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Where Do You Feel Low Back Pain?
Low back pain can be felt in different areas. Where you feel pain can provide useful clues, but pain patterns can overlap and location alone does not always identify the exact source of your symptoms.
1. Pain In The Lower Back
Pain may be felt in the centre or on one or both sides of the lower back.
May be associated with
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Non-specific low back pain
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Muscles, joints or ligaments around the lower back
Commonly aggravated by
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Sustained posture (sitting or standing for longer periods)
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Certain lower-back movements, like bending
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Lifting
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Repeated movements
2. Pain Into The Buttock or Thigh
Pain may spread from the lower back into the buttock, groin or thigh. This does not necessarily mean that a nerve is compressed.
May be associated with
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Referred pain from lower back
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Sacroiliac joint complex-related pain
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Hip-related conditions
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Other surrounding musculoskeletal structures
Commonly aggravated by
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Sitting or rising from a chair
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Prolonged standing
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Walking, running, or lifting
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Certain lower-back and hip movements
3. Pain Travelling Down The Leg
Pain may travel from the lower back or buttock down the leg and can sometimes reach the calf or foot with burning, electric or shooting pain, numbness, tingling, changes in sensation, or weakness. These symptoms do not automatically mean that a nerve is seriously damaged, but they can provide important information about whether a nerve may be involved.
May be associated with
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Radicular pain
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Lumbar radiculopathy
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Referred pain from lower back
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Other conditions affecting the leg
Commonly aggravated by
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​Certain back movements or positions
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Prolonged sitting or standing
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Walking
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Coughing or sneezing
Understanding Low Back Pain
1. Low Back Pain In Australia
2. Classification Of Low Back Pain
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​Non-Specific Low Back Pain (90–95%)
It means that no single structure or specific disease can be reliably identified as the sole cause of your symptoms. Your pain is real, but it is not always explained by tissue damage alone. Low back pain can be influenced by many interacting factors—including muscles and joints, physical activity, sleep, stress, general health, lifestyle and social factors.
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Low Back Pain With Nerve-related Symptoms (5-10%)​
Some people experience low back pain with symptoms that travel into the leg. These may include shooting or burning pain, numbness, tingling, changes in sensation or weakness. When nerve involvement is suspected, a neurological examination can help assess sensation, muscle strength and reflexes to better understand whether a nerve may be involved.
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Serious Spinal Conditions (<1%)​
A very small proportion of people presenting with low back pain have symptoms related to a serious spinal condition, such as fracture, infection, cancer or cauda equina syndrome. A thorough assessment helps identify signs or symptoms that may require further investigation, imaging or medical referral.
Common Questions About Low Back Pain
1. I've Never Experienced Pain This Severe. Is My Back Seriously Damaged?
Not necessarily. Severe pain does not always mean that your back is seriously damaged. Low back pain can feel intense and sometimes frightening, particularly when it starts suddenly or affects your ability to move. However, the intensity of pain does not always reflect the amount of tissue damage.
2. Do I Need An X-ray or MRI?
In most cases, routine imaging is not required. Findings such as disc degeneration and disc bulges become increasingly common with age and are frequently found in people without low back pain. This does not mean that imaging findings are never relevant. Some findings may contribute to symptoms in certain people, but a scan alone cannot tell us whether a finding is the main cause of your pain. More importantly, a normal scan does not mean that your pain is not real. Conventional X-rays and MRI mainly show structural changes and cannot capture every biological process that may contribute to pain.
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A Scan Is One Piece Of The Puzzle — Not The Whole Story.
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Age-specific prevalence estimates of degenerative spine imaging findings in patients asymptomatic for low back pain​
Source: ACSQHC (2022); Brinjikji et al., (2015)
3. Is Chiropractic Care For Low Back Pain Safe?
​For most people, chiropractic care for low back pain is considered safe when appropriately assessed and tailored to the individual. Spinal manipulation may occasionally cause temporary soreness, stiffness or a short-term increase in pain. Serious adverse events were not reported in the trials included in recent reviews (de Zote., et al, 2026) although the certainty of evidence around adverse events remains limited. This is why assessment comes first . At Motion Wellness, before recommending treatment, we consider your symptoms, medical history, neurological findings and any factors that may indicate that chiropractic care is not appropriate.
4. Can Chiropractic Adjustments Help With Low Back Pain?
Yes. Spinal manipulation—often referred to as a chiropractic adjustment—may help reduce pain and improve function in some people with low back pain. Spinal manipulation is one of several non-pharmacological treatment options included in major clinical guidelines, alongside approaches such as education, exercise and multidisciplinary care. Recommendations vary depending on whether low back pain is acute or chronic and how treatment is delivered. At Motion Wellness, we use a multimodal approach tailored to your condition, needs and goals—combining adjustments with exercise, education and self-management strategies where appropriate.
