Back pain
Back pain affects up to 80% of people and is the leading cause of disability worldwide. At Roots Health Clinic, we focus on identifying the true triggers behind your pain—not just treating the symptoms.
As co-creators of The Good Back Academy and the Acute Back Pain Guide, we provide online programs that help you fix your back at home and reduce the number of therapy visits needed. This page explains how back pain develops, the structures involved, and how we guide you toward long-term recovery.


Back pain doesn’t have to mean surgery
Back pain is a universal problem. It can strike suddenly or build slowly over time. It may feel sharp, stiff, burning, or tight—sometimes staying in one spot, other times radiating into the hips or legs.
Up to 80% of adults will experience significant back pain. In the EU, 44% of workers report persistent back or neck discomfort, especially those who sit for long periods.
The area that hurts is not always the true source of the problem. Back pain is often influenced by:
mobility restrictions
disc mechanics
muscle imbalances
posture and sitting habits
breathing patterns
stress levels
and sometimes inflammation from the digestive system, which can refer discomfort to the back
At Roots, we look at the entire picture—muscles, joints, nerves, breathing, stress, and movement patterns—to understand why your pain is happening.
We are also the co-creators of:
The Good Back Academy, an online learning platform that teaches people how to fix their back at home
The Acute Back Pain Guide, a step-by-step plan for managing the first 72 hours after sudden pain
These tools help you recover more independently and reduce the number of therapy visits needed.
What's going on in the body?
Your lumbar spine is made of vertebrae separated by intervertebral discs, which act as shock absorbers. Each disc includes:
Annulus fibrosus – tough collagen rings
Nucleus pulposus – a gel-like centre
Cartilage endplates – connecting the disc to the vertebrae
Because discs develop before the immune system fully matures, the inner material is not “recognised” by immune cells. If the disc tears and this material escapes, it can trigger a strong inflammatory response—even a small herniation can feel dramatic.
Fortunately, disc injuries usually improve with proper movement, reduced irritation, and time.
The spinal cord ends around L1–L2 and transitions into the cauda equina (a bundle of nerves), giving the lower spine more space than people often realise.
Back pain may also involve:
irritated facet joints
tense or overloaded muscles
ligaments under stress
sensitive or compressed nerves
shallow breathing and stress amplifying pain signals
Back pain is rarely caused by one structure—it’s a systems issue.
Why you might be feeling this way
Long hours of sitting or poor posture
Weak glutes or core muscles
Limited hip or mid-back mobility
Sudden lifting, bending, or twisting
Carrying stress in your body
Disc irritation or nerve compression
Leftover tension from old injuries
Occasional digestive inflammation that amplifies sensitivity in the lower back
Your pain is not a sign of “damage”—it’s your body signalling that certain systems need support.
How we can help at Roots
Your care plan may include:
Chiropractic adjustments to restore mobility
Physiotherapy and strengthening to stabilise the spine
Massage therapy for tight muscles
Breathing and stress regulation to calm the nervous system
Lifestyle and posture coaching to protect your back during daily activities
Access to The Good Back Academy for structured at-home learning
The Acute Back Pain Guide for new or sudden symptoms
We help you recover safely, move confidently, and reduce the chances of future flare-ups.
You don’t have to live in pain
Back pain is common—but it is also highly treatable.
Let’s help your body feel supported, strong, and pain-free again.

GHS online programs – start healing from home
We highly recommend these trusted online programs from Good Health Society to help you begin healing between sessions or before your first visit:
The Good Back Academy
Learn why your pain keeps returning—and how to fix the root cause with simple movement and habit changes.
The Acute Back Pain Guide
Step-by-step help for sudden flare-ups. What to do in the first few days to reduce pain and speed recovery. Start taking control of your back health from home—at your own pace.
When you should seek emergency care
Most back pain is not dangerous.
However, urgent medical attention is needed if you experience:
loss of bladder or bowel control
numbness in the groin or inner thighs
severe back pain with fever or recent infection
back pain after major trauma (car accidents, falls, etc.)
If these appear, seek emergency care immediately.

What people often notice after care
Less stiffness and pain
More ease in daily movement
Improved posture and flexibility
Fewer flare-ups
Better sleep and energy
More confidence in their back
A clear understanding of how to protect their spine
