Written by Dr Nicole Hudson, Principal Chiropractor at Connect Chiropractic, Noble Park. Dr Hudson specialises in the assessment and treatment of back pain, with over 25 years of clinical experience helping patients across Melbourne’s south-east achieve lasting spinal health.
Back pain is one of the most common health complaints in the world — and a leading reason people miss work, skip the gym, or stop doing what they love. If you’ve ever woken up unable to straighten your back, you know how disruptive it can be.
The good news: most back pain is treatable, and understanding what kind you have is the first step toward real relief. At Connect Chiropractic, we help people across Noble Park and surrounding suburbs stop just “managing” their back pain and start resolving it.
Acute, Subacute, and Chronic: How Long Has It Been Hurting?
Acute back pain comes on suddenly and lasts under six weeks — often from an awkward movement, heavy lift, or sudden strain. Most cases improve within weeks, especially with early treatment and gentle activity rather than prolonged rest.
Subacute back pain sits in the six-to-twelve-week window. This is a critical phase to address underlying contributors like poor posture or weak stabilising muscles before pain becomes chronic.
Chronic back pain persists beyond twelve weeks. It can continue even after an initial injury has healed, or build gradually from degeneration or repetitive strain. It’s rarely just physical, and usually needs a more comprehensive care plan.
Where It Hurts Matter
Upper and middle back pain (thoracic spine) is often linked to muscle strain, poor posture — especially “tech neck” — joint stiffness, or tension between the shoulder blades.
Lower back pain (lumbar) is the most common type, since the lumbar spine carries most of your body weight. Pain may stay localised or radiate into the buttocks and legs, commonly from muscle strain, disc issues, or wear and tear.
Mechanical vs Radicular Pain
Mechanical back pain — the vast majority of cases — comes from muscles, ligaments, joints, or discs, without underlying disease. It typically worsens with movement and eases with rest.
Radicular pain occurs when a nerve is compressed, often by a herniated disc or spinal stenosis. It produces sharp, shooting pain along the nerve’s path — classically down one leg, as in sciatica — sometimes with numbness or weakness.
Just How Common Is Back Pain?
- Globally, an estimated 619–629 million people live with low back pain, projected to exceed 840 million by 2050.
- Low back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide.
- In Australia, around 4 million people (1 in 6) live with back problems, making it one of the top three contributors to disease burden nationally.
- Up to 79% of Australian adults will experience low back pain at some point in their lives.
You’re not alone — but “common” doesn’t mean you should just live with it.
What Causes Back Pain?
- Poor postural habits and prolonged sitting
- Incorrect lifting technique or awkward movements
- Sports injuries or exercise-related strain
- Cumulative mechanical stress over time
- Weak core or stabilising muscles
- Age-related wear and tear
Finding the specific cause — not just treating the symptom — is key to lasting relief.
When Should You See Someone?
Most back pain responds well to conservative, hands-on care and staying active. Clinical guidelines commonly recommend chiropractic care, exercise, and manual therapies for acute, nonspecific low back pain. Any pain that’s persistent, worsening, or radiating into the legs deserves a proper professional evaluation.
Take the Next Step
If back pain is interfering with your work, training, or sleep, a thorough chiropractic assessment can pinpoint what’s driving it and guide a plan built around your body. Connect Chiropractic works with people across Noble Park and surrounding suburbs to help them move better, feel better, and get back to living life at their best. Book a spinal health assessment online, or call us on (03) 9512 5882 to speak with one of our chiropractors. Your spine supports everything you do, so let’s keep it that way.
