Lower back pain is almost a rite of passage. Most people get it at some point, and in a city built around desks, cars and long flights, it arrives early and often. The problem is that back pain is surrounded by myths, fear and conflicting advice, which is why so many people manage it badly and let it drag on. This guide clears that up.
What causes lower back pain?
Most lower back pain isn’t caused by serious damage. It’s usually a mix of load and lifestyle: too much sitting, too little movement, a sudden overload, stress, and poor sleep, all stacking up until the back complains. The reassuring truth is that the spine is strong and resilient, and most back pain is mechanical and treatable.
Is my back pain caused by damage?
Rarely in the way people fear. Terms like “disc bulge” and “wear and tear” sound alarming, but these findings appear in plenty of pain-free people too. Pain and damage are not the same thing. Your nervous system produces pain to protect you, and it can turn the volume up even when the tissue is basically fine. That’s why fear and stress genuinely make back pain worse.
Why is it so common in Dubai?
- Long hours sitting at DIFC desks
- Long commutes and long-haul flights
- Weekend warrior training after a sedentary week
- Stress and poor sleep, which lower your tolerance
Should I rest or move?
Move, gently. The old advice to rest in bed made things worse. Staying as active as the pain reasonably allows helps the back recover faster and keeps it from stiffening and weakening. That doesn’t mean pushing into sharp pain, it means not shutting down.
When should I worry?
Most back pain is not serious, but see a doctor promptly if you have pain with numbness or weakness spreading down a leg, problems controlling your bladder or bowels, numbness around the groin, or pain with fever or unexplained weight loss. These are uncommon but need urgent attention.
How does a physiotherapist treat it?
By finding why your particular back is complaining, then changing it. A physiotherapist assesses your movement, strength and habits, uses hands-on manual therapy to settle the pain, and builds the strength and control that stop it returning. The aim isn’t just to quiet today’s pain, it’s to fix the pattern behind it.
Frequently asked questions
Will my back pain go away on its own?
Often it eases, but without addressing the cause it commonly comes back. Treating the pattern makes recurrence far less likely.
Do I need a scan?
Usually not for typical back pain. Scans often show harmless findings and rarely change treatment. They’re reserved for specific warning signs.
Is it safe to exercise with back pain?
Usually yes, and it helps. The right movement, guided properly, is one of the best treatments there is.
If lower back pain is holding you back in Dubai, it’s very treatable once the real cause is found. A physiotherapist can assess it and get you moving freely again. You can book a session here.
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Marcos Jusdado is a physiotherapist and osteopath at Craft Clinic, The Ritz-Carlton DIFC, in the heart of Dubai. With 9 years of experience and over 12,000 sessions, he specialises in sport physiotherapy, functional neurology (P-DTR), vestibular rehabilitation and chronic pain, working with everyone from DIFC professionals to athletes. His approach focuses on finding the root cause of pain rather than just treating the symptoms.
