Back pain is one of the most common health complaints among adults in Formby, Liverpool and beyond. Whether it’s a dull ache after a long day at work, a sharp spasm during movement, or a persistent stiffness that limits your daily activities – back pain can quickly become more than just a nuisance. It can affect your ability to work, sleep, exercise, and enjoy the simple things in life.
But here’s the good news: most back pain can be treated naturally, without relying on painkillers, injections, or surgery. At Chadwick’s Physiotherapy, we specialise in helping people in Formby overcome back pain and return to a more active, pain-free life.
In this blog, we’ll explore the most common causes of back pain, how the winter months can make things worse, and what you can do to start feeling better – starting today.
What Causes Back Pain?
Back pain doesn’t usually happen “out of nowhere.” It’s often the result of everyday habits, underlying weakness, or stress on the spine and surrounding muscles. Here are a few of the most common causes we see at our clinic in Formby:
- Poor Posture – Sitting for long periods, especially with poor spinal alignment, puts excessive pressure on your back.
- Lifting Incorrectly – Bending or twisting the spine when lifting can easily strain muscles or lead to a slipped disc.
- Lack of Core Strength – Your core muscles support the spine. When they’re weak, your back does more work than it should.
- Old Injuries – Previous back injuries, even from years ago, can resurface or lead to compensations that create new pain patterns.
- Stress and Tension – Emotional stress often causes muscle tension in the upper back and shoulders.
Why Back Pain Can Worsen in Winter
In colder weather, back pain can become more noticeable – and for good reason.
- Muscles Tighten in the Cold: Cold temperatures can make muscles stiffer and more prone to spasms. This can lead to reduced flexibility and an increased risk of injury, especially when moving too quickly without warming up.
- Less Physical Activity: Many people are less active during the winter months, which means the muscles that support the back become weaker and joints can stiffen due to inactivity.
- Slippery Conditions: Ice, snow, and wet pavements increase the risk of slipping and falling, which can lead to acute back injuries like sprains, fractures, or disc issues.
- Seasonal Depression and Pain Sensitivity: Mood and pain perception are linked. The shorter days and lack of sunlight during winter can worsen symptoms of chronic pain and fatigue.
When to Seek Help for Back Pain
It’s tempting to brush off back pain and hope it goes away. But when pain becomes more frequent, more intense, or starts to affect your ability to sleep or stay active – it’s time to seek help.
Here are some warning signs:
- Pain that lasts longer than a week
- Pain that returns regularly
- Difficulty bending, lifting, or twisting
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs
- Pain that radiates to other areas (such as the buttocks or legs)
At Chadwick’s Physiotherapy, we help people in Formby understand the root cause of their back pain – and more importantly, what to do about it.
Natural, Hands-On Solutions That Actually Work
We believe in working with the body, not against it. That means no quick fixes, no reliance on medication, and no waiting months for a referral. Our physiotherapy approach is designed to help you get moving again with personalised, expert care.
Some of the techniques we use include:
- Manual Therapy – Hands-on treatment to release tight muscles, improve joint mobility, and reduce pain.
- Movement-Based Rehabilitation – Simple, progressive exercises to build strength and improve flexibility.
- Postural and Movement Assessments – We’ll help you identify habits or movement patterns that may be contributing to your pain.
- Home Exercise Programmes – We’ll guide you with easy-to-follow strategies you can use at home between sessions.
All of our care is 100% tailored to your individual needs and goals.
Real People, Real Results
One of our clients, a 52-year-old teacher from Liverpool, came to us after months of chronic lower back pain that made standing in the classroom nearly impossible. After just a few sessions and some at-home mobility work, she was able to return to teaching without discomfort – and more importantly, with confidence in her body again.
We’ve helped hundreds of clients in Formby and the wider Liverpool area get back to doing what they love – whether that’s walking the dog, playing with grandchildren, or simply waking up without pain.
Back pain rarely resolves on its own. Ignoring it or relying on temporary fixes like heat packs or medication may offer short-term relief, but it won’t address the underlying cause.
The longer you wait, the more chance your body has to adapt around the pain – which can lead to compensations, more strain on other joints, and chronic issues that are harder to treat later on.
If you’ve been living with back pain and hoping it’ll go away, now’s the time to take action.
Your Next Step: Book a Free Discovery Visit
If you’re based in Formby or anywhere in the Liverpool area and are struggling with back pain, we’d love to help.
At Chadwick’s Physiotherapy, we offer a completely free 30-minute Discovery Visit – a no-pressure, no-obligation session where you can:
- Talk to a qualified physiotherapist
- Get clarity on what’s causing your pain
- Learn what can be done to relieve it
- Ask any questions about your recovery options
This is your chance to take the first step toward a healthier, stronger, pain-free back – without committing to anything upfront.