Back Pain
Complete Guide to Back Pain Treatment in Stockport
Back pain affects 80% of people at least once in their lifetime, making it one of the most common reasons patients visit our Stockport clinic. If you’re reading this, you’re likely experiencing that frustrating combination of pain, worry, and uncertainty about what’s happening to your body.
At Stockport Physiotherapy, we provide comprehensive back pain treatment with transparent pricing and realistic recovery timelines. Our 60-minute initial assessments (£65) allow us to thoroughly understand your condition and begin treatment immediately, with most patients needing 5-8 follow-up sessions (£50 each) over 5-8 weeks to achieve lasting relief.
First, let us reassure you: The severity of your pain doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve done serious damage. Back pain can be incredibly intense even when the underlying issue is very treatable.
Common Causes of Back Pain We See in Stockport
From our years treating patients across Stockport and Greater Manchester, we see these patterns most frequently:
Office Workers and Desk-Based Jobs (Our Most Common Patients):
- Static sitting postures putting pressure on the same muscles all day
- Poor ergonomic setups
- Lack of movement leading to muscle stiffness and weakness
- Stress and tension from demanding work environments
Manual Workers and Industrial Workers:
- Daily physical demands creating muscle fatigue
- Heavy lifting and repetitive movements common in Greater Manchester industries
- Gradual build-up of muscle tension and spasms
- Bodies not getting adequate recovery time
Commuters:
- Long drives to Manchester city centre
- Poor car posture affecting spinal alignment
- Tension from traffic stress
- Prolonged sitting in traffic
Active Stockport Residents:
- Weight training and gym injuries
- Football injuries from local leagues
- Cycling injuries on local routes
- Running injuries from local parks and trails
- Weekend warrior activities
Age-Related Changes:
- Natural wear and tear (completely normal after age 40)
- Reduced muscle strength and flexibility
- Postural changes from years of habits
Types of Back Pain We Treat
Lower Back Pain (Most Common – 85% of Cases):
- Muscle strains and spasms
- Disc-related pain (with or without leg symptoms)
- Joint stiffness and inflammation
- Postural-related chronic pain
Upper Back and Mid-Back Pain:
- Often linked to desk work and poor posture
- Shoulder blade tension and pain
- Referred pain from neck issues
Sciatica (Sharp Pain Down the Leg):
- Nerve irritation causing shooting pains
- Numbness or tingling in legs
- Requires specific treatment approach
The Reality About Back Pain: Most back pain, even when severe, improves significantly with the right treatment approach. However, it takes time, effort, and the right guidance to get lasting relief.
Understanding Your Back Pain
Our Comprehensive Assessment and Treatment Approach
Your 60-Minute Initial Assessment (£65)
Unlike many clinics that rush through 20-30 minute appointments, we dedicate a full hour to understand you and your back pain completely. Here’s exactly what happens:
Detailed History Taking:
- Understanding the underlying causes of your pain
- Mapping your work, leisure, and family activities
- Identifying what you want to get back to doing
- Understanding your concerns and fears about the pain
Thorough Physical Assessment:
- Postural Assessment: How you stand, sit, and move
- Joint-by-Joint Movement Analysis: Finding restrictions and imbalances
- Strength Testing: Identifying weak and overactive muscles
- Nerve Mobility Assessment: Checking for nerve involvement
- Red Flag Screening: Ensuring no serious underlying conditions
Functional Movement Analysis:
- Work-Specific Movement Assessment: Testing movements you struggle with
- Daily Activity Analysis: Understanding how pain affects your routine
- Sport/Activity-Specific Testing: Assessing movements important to you
Treatment Begins Immediately: We don’t just assess and send you away. Treatment starts in your first session, so you begin feeling relief from day one.
