My objective when treating a client for an acute lower back pain issue is to reduce the pain and get them moving more comfortably.
A typical treatment for acute lower back pain, following a full assessment, might include some dry needling (not always but its often useful as an initial therapy to reduce pain and muscle tensions), massage and soft tissue release, trigger point therapy, osteopathic joint mobilisations (gently freeing up of a stiff joint) and assisted stretching. Another option is to use kinesiology tape to support the back muscles until the pain and spasm eases.
Often clients are suffering from lower back stiffness or discomfort rather than an acute pain. I will treat as above but also guide you into using corrective exercises and movements to relieve this stiffness. This is especially helpful for people suffering from conditions such as AS (Ankylosing Spondylitis), for which I primarily use massage, joint mobilisations and assisted stretching.
Often, long term (chronic) back pain is the result of muscle imbalances which may have become established over many years, but which can still be resolved. Certain patterns of muscle tightness in one area and corresponding weakness elsewhere, are normally the cause. The solution is to recognise and correct this dysfunction primarily with a programme of strengthening of the weak muscles, which often include core muscles and some spinal muscles.