Back Pain in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs: When to See a Physio

Back pain affects around 80% of Australians at some point in their lives. In Sydney's Eastern Suburbs — where many residents work long hours at desks in offices in the CBD or from home in Paddington, Double Bay, or Woollahra — it's one of the most common reasons we get called out for a home visit.

Most back pain is not serious

The vast majority of acute back pain — even when it's severe — resolves within 4–6 weeks with appropriate management. The spine is a robust structure, and pain does not necessarily mean damage. In fact, the degree of pain is a poor indicator of the degree of structural injury.

Red flags that need urgent attention

• Pain accompanied by bladder or bowel dysfunction — this is a medical emergency
• Numbness or tingling in the groin or inner thigh (saddle anaesthesia)
• Significant leg weakness that wasn't there before
• Back pain following a fall or trauma in an older adult
• Back pain with unexplained weight loss or fever

When to call a physio

If your back pain has lasted more than a week, is affecting your sleep, or is limiting your ability to function normally, it's worth getting a proper assessment. A physiotherapist can identify the likely source, rule out anything serious, and give you a clear plan.

What we do differently as a mobile service

When your back is really bad, the last thing you want to do is drive to a clinic and sit in a waiting room. As a mobile physiotherapy service covering Paddington, Double Bay, Randwick, Coogee, Woollahra, and the wider Eastern Suburbs, we come to you. Seth can assess you at home, provide hands-on treatment on the day, and leave you with a clear exercise plan.