Low Back Pain

Cole Gibbens

Back pain is a bit of a universal experience. If you haven’t had it yet, give it time-you probably will. The good news? Most of it isn’t as dramatic as it feels when you’re struggling to put your socks on like a normal human being.

From an osteopath’s point of view, back pain is rarely just about one thing “going wrong.” It’s usually a mix of stiffness, irritation, poor movement habits, and the general wear-and-tear of modern life-think long hours sitting, not moving enough, then suddenly deciding to become very active on the weekend. Your back doesn’t love that.

This is where structural osteopathy comes in. I’m a big fan of getting things moving again-whether that’s through joint mobilisation, muscle energy techniques (where you actually do some of the work), or the classic quick “click” of an HVT. Contrary to popular belief, that click isn’t bones snapping back into place-it’s just a release of pressure in the joint. But it often feels great, and more importantly, it can help to restore normal movement.

The goal isn’t just to chase the pain, though. It’s to figure out why your back got grumpy in the first place. Is it stiff hips? A tight upper back? Spending 10 hours a day folded over a laptop? Usually, it’s a combination. Once we get things moving better, the pain tends to settle-and we keep it that way by making sure your body can handle whatever you throw at it next.

So no, your back probably isn’t “out” or “damaged.” It’s just not moving as well as it could be. And with the right approach, a bit of hands-on treatment, and maybe a few small changes, it can get back to doing its job without constantly reminding you it exists.