Back and neck pain physio in Manchester
Find out what's causing your pain, get moving again with less fear, and build a back and neck that cope with your work, training and life.
Back and neck pain treatment in Manchester city centre
Reviewed by Nick Chatziviltsos, PgDip, HCPC-registered physiotherapist (PH114351), November 2026
At a glance
Who it's for: anyone with pain from the low back to the neck, including pain into a leg, arm or head.
What we do: assessment, a clear diagnosis, hands-on treatment and an exercise plan.
Typical recovery: most back and neck pain improves within a few weeks. Sciatica can take a few weeks to a few months.
Sessions: most people need 3 to 6, with exercises you do between sessions.
Get urgent help: numbness around your genitals or bottom, new bladder or bowel problems, or weakness in both legs: call 999 or go to A&E.
Back and neck pain is very common, and most of it isn't serious. The NHS says back pain usually improves within a few weeks. Most neck pain only lasts a few weeks too.
But "it'll settle" doesn't help much when you can't work, sleep or train. And for some people it keeps coming back.
We find out what's driving your pain, treat it, and give you a plan to stay active. We're inside F45 NQ near Piccadilly station, so you rebuild strength on a real gym floor.
🛠️ How we treat back and neck pain
Step 1. Find out why it hurts
We take your history, check for anything that needs a GP, and test movement, strength and nerves. We show you on a 3D anatomy model what's going on, so you understand your pain.
Step 2. Settle it down and keep you moving
We keep you working and training wherever it's safe. Treatment may include joint mobilisation, soft tissue work and IASTM, a tool-assisted soft tissue technique. You'll get early exercises from your custom rehab plan.
Step 3. Build you back stronger
Pain often comes back when strength and confidence don't. We rebuild your back, hips and shoulders on the F45 NQ gym floor with hinges, carries and rows. Then we get you back to deadlifts, long runs or full days at your desk.
Back or neck pain stopping you working, sleeping or training? Your first 60-minute session includes treatment. Book your assessment →
👥 Who our back and neck physio is for
Desk workers with a stiff neck, sore shoulders or a back that aches by mid-afternoon.
Gym-goers, runners and cyclists who've tweaked their back or neck and want to keep training.
People with leg or arm symptoms, such as sciatica, or headaches that start in the neck.
Pregnant people and new parents. See pre and postnatal physio.
People after spinal surgery. See spinal surgery rehab.
⚠️ Common back and neck symptoms
This is a guide, not a diagnosis. If anything under "When to get urgent help" sounds like you, follow that advice first.
A low back ache that changes as you move: it might be lower back pain.
Pain or tingling down one leg, or back pain worse when you sit or cough: it might be sciatica or a slipped disc.
Pain on one side of the low back or buttock, worse on stairs: it might be SI joint pain.
Low back pain that's worse leaning back or standing for long: it might be spondylolisthesis.
Stiffness between your shoulder blades after long days at a desk: it might be upper back pain.
A stiff neck that's hard to turn, often worse in the morning: it might be neck pain.
Neck pain with pins and needles, numbness or weakness in one arm or hand: it might be a trapped nerve in the neck.
A one-sided headache that starts in your neck: it might be a headache from the neck.
🧪 What happens at your first appointment
Your first session lasts 60 minutes, so treatment starts the same day.
Your story. When it started, what helps, what hurts, and your goals.
Safety screen. We check for signs that need your GP or urgent care.
Physical exam. Movement, strength, reflexes and feeling in your arms or legs.
Your diagnosis. In plain English, using our 3D anatomy model.
Treatment. Hands-on work and your first exercises, the start of a rehab plan built for you.
Your plan. What to keep doing, what to change for now, and how many sessions we expect.
We don't offer scans, and most back and neck pain doesn't need one. If you need imaging, we'll write to your GP.
💷 Back and neck physio prices
First appointment. 60-minute assessment and treatment: £95.
Follow-up, 30 minutes. £55.
Follow-up, 60 minutes. £95.
Free consultation, 15 minutes. Free.
