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Lower Back Pain: Can It Be The Hips?

  • November 7, 2025
  • Kyle Wells

When your hips aren't pulling their weight, your lower back cops the extra load.

What if your back pain isn’t just a “back” issue?

At Fighting Fit Physiotherapy, low back pain is one of the top reasons people walk through our doors. But here’s the curveball most people don’t see coming: the real issue might be your hips.

When your hips aren’t pulling their weight — stiff, weak, or out of sync — your lower back cops the extra load. That compensation often leads to tightness, fatigue, and pain that just won’t go away.

Let’s break down how the hips and spine are connected, and why treating your back without looking at your hips is like bailing water out of a leaking boat without plugging the hole.

IMG_3020

Hips & Back: A Two-Person Job

Your hips and lumbar spine work together as a unit. Here’s the deal:

  • Hips = movement and power

  • Lower back = support and stability

When the hips lose mobility or strength, the spine ends up doing work it was never built to do — and that’s where pain creeps in.

We see these patterns all the time:

  1. Tight hip flexors from long hours of sitting or general life — they pull your pelvis forward and load up the lower back.

  2. Lazy glutes — when your glutes check out, your back has to overwork during standing, lifting, or training.

  3. Limited hip rotation — if your hips can’t rotate properly, your back tries to twist and bend more, which adds stress where it shouldn’t.

IMG_2402

How Hip Dysfunction Shows Up as Back Pain

Here’s how we spot hip-related back pain in the clinic:

1. Reduced Hip Extension

Tight hip flexors limit your ability to extend the leg behind you. So when you walk or run, your lower back arches more than it should to compensate — ouch.

2. Weak Glutes

Your glutes are your shock absorbers. When they’re not firing, your spine and hamstrings cop the load. Result? Stiffness, overuse, and nagging pain.

3. Asymmetrical Hip Mobility

If one side moves differently to the other, it throws off your whole chain. We see this often in squats, deadlifts, and even just walking.

4. Poor Hip Control During Movement

Squatting, bending, lifting — if your hips don’t control the movement well, your spine gets pulled into poor positions and ends up doing too much.

IMG_2285

How We Fix It at Fighting Fit

We don’t just chase symptoms. We zoom out and look at the bigger picture. If your back pain keeps coming back, we always check whether your hips are part of the problem.

✅ Step 1: Full-Body Movement Assessment

We test how your hips and spine work together — from joint mobility to glute firing and control in real-world tasks like walking or squatting.

👐 Step 2: Hands-On Treatment

We use targeted manual therapy to loosen up tight hip flexors, glutes, and lower back muscles. Mobility first, then we get you moving.

🏋️ Step 3: Smart, Progressive Exercise

This is where real change happens. Your program may include:

  • Hip mobility drills

  • Glute and core strength

  • Coordination exercises for spine + hip control

  • Load progression for lifting, walking, or sport

We build resilience, not just relief.

🎓 Step 4: Education That Sticks

We’ll coach you on better lifting strategies, daily movement hacks, and long-term strength plans so you don’t fall back into old patterns.

👟 Ready to Move Better, Hurt Less?

If your back pain keeps bouncing back, it might be time to look a little lower. Book in with one of our expert physios today and we’ll get to the root of it — together.

→ Book now or DM us with your symptoms and we’ll point you in the right direction.

Kyle Wells
Physiotherapist @ Fighting Fit Physiotherapy

Kyle Wells

Kyle Wells is a Physiotherapist at Fighting Fit Physio.

He has a special interest in arthritis, neck pain and tendinopathy. Just to name a few.

Kyle loves cross fit and has an exceptional eye for technique and performing exercise correctly.

He use exercise to improve patient results and get them moving better for the long term.

PrevPreviousAnkle Injuries Don’t Have to Be a Setback — Here’s How Fighting Fit Physio Gets You Back, Better Than Before
NextStruggling With Shoulder Pain? The Science Says Physio Is Your Best SolutionNext
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Contact Info

Fighting Fit Physiotherapy is located at 3 / 25 Brendan Dr, Nerang, Gold Coast, QLD, 4211

Call Now: 0402 938 661

Email: admin@fightingfitphysio.com.au

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At Fighting Fit Physiotherapy, we recognise the impacts that pain and dysfunction can have on one’s personal and professional life. We are committed as primary healthcare professionals to help our clients resume their lifelong pursuit of health and well-being.

