Spine Physio Auckland City

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A real pain in the …

Unfortunately, up to 80%+ of people will experience neck and back pain at some point in their lives (we’re part of that 80% too) be dragging, depressing, a little scary and just down right concerning when you’re in the thick of it.   

It’s also hard to know to do about it- how simple it would be if you could just ‘click it back into place’?…. If that was the case it’d be an easy fix and Bob’s your uncle………right?  Well,  how often is Bob your actual uncle?   

As scary as it can be when you’re going through an episode of acute pain, there is great research that shows active management (physio) is the way to go. It can help to reduce your pain and improve your function.   

Years of clinical experience show that your pain will generally pass, you will get better, but sometimes you need a little physio helping hand on the way.

We also think it’s really important to understand your pain and why.  Explaining why you are sore, what makes it better/worse and what is happening is key. 

Unfortunately,  there’s almost always an underlying reason for it to come on in the first place (with often a relatively minor or trivial trigger to make it acute- i.e  sneezing, bending).

Often there will be a combination of predisposing factors (a bit of tightness here, weakness there, nerve tension, your job, sport etc) and until you address the bigger picture, we don’t think you’ll fix it properly with one click- sorry.  

This is where we come into our own - it’s no magic bullet;  just really good physio for .   

  1. Take a good look at you:
    To figure out what the problem is and importantly, the ‘why’.  We’ll then get you through the acute pain and back doing the things you want to do (the relatively easy bit) - this involves ‘hands on’ treatment, advice and exercises to get you moving again.   

  2. The hard part:
    Once we’ve treated and fixed the acute phase (extra sore pain at the start) we need to address the real underlying causes to make sure it doesn’t become recurrent.   

After suffering from back pain ourselves, getting through the initial painful stage and starting to recover, we’ve realised that even though you can be given strengthening rehab exercises to do, it’s very hard to fit them in and even know if you’re doing them correctly (and we’re the physios!).   

You’ll get dedicated rehab time with the correct guidance to address any underlying issues and give you the required strength, function and flexibility.

A little more physio geek research has shown that improvements from a rehabilitation plan are ongoing and maintained even on testing a year later. 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31453489/ 

Not great business sense, but we don’t to see you again after we’ve finished with your back pain, treat it once, treat it properly!  

Recurrence of low back pain can be as high as 73% depending on what you do about it. 

This is where our tailored rehab program gets the invite to the low back pain party.   

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Fun fact: 

Research has shown that people’s level of pain and loss of function are lower in those that exercise on a regular basis (2-3x per week).  

So, getting out there, exercising and staying active is like the apple a day that keeps the physio at bay! 

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  • We see a wide range of spinal issues — from acute low back and neck pain, to chronic or recurring stiffness, sciatica, nerve irritation, disc injuries, and postural tension from long hours at a desk. We also help with persistent pain following surgery or injury, using evidence-based treatment to get you moving and feeling better.

  • If pain or stiffness lasts more than a few days, keeps coming back, or affects your sleep, work, or activity — it’s worth getting checked. Early assessment helps prevent things from becoming more long-term and often speeds up recovery.

  • Your physio will start by listening carefully to your story, followed by a movement and strength assessment to find the source of your pain. Treatment may include hands-on techniques, specific exercise programs, postural retraining, education, and lifestyle advice to help you recover and stay active.

  • Yes — physiotherapy can be very effective for managing disc-related pain and sciatica. We focus on restoring movement, easing nerve irritation, and guiding you through safe, progressive exercise so you can return to normal activity confidently.

  • Chronic or long-standing pain often improves with a tailored, consistent approach. We combine movement retraining, graded exercise, and pain education to help you regain confidence and function. Many people notice real improvement even after years of ongoing discomfort.

  • Most back and neck pain doesn’t require imaging straight away. However, if we think it’s needed, we can refer you to your GP or specialist to arrange an X-ray or MRI for further investigation.

  • Definitely. Once your pain has settled, we’ll help you build resilience through strength and mobility training, ergonomic advice, and movement strategies tailored to your lifestyle or sport. The goal is not just to fix your back — but to keep it strong and moving well for the long term.

Get started with Urban Athlete today.

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