Back Pain Assessment & Treatment in Birmingham
Physiotherapy-led care for lower back pain, stiffness, sciatica-type symptoms and recurring flare-ups.
Back pain is one of the most common reasons people miss work or struggle with day-to-day movement. It can range from a dull muscular ache to sharper pain that travels into the leg.
At The Podiatry Clinic in Harborne, we assess what may be contributing to your symptoms and explain the most suitable treatment pathway.
Ongoing pain?
Help for back pain that has lasted, returned or started affecting work and everyday movement.
Leg symptoms?
Pain, tingling, numbness or weakness travelling into the leg should be assessed properly.
Clear next steps
Your plan may include advice, physiotherapy, exercise, manual therapy or selected injection options.
Back pain can be simple, but it still needs the right plan
Many episodes of back pain improve with sensible advice, movement and appropriate treatment. The important part is understanding whether your pain is behaving like a straightforward back problem or whether further assessment is needed.
We look at your symptoms, movement, function and any warning signs before explaining the best route forward.
- New bowel or bladder changes
- Severe weakness or numbness
- Fever or unexplained weight loss
- Back pain after a fall, impact or major injury
What can cause back pain?
Several issues can create similar symptoms, so assessment is used to understand the most likely source of pain.
Muscle or ligament strain
Repeated heavy lifting, sudden awkward movement or prolonged loading can strain the back.
Disc irritation
A bulging or irritated disc can contribute to back pain and, in some cases, leg symptoms.
Osteoarthritis
Joint wear and stiffness can affect the lower back and reduce comfortable movement.
Nerve irritation
Pain may travel into the leg, especially if a nerve is being irritated or compressed.
Posture and desk work
Long periods sitting, driving or working at a desk can contribute to recurring symptoms.
Osteoporosis or injury
Falls, trauma or bone-health problems may need further investigation.
What happens during your back pain assessment?
Your clinician will listen to your symptoms, assess movement and function, check for nerve-related signs where relevant, and explain the most sensible next step.
We listen
How it started, where pain travels, what aggravates it and what you have already tried.
We assess
Movement, tenderness, strength, function and nerve-related signs where clinically relevant.
We plan
You receive clear guidance on treatment, exercise, imaging, injection options or referral if needed.
How back pain may be treated
Treatment depends on the likely cause, symptom severity, your goals and whether the pain is localised or travelling into the leg.
Clear guidance on what to keep doing, what to modify and how to avoid irritating symptoms.
Mobility, strengthening and progressive loading to improve movement and confidence.
Hands-on treatment may be used where suitable for stiffness, soft-tissue pain or mobility.
Can be considered as part of a wider treatment plan for selected back pain presentations.
Additional clinic treatments may be discussed where clinically suitable.
Cortisone or image-guided injection options may be considered after appropriate assessment.
Ultrasound and injection options where suitable
For selected patients, diagnostic ultrasound or ultrasound-guided injection options may be discussed after assessment. These are clinician-selected options and not something every back pain patient needs.
Back pain questions, answered
Helpful answers before booking a back pain assessment in Harborne, Birmingham.
Call the clinic and the team can guide you towards the most suitable appointment.
Call 0121 285 5656Book if pain is persistent, recurring, affecting work, sleep or activity, or if symptoms are spreading into the leg.
Yes. Back pain can sometimes travel into the buttock, thigh, calf or foot, particularly where nerves are irritated.
Not everyone needs imaging. Your clinician will assess your symptoms first and discuss X-ray, MRI, ultrasound or referral where appropriate.
Yes. Physiotherapy can help many back pain presentations with advice, movement work, strengthening and treatment planning.
Injection treatment may be considered for selected patients after assessment, discussion of benefits, risks and alternatives.
Ready to have your back pain assessed?
Book online or call the clinic if you are unsure which appointment is right for you.