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Brenda Samosa
05:52 07 Nov 24
I had a really bad shoulder and had been seeing a different physio for 3 months (from a different place) I got told Tyson was good. After just a few sessions the movement was coming back. I’m 66 and was worried I would have to stop surfing. But with a lot of help from Tyson I’m back in the waves ( thank you so so much)
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Shout out to Max from fighting fit physio. He helped me out massively straight after shoulder surgery and back into work and sports in no time. Couldn’t recommend anyone better!
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Five star service from Max & the team!
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I highly recommend this business.
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Riley Wilson
08:27 14 Jul 24
Be AWARE they’ll immediately try to commit you to multiple follow up sessions after your initial consultation. This happened to me and then I later found out that as it just so happens, they have a cancellation policy that says you have to pay 100% of the consultation fee for cancelling. They failed to tell me this when they were pushy in committing me to 6 sessions after my consult, so that was a really nice little surprise.

I was already uncomfortable with how pushy they were in having me commit to so many sessions, so when I heard about the policy I just cancelled all together. So, I can’t speak further to the quality of their service throughout therapy phase. FYI this was also a few months ago now, it’s possible (though unlikely) they may have changed the policy. Just ask the question.
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Megan Shelley
06:51 03 May 24
Fighting Fit Physiotherapy is hands down the best physio I've encountered. Having tried multiple physios for various injuries, I always find myself coming back to them. Their expertise consistently exceeds expectations, helping me get back to my sport faster than I thought possible. Their personalized approach and attention to detail make all the difference. I could not recommend a better or more exceptional physio team!
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Gina Matthews
08:41 24 Mar 23
Can't recommend this place high enough. I was in so much pain with my knee an had been for months through advise an exercises I'm now looking forward to returning to gym an back riding my horses in endurance thank you so much
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Courtney Halse
01:36 29 Nov 22
Kyle was knowledgeable, personable and professional. He saw me through my second pregnancy and continued to work with me until 6 months post partum on issues with my back. Would recommend anyone to go and see him.

Also shout out to Georgia on the front desk. She makes you feel welcome and brings a sense of warmth to the place!
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Alli Davenport
08:07 04 Nov 22
After hip replacement surgery in February I wanted toget back into weight training legs, I started with Mitch 18 weeks ago and after a lot of hard work and sweat I am able to safely train again, I cannot thank Mitch enough for his support,encouragement and knowledge. The staff are friendly and helpful and I always looked forward to my session's
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Robert Parkinson
10:50 15 Aug 22
This is the second time I have been treated by the team at FFP.
As a health professional myself I have been impressed with the level of care I have received from all members of the team.
The personalised treatment and rehabilitation programs have produced excellent results and I have completed both programs pain free and feeling stronger than before my injuries.
During the program there was constant communication and follow up and they were very accommodating with my work schedule.
All in all it was a very holistic experience and I would highly recommend the service.
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Kiri Canavan
07:30 08 Jun 22
Tyson was amazing! We came up with an 8 week plan at my first consultation with weekly check ins and updates to exercises. 8 weeks later, I am pain free and able to train harder than ever. Highly recommend and the staff are all fantastic and super accomodating!

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Fighting Fit Physiotherapy Nerang Gold Coast

fighting fit
physiotherapy

call 0402 938 661

Fighting Fit Physiotherapy provides the ultimate physiotherapy experience! No matter what type of injury or condition you suffer, we strive for all our patients to be ‘fighting fit’ and achieve peak performance in their sport and everyday life.

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OUR SERVICES

  • Physiotherapy
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  • NDIS Physio
  • Veterans DVA Program
  • Workcover Injury Treatment

OPENING HOURS

Monday6:30am–8:00pm
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Saturday  CLOSED
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Our Location

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Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use

Fighting Fit Physiotherapy Nerang Gold Coast

fighting fit
physiotherapy

GOLD COAST PHYSIO

Fighting Fit Physiotherapy provides the ultimate physiotherapy experience! No matter what type of injury or condition you suffer, we strive for all our patients to be ‘fighting fit’ and achieve peak performance in their sport and everyday life.

Privacy Policy

Terms Of Use

Our Location

3/25 Brendan Dr, Nerang QLD 4211

Follow us on social

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OUR SERVICES

  • Physiotherapy
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  • Tele Health
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  • VO2 Max Test
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  • NDIS Physio
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