Our Hands-On Treatment Approach
Manual Therapy Techniques: We use various hands-on techniques chosen specifically for your condition:
- Soft tissue massage and release
- Joint mobilisation and manipulation
- Trigger point therapy
- Movement re-education
- Dry needling (when appropriate)
Shockwave Therapy (When Needed): For chronic muscle tightness or deeper issues like facet joint inflammation or disc problems:
- Reaches areas that hands-on treatment can’t access
- Highly effective for stubborn chronic pain
- Additional cost: £95 initial assessment, £72 follow-up sessions
Exercise Rehabilitation:
- Personalised exercise programmes via our app
- Core strengthening (the foundation of back health)
- Flexibility and mobility work
- Functional movement training
- Return-to-activity preparation
What Makes Our Approach Different
We Treat the Whole Person, Not Just the Pain:
- Understanding your work, family, and lifestyle demands
- Addressing underlying causes, not just symptoms
- Building confidence in your body again
- Long-term solutions, not quick fixes
Evidence-Based Treatment:
- Techniques backed by research
- Continuous professional development
- Latest methods and approaches
- Measurable outcomes tracking
Acute Back Pain (Sudden Onset, Less Than 6 Weeks)
- Average treatment duration: 5-6 sessions
- Timeline: 5-6 weeks
- Pain relief: Starts from the first session
- Significant improvement: Usually within 2-3 sessions
- Return to normal activities: 4-6 weeks
Chronic Back Pain (Ongoing for 3+ months)
- Average treatment duration: 6-8 sessions
- Timeline: 6-8 weeks
- Pain relief: Gradual improvement from session 1
- Significant improvement: Usually by session 4-5
- Return to normal activities: 6-8 weeks
- Note: Depends on severity of underlying issues and how long you’ve had the problem
Why Recovery Takes Time (The Honest Truth)
Week 1-2: Focus on pain reduction and gentle movement restoration Week 3-4: Improve flexibility and begin strengthening weak areas Week 5-6: Build functional strength and movement patterns Week 7-8: Prepare for return to full activities and prevent recurrence
Important Reality Check: Anyone promising to “fix” your back pain in 1-2 sessions is being unrealistic. Lasting recovery requires time to retrain movement patterns, build strength, and address underlying causes.
Your Part in Recovery:
- Following your personalised exercise programme
- Making workplace/lifestyle adjustments we recommend
- Staying active within comfortable limits
- Communicating with us about your progress
What to Expect: Honest Recovery Timelines
Treatment Costs & Pricing - Complete Transparency
Standard Back Pain Treatment
Initial Assessment & Treatment (60 minutes): £65
- Comprehensive assessment and diagnosis
- Treatment begins in first session
- Personalised exercise programme via our app
- Take-home advice and information
Follow-Up Sessions (typically 45 minutes): £50
- Hands-on treatment
- Exercise progression
- Education and advice
- Progress monitoring
Advanced Treatment (When Needed)
Shockwave Therapy Programmes:
- Initial Assessment & Shockwave: £95
- Follow-up Shockwave Sessions: £72
- Typically needed for chronic conditions or deeper tissue problems
- We’ll only recommend this if standard treatment isn’t progressing as expected
Total Treatment Costs (What Most Patients Pay)
Typical Acute Back Pain:
- Initial assessment: £65
- 4-5 follow-up sessions: £200-250
- Total: £265-315
Typical Chronic Back Pain:
- Initial assessment: £65
- 5-7 follow-up sessions: £250-350
- Total: £315-415
Why Our Pricing Reflects Quality Care
60-Minute Initial Assessments vs. Industry Standard 30 Minutes: Most clinics rush through assessments. We take time to understand you completely.
Treatment Starts Immediately: You don’t pay for assessment only – treatment begins from session one.
No Hidden Costs: Clear, transparent pricing with no surprise charges.
Ongoing Support: Exercise app, between-session advice, and progress monitoring included.
Qualified, Experienced Therapists: Chartered physiotherapists with advanced qualifications and ongoing training.
