What are you noticing?
Lower-back pain can feel like a local ache, stiffness or a sharper pain with movement. It may start suddenly or develop over time. Pain travelling into a leg deserves its own assessment; it is not always the same problem as pain confined to the back. Read about sciatica and leg symptoms.
What we assess
Tell Dr Shahar what has changed and what you would like to get back to doing.
- Your story: how symptoms began, previous episodes, injuries and relevant health history.
- Your movement: which tasks are difficult and what makes symptoms better or worse.
- Relevant physical findings: movement and, when indicated, strength, sensation and reflexes.
- Your wider situation: work demands, sleep, activity and concerns about the pain.
What care may involve
For low back pain, care often combines explanation, activity advice and exercise suited to the person. Hands-on treatment may be considered as part of a plan that includes exercise; it is not the whole plan. The options, likely benefits, risks and alternatives should be discussed with you.
At the clinic, the next step might be a care plan, practical changes to a difficult task, or referral for another assessment. Progress is reviewed against goals that matter to you, such as walking, working or lifting more comfortably.
How chiropractic care may help
Dr Shahar considers how your lower back and hips move, how your muscles support a task and which activities bring on symptoms. Suitable manual care may offer modest improvements in pain and function. Exercise and practical activity advice help you build on any improvement.
Posture and load management make the plan relevant to your day: adjusting a sustained position, changing how you handle a load or gradually rebuilding walking and lifting capacity. Progress is measured by what you can do more comfortably. This does not require assuming that your spine is damaged or that one posture explains your pain.
Will I need a scan?
A scan is not routinely needed for a new episode of lower-back pain. History and examination help decide whether imaging would change management or check a suspected serious cause. Findings such as disc and joint changes need to be interpreted alongside your symptoms; a scan alone does not explain every pain experience.
Your questions.
Should I rest until the pain disappears?
For most uncomplicated low back pain, staying active within your ability and gradually returning to usual tasks is preferable to prolonged bed rest. Ask for guidance if activity worsens or spreads your symptoms.
Can you assess long-standing back pain?
Yes. Explain what you have tried, what helped and what remains difficult. Persistent pain deserves a plan that considers function, confidence, health and daily demands, with referral where needed.
Can I use a DVA referral or GP care plan?
Eligible DVA and GP care-plan patients are welcome, with no out-of-pocket fee for covered visits. A valid referral and available funded visits are required. See the funding information.
References & further reading
- Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care — Low Back Pain Clinical Care Standard
- Healthdirect Australia — Low back pain
- NICE NG59 — Low back pain and sciatica: assessment and management
- NHS — Sciatica: symptoms requiring emergency assessment
- NCCIH — Spinal manipulation: benefits and risks
General information. Suitability for care follows individual assessment. Read the health information disclaimer. Information updated 6 November 2026.