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Non-pharmacological treatments in major low back pain guidelines
Source: Cashin et al. (2026)
5. Should I rest or keep moving?
For most people, staying active is better than prolonged rest. Although some movements such as bending, lifting or exercise may temporarily feel uncomfortable during a flare-up, an increase in pain does not necessarily mean that further damage is occurring.
Pain is a protective response, and how much pain you feel does not always reflect how much damage is present.
You may need to temporarily modify uncomfortable activities before gradually building them back up.
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Walking is a simple way to keep moving. Research suggests that walking can help reduce pain and disability in people with chronic low back pain.
6. Do I Need Medication, Injections Or Surgery?
It depends on your condition and how long you have had symptoms. Most low back pain is initially managed with education, staying active and appropriate non-surgical care.
Medication
Acute Low Back Pain
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​NSAIDs may be considered as a 1st-line option for short-term symptom relief.
Chronic Low Back Pain
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Non-pharmacological care prioritised, rather than use of NSAIDs
Injection
Acute Severe Sciatica
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Epidural corticosteroid injections may be considered in selected cases.
Chronic Non-Specific Low
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​No meaningful benefit over sham procedures.
Surgery
Non-Specific Low Back Pain
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​Surgery is generally not recommended.
Specific Conditions
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considered for significant neurological involvement or no improvement is persistent radicular symptoms
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Non-pharmacological treatments in major low back pain guidelines
Source: Cashin et al. (2026)
When Should I Seek Medical Attention?
Most low back pain is not caused by a serious medical condition. However, certain symptoms or combinations of symptoms may require prompt or urgent medical assessment.
🚨 Call 000
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New difficulty passing urine or loss of bladder or bowel control
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New numbness or altered sensation around the genitals, buttocks or inner thighs — sometimes described as the “saddle” area
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New or rapidly worsening weakness affecting one or both legs
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Severe back pain following significant trauma, particularly if you are unable to move safely
🩺 See Your GP or Seek Prompt Medical Assessment
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Fever, chills or other signs of infection
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A history of cancer with new or unexplained back pain
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Unexplained weight loss or feeling generally unwell
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Known osteoporosis or long-term corticosteroid use, particularly following a new injury
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New or worsening numbness, tingling or weakness in the leg
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Symptoms that are progressively worsening or changing unexpectedly
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Persistent symptoms that are not improving as expected
Having one of these features does not necessarily mean that you have a serious condition. Red flags are not diagnostic on their own. Your symptoms, medical history, how your condition is changing and examination findings need to be considered together.
How We Help With Your Low Back Pain
1. Thorough Assessment
Every person experiences back pain differently. Rather than simply looking for something "out of place," our assessment aims to understand what may be contributing to your symptoms and determine the most appropriate management plan for you.
✔ Detailed history
✔ Movement assessment
✔ Hands-on assessment
✔ Special Test
✔ Neurological assessment
✔ X-ray if indicated
2. Understanding Your Condition & Making Sense Your Low Back Pain
Low Back Pain Is Rarely Influenced by One Factor Alone. We help you understand the factors that may be contributing to your symptoms and recovery.
Physical & Biological Factors
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Muscles, joints, discs and nerves
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Recent injury or physical overload
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Movement and physical capacity
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Previous episodes of back pain
Lifestyle & Daily Activities
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Sustained postures
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Repetitive activities
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Poor sleep & diet
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Low physical activity
Thoughts & Emotions
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Stress or anxiety
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Fear of movement
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Concern about pain or imaging findings
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Previous pain experiences
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Confidence in your recovery
Nervous System Sensitivity
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Nerve-related symptoms
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Increased sensitivity to movement or touch
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Widespread or disproportionate pain
General health
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​Overall health and wellbeing
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Other medical conditions
3. Personalised Treatment
Our treatment is tailored to your individual needs and goals. Depending on your condition, care may include hands-on treatment, exercise, education and lifestyle guidance to help you move with greater confidence and return to the activities that matter most to you.
Hands-on care
Manual therapy may be used when appropriate to help improve comfort, reduce pain sensitivity, and support movement.
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Chiropractic adjustment
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Joint mobilisation
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Manual stretching
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Soft tissue therapy
Exercise Rehabilitation
Individualised exercises designed to improve movement, physical capacity, and confidence.
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Stretching exercise
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Strengthening exercise
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Nerve gliding exercise
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Functional training
Lifestyle Guidance
Neck pain can be coming from various factors, including stress, sleep, activity, and work
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Stress management
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Sleep intervention
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Activity modification
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Workstation advice
Pain Science Education
Helping you better understand:
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​Your pain & symptoms
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Contributing factors
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Self-management
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Recovery strategies
Reference
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