Payment Options
- Cash, card, or bank transfer accepted
- Recognised by all major insurance companies and cash plans
- All our physiotherapists are Members of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (MCSP) and registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
Red Flag Symptoms - Go to A&E Immediately:
- Loss of bladder or bowel control (call 999 – potential cauda equina)
- Severe neurological symptoms in both legs
- Numbness in saddle area (around genitals/bottom)
- Progressive weakness in legs
- Severe night pain with fever (possible infection)
See Your GP First If You Have:
- Severe, unrelenting pain that doesn’t respond to normal pain relief
- History of cancer with new back pain
- Significant trauma (car accident, major fall)
- Unexplained weight loss with back pain
- Prolonged morning stiffness (over 1 hour – possible inflammatory condition)
Conditions That Respond Poorly to Physiotherapy:
- Severe disc herniations with profound nerve entrapment
- Osteoporotic spine issues (need medical management first)
- Rheumatological conditions (need medical treatment alongside physio)
- Psychological factors significantly affecting pain perception
What We Do If Physiotherapy Isn't Right:
- Immediate referral to appropriate medical professionals
- Detailed referral letter explaining our findings
- Coordinate with your GP or specialist
- Follow-up once medical issues are addressed
- Clear explanation of why we’re referring you
We’d rather lose a patient to appropriate care than keep someone who needs different treatment.
When We Can't Help (And What to Do Instead)
Why Choose Physiotherapy for Your Back Pain?
The Physiotherapy Advantage
Physiotherapy is uniquely positioned to provide the most comprehensive back pain treatment because we:
Address Root Causes, Not Just Symptoms:
- Identify WHY your back pain developed in the first place
- Fix underlying movement patterns and muscle imbalances
- Prevent future episodes through education and strengthening
- Give you control over your own recovery
Provide Evidence-Based, Long-Term Solutions:
- Treatment approaches backed by research
- Measurable outcomes and progress tracking
- Techniques proven effective for lasting relief
- Focus on getting you better AND keeping you better
Offer Comprehensive, Whole-Person Care:
- Understand your work, family, and lifestyle demands
- Tailor treatment to your specific goals and activities
- Build confidence in your body’s ability to heal and stay strong
- Support you through every stage of recovery
Why Many Patients Choose Us After Trying Other Approaches
We often see patients who have tried various other treatments first. While we respect that different approaches work for different people, we consistently hear similar feedback: other treatments provided temporary relief, but the pain kept returning.
What Makes Our Approach Different:
We Focus on Long-Term Solutions:
- Address the underlying movement patterns that caused your pain
- Strengthen the muscles that need to support your spine properly
- Teach you how to prevent future episodes
- Build confidence in your body’s ability to stay healthy
We See the Complete Picture:
- 60-minute assessments allow us to understand your whole situation
- Consider your work, lifestyle, and activity demands
- Look at how your entire body moves, not just the painful area
- Create solutions that fit your real life
We Provide Lasting Results: Many patients tell us: “I wish I’d come here first instead of trying everything else.” While we’re grateful when other healthcare providers refer patients to us, our goal is to get you better AND keep you better long-term.
Common Patient Feedback:
- “Other treatments felt good at the time, but the pain always came back”
- “You’re the first people to explain WHY I have back pain”
- “I finally feel confident that I won’t re-injure myself”
- “I’m stronger now than before I had back pain”
Our Success Comes From:
- Identifying and correcting root causes, not just treating symptoms
- Teaching you to be independent and confident in managing your health
- Creating sustainable changes in strength, flexibility, and movement patterns
- Providing tools and knowledge for lifelong back health
The Unique Advantages of Our Approach
Comprehensive Assessment:
- Thorough movement analysis to understand how you move
- Functional testing for work and sport-specific problems
- Detailed understanding of your individual needs and goals
Immediate Treatment Benefits:
- Treatment starts from your first visit
- Pain relief begins immediately, not after multiple assessment visits
- Hands-on approach combined with exercise rehabilitation
Comprehensive Education:
- Understand exactly what’s causing your pain
- Learn how to prevent future episodes
- Gain confidence in your body’s healing ability
- Exercise app for ongoing support between sessions
Proven Track Record:
- Consistently high patient satisfaction scores
- Most patients achieve pain-free status
- Long-term success in preventing recurrence
- Established reputation in Stockport and Greater Manchester community
How many physiotherapy sessions will I need for my back pain?
