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Back pain is one of the most common complaints, affecting people of all ages and lifestyles. Whether a dull ache that lingers through the day or a sharp jolt that limits movement, back pain can impact your quality of life. At HelloPhysio, one of the leading physiotherapy clinics in Singapore, we take a multi-modal approach to back pain treatment, combining advanced clinical techniques with proven adjunctive therapies. We seek to manage symptoms and address the underlying causes for long-term relief and functional recovery.
How Can Physiotherapy Help With Back Pain?
Physiotherapy is a key component in managing chronic back pain. It plays a significant role in pain relief and helps patients regain strength and mobility. A physiotherapist can design a personalized exercise program to strengthen back and abdominal muscles, which are essential for supporting the spinal cord and preventing future back pain.
Through physiotherapy, patients can learn how to improve their posture, reduce strain on their lower back, and do exercises that promote overall well-being without exacerbating their condition. Regular physiotherapy sessions can also help alleviate muscle spasms, nerve pain and persistent pain, significantly reducing pain levels.
Causes of Back Pain
Common causes of back pain are muscle strain from lifting heavy objects, poor posture that puts unnecessary strain on the back and sudden movements that can lead to slipped discs or other spinal injuries.
Chronic low back pain can also result from long periods of inactivity, obesity, or medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Knowing the causes helps devise strategies for pain relief, such as improving posture, exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight. In some cases, if the pain persists or worsens over time, it could be a sign of underlying conditions like spinal stenosis or nerve damage, which require immediate medical attention.
Comprehensive Assessment and Personalized Treatment Plans
At HelloPhysio, we know that no two cases of back pain are the same. Our expert physiotherapists will conduct a thorough assessment to identify the specific source of your pain and the contributing biomechanical factors and examine your medical history. From there, we will create a customized treatment plan that addresses the symptoms and the root causes of your back pain.
Your back pain treatment plan may include:
- Manual therapy for joint mobilization and soft tissue release
- Corrective exercises to improve movement efficiency
- Postural education and ergonomic advice
- Adjunctive modalities such as INDIBA, Shockwave Therapy, EMTT, Dry Needling, and other modular treatments
- Progressive loading strategies to restore strength and function
Education and empowerment are key to our approach to treating back pain. We will help you understand your condition, monitor your progress, and equip you with tools to manage or prevent recurrences.
Lower Back Pain: Conditions and Treatments
Lower back pain is one of the most common reasons patients seek physiotherapy. It can be caused by:
- Lumbar disc herniation: A spinal condition where the inner core of a disc bulges out of the outer layer, pressing on nerves and causing lower back pain or leg symptoms.
- Degenerative disc disease: The wear and tear of spinal discs over time, leading to disc height reduction, instability and pain with movement.
- Facet joint dysfunction: Inflammation or degeneration in the small joints at the back of the spine, often causing localized or referred back pain.
- Lumbar strain or sprain: Injury to the muscles or ligaments of the lower back due to overstretching or overuse, frequently linked to poor posture or improper lifting.
- Sciatica: A nerve-related condition characterized by pain radiating from the lower back down the leg, often due to disc herniation or nerve compression. While most lower back pain resolves within a month, there are cases where the pain lasts for several months.
These are often due to poor posture, a sedentary lifestyle, improper lifting mechanics, or sports-related injuries. Symptoms can include pain radiating down the leg, stiffness, and muscle spasms. HelloPhysio’s physiotherapy focuses on accurate assessment, manual therapy, core strengthening, and postural correction for lower back pain treatment.
One of the adjunctive treatments we offer is INDIBA® Activ Therapy. This radiofrequency-based therapy uses a 448 kHz frequency to stimulate cellular metabolism and improve cell membrane permeability. For patients with lumbar disc degeneration or chronic inflammation, INDIBA enhances blood flow, promotes deep tissue healing and reduces inflammation. The result is faster recovery and reduced need for pain medication.
Also, EMTT (Extracorporeal Magnetotransduction Therapy) is very effective for lower back conditions involving degenerative tissue or chronic pain. EMTT uses high-frequency magnetic fields to stimulate cellular repair and reduce pain. It penetrates deeper than traditional therapies, making it ideal for patients who have not responded to other conservative treatments.
Upper Back Pain: Causes and Physiotherapy Approaches
Upper back pain, although less common than lower back pain, can be just as debilitating. It involves the thoracic spine and can be caused by:
- Poor posture (“tech neck”, rounded shoulders): A condition resulting from prolonged forward head posture or slouched shoulders, leading to muscle imbalances and strain in the upper back and neck.
- Myofascial pain syndrome: A chronic pain disorder caused by sensitive trigger points in muscles, leading to referred pain and stiffness in affected areas.
