Back pain not going away after 1 week? Here’s what it really means

 

If your back pain hasn’t improved after a week, you’re not alone — it’s one of the most common reasons people seek physiotherapy in Langley. At Divine Care Physiotherapy, our physiotherapist Langley team often sees patients who assume their pain is caused by a “bad posture” or a single wrong movement.

In reality, persistent back pain is usually a sign of overloaded tissues, poor movement variety, and prolonged sitting, not a major injury. This is why early assessment at a trusted physio Langley clinic can make recovery faster and prevent the problem from becoming chronic.

Back pain that lasts more than a week often means your spine is working harder than it should. When you sit, bend, or repeat the same movements for too long, your muscles tighten, your joints stiffen, and your nervous system becomes more sensitive — creating that dull, nagging ache that refuses to settle.

✔ What you can try right now

1. Take a 2-minute mobility break
Stand up, rotate gently through your spine, shift your hips, and take slow breaths to reset tension.

2. Change positions regularly
Avoid holding one posture for more than 20–30 minutes. Switch between sitting, standing, leaning, and walking.

3. Build small daily strength
Try 10–15 hip hinges, 10 mini squats, and a 20-second plank. These activate the muscles that support your spine.

✔ A quick science note

Studies show that short movement breaks throughout the day can reduce back pain intensity by 30–40% within a few days.

But if your pain hasn’t improved after 7–10 days — or if it keeps returning — it’s time to get assessed by a professional. A skilled physiotherapist in Langley, like the team at Divine Care Physiotherapy, can identify what’s overloaded, restore healthy movement, and build a personalised plan to stop the pain from becoming long-term.