably and enjoying normal activities.
At Chichester Physio, we help people with low back pain, recurring back problems and sciatica by assessing the likely cause of their symptoms and creating a clear treatment plan. Our physiotherapy team works with patients from Chichester, Bosham, Goodwood, Petworth, the Witterings and surrounding West Sussex areas.
Your appointment will focus on understanding what is causing your pain, explaining the findings in plain English, and helping you move more confidently again.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is low back pain?
Low back pain is pain or stiffness felt in the lower part of the spine. It may come on suddenly after lifting, twisting or overdoing an activity, or it may build gradually over time.
The lower back is made up of joints, discs, muscles, ligaments and nerves. Pain can come from several different structures, which is why a proper assessment is important.
What are the symptoms of low back pain?
Low back pain can feel different from person to person. Some people feel a dull ache or stiffness, while others experience sharp pain when bending, lifting, twisting or getting up from sitting.
Pain may also spread into the buttock, hip or leg. Tingling, numbness or nerve-type pain may suggest irritation of a nerve in the lower back, often called sciatica.
How do we treat low back pain?
Low back pain can manifest in various ways, depending on the cause and severity of the condition. If you’re suffering from low back pain, you may experience a dull ache in the arch of your back. This ache can vary throughout the day, changing depending on your activity, sometimes even turning into stabbing pain. It may also cause referred pain, meaning the pain is felt elsewhere in the body. The pain can range from a mild ache to a sharp, intense sensation. The sharper and more intense the pain, the more it affects your lifestyle.
Often, everyday activities become severely limited. Even simple tasks, like getting to and from work, can become difficult, potentially causing you to take time off work.
Can physiotherapy help sciatica?
Yes. Chichester Physio can assess symptoms that may be linked to sciatica, including pain, tingling, numbness or nerve-type symptoms travelling into the buttock or leg.
Your physiotherapist will explain the likely cause and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan. For some patients with disc-related back pain or sciatica, IDD Therapy may be considered after clinical assessment and MRI review.
When should I seek urgent medical advice for back pain?
You should seek urgent medical advice if you have back pain with changes in bladder or bowel control, numbness around the saddle area, significant or worsening leg weakness, fever, unexplained weight loss, recent trauma, or severe pain that is not settling.
