Lower back pain is one of the most common problems we see at Formation Physio, and it’s an issue that can affect people of all ages. The reasons behind it can differ greatly from person to person, from everyday factors like muscle strain and sedentary lifestyle, in some cases, underlying medical conditions. With lower back pain affecting a significant percentage of people worldwide and expected to become even more common, understanding the root cause is key to a long-term solution (World Health Organization, 2023). At Formation Physio, we’re proud to be recognised as trusted physiotherapy experts in Belfast, helping patients uncover what’s really driving their pain and guiding them back to confident, pain-free movement. To learn more about how we can support you, visit our Physiotherapy Services.

Table Of Contents

What is Lower Back Pain 2.
Common Causes of Lower Back Pain:

● Muscle Strains and Sprains

● Poor Posture and Sedentary Lifestyle

● Disc Problems (Herniated or Slipped Disc)

● Arthritis and Joint Changes

● Nerve-Related Pain (Sciatica)

● Other Contributing Factors

3. When Should You Worry About Lower Back Pain?

4. How Physiotherapy Helps With Lower Back Pain

5. FAQs

6. Why Choose Formation Physiotherapy for Lower Back Pain in Belfast?

7. Sources

What is Lower Back Pain?

Lower back pain is usually felt as discomfort or stiffness in the area between the bottom of the ribcage and the top of the hips. It can affect people in different ways, for some, it feels like a dull, constant ache, while others may experience sharp, stabbing pain, stiffness, or even a burning sensation. The pain doesn’t always stay in one place either, it can sometimes spread into the hips, glutes, or even down the leg.

Lower back pain can be acute or chronic. Acute pain typically lasts from a few days up to a few weeks and is often linked to a specific event, such as lifting something heavy, completing an awkward movement, or even changes in daily activities or work demands. Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts longer than three months. It may be constant or come and go in recurring episodes, these flare-ups can be particularly frustrating and disruptive.

Back pain is the largest cause of disability in the UK. In fact, lower back pain alone accounts for around 11% of all disability across the population (NHS England and Greenough, 2016).

Common Causes of Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain rarely has a single cause, multiple factors can trigger it, and often many triggers occur together. Understanding the most common contributors can help you make small changes in your daily routine to reduce the risk of developing lower back pain (Campbell & Muncer, 2005).

Muscle Strains and Sprains

A common cause of lower back pain is through muscle strains or ligament sprains. This can occur with overuse, lifting something heavy, twisting awkwardly or sudden movements. This will trigger a sharp pain at first, followed by stiffness and reduced mobility.

Poor Posture and Sedentary Lifestyle

Spending long hours sitting at desks, driving or looking at screens will put a strain on the spine and can cause tightness and weakness to the supporting muscles around the lower back. Over time, sustained poor posture and a lack of core engagement can contribute to discomfort or stiffness.

Disc Problems (Herniated or Slipped Disc)

The discs or intervertebral discs act as a cushion between the bones in your spine. Sometimes these discs can become damaged or bulge which will press on the nearby nerves. This is known as a herniated or slipped disc, and it often causes sharp pain, tingling, or numbness that can travel down the leg.

Arthritis and Joint Changes

As we get older, our joints in the spine can naturally wear down. Conditions like osteoarthritis can cause stiffness, reduced flexibility, and aching pain in the lower back. In some cases, small bony growths, also known as bone spurs or osteophytes, can develop, which can further decrease in movement.

Nerve-Related Pain (Sciatica)

The sciatic nerve which is a nerve that runs from the lower back down the leg can become irritated or compressed which can cause pain, tingling or numbness that can travel into the glutes and the legs which is known as sciatica.

Other Contributing Factors

Other common factors that can make lower back pain more likely and more severe are:

Obesity- If someone carries extra weight this will increase the strain on the spine

Stress- Tension within muscles can cause them to be tighter and worsen pain

Pregnancy- Added weight and postural changes can add more pressure and strain on the lower back

Injuries- Falls, accidents or sport-related injuries can cause lingering issues or direct trauma

When Should You Worry About Lower Back Pain?

