Understanding NeuroHAB:
Low back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek osteopathic care. Whether it’s from sitting too long, poor posture, previous injuries, or simply the wear and tear of daily life, many of us experience some form of back pain at some stage. NeuroHAB is an evidence-based approach that focuses on restoring functional movement patterns to help reduce low back pain and improve long-term outcomes.
What is NeuroHAB?
NeuroHAB is a rehabilitation program designed to retrain the central nervous system and body to move in more efficient, natural ways. Many people with chronic low back pain unknowingly adopt poor movement habits to protect themselves from discomfort. Unfortunately, these compensations often lead to ongoing strain, stiffness, and pain.
NeuroHAB works by gradually reintroducing functional movements — the kind of movements our bodies are designed to do every day — in a safe, controlled environment. Over time, this helps “retrain” the nervous system, allowing muscles and joints to work together properly again. By restoring these natural patterns, many patients experience significant pain relief, better mobility, and greater confidence in movement.
How Functional Movement Helps Back Pain
Our bodies are designed to move in certain ways. Sitting, slouching, or repetitive tasks often lead to unnatural patterns that strain the spine and supporting muscles. NeuroHAB helps to correct these patterns through simple, targeted exercises that reinforce efficient, coordinated movement.
For example, rather than isolating individual muscles, NeuroHAB focuses on functional movements like bending, squatting, reaching, and rotating — movements that involve multiple joints and muscle groups working together, just like we do in daily life. Functional movements are natural movements that enable a wide range of motion with extensive muscle activation, and are inherently powerful. Functional movements allow us to not only move load, but move load the furthest distance, move load quickly and repetitively for the longest duration. We need functional movement as the foundation that allows you to build capacity for the “sport” we call life.
What to Expect During NeuroHAB
At Byron Central Osteopathy, the NeuroHAB program is typically delivered alongside your osteopathic care. Each session involves carefully guided exercises that are easy to follow and individually tailored to your needs. As your movement improves, the exercises are progressively adjusted to match your abilities and ensure ongoing improvement. You will be given homework at each session to continue your training at home. Sessions are 45 minutes, twice a week for 8 weeks.
How NeuroHAB Fits with Osteopathy
NeuroHAB and osteopathy compliment each other. While hands-on osteopathy addresses the signs and symptoms of low back pain by relieving pain, releasing tension, and improving joint mobility, NeuroHAB builds on this by addressing the root cause of the pain and retraining the way your body moves — aiming for long-term improvement and helping to prevent recurring back pain.
Is NeuroHAB Right for You?
If you’ve been struggling with low back pain — whether it’s recent or has been lingering for years — NeuroHAB may be an excellent option to help you move forward. By addressing not just the symptoms but the underlying movement patterns, we aim to get you back to doing the things you love, without fear of pain. For more information, fill in the contact form on our website, or call us in the clinic (02) 6685 5515. Jamie & Jade at Byron Central Osteopathy are the only registered NeuroHab providers in the Byron Bay region.