Complete Guide to Back Pain Treatment in Leeds
Back pain affects 80% of people at least once in their lifetime, making it one of the most common reasons patients visit our Leeds 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 Indergaard 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.
Understanding Your Back Pain
From our years treating patients across Leeds and surrounding areas, 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 Tradespeople:
- Daily physical demands creating muscle fatigue
- Repetitive movements and heavy lifting
- Gradual build-up of muscle tension and spasms
- Bodies not getting adequate recovery time
Active Leeds Residents:
- Weight training and gym injuries
- Cycling injuries (popular on Yorkshire routes)
- Hiking and walking injuries (Yorkshire Dales, local trails)
- Martial arts, CrossFit, and Hyrox training injuries
- Triathlon training imbalances
Age-Related Changes:
- Natural wear and tear (completely normal after age 40)
- Reduced muscle strength and flexibility
- Postural changes from years of habits
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.
Our Comprehensive Assessment and Treatment Approach
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
Advanced Movement Analysis:
- Computerised Gait Analysis: Understanding how you walk and move
- Force Platform Analysis: Measuring strength imbalances
- Sport/Work-Specific Movement Assessment: Testing movements you struggle with
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.
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)
K-Laser Therapy (When Clinically Indicated – No Extra Cost):
- Reduces inflammation and promotes healing
- Used when appropriate for your specific condition
- Gentle and effective for acute pain relief
- Perfect for getting treatment started when you’re in severe pain
- Completely painless and relaxing
Shockwave Therapy (When Needed): For chronic muscle tightness or deeper issues like facet joint inflammation or disc problems:
- Reaches areas that hands-on treatment and laser 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
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 equipment and methods
- Measurable outcomes tracking
What to Expect: Honest Recovery Timelines
- 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
- 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
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
Treatment Costs & Pricing - Complete Transparency
Initial Assessment & Treatment (60 minutes): £65
- Comprehensive assessment and diagnosis
- Treatment begins in first session
- Personalised exercise programme via our app
- K-Laser therapy when clinically indicated (no extra cost)
- Take-home advice and information
Follow-Up Sessions (typically 45 minutes): £50
- Hands-on treatment
- Exercise progression
- K-Laser therapy when clinically indicated (no extra cost)
- Education and advice
- Progress monitoring
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
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
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.
Advanced Equipment When Indicated: K-Laser therapy is used when appropriate for your condition at no extra cost (many clinics charge extra for laser therapy)
Ongoing Support: Exercise app, between-session advice, and progress monitoring included.
Qualified, Experienced Therapists: Chartered physiotherapists with advanced qualifications and ongoing training.
- 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)
When We Can't Help (And What to Do Instead)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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
- 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.
Why Choose Physiotherapy for Your Back Pain?
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
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
Advanced Assessment Technology:
- Computerised gait analysis to see exactly how you move
- Force platform testing to identify strength imbalances
- Movement analysis for work and sport-specific problems
- Most other practitioners assess by observation only
Immediate Treatment Benefits:
- K-Laser therapy when clinically indicated at no extra cost (many charge extra)
- Treatment starts from your first visit
- Pain relief begins immediately, not after multiple assessment visits
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 Leeds community (88 Google reviews)
Frequently Asked Questions About Back Pain Treatment
Success Stories from Leeds Patients
Sarah, 42, Marketing Manager in Leeds City Centre
The Problem: Sarah developed chronic lower back pain from sitting at her desk 8+ hours daily, plus a 45-minute commute each way. The pain was affecting her sleep and she was taking ibuprofen daily just to get through work.
Our Approach:
- Thorough postural assessment revealing tight hip flexors and weak glutes
- Hands-on treatment to reduce muscle tension
- K-Laser therapy for inflammation
- Workplace ergonomic advice
- Targeted strengthening programme via our app
The Outcome:
- 7 sessions over 8 weeks
- Pain reduced from 7/10 to 1/10
- Returned to full work activities pain-free
- Now exercises regularly and manages her posture proactively
“I was sceptical about private physio costs, but the thorough assessment and immediate results convinced me. The workplace advice has been life-changing – I haven’t had significant back pain for over a year now.”
Mike, 38, Tradesman
The Problem: Mike, a plumber, developed severe lower back spasms after years of heavy lifting and awkward working positions. The pain was so severe he couldn’t work for 3 weeks and was considering changing careers.
Our Approach:
- Identified severe muscle imbalances and movement restrictions
- Started with gentle K-Laser therapy to reduce acute spasms
- Progressed to hands-on manual therapy
- Work-specific movement retraining
- Functional strengthening programme
The Outcome:
- 6 sessions over 6 weeks
- Returned to work after 3 sessions
- Back to full duties by week 6
- Learned injury prevention strategies
“I thought my working days were over. The team at Indergaard not only got me back to work but taught me how to protect my back for the future. I’m stronger now than before the injury.”
Emma, 29, Triathlete
The Problem: Emma developed back pain during marathon training that was affecting her running, cycling, and swimming. Other practitioners had told her to stop all training, which wasn’t acceptable for her lifestyle.
Our Approach:
- Computerised gait analysis revealed running biomechanics issues
- Force platform testing identified strength imbalances
- Sport-specific treatment approach
- Modified training programme to maintain fitness whilst healing
- Return-to-sport progressions
The Outcome:
- 5 sessions over 5 weeks
- Continued modified training throughout
- Returned to full triathlon training
- Completed her target marathon 3 months later
“Other places told me to stop everything, but Indergaard understood that staying active was important to me. They found a way to keep me training whilst fixing the problem.”
Book Your Back Pain Assessment
Ready to Start Your Recovery?
Online Booking: Available 24/7 with instant confirmation
Phone: 0113-286-0333 (9am-6pm, Mon-Fri)
Email: info@indergaardphysio.com
- 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
- Next available: Usually within 24-48 hours
- Urgent appointments: Available for severe pain
- Evening appointments: Available until 7pm weekdays
- Saturday morning: Limited availability for working patients
- 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? Book online at indergaardphysio.com or call 0113-286-0333.
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.
