Back pain
Explore assessment, movement, rehabilitation and the signs that need medical review. Pain that travels into a leg also needs careful assessment.
Back & neck physiotherapy
Understand your pain. Plan your next step.
Information and assessment for back or neck pain, with a plan built around your symptoms, movement and everyday goals.
Choose the information that fits your symptoms
Back and neck pain can have different causes and need different assessments. These dedicated pages explain each area in more detail.
Neck pain
Learn about neck stiffness, movement difficulties and symptoms that may extend into the shoulder or arm. Advice depends on your history and examination.
What an assessment can help clarify
Your physiotherapist asks about your symptoms, checks movement and function, and considers whether medical assessment or another referral is needed. We discuss what matters to you and agree on appropriate next steps.
Education and an active plan
For many people, care includes practical advice, suitable movement and an individually chosen exercise plan. Activity may need to be adjusted to your symptoms and circumstances. If appropriate, manual therapy may be used for short-term symptom relief alongside an active rehabilitation plan.
Review and appropriate investigation
Scans are not routinely needed for every episode of back or neck pain. Your clinician considers warning signs, your examination and whether an investigation would change care. Progress is reviewed and the plan can change if symptoms persist or worsen.
These principles are consistent with the Australian Low Back Pain Clinical Care Standard and healthdirect’s neck-pain guidance. An individual assessment is still needed.
When to seek urgent medical help
If back or neck pain is sudden and severe, follows a serious accident, or occurs with new loss of limb movement or sensation or new bladder or bowel problems, call 000 for an ambulance. This includes being unable to pass urine. Call 000 if back pain prevents you from walking or moving. Neck pain with chest pain, breathlessness or sweating also needs an ambulance.
Go straight to an emergency department for back or neck pain with fever, new limb weakness or numbness, or numbness around the genitals. Seek urgent medical care for neck pain with new balance problems, dizziness, changes in vision or hearing, or confusion. Do not wait for a routine physiotherapy appointment.
Read healthdirect’s warning signs for neck pain and its advice on urgent spinal symptoms.
Physiotherapy in Elwood and Beaumaris
Choose a clinic when you start your booking. Contact reception if you need help choosing an appointment.
Physio Cure Elwood
Level 1, 61 Brighton RoadElwood VIC 3184
Physio First Beaumaris
19 Keys StreetBeaumaris VIC 3193
Sources and further reading
Sources checked 17 October 2026. This page provides general information and does not diagnose your symptoms or replace advice from your treating clinician.