Home › Physio & Stretch › Spinal Physiotherapy

Physio & Stretch

Spinal Physiotherapy in Brisbane

Spinal physiotherapy assessment and management for neck, thoracic, and lower back conditions — whether you’re managing an acute episode or a persistent spinal condition that’s been limiting your training and daily life.

Initial$155

Duration45 min

Follow-ups FROM $120

Book Physio ↗Ask a question

Initial consult

45 min

Rebates available

PHI + DVA

The Service

What is Spinal Physiotherapy?

Spinal physiotherapy is a specialised area of musculoskeletal physiotherapy focused on conditions affecting the cervical spine (neck), thoracic spine (mid-back), and lumbar spine (lower back). It covers a wide range of presentations — from acute pain after a specific incident, to chronic low back pain that has persisted for months or years, to nerve-related symptoms such as sciatica or referred arm pain.

At GymTherapy, spinal physiotherapy is approached through a biopsychosocial lens — recognising that spinal pain is rarely explained by structural findings alone, and that load management, movement confidence, and active rehabilitation are central to long-term outcomes. Your physiotherapist will assess not just the pain source but the movement patterns, strength deficits, and activity factors that are maintaining it.

What to Expect

What’s involved

Spinal Assessment

~20 min

A thorough assessment covering the history of your condition, aggravating and easing factors, neurological screen where indicated, and movement testing of the relevant spinal segments. Red flags are screened.

Diagnosis & Education

~10 min

Your physiotherapist explains the clinical findings and the likely source of your symptoms. Pain education is a meaningful part of spinal management — understanding what your pain means (and doesn’t mean) is often the first step toward recovery.

Manual Therapy & Treatment

~15 min

Treatment may include spinal joint mobilisation or manipulation, soft tissue therapy, neural mobilisation, dry needling (where appropriate), and early-stage exercise prescription — selected based on your specific presentation and stage of management.

Active Rehabilitation Plan

~5 min

A progressive plan is agreed — covering your home exercise program, activity modifications, and the pathway to return to full training. Ongoing gym-based rehabilitation can be coordinated where appropriate.

Conditions We See

Who it’s for

✓ Acute and chronic lower back pain

✓ Sciatica and lumbar radiculopathy

✓ Neck pain and cervicogenic headache

✓ Thoracic stiffness and mid-back pain

✓ Disc-related conditions and nerve root irritation

✓ Spinal pain limiting training, work, or daily activity

Our Approach

The technology

Active-First

Evidence-Based Spinal Management + Active Rehabilitation

Current evidence consistently supports active management — graded exercise, load exposure, and movement confidence — as the most effective long-term approach for most spinal conditions. Manual therapy is used as a tool to reduce pain and restore movement in the short term, but the goal is always to transition you to an active program as quickly as appropriate. Passive treatment alone is rarely the answer for spinal pain.

Active-first

Movement and progressive loading — not prolonged rest — is the evidence-based standard for most spinal conditions

Investment

Pricing

Initial consult from

$155

✓ 45-minute initial spinal assessment and treatment

✓ Neurological screen where clinically indicated

✓ Hands-on treatment in the first consult

✓ App-based exercise program and progressive management plan

✓ Private health insurance rebates available (extras cover)

Book Physio ↗

Common Questions

Spinal Physiotherapy FAQ

Do I need an MRI or X-ray before coming in?

No — imaging is not required before your first physiotherapy appointment. Most spinal conditions are diagnosed clinically, and imaging findings often don’t correlate with pain levels or function. If your physiotherapist determines that imaging would change management, they will discuss this with you and can refer if appropriate.

Is manual therapy safe?

Spinal manipulation and mobilisation performed by a registered physiotherapist is generally considered safe when appropriately selected for the patient’s presentation. Your physiotherapist will screen for any contraindications before using manual techniques and will discuss all treatment options with you before proceeding.

My back pain has been there for years — can physio still help?

Chronic spinal pain (lasting more than 3 months) often has a different profile to acute pain, and management approaches differ accordingly. Physiotherapy — particularly combined with graded exercise and education — has good evidence for chronic spinal conditions. Your physio will assess whether physiotherapy is appropriate and discuss realistic expectations for your specific situation.

I have sciatica — should I rest or keep moving?

Sciatica — pain referring down the leg from a lumbar nerve root — generally responds better to graded movement than prolonged rest. Your physiotherapist will assess the severity of your nerve symptoms and design a movement plan appropriate to your presentation. Severe neurological symptoms should be assessed promptly.

Can I continue training with back pain?

In many cases, modified training is not only possible but beneficial — avoiding complete deconditioning is an important part of managing spinal conditions. What you should modify or avoid depends entirely on your presentation, and your physiotherapist will give you specific guidance at your first consult.

How much does spinal physiotherapy cost in Brisbane?

Spinal physiotherapy at GymTherapy starts from $155 for an initial consultation. Most private health extras cover a portion of the fee, with on-the-spot HICAPS claiming available. Follow-up appointments are charged at a lower rate — ask us when you book.

Where can I see a spinal physio in Brisbane?

You can book spinal physiotherapy at GymTherapy's three Brisbane clinics — West End (Studio 99, 387 Montague Road), Newstead (Club Bunker, 27b Doggett Street) and Woolloongabba / East Brisbane (993 Stanley Street East). Open Mon–Fri 6am–8pm and Sat 6am–1pm — no referral required.

Keep Exploring