- Thoracic disc issues: Degeneration or herniation of the intervertebral discs in the thoracic spine can cause local pain, stiffness, and sometimes nerve compression.
- Postural kyphosis: An exaggerated forward curvature of the upper spine due to poor posture, leading to a hunched back and back discomfort.
- Scapular dyskinesis: Abnormal shoulder blade movement during shoulder motion, often resulting from muscle imbalance or weakness, contributing to shoulder and upper back pain. This type of back pain develops gradually, especially in those who sit for long hours or look down at screens.
Dry needling is very effective for muscular upper back pain. It involves the insertion of fine, sterile needles into trigger points within tight or overactive muscles. It releases muscle tension, disrupts pain signals, and improves neuromuscular function. Dry Needling is excellent for chronic upper back treatment, managing knots, shoulder blade discomfort, and pain radiating from the neck to the upper spine. It is normal to have some inflammation and pain after Dry Needling sessions, which can be relieved by ice packs.
In conjunction with Dry Needling, Shockwave Therapy can break down adhesions in the thoracic fascia or relieve stubborn myofascial tension. It delivers high-energy acoustic waves to stimulate circulation, promote collagen production, and support tissue regeneration.
Chronic Back Pain: Long-Term Discomfort
Chronic back pain is defined as pain lasting more than 12 weeks, often despite initial treatment. Common causes are:
- Chronic disc degeneration: Gradual breakdown of the spinal discs that reduces cushioning between vertebrae, leading to stiffness, instability and pain.
- Failed back surgery syndrome: Persistent or worsening back or leg pain after spinal surgery, often due to nerve damage, scar tissue or unresolved mechanical issues.
- Spinal stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal that compresses the spinal cord or nerves, causing pain, numbness or weakness, especially when walking or standing.
- Sacroiliac joint dysfunction: Improper movement or inflammation of the sacroiliac joints, which connect the spine and pelvis, can lead to lower back or buttock pain.
- Persistent muscle imbalances or poor movement patterns: Long-term muscle strength or coordination asymmetries that stress the spine and contribute to ongoing back pain. This type of pain can be complex and affects physical function, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life.
Chronic lower back pain treatment at HelloPhysio involves an integrated approach that includes pain education, graded exercise therapy, movement retraining and hands-on manual therapy. Imaging tests like X-rays and MRIs may be used to diagnose underlying conditions such as potential infections, cancers or fractures.
One of the best modalities for chronic lower back pain treatment is Shockwave Therapy. Unlike treatments that mask symptoms, Shockwave Therapy stimulates the body’s healing response. It increases blood flow, accelerates tissue regeneration, and breaks down scar tissue and calcifications. This is great for patients with longstanding tendon or ligament strain contributing to their pain.
INDIBA® Activ Therapy can also help manage chronic back pain. The radiofrequency energy it delivers has a thermal effect, promotes vasodilation, and reduces chronic inflammation. More importantly, it activates fibroblasts and supports collagen synthesis, which is crucial for long-term restoration of soft tissue health.
For patients with nerve irritation or radiculopathy, EMTT provides deep neuromodulatory effects. It can help reset dysfunctional pain signals and enhance cellular ion exchange, which supports natural tissue repair processes even in chronically inflamed or degenerated tissues.
Graded exercise therapy is another important component. A balanced exercise program can strengthen back muscles and improve flexibility, essential for overall spinal health.
Preventing Future Episodes and Lifestyle Modifications
Preventing future episodes of back pain involves a combination of lifestyle modifications and medical interventions. Regular exercise, such as brisk walking or swimming, can help strengthen the back and abdominal muscles, providing better support for the spine.
Maintaining a healthy weight reduces the strain on the lower back. Improving your posture can prevent muscle strain and nerve pain. Avoiding bending and lifting heavy objects, taking regular breaks to stretch, and sleeping on a firm mattress can also help prevent future episodes of back pain.
When to Seek Professional Help
You should seek professional evaluation if you’re experiencing persistent or worsening back pain. Severe pain, especially if it is constant and localized, requires immediate medical attention. Warning signs that you should see a physiotherapist include:
- Pain that lasts more than two weeks
- Pain that radiates into the legs or arms
- Numbness or tingling sensations
- Difficulty standing, sitting or walking for prolonged periods
- Previous episodes of back pain that are recurring more frequently
Our expert physiotherapists use a combination of manual therapy, clinical exercise and advanced modalities like INDIBA Activ, Shockwave Therapy, EMTT and Dry Needling to help you move better, feel stronger, and live pain-free. Home treatments like pain relievers and heat application can also help with back pain, but consulting a healthcare professional is crucial for personalized guidance and effective therapies.
Contact HelloPhysio today to book your assessment and start your journey to effective long-term back pain relief.
