BACK PAIN REHABILITATION
Movement control. Gradual progress. Capacity for everyday life.
Persistent or recurrent lower back pain can make bending, lifting, exercise and daily tasks feel unpredictable. NeuroHAB is a movement-focused approach to back pain rehabilitation that considers how you coordinate and control movement, then progressively builds the capacity needed for your goals.
THE APPROACH
NeuroHAB considers the relationship between the nervous system and the way we move. Its rehabilitation framework looks beyond strength or flexibility alone to assess movement coordination, control and physical capacity.
Where an assessment identifies movements or loads that reproduce your symptoms, rehabilitation can focus on developing more useful movement strategies and gradually increasing tolerance. Back pain is complex, and movement patterns are only one part of the clinical picture.
Coordination, control and capacity can be assessed and practised as part of an individual plan.
ASSESSMENT
Jordan will discuss your history, symptoms, previous treatment, goals and the movements, positions or loads that appear relevant to your pain. Depending on your presentation, assessment may include bending, lifting, spinal and hip movement, functional tasks, strength, endurance and movement control.
The findings guide an individual plan. Some people begin with simple movement practice; others may be ready to progress into exercise, resistance training or work and sport-specific tasks.
A PROGRESSIVE PROCESS
01 / UNDERSTAND
Identify activities and loads that affect your symptoms and plan appropriate changes.
02 / PRACTISE
Practise coordination and control during tasks that matter to you.
03 / PROGRESS
Progress movement, strength, endurance and load as tolerated, with the aim of returning to meaningful activity.
Progression and the number of appointments vary between people.
IS IT RIGHT FOR YOU?
NeuroHAB principles may be relevant if you have persistent or recurrent lower back pain, repeated flare-ups with particular activities, difficulty returning to exercise, or reduced confidence with bending and lifting. It may also be considered when you want a structured way to move from symptom management towards greater physical capacity.
Jordan will assess whether this approach is suitable for you and whether any other assessment or care is needed.
MEET YOUR PRACTITIONER
Jordan van der Westhuizen is an Occupational Therapist and Managing Director of Perth Injury & Pain Clinic. Jordan is a Certified NeuroHAB Back Pain Rehabilitation Practitioner. He draws on this training alongside his broader spinal rehabilitation experience to tailor assessment and rehabilitation to each person’s presentation and goals.
NeuroHAB is a professional training approach; certification does not imply specialist registration or guarantee treatment outcomes.
COMMON QUESTIONS
No. Strength can be part of rehabilitation, but coordination, movement control and graded exposure to meaningful activity may also be addressed.
A referral is generally not needed for a private occupational therapy appointment. Funding arrangements such as DVA or insurance may have different requirements.
Often, activity can be adjusted and progressed. Recommendations depend on your individual symptoms and assessment findings.
NEXT STEP
If lower back pain is affecting your work, exercise or everyday activities, contact Perth Injury & Pain Clinic to discuss an assessment with Jordan.
