Chiropractic Care for Back Pain in Mosman

What can cause lower back pain?

Lower back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek care, and it can arise from many everyday things — lifting awkwardly, a sudden twist, hours at a desk, or simply the accumulated load of a busy life. For most people, back pain is musculoskeletal: it relates to the muscles, joints, ligaments and discs of the spine and how they're being loaded, rather than anything sinister. Understanding what's driving your discomfort is the first step, which is why we start every visit with a proper history and assessment.

At ReFigure in Mosman, we take time to understand your specific picture: what aggravates it, what eases it, how you sit and move, and what you're hoping to get back to. Care is always individualised, and outcomes naturally vary from person to person.

Why does sitting at a desk make my back ache?

Plenty of people on the Lower North Shore spend long days at a desk or commuting into the city — and sustained sitting is a common thread in back discomfort. When we hold one position for hours, certain muscles work overtime while others switch off, and the spine loses the varied movement it's built for. Over time this can leave the lower back feeling stiff, tired or achy, especially when you first stand up.

• Long, unbroken periods of sitting with little movement
• A workstation set-up that encourages slumping or leaning
• Reduced core and postural muscle activity through the day
• Carrying stress in the shoulders and lower back

Our approach looks at the whole picture — hands-on care to help ease restricted areas, plus practical suggestions for movement and set-up so your back isn't stuck in one position all day.

Is my back pain muscular or something in the disc?

People often want to know whether their pain is "just muscular" or involves a disc. This is an educational point rather than a diagnosis: muscular and joint-related strain is very common and often settles with sensible care and movement, while disc-related presentations can feel different and sometimes refer discomfort into the leg. Only an in-person assessment — and, where appropriate, referral for imaging — can properly work this out. That's exactly what your chiropractor is trained to help evaluate, and we'll refer on to your GP or another health professional if that's the right next step for you.

How does ReFigure approach back pain?

Our signature technique is Advanced Biostructural Correction (ABC), a full-body manual protocol that looks at posture and biomechanics rather than treating one spot in isolation. Alongside ABC, your chiropractor may draw on diversified adjusting, Thompson drop-table and low-force or activator techniques, plus dry needling and soft-tissue work to help release tight, overloaded muscles.

• Assessment first — history, movement and posture before any care
• ABC & hands-on care — chosen and paced to suit you
• Soft-tissue & dry needling — to help ease muscular tension
• Movement guidance — simple, gentle exercises to support what we do in the clinic

The aim is to help relieve discomfort, support better movement and give you practical tools to look after your back between visits. We're clear and honest about this: care is individualised, progress varies, and we'll always talk you through what we're doing and why.

Can gentle exercises help my lower back?

For many people, staying gently active is one of the most helpful things for a sore lower back — prolonged bed rest is rarely the answer. Simple movement, walking, and easy mobility work can support recovery and help you feel more confident moving again. Rather than a generic routine, your chiropractor can suggest a small number of gentle exercises matched to how you present, so they complement your in-clinic care. If a movement sharply increases your pain, that's a signal to ease off and check in with us.

When should I seek care for back pain?

Most everyday back pain settles, but it's worth being sensible about when to get it looked at. Consider booking in — or speaking with your GP promptly — if your back pain is severe, persistent, keeps returning, or follows a fall or injury. Certain symptoms warrant prompt medical attention rather than waiting: numbness or weakness in the legs, pain that wakes you at night, unexplained weight loss, or any change to bladder or bowel control. When in doubt, it's always reasonable to ask.