How much does back pain treatment cost at Stockport Physiotherapy?
What's causing my severe back pain? Have I done serious damage?
Should I get an X-ray or MRI scan for my back pain?
Will physiotherapy hurt? I'm already in severe pain.
What's the difference between you and NHS physiotherapy?
I commute to Manchester for work – can you help with commuter-related back pain?
Can I continue exercising/going to the gym with back pain?
Do you accept private health insurance for back pain treatment?
What if my back pain doesn't improve with physiotherapy?
How quickly can I get an appointment for severe back pain?
Frequently Asked Questions About Back Pain Treatment
Success Stories from Stockport Patients
Case Study 1: Manchester Commuter Recovery
David, 45, Accountant commuting to Manchester
The Problem: David developed chronic lower back pain from his daily 90-minute round trip commute to Manchester, combined with long hours at his desk. The pain was particularly bad in the mornings and after driving.
Our Approach:
- Thorough assessment revealing tight hip flexors and weak core muscles
- Hands-on treatment to reduce muscle tension
- Car ergonomics advice and stretching routine
- Targeted strengthening programme for commuters
- Movement breaks strategy for work and driving
The Outcome:
- 6 sessions over 7 weeks
- Pain reduced from 8/10 to 2/10
- Returned to pain-free commuting and work
- Now maintains good posture and does regular exercises
“I thought the commute would always mean back pain, but the team showed me how to manage it properly. The car setup advice alone made a huge difference.”
Case Study 2: Industrial Worker Recovery
Tony, 52, Factory Supervisor
The Problem: Tony developed severe lower back pain from years of heavy lifting and standing on concrete floors in a Greater Manchester factory. The pain was affecting his ability to supervise effectively and he was considering early retirement.
Our Approach:
- Identified work-specific movement patterns causing problems
- Manual therapy to address muscle imbalances
- Work-specific lifting and movement retraining
- Strengthening programme for industrial demands
- Workplace modification advice
The Outcome:
- 8 sessions over 8 weeks
- Returned to full supervisory duties
- Pain reduced from 9/10 to 1/10
- Implemented team lifting training at his workplace
“I thought I’d have to retire early, but now I’m back to full duties and actually helping my team avoid the same problems I had.”
Case Study 3: Weekend Footballer Recovery
Mark, 34, Local League Player
The Problem: Mark developed back pain that was affecting his performance in the local Stockport football league. He was worried about missing matches and letting his team down.
Our Approach:
- Football-specific movement analysis
- Manual therapy to address restrictions
- Sport-specific strengthening programme
- Return-to-sport progression
- Injury prevention education
The Outcome:
- 5 sessions over 6 weeks
- Returned to football stronger than before
- No recurrence of back pain through the season
- Now plays with confidence
“They understood how important football is to me and got me back playing properly. I’m actually playing better now than before the injury.”
What Happens Next?
- Book your 60-minute assessment (£65) online or by phone
- Receive confirmation with appointment details and preparation instructions
- Attend your appointment where we’ll diagnose your condition and start treatment
- Get your personalised treatment plan with realistic timelines
- Begin your recovery journey with our ongoing support
Appointment Availability
- Next available: Usually within 24-48 hours
- Urgent appointments: Available for severe pain
- Evening appointments: Available until 7pm weekdays
What to Bring
- Comfortable clothes you can move in
- Any recent scans or medical reports
- List of current medications
- Your questions and concerns – we’re here to help!
Ready to start your recovery? Click the Book Now button at stockport-physiotherapy.co.uk or call 0161 410 2861.
Our Location
Don’t let back pain define your life. Take the first step toward recovery today.
Last updated: 5/29/25 | This information is for educational purposes and doesn’t replace professional medical advice.
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Ready to Start Your Recovery?
Don’t let back pain control your life any longer. Our experienced team has helped hundreds of Stockport and Greater Manchester residents overcome back pain and return to the activities they love.
Online Booking: Click the Book Now button for immediate booking
Phone: 0161 410 2861 (9am-6pm, Mon-Fri)
Email: info@stockport-physiotherapy.co.uk