Blog · Steve Hall · 30 August 2025
Osteopathy
Lower back stiffness versus pain
Steve Hall on the difference between a stiff lumbar spine and true pain, and why the treatment plan is not the same.
Symptoms and what they can mean
Stiffness is a loss of ease — you take longer to put socks on. Pain is an unpleasant sensation that may catch, refer, or wake you. Many people have both. Treating them as identical leads to either too much rest or too much stretching.
What we can do in clinic
I examine how the lumbar spine, hips and thorax share movement. Hands-on osteopathy can reduce guarding and restore range. Advice is specific: walk, change position, and avoid heroic toe-touches on a cold Monday.
Red flags and when to see your GP
Night pain, unexplained weight loss, fever, or progressive leg weakness needs a GP, not a mobilisation. I will say so if those features are in the history.
This article is general information for people considering care at Health at Hart in Hartley Wintney. It is not a diagnosis, a prescription, or a promise of outcome. If you have sudden, severe or unexplained symptoms — including chest pain, unexplained weight loss, night pain, bowel or bladder changes, or a new neurological problem — seek urgent medical advice (NHS 111 or 999). UK osteopaths are regulated by the General Osteopathic Council. Counsellors named here are BACP-registered where stated. Always check with your GP or insurer if you are unsure whether a treatment is appropriate for you.
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