How Physiotherapy Helped Overcome Severe Lower Back & Nerve Pain

by Simon Cabot, Clinical Director, Physiotherapist & Longevity Lead for Better Physio Group.

Simon Cabot is a Chronic Pain and Longevity Specialist with over 30 years of experience. He sees patients at Better’s Soho clinic.

Book a session or free video call with Simon.

Simon Cabot

Living with severe lower back and nerve pain can feel overwhelming. When every movement hurts, exercise becomes impossible and even simple daily activities become a challenge, it’s easy to believe that injections or surgery are the only options left. 

At Better Physio Group, we regularly meet people who arrive at exactly this point. They have often tried multiple treatments, seen different specialists, and feel like they’ve run out of answers. 

This is one of those stories.

Our patient came to us suffering from severe lower back and nerve pain accompanied by intense muscle spasm. 

The pain wasn’t just uncomfortable – it had taken over everyday life. 

Simple movements became difficult. Exercise had stopped completely. Confidence disappeared.  

Like many people living with persistent pain, the physical symptoms quickly began affecting emotional wellbeing too. 

“It was ruining my life by inhibiting me from doing simple things and exercising.” 

This is something we hear regularly in clinic. Pain doesn’t just affect your back – it affects your sleep, your work, your mood, your relationships and your confidence. 

Before arriving at Better Physio Group, our patient had already begun exploring more invasive options, including: 

• Pain-relieving injections 
• Nerve block injections 
• Surgery 

These treatments absolutely have their place for some people, and sometimes they are necessary. However, many people reach this stage before receiving a comprehensive physiotherapy assessment that looks beyond the MRI scan or painful structure. 

At Better Physio Group, our goal is always to understand why the pain is occurring and what can be done to improve the body’s ability to recover naturally wherever possible.

One of the biggest differences our patient experienced wasn’t simply the treatment itself – it was finally feeling understood. 

“They understood my plight both physically and emotionally.” 

Persistent pain is rarely just a physical problem. 

Research continues to show that pain is influenced by movement, strength, stress, sleep, lifestyle, previous injuries, emotions and overall health. That’s why our clinicians take the time to understand the whole picture rather than simply chasing symptoms. 

Our physiotherapists combine hands-on treatment with expert rehabilitation, education and personalised exercise programmes designed to restore confidence alongside physical function. 

As the rehabilitation progressed, the improvements extended far beyond reducing pain. 

“Mentally I am better able to address my issues and physically I am in the right plan to strengthen key areas.” 

One of the biggest misconceptions about lower back pain is that people should stop moving. 

While severe pain may require a short period of relative rest, long-term recovery usually comes from gradually rebuilding movement, confidence and strength. 

Rather than simply masking symptoms, we help patients understand their condition and create a clear plan towards recovery. 

When asked what advice they would give someone experiencing similar symptoms, the answer was simple: 

“Go to Better first before considering any injections or surgery.” 

This doesn’t mean surgery is never appropriate. Some conditions absolutely require medical intervention. 

However, current clinical guidelines consistently recommend high-quality physiotherapy, exercise rehabilitation and conservative management before progressing to invasive procedures for many common lower back conditions. 

Having a thorough assessment from an experienced physiotherapist can often help you understand all of your options before making major decisions. 

When asked what stood out most about their experience, our patient said: 

“Simon Cabot and Charlie Goodchild understand. No small talk – just action. They’re brilliant.” 

We appreciate those kind words because they reflect exactly what we strive to provide every day. 

Our team combines years of clinical experience with the latest evidence to help people recover from pain, improve performance and return to the activities they love. 

Whether you’re suffering from acute back pain, persistent lower back pain, sciatica or nerve pain, we aim to understand the whole person – not just the painful body part. 

If severe back pain is affecting your work, exercise, family life or sleep, you don’t have to navigate it alone. 

At Better Physio Group, our experienced physiotherapists provide comprehensive assessments, hands-on treatment and personalised rehabilitation programmes designed to help you recover safely and confidently. 

Before assuming injections or surgery are your only options, book an assessment and let us help you understand what’s driving your pain – and what can be done about it. 

Your recovery starts with understanding your story.