Daniel White-Alikakos is the Director and Lead Physiotherapist at Leap Healthcare in Mount Waverley, where he helps clients recover from injury, improve movement, and return to the activities they love. Holding a Doctor of Physiotherapy and a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science, Daniel specialises in sports injury rehabilitation, running assessments, and strength-based recovery programs. With over a decade of clinical experience and a background as an elite-level sprinter, he delivers evidence-based care tailored to athletes and active individuals of all levels.

Back pain is one of the most common reasons people visit a physiotherapist. For some, it appears suddenly after lifting something awkwardly. For others, it builds slowly from long hours at a desk, poor posture or stress. Whatever the cause, new Australian research is changing the way physiotherapists understand and treat low back pain, and the results are encouraging.

At Leap Healthcare in Mount Waverley, we help patients move beyond short-term pain relief toward long-term confidence and control.

Understanding low back pain

Low back pain affects millions of Australians every year. While it is rarely linked to serious medical problems, it can significantly limit how you move and how confident you feel at work, sport and home.

In the past, treatment often focused on rest or passive therapies alone. Recent studies now show that staying active, learning about your pain and building movement confidence leads to better outcomes than prolonged rest or over-reliance on scans and medication.

What recent research is showing

Australian researchers, including teams from Curtin University and Monash University, have been studying how education, movement and mindset influence recovery. Their findings show that:

People recover faster when they stay active and gradually return to movement rather than avoiding it.
Cognitive Functional Therapy (CFT), which combines education, gradual exposure to movement and confidence-building, helps reduce pain and disability for long-term back pain sufferers.
Pain is often influenced by stress, sleep, work habits and beliefs about the body, not just the spine itself.

This new understanding helps physiotherapists guide patients through more personalised, evidence-based recovery plans that go beyond simply managing symptoms.

What this means for your physiotherapy care

At Leap Healthcare, our approach to treating back pain follows these principles:

Active treatment, not just passive relief
We focus on helping you move confidently again through tailored exercises and gradual strengthening, rather than only using short-term treatments.
Education and reassurance
Understanding that back pain does not always mean damage can be a turning point. We help you learn what movements are safe and how to manage flare-ups.
Whole-body assessment
Our physiotherapists look beyond your lower back to assess posture, muscle balance, and movement habits that could be contributing to pain.
Long-term prevention
Once pain settles, we build a plan to prevent recurrence with mobility, strength and lifestyle changes that suit your daily routine.

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How you can support your recovery

Back pain recovery is most successful when you take an active role. Here are some strategies to help:

Stay as active as your pain allows and avoid long periods of rest.
Maintain a consistent routine with gentle stretching or walking.
Use heat or movement to ease stiffness rather than complete inactivity.
Focus on building strength in your hips, glutes and core under your physio’s guidance.
Prioritise regular sleep and manage stress levels to support healing.

Every person’s recovery looks different, which is why having an experienced physiotherapist guide you through the process makes a real difference.

When to see a physiotherapist

If your pain has lasted more than a few days, spreads into your legs, or limits your ability to move comfortably, it is time to seek professional help. Early assessment can prevent chronic issues and shorten your recovery time.

At Leap Healthcare in Mount Waverley, we work with you to identify the cause, create a clear plan, and track your progress every step of the way.

Important information

This article provides general information only and should not replace personalised medical advice. Please consult a qualified physiotherapist or GP for an assessment specific to your condition.