We work with Bupa, WPA, Vitality and Aviva. Check your cover with your insurer before you book. If your back makes travelling hard, we also offer home visits and online physiotherapy.
⏱️ How long will it take to get better?
Most back and neck pain improves within a few weeks. Sciatica can take a few weeks to a few months.
✅ Back and neck conditions we treat
Pick the one that sounds most like you to read more. Not sure which one you have? That's what your first appointment is for.
Lower back pain: aching or stiffness across the low back, often after lifting, sitting or training
Sciatica: burning pain, tingling or numbness down the back of one leg
Slipped disc: back pain that may spread into a leg, worse sitting or bending
SI joint pain: pain to one side of the very bottom of the spine, around the buttock
Spondylolisthesis: low back pain from a vertebra that has slipped forward
Upper back pain: stiffness or aching between the shoulder blades, common in desk workers
Neck pain: a stiff, sore neck that's hard to turn, often after sleeping or long screen time
Trapped nerve in the neck (pins and needles down the arm): neck pain with tingling or weakness into one arm
Headaches from the neck: a one-sided headache that starts at the back of the head
❓ Back and neck pain FAQs
🚨 When to get urgent help
Serious causes are rare, but some symptoms need help fast. Don't wait for a physio appointment if you have any of these.
See your GP: pain worse at night and not eased by rest, unexplained weight loss, or a lump in your back.
Call your GP urgently or 111: pain with a high temperature or feeling unwell, or severe pain that's getting worse quickly; pins and needles or weakness in your hands, arms or legs, or problems walking.
Call 999 or go to A&E: numbness around your genitals or bottom, new trouble peeing or controlling your bowels, or weakness or numbness in both legs (call 999 or go to A&E now, don't drive yourself); back, neck or jaw pain with chest pain, or a sudden severe headache with trouble speaking, face weakness or loss of vision (call 999); a stiff neck with a very high temperature, sensitivity to light, or a rash that doesn't fade under a glass. Go to A&E with back or neck pain after a serious accident, such as a car crash or a fall from height.
Not sure if you need physio or just need to give it time? Book a free 15-minute call and we'll tell you honestly. Book a free call →
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Yes. Most people improve with the right advice, hands-on treatment and an exercise plan that keeps them active.
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Usually not. If you do, such as for nerve symptoms that aren't improving, we write to your GP.
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Keep moving. The NHS says to stay active and avoid long periods in bed. We'll show you what's safe to do.
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Most back and neck pain improves within a few weeks. Sciatica can take a few weeks to a few months.
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Most people need 3 to 6. We'll give you an estimate at your first appointment.
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Usually yes, with changes. We'll tell you what to keep and what to swap.
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We don't offer dry needling. We use joint mobilisation, soft tissue work, IASTM and exercise.
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Yes. Book a free 15-minute call and we'll tell you honestly whether physio is the right next step.
📍 Book back and neck physio in Manchester city centre
Athos Physio is inside F45 NQ, 77 Piccadilly, Manchester M1 2BU, a two-minute walk from Piccadilly station and Piccadilly Gardens. We're open 7am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, so you can come before or after work.
First appointment £95 for 60 minutes. Insured with Bupa, WPA, Vitality or Aviva? Check your cover first.
Call or WhatsApp 07475 433300, or book online.
Other services: Physiotherapy and active rehab · Sports massage · Pregnancy and postnatal physio · Home visits · Online physio
Written by Nick Chatziviltsos, physiotherapist and founder of Athos Physio, BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy, HCPC registered. Last reviewed: November 2026.
Insurance providers we are affiliated with
Athos Physio is a full-service physiotherapy clinic
We offer injury rehabilitation, post-surgery functional strengthening, deep tissue massage and pain relief, and strength training expertise. We support you in becoming pain-free so that you can achieve a limitless life experience. If you want to speak with us before booking a session you reach out via WhatsApp, call us or email us.
We are based in Manchester city centre a couple of minutes walk from Piccadilly train station and Piccadilly Gardens Square