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Musculoskeletal · Conditions

Back Pain Treatment in Exeter – Understanding Your Pain and How We Can Help

Back pain can be worrying and confusing. We take the time to listen, assess you thoroughly and explain what’s going on before we agree a plan together.

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Barefoot physiotherapist in a sage polo applying hands-on treatment to a patient’s lower back on the treatment couch

Condition overview

Is Back Pain Holding You Back?

If back pain is getting in the way of your life, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common problems we see at Barefoot, and it’s something we genuinely love treating. Whether it’s a nagging ache that’s become part of your everyday routine or sharp pain that stops you in your tracks, we understand how worrying and exhausting it can be, and we’re here to help you get back to doing what you love.

You might be asking yourself:

  • Why does my back hurt after sitting or standing for too long?
  • Why does the pain come and go but never fully disappear?
  • Is it normal to feel pain when bending, lifting, or even resting?

These are exactly the questions our patients arrive with. The truth is that back pain is rarely down to one simple cause, and the conflicting advice out there, such as “it’s just poor posture”, “you’ve got a weak core” or “your pelvis is out of alignment”, often oversimplifies a genuinely complex problem. We don’t do quick, generic explanations. We take the time to understand the real factors driving your pain so we can actually fix it.

Causes of Back Pain We Treat

  • Mechanical (movement-related) pain and stiffnessProblems with how your spine and body move, leading to pain and reduced mobility.
  • Muscle and ligament strainsOveruse or a sudden movement causing pulled muscles or sprained ligaments.
  • Disc injuriesHerniated or bulging discs that can irritate nearby nerves, often linked to sciatica.
  • Arthritis and degenerative changeAge-related changes that can stiffen the spine and cause ongoing discomfort.
  • Deconditioning and lifestyle factorsProlonged sitting or reduced activity weakening the muscles that support your spine.

Why Barefoot

Why Choose Barefoot Physio?

Barefoot is a clinic focused on excellence, in how we treat you and in the results we achieve. Our HCPC-registered physiotherapists have specialist training in musculoskeletal and sports injuries, and we take a genuinely holistic, “whole picture” view of your back pain rather than chasing symptoms. Because we’re a multidisciplinary team, we can draw on more than just hands-on physio: where it helps your recovery, we can bring in sports and remedial massage, strength and conditioning, gait analysis and shockwave therapy, all under one roof, across our clinics in Exeter and Bovey Tracey.

Back and spinal pain is one of the areas our team knows best. James Morgan, our owner and lead physiotherapist, has advanced post-graduate training in spinal assessment and is credentialed in the McKenzie Method, an evidence-based approach for identifying and treating the mechanical cause of back pain rather than just settling the symptoms. He has supported patients through everything from acute back spasms to complex, long-standing spinal problems, in some cases over many years. Alongside him, Elly Skinner brings extensive NHS experience as a Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist, including the assessment and rehabilitation of low back pain and post-surgical spines. Whoever you see, you are getting genuine MSK expertise, not a generic exercise sheet.

Who You’ll See

How we can help

Our Comprehensive Approach Includes

  1. In-Depth Assessment

    We look at your lifestyle, habits and movement patterns to find the underlying cause, not just the painful spot.

  2. Hands-On Manual Therapy

    To ease muscle tension, restore mobility and support healing, including the manipulation and mobilisation our patients often describe as giving instant relief.

  3. Tailored Exercise Therapy

    An individualised programme to build strength, flexibility and stability and prevent future flare-ups.

  4. Movement Retraining

    Practical guidance on moving in ways that protect your spine.

  5. Ongoing Support

    A clear road map to recovery, backed up with exercises on a simple-to-follow app so you always know what to do between sessions.

Conditions

FAQ

Common Questions About Back Pain

Should I rest or keep moving with back pain?

For most back pain, gentle movement and staying active are better than bed rest. Prolonged rest tends to stiffen the back and slow recovery. We’ll guide you on the right amount and type of movement for your specific situation.

When does back pain need urgent medical attention?

Seek urgent care if you have loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the groin or saddle area, or significant weakness in both legs. These are rare but require immediate assessment at A&E.

Do I need a scan for my back pain?

Usually not. For most back pain, a scan doesn’t change the initial treatment plan or speed up recovery. We’ll tell you honestly if and when imaging would genuinely help.

Can physiotherapy help both new and long-standing back pain?

Yes. We treat both recent episodes and chronic, recurrent back pain, tailoring the approach to how long you’ve had symptoms and what’s driving them.

How soon can I be seen?

We aim to see you quickly. Book online or call 0333 577 9192 for the next available appointment in Exeter or Bovey Tracey.

Book Your Back Pain Consultation Today

If back pain is interfering with your daily life, we’re ready to help you turn it around. Our aim is simple: relieve your pain as fast as possible and help you stay active for the long term.

  • Two clinics in Exeter and Bovey Tracey
  • HCPC-registered physiotherapists
  • No higher fee for your first assessment
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The Barefoot Physio team at the Exeter clinic