Find the cause.
Move without pain.
Does this sound familiar?
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. At Far North Physio, our Cairns physios go beyond the symptoms to find out what’s actually driving your back pain, then build you a clear plan to fix it.
Back pain is one of the most common reasons Australians see a physio, but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. For many people, the real problem isn’t the pain itself. It’s that the underlying cause was never properly identified.
A tight muscle or a sore disc are usually symptoms of something deeper: a movement pattern loading the wrong structures, a weakness compensating for years, or a previous injury that never fully healed.
That’s why rest, massage, and stretching often provide short-term relief without solving the problem long-term. Without a proper assessment, the same structures keep getting overloaded.
Common contributing factors our physios look for:
Back pain isn’t one thing, and the right treatment depends on what’s actually going on. Here are the most common conditions our Cairns physios assess and treat.
The most common presentation we see. Whether it came on suddenly or has been building for years, lower back pain usually has a clear mechanical cause that responds well to physio.
Pain, tingling, or numbness that travels from the lower back down through the buttock and into the leg. Typically caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve, often from a disc bulge or surrounding muscle tightness. Most cases resolve well with physio.
Discs don’t “pop out” as many people believe. What actually happens is the soft material inside shifts or bulges outward, sometimes pressing on nearby nerves. This is treatable with physio, and surgery is far less commonly needed than people expect.
Pain that has persisted for more than three months often involves a mix of structural and movement-related factors. We take a structured, progressive approach that addresses both.
Whether it happened lifting something heavy, playing sport, or out of nowhere, acute back injuries need accurate assessment from the start. Early physio intervention reduces recovery time and lowers the risk of the injury becoming a long-term problem.
Prolonged sitting, awkward work positions, and repetitive lifting are among the leading causes of back pain in Cairns. We work with office workers, tradies, and everyone in between to address the load patterns driving the problem.
Our process starts with a thorough assessment to understand what’s actually driving your back pain. From there, we build a plan specifically for you.
01
Your first appointment includes a detailed history and thorough assessment of your movement, posture and strength. We find the root cause and provide a clear diagnosis before commencement of treatment. We may refer you for medical imaging if required prior to treatment.
02
Treatment is tailored to what’s driving your pain. Depending on your presentation, this may include manual therapy, joint mobilisation, dry needling, soft tissue work, or taping.
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You’ll leave your first visit knowing exactly what’s going on and what the path forward looks like. We walk you through the diagnosis and give you a realistic timeline for recovery.
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We build you a progressive exercise program to strengthen the structures supporting your spine, correct movement patterns, and reduce the risk of the pain returning. Practical and tailored to you, not generic.
Far North Physio is a Cairns-based physiotherapy clinic with a strong background in sports and musculoskeletal care. Our physios bring real clinical experience to every patient, whether you’re an athlete or someone who just wants to get through the day without back pain.
Physiotherapist
Physiotherapist
Physiotherapist
Physio can fix many cases of back pain, not just mask it. The key is identifying the root cause. When the underlying issue is properly assessed and treated with a structured plan, most patients see lasting improvement. For more complex or chronic cases, physio may not eliminate pain entirely, but it can significantly reduce it and improve how you function day to day. We may also refer to other medical specialists if indicated.
Yes. Discs don’t “pop back in” as many people believe, but a bulging disc is absolutely treatable with physio. Through hands-on treatment, targeted exercise, and load management, most people with a disc bulge recover well and return to their normal activities.
It’s never too late. Chronic back pain has often not been properly assessed or progressively rehabilitated. A thorough physio assessment can still identify what’s driving the pain and build a structured plan to address it.
That depends on what’s going on, but we’ll always be upfront with you. After your first assessment and treatment, you’ll have a realistic picture of what recovery looks like. We focus on outcomes, not appointment numbers.
In most cases, keeping gently active is better than complete rest. Rest can slow recovery and lead to deconditioning. That said, it depends on your specific presentation. Your physio will give you clear guidance after your assessment.
No referral needed. You can book directly. If you have a Medicare care plan (GPCCMP / ATSI referral) from your GP, you may be eligible for a rebate on a set number of appointments.
Yes. We treat WorkCover patients and can work with your case manager throughout your recovery. We can also assist with the documentation your employer or insurer may need.
Whether you want to get back to the footy field, lift your kids without wincing, or just get through a day at work without bracing, we can help you get there.
Book your first visit and you’ll leave with a clear diagnosis, an honest assessment of what’s going on, and a practical plan to fix it.
Trusted by the Northern Pride & 5000+ Local Patients.
