Lower back pain in Gladstone
Lower back pain is one of the most common reasons people come to see us. Most cases settle with the right approach, and most people never need a scan or surgery.
In Gladstone a lot of the back pain we see is tied to the work people do here: long shifts, repetitive lifting, plant and maintenance work, extended driving, and rosters that leave little recovery time in between.
Common causes
- Muscle and joint strain from lifting, twisting or holding one position too long
- Disc-related pain, which often refers into the buttock or down the leg
- Stiffness through the lower back and pelvis
- Deconditioning after a period of reduced activity
- Gradual overload, where what is being asked of the back outpaces what it can currently handle
What an assessment involves
We start with your history: what brought it on, what makes it better or worse, and what you need to get back to. Then we look at how you move, how you load your spine, and your strength through the hips and trunk. We also screen for anything that needs onward referral.
The aim is to work out what is driving the pain, not just where you feel it.
How it is treated
Treatment follows what the assessment finds. It commonly combines hands-on treatment to ease pain and restore movement, a graded exercise program to rebuild strength and tolerance, and practical advice for managing work and daily activities while you recover. Shockwave and ultrasound therapy are available where they suit the problem.
When to seek urgent medical attention
Some back pain needs a doctor rather than a physiotherapist. Seek prompt medical assessment if you have numbness around the groin or buttocks, difficulty controlling your bladder or bowels, progressive weakness in a leg, or back pain alongside fever, unexplained weight loss, or a recent significant injury.
Funding options
We work with NDIS participants who are plan-managed or self-managed, DVA cardholders, WorkCover Queensland claims, and Medicare Chronic Condition Management plan referrals. HICAPS is available on site for private health fund claiming.
Book an appointment
You do not need a referral to see a physiotherapist privately. Book online any time, or call the clinic on (07) 4962 1255. We are at Shop 11, Palms Shopping Fair, 172 Goondoon Street, Gladstone, open Monday to Friday from 7am to 5pm.