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Around 80 per cent of adults experience low back pain at some point in their lifetime, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Back pain is the most common cause of job-related disability and a leading contributor to missed work days. Most chronic back pain originates from a mechanical cause which is acute or that occurs over time and that does not resolve.
There are many risk factors for back pain which can include pregnancy, carrying a heavy backpack - especially for children, genetic factors including arthritis, being overweight and having a job which requires a lot of lifting, pushing or pulling.
If you are struggling with chronic lower back pain, why not consider clinical exercise with a physiotherapist?
This can help improve disability, pain, flexibility and balance in those with chronic lower back pain.
Pilates With Sarah owner Sarah Venables has more than 14 years teaching clinical exercise and uses a hands on clinical-based teaching style.
"It helps strengthen, realign and tone muscles," she said. "It also improves posture, flexibility and balance. The exercises accommodate and rehabilitate injuries.
"Your core muscles are very important in providing stability at each segment of the spine during movement.
"Research shows the core muscles tend to switch off or become under active in people with back pain. This means that although the initial episode of back pain may settle, 80 per cent of people with an acute back pain incident will develop recurring back pain within one year of the initial injury.
"Therapeutic exercises have more effect in the treatment of lower back pain in reducing pain and functional disability in the long term than conventional exercises." Pilates With Sarah classes are taught by a registered physiotherapist.
Changes to health rebates
Private health insurers will no longer provide extras cover for a range of natural therapies, including pilates and yoga.
However, physiotherapy rebates are not affected by these changes.
"Physiotherapy is a rigorous, evidence based treatment practiced by fully qualified and registered health practitioners," she said.
"Many physiotherapists treat clients individually with a range of informed exercises, and/or groups and classes for clients.
"Exercises prescribed by a physiotherapist as part of an individual consultation, group or class will continue to attract private health insurance rebates. Physiotherapists can no longer use the term 'pilates' in the title of sessions. These sessions will be known as clinical exercise."
