Back Pain Treatment in Sheffield
Expert Physiotherapy to relieve your pain and restore your movement.
Don't let back pain dictate your day!
At Flex Physiotherapy in Hillsborough, Sheffield, we specialise in treating all types of back pain. Our experienced physiotherapists understand how debilitating back pain can be and use evidence-based treatments to identify the root cause, reduce your pain, and help you return to normal life.
Back pain is incredibly common - affecting 8 out of 10 people at some point in their lives. The good news? Most back pain responds very well to physiotherapy treatment. Whether your pain started suddenly or has been troubling you for years, we can help.
We don't just treat your symptoms - we identify what's causing your back pain and give you the tools to manage it long-term, preventing future episodes.
Is Back Pain Controlling Your Life?
Are you struggling with any of these?
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Lower back pain affecting your daily activities
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Difficulty sitting comfortably at your desk
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Back pain disturbing your sleep or waking you at night
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Worry about bending, lifting, or exercising because of your back
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Shooting pain down your leg (sciatica)
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Stiffness that makes everyday tasks difficult
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Relying on painkillers to get through the day
If yes, Flex can help you. Book your assessment online or give us a call today: 0114 4539669
Why choose Flex for Back Pain Treatment?
Expert Diagnosis
We take time to thoroughly assess your back pain to identify possibilities of what could be causing it - this is an expert process of testing. Physiotherapists don’t have X-Ray eyes, but we are fantastic at clinical testing and deducing likely diagnoses. We work with the outcomes of the tests to implement treatment and exercise therapy to get you moving in a positive direction. Your initial assessment is a full hour, giving us time to understand your complete picture.
Hands-On Treatment
Our manual therapy techniques provide immediate pain relief while addressing the underlying problem. We use joint mobilisation, soft tissue massage, and other hands-on approaches proven to help back pain.
Active Rehabilitation
We don't just treat you - we teach you exercises and strategies to manage your own back pain. This active approach delivers better long-term results than passive treatment alone.
Evidence-Based Care
We use treatments proven by research to be effective for back pain, including the latest guidelines from NICE and evidence-based practice.
Integrated Approach
As you progress, we can transition you into our specialised Pilates classes for long-term core strength and back health. This integration is unique to Flex and ensures lasting results.
Education and Empowerment
Understanding your back pain is powerful. We explain what's happening, why you're in pain, and what you can do about it in clear, jargon-free language.
Types of Back Pain We Treat in Sheffield
Acute Lower Back Pain
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Sudden onset back pain (often called "throwing your back out")
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Muscle strains and spasms
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Facet joint sprains
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Acute disc problems
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Pain after lifting, gardening, or awkward movements
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Back pain that comes on "out of nowhere"
Typical recovery: Most acute back pain improves significantly within 2-6 weeks with appropriate physiotherapy treatment.
Chronic Lower Back Pain
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Persistent pain lasting 3 months or more
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Non-specific lower back pain
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Recurrent back pain episodes
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Mechanical back pain
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Postural back pain from desk work
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Back pain that "never quite goes away"
Our approach: Chronic back pain requires a progressive, patient approach. We focus on building strength, improving movement patterns, and pain management strategies. Most people experience meaningful improvement within 6-12 weeks.
Sciatica and Nerve Pain
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Sciatic pain radiating down the leg
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Pins and needles or numbness in the leg or foot
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Trapped nerves
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Disc-related leg pain
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Burning or shooting pain
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Pain that travels below the knee
What we do: We use specific techniques to reduce nerve irritation, improve mobility, and address the underlying cause of nerve compression.
Disc Problems
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Herniated or "slipped" discs
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Bulging discs
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Degenerative disc disease
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Post-discectomy rehabilitation
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Prolapsed disc recovery
Good news: Most disc problems improve without surgery. Physiotherapy is highly effective for disc-related back pain.
Specific Spinal Conditions
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Facet joint pain - pain from the small joints in your spine
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Sacroiliac joint dysfunction - pain in the lower back/buttock area
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Spondylolisthesis - where one vertebra slips forward
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Spinal stenosis - narrowing of the spinal canal
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Arthritis of the spine - wear and tear in spinal joints
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Ankylosing spondylitis - inflammatory spinal condition
Work-Related Back Pain
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Office workers with postural pain from prolonged sitting
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Manual workers with lifting-related pain
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Healthcare workers with back pain from patient handling
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Drivers with back pain from prolonged sitting
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Any occupation-related back problems
Postural Back Pain
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Pain from prolonged desk work
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Text neck and upper back pain
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Pain from poor ergonomics
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Back pain that's worse at the end of the day
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Stiffness from sitting or standing for long periods
When to See a Physiotherapist for Back Pain
Book an Appointment If:
Your back pain is:
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Lasting more than a few days without improvement
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Getting worse rather than better
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Affecting your daily activities, work, or sleep
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Severe enough to limit your movement
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Recurring regularly
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Causing you concern or anxiety
You experience:
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Pain radiating down your leg
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Numbness, tingling, or weakness in your legs
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Difficulty controlling your bladder or bowel (Please present to A&E immediately to rule our serious pathology)
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Pain accompanied by unexplained weight loss
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Pain following significant trauma or fall (Please present to A&E immediately to rule out serious injury)
You want to:
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Understand what's causing your pain
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Get professional treatment and advice
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Learn how to manage and prevent back pain
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Avoid your pain becoming chronic
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Return to activities you've been avoiding
When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention:
Visit A&E or call 111 immediately if you experience:
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Loss of bladder or bowel control (cauda equina syndrome)
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Severe progressive weakness in your legs
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Numbness around your groin, buttocks, or genitals
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Inability to walk or stand
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Back pain with fever and feeling unwell
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Back pain following major trauma
These symptoms can indicate serious conditions requiring immediate medical assessment. Fortunately, they're rare - most back pain is not dangerous, just painful.
Our Physiotherapists.
How We Treat Back Pain at Flex
Comprehensive Initial Assessment (60 Minutes)
Your first physiotherapy appointment for back pain includes:
Detailed History (15-20 minutes)
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When your back pain started and how it developed
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What makes it better or worse
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How it affects your daily life, work, sleep, and activities
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Any previous back problems or treatments
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Your goals and concerns
Thorough Physical Examination (25-30 minutes)
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Posture and movement analysis
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Testing your spine's movement and flexibility
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Assessing muscle strength and function
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Neurological testing
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Identifying areas of pain, stiffness, or weakness
Diagnosis and Explanation (10-15 minutes)
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We explain what's we believe is causing your back pain in terms you can understand
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You'll see images and diagrams showing what's happening
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We'll answer all your questions
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Honest discussion about recovery timelines
Personalised Treatment Plan
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Specific goals for your recovery
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Proposed treatment approach
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Exercise program suited to your needs
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Self-management strategies
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How many sessions you're likely to need
First Treatment Session
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We begin hands-on therapy in your first appointment
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You'll leave with exercises to start immediately
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Many people feel some improvement even after the first session
The Flex Difference: From Pain Relief to 'Adore Your Core'
By integrating expert Physiotherapy with Clinical Pilates, we could help you build the deep core strength that supports and protects your spine for the long term.
We don't just want to patch you up; we want to give you the confidence to trust your back again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my back pain go away on its own?
Many cases of acute back pain improve within a few weeks, but physiotherapy can significantly speed recovery and reduce the risk of it becoming chronic or recurring. Chronic back pain typically requires treatment.
Should I rest or stay active?
Current research shows that staying active within comfortable limits is better than bed rest. We'll guide you on what's appropriate for your specific condition and how to balance activity with rest.
Do I need a scan?
Most back pain doesn't require imaging. We can accurately diagnose and treat most conditions through clinical assessment. We'll discuss whether a scan is necessary and can arrange referrals if needed.
Can Physiotherapy help if I have a disc problem?
Yes! Physiotherapy is highly effective for disc-related back pain. Most herniated or bulging discs improve without surgery, and physiotherapy helps speed recovery and prevent recurrence.
Will I need surgery?
The vast majority of back pain (over 90%) improves with conservative treatment like physiotherapy. Surgery is rarely necessary and is only considered when non-surgical treatment hasn't helped after several months.
How many Physiotherapy sessions will I need?
This varies by individual and condition. After your assessment, we'll give you an honest estimate. Many people see significant improvement within 4-8 sessions. Chronic back pain may require more sessions but still responds well to treatment.
Is it normal to feel sore after Physiotherapy?
Some mild soreness after treatment or exercises is normal, like after starting a new exercise program. This usually settles within 24-48 hours. We'll always work within your tolerance and adjust treatment if needed.
Can you "fix" my back pain permanently?
While we can't guarantee you'll never have back pain again (it's very common!), physiotherapy can resolve your current episode and significantly reduce your risk of future problems by addressing the underlying causes and building resilience.
I've had back pain for years - can you still help?
Absolutely! It's never too late to address back pain. Even long-standing chronic back pain responds to physiotherapy. The approach may be different from acute pain, but meaningful improvement is possible.
What if physiotherapy doesn't help?
If your back pain isn't improving with physiotherapy, we'll reassess and may recommend further investigations, specialist referral, or different treatment approaches. We're committed to finding the right solution for you.
Related Services Available at Flex
Sports Physiotherapy
Athletes and active people with back pain may benefit from our specialised sports Physiotherapy service.
Women's Health Physiotherapy
Pregnant or postnatal women with back pain should see our Women's Health physiotherapy page for specialised care.
General Physiotherapy
Learn about our comprehensive Physiotherapy services for all conditions.
Pilates Classes
Once your back pain improves, our Pilates classes can help keep your back strong and healthy long-term.
Any further questions?
If you have any further questions regarding how we could help you at Flex or about any of our services just enter your details below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.