Is Your Lower Back Painful? 🫣 Don’t Panic — Read This First
Sore Lower Back? When to Worry — and When Massage Therapy Can Help
Lower back pain can feel worrying — but not all back pain is dangerous. In fact, the vast majority of cases are mechanical and respond well to hands-on treatment like remedial massage.
🚨 When to call for urgent help
Always call 999 or seek emergency medical care if:
Your back pain is sudden and unbearable, and you have a high temperature.
Your pain follows a recent fall, blow, or serious injury.
Pain gets worse after eating or when you go to the toilet.
These could signal internal organ issues, infections, or other serious conditions that need urgent care.
👨⚕️ When to see your GP
Book a GP appointment if:
Pain keeps you awake even when you’re lying comfortably.
You feel weakness, tingling, or numbness in your legs or arms.
The pain doesn’t improve, or it’s getting steadily worse over time.
✅ The good news: most back pain isn’t serious
Global stats show over 90% of back pain cases are non-specific and benign. Only a tiny percentage need surgery or invasive procedures. In these common cases, your back pain is often ‘mechanical’ — linked to muscles, posture, or minor disc changes.
This is exactly where remedial massage can make a real difference — by:
- Reducing muscle spasm and tension
- Improving circulation in tight, ‘stuck’ tissues
- Helping you move more freely and comfortably
⚡ The 3 most common causes I see
1. Muscle overload — You lifted something heavy, overstrained a muscle, or sat still for too long.
2. Muscle underload — Yes! Muscles that don’t get enough stress get ‘sticky’ inside, blocking blood flow and oxygen.
3. Age-related changes — Protrusions or herniated discs are normal parts of ageing. Everyone will get them sooner or later — but they don’t always cause pain.
💡 My tip: Don’t rush for painkillers or injections straight away. You can always try safe, hands-on, non-invasive therapy first. You’ll still have time for ‘plan B’ if needed!
If you’d like to talk about whether massage therapy can help your back pain — get in touch or book an appointment today.
30 / 06 / 2025