Back Pain & Sciatica Treatment in Harborne, Birmingham

Back pain is one of the most common reasons people visit us at Harborne Chiropractic. It affects around 80% of adults at some point in their lives, and for many people it becomes a recurring problem that chips away at daily life. If you have been putting up with this for weeks or months, you are not alone — and you do not have to keep managing it with painkillers and hope. Lower back pain can start suddenly after lifting something awkwardly, or it can build gradually over time from poor posture, long hours at a desk, or simply the wear and tear of everyday life. Sciatica — where pain travels from the lower back down into the buttock and leg — is often linked to a disc bulge or irritation of the sciatic nerve, and it can make sitting, standing, and sleeping genuinely miserable. The causes of back pain are wide-ranging. Muscle strain is common, particularly after gardening, moving house, or starting a new exercise routine. Disc problems, facet joint irritation, and spinal stiffness all play a role. Sedentary work is a major contributor — sitting for eight or more hours a day puts sustained pressure on the lumbar spine, and without regular movement, the supporting muscles weaken over time. Many patients we see in Harborne have tried stretching, foam rolling, or resting and found that their pain keeps coming back. That is usually a sign that the underlying cause has not been addressed. Chiropractic treatment works by identifying what is actually driving the pain — whether that is joint restriction, nerve irritation, muscle imbalance, or a combination — and treating it directly. The sooner you get it assessed properly, the faster it tends to resolve. Most patients who come to us wish they had not waited so long.

  • Persistent ache in the lower back
  • Sharp pain when bending or lifting
  • Pain radiating down one or both legs
  • Stiffness first thing in the morning
  • Difficulty sitting for long periods
  • Muscle spasms in the back

How We Treat Back Pain & Sciatica

Chiropractic Adjustment

Targeted spinal adjustments to restore proper alignment and reduce nerve pressure. We use a combination of manual and instrument-assisted techniques depending on what suits you. The adjustment itself takes seconds, and most patients feel immediate relief in their range of movement. We always explain what we are doing before we do it, and you can ask us to stop at any point.

Soft Tissue Therapy

Focused work on the muscles supporting your spine. Tight, overworked muscles are often the root cause of recurring back pain. We use a combination of deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, and myofascial release to reduce tension, improve blood flow, and allow the spine to move more freely. This is particularly effective for patients whose back pain is linked to desk work or repetitive strain.

Rehabilitation Exercises

A personalised exercise programme you can do at home between appointments. This is what prevents your back pain from coming back. We show you exactly how to do each exercise in clinic, and we adjust the programme as you progress. Strengthening the core muscles that support your spine is the single most important factor in long-term back pain management. Most patients find that 10 to 15 minutes a day makes a significant difference within a few weeks.

What to Expect

Your first appointment for back pain lasts 45 minutes. We start with a detailed conversation about your symptoms — when the pain started, what makes it better or worse, how it affects your sleep and daily routine, and any treatment you have tried before. We then carry out a thorough physical examination. This includes checking your posture, spinal movement, muscle strength, and nerve function. If your symptoms suggest sciatica, we will test the specific nerve pathways to understand exactly where the irritation is coming from. We explain what we find in plain language — no jargon, no vague promises. You will know what is causing the pain, what we recommend, and how long treatment is likely to take. Most patients receive their first treatment on the same day as their assessment. This might include spinal adjustments, soft tissue work, or mobilisation techniques depending on what suits your particular problem. We do not use a one-size-fits-all approach. Some patients respond well to manual adjustments where you hear a click, while others prefer gentler instrument-assisted techniques — we discuss this with you and you are always in control. After your first session, we give you specific exercises to do at home between appointments. These are not generic stretches printed from the internet — they are chosen based on what we found in your assessment. Follow-up appointments are shorter, typically 20 to 30 minutes, and most patients with straightforward back pain need between 4 and 8 sessions. We review your progress regularly and adjust the plan as you improve. Our goal is to get you out of pain and keep you that way, not to have you coming back indefinitely.