Most lower back pain is not serious and can be managed effectively with the right care and guidance. However, there are certain red flag symptoms that mean you should seek medical advice straight away. These include:

- Numbness, weakness or tingling in the legs

- Loss of bladder or bowel control

- Severe pain that comes on suddenly without a clear cause

- Pain that is worsening quickly or not improving with rest and treatment

- History of trauma, especially from a fall, accident or high-impact incident

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to get checked promptly to rule out more serious conditions (Verhagen et al., 2016).

For the majority of people, lower back pain is manageable and responds well to physiotherapy, exercise such as Pilates and lifestyle changes. If your pain is interfering with your daily life, or if you’re unsure what’s causing it, our team at Formation Physiotherapy can help.

How Physiotherapy Helps With Lower Back Pain

When it comes to tackling lower back pain causes, getting to the root reason is essential. At Formation Physiotherapy Belfast, we follow the Formation Approach: a detailed assessment to understand postural changes, movement, lifestyle, and injury history before creating a personalised plan.

Our treatments may include:

Manual therapy – hands-on techniques to relieve stiffness and reduce discomfort.
Exercise-based rehabilitation – targeted strengthening to build resilience and prevent future issues.
Postural advice– practical advice on sitting, standing, and lifting to protect your spine.
Physio-led Pilates – available in our Lisburn Road studio, combining mat and reformer Pilates to improve core stability and long-term back health.
Strength and conditioning – individualised 1:1 personal training sessions to help you maintain progress and transition back to the things you love doing whether that’s competing in high-level sports, attending your local fitness class or walking your dog

Combining specific manual therapy with progressive individualised exercises (like Pilates and weight training) has been shown to give the best long-term results for people with back pain.

FAQ

Q: How do I know if my lower back pain is serious?

A: If your pain is severe, persistent, or linked with symptoms like numbness, weakness, or bladder/bowel issues, it’s important to seek medical advice quickly.

Q: How do I know if my lower back pain is muscle or organ?

A: Muscle-related pain often changes with movement or posture, while organ-related pain may feel deeper, constant, and unrelated to movement. A physiotherapist or GP can help confirm

Q: What is the best thing to do for lower back pain?

A: While its not high-intensity cardio, Clinical Pilates can support weight loss by improving mobility and supporting strength-based training programs.

Q: What is the main cause of lower back pain?

A: There isn’t one single cause — low back pain is multifactorial, but some common reasons include muscle strains, sustained sedentary positions, and joint changes. That’s why expert diagnosis is essential.

Q: Is walking good for lower back pain?

A: Yes — walking is low impact, helps reduce stiffness, and supports recovery when done gradually at an appropriate load.

Why Choose Formation Physiotherapy for Lower Back Pain in Belfast?

Lower back pain has many different causes, from muscle strains to joint stiffness. Getting an accurate diagnosis and the right treatment is the key to long-term relief.

At Formation Physiotherapy, we stand out by offering:

Expert physiotherapist-led treatment tailored to your unique situation.
Hands-on care combined with active rehab.
A modern studio space on Lisburn Road for Pilates and strength-based recovery.
Personalised plans designed not just to ease pain, but to prevent it coming back, and get you back to your daily life and hobbies better than ever

Don’t let back pain control your life. Book your appointment at our Lisburn Road clinic today and take the first step towards lasting relief.

Sources

Bupa UK. (2023). Back pain: Causes, symptoms, and treatments. Visit page
Campbell, C., & Muncer, S. J. (2005). The causes of low back pain: a network analysis. Social Science & Medicine, 60(2), 409–419. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2004.05.013
Lower Back Pain Cleveland Clinic.: What Could It Be? Visit page
Maher, C., Underwood, M., & Buchbinder, R. (2017). Non-specific low back pain. The Lancet, 389(10070), 736–747. Read study
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). (2016). Low back pain and sciatica in over 16s: assessment and management. View guidance
NHS England, & Greenough, C. (2016, August). The National Back Pain Pathway. NHS England. https://www.england.nhs.uk/blog/charles-greenough/
Verhagen, A. P., Downie, A., Popal, N., Maher, C., & Koes, B. W. (2016). Red flags presented in current low back pain guidelines: a review. European Spine Journal, 25(9), 2788–2802. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-016-4684-0
World Health Organization (WHO). (2023, June 19). Low back pain. Visit page

LOWER BACK PAIN CAUSES: WHAT’S REALLY BEHIND THE ACHE?

What is Lower Back Pain?