Spinal Physiotherapy
Back and neck problems are the most common reasons people see us. Our spinal care is led by research — our founder's PhD examined how the lumbo-pelvic region is controlled during human movement — and delivered through assessment, hands-on treatment and graded exercise.
Spinal care built on spine research
Spinal physiotherapy at Saunders is not a sideline — it is where our research roots run deepest. Our founder, Dr Steve Saunders, completed his PhD on motor control of the lumbo-pelvic region during human movement, and that understanding of how the spine and pelvis actually work under load shapes how we assess and treat every back and neck presentation.
In practice, that means careful diagnosis before treatment, an explanation you can understand, and a plan with measurable milestones — not generic advice to rest and wait.
What we treat
Our spinal physiotherapy covers the full length of the spine:
- Low back pain — acute episodes, recurrent flare-ups and persistent pain
- Neck pain — desk-related stiffness, sudden onset and whiplash
- Neck-related headaches — including jaw involvement
- Referred pain — leg pain with back problems or arm pain with neck problems is screened carefully first, then managed as the assessment indicates
- Work-related spinal load problems, backed by ergonomic assessments
How we assess and treat
Treatment starts with working out why your spine is painful, not just where. Alongside a thorough hands-on examination we use objective tools where they genuinely help, and each of our spinal condition pages publishes the care pathway we follow — who assesses you, what we measure, and the evidence behind the approach.
Treatment typically combines hands-on therapy, dry needling where appropriate, and a progressive exercise program to build the strength and control that keeps the problem from returning. For necks, we also offer laser proprioceptive retraining — retraining joint position sense, which is especially useful after whiplash.
When to seek help
Most back and neck pain settles with the right management, and starting early usually means recovering faster. If pain is limiting your work, sleep or exercise — or keeps coming back — an assessment will tell you what is driving it and what to do about it.
You do not need a referral, and both our Adelaide CBD and Edwardstown clinics manage spinal problems.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a scan before seeing a physio for back or neck pain?
Usually not. Most spinal pain can be assessed and managed without imaging, and scans often show age-related changes that are not the cause of pain. If your assessment suggests imaging would change your management, we will say so and coordinate it with your GP.
Is spinal physiotherapy safe if my pain is severe?
Yes. Assessment is always paced to what you can tolerate, and screening for the rare serious causes of spinal pain is part of every first consultation. If anything in your presentation needs medical review, we will refer you promptly.
How many sessions will my back or neck problem need?
It depends on the diagnosis and how long the problem has been present. After your first assessment we will give you an honest estimate, a plan with milestones, and re-assessment along the way so you can see the progress objectively.
Which clinic should I book for spinal physiotherapy?
Either — back and neck problems are managed at both Gilles Street in the Adelaide CBD and the Arruda Clinic in Edwardstown. Choose whichever location is easier for you to attend regularly.