1

Initial assessment — 45 minutes

2

Treatment begins in your first appointment

3

Ongoing plan — most patients need 6 sessions

Common Questions About Back Pain & Sciatica

How quickly can I get an appointment for back pain?
We typically have same-week availability for new patients, and in many cases we can see you the next day. We understand that back pain does not wait for a convenient appointment slot — when it is bad, you need to be seen quickly. You can book online any time, or call us on 0121 448 6990 during clinic hours and our reception team will find you the earliest available slot. If you are in severe pain or your symptoms include numbness, tingling, or loss of bladder or bowel control, we will advise you on whether you need to go to A&E first. For most back pain, getting into the clinic within a few days is the right move. The earlier we assess you, the faster treatment tends to work — patients who have been in pain for a short time generally respond more quickly than those who have been struggling for months.
Do I need a GP referral to see a chiropractor?
No, you do not need a GP referral. Chiropractors are primary healthcare practitioners, which means you can book directly with us without seeing your doctor first. This is one of the advantages of chiropractic care — there is no waiting list and no need to go through a referral process. You simply book your appointment and we take it from there. If we find during your assessment that you need imaging such as an X-ray or MRI, or if we think your symptoms require medical investigation, we will refer you to the appropriate specialist. We work alongside GPs and consultants in the Birmingham area and can arrange onward referral quickly when needed. Many of our patients in Harborne are referred to us by their GPs, but it is equally common for people to come to us directly.
How many sessions will I need for back pain?
Most patients with back pain need between 4 and 8 sessions, though this varies depending on how long you have had the problem and how severe it is. Acute back pain that started recently often responds within 3 to 4 sessions. Chronic back pain that has been present for months or years may take longer — typically 6 to 8 sessions, sometimes more. We give you a clear treatment plan after your first assessment, including an honest estimate of how many sessions you are likely to need. We review progress at every appointment, and if you are not improving as expected, we reassess and adjust the approach. We do not keep treating indefinitely without results. Some patients choose to come back for occasional maintenance sessions once their pain has resolved — perhaps once a month or once every six weeks — to keep everything moving well. This is entirely optional and something we discuss with you once you are feeling better.
Is chiropractic treatment for back pain safe?
Yes, chiropractic treatment for back pain is safe when carried out by a registered chiropractor. All of our chiropractors are registered with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC), which is the UK regulatory body established by Act of Parliament. This means they have completed a minimum of four years of full-time university training, hold professional indemnity insurance, and are subject to ongoing continuing professional development requirements. The NHS recognises chiropractic as a treatment option for lower back pain, and NICE guidelines include spinal manipulation as one of the recommended approaches. Like any treatment, there can be mild side effects — some patients experience temporary soreness or stiffness after their first adjustment, similar to what you might feel after exercise. This typically settles within 24 to 48 hours. Serious adverse events are extremely rare. We carry out a thorough assessment before any treatment to identify any contraindications, and we always explain what we are going to do before we do it.
What's the difference between a chiropractor and a physiotherapist for back pain?
Both chiropractors and physiotherapists treat back pain effectively, and there is considerable overlap in what they do. The main difference is in emphasis. Chiropractors tend to focus on spinal alignment and joint function, using hands-on adjustments to restore normal movement. Physiotherapists tend to focus more on exercise-based rehabilitation and movement patterns. In practice, both professions use a combination of manual therapy and exercise, and the best practitioners in either field adapt their approach to each patient. At Harborne Chiropractic, we actually have both chiropractors and physiotherapists on our team, which means we can offer you the most appropriate treatment regardless of professional label. Some patients respond better to chiropractic adjustment, others to physiotherapy-led rehabilitation, and many benefit from a combination. During your assessment, we will recommend the approach that is most likely to help you based on your specific problem, rather than defaulting to one discipline.
How much does back pain treatment cost at Harborne Chiropractic?
Your first appointment is £55. This includes a full 45-minute assessment and your first treatment. Follow-up appointments are £43 each and last 20 to 30 minutes. We are upfront about pricing because we know cost is a real concern, and we do not think you should have to ask. There are no hidden fees and no pressure to commit to a set number of sessions upfront. We accept major health insurance providers including BUPA, AXA, Vitality, and Aviva — if you have cover, contact your insurer for an authorisation number before your first appointment and we can usually bill them directly. If you are paying privately, we accept card payments and can provide receipts for any insurance claims you wish to make yourself. Some patients ask whether treatment is worth the cost compared to waiting for NHS physiotherapy. The honest answer is that NHS waiting times in Birmingham are currently several months for musculoskeletal services. If your back pain is affecting your work, sleep, or daily life now, getting treated promptly often saves you weeks or months of discomfort.
Dr Elizabeth Falco

Your Practitioner

Dr Elizabeth Falco

MChiro, DC, GCC Registered

Elizabeth has been treating back pain at Harborne Chiropractic since founding the clinic in 2013. She has treated thousands of patients with lower back pain and sciatica, and has a particular interest in helping desk workers and new parents who develop back problems. Elizabeth uses a combination of manual adjustment and instrument-assisted techniques, tailoring her approach to each patient.

What Patients Say

I had been living with lower back pain for about six months before I finally booked at Harborne Chiropractic. Within three sessions with Dr Falco, I could sit at my desk without that constant dull ache. She explained exactly what was going on and gave me exercises that actually made a difference. Should have gone months ago.

Mark W. ★★★★★

Sciatica down my right leg had me struggling to walk to the shops on the High Street. My neighbour recommended Harborne Chiropractic and I am so glad she did. The team were brilliant from the first phone call. After five sessions the pain was gone completely. Cannot recommend them enough.

Catherine P. ★★★★★

I put my back out lifting my toddler and could barely move. They got me in the next day, which was a relief because I was in real pain. The treatment was gentle but effective — I felt noticeably better after the first session. The home exercises have kept it from coming back.

Anil S. ★★★★★

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Same-week appointments available. No GP referral needed.

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