Millions of people struggle with lower back pain worldwide. Now, surprising new research from the University of South Australia shows that relearning 'baby' movements such as crawling, rolling and squatting could help reduce discomfort and rebuild confidence in how people move.
In a pilot study of people with chronic non-specific lower back pain, UniSA researchers found that a 12-week movement-based program called Motum could reduce pain, improve balance, and support greater confidence in everyday activities.
Developed in Adelaide by physiotherapists, Motum uses ground-based movements to retrain fundamental movement patterns and rebuild body awareness. Delivered face-to-face, the program combines progressive functional exercises with simple education about pain and movement, and is designed to be safe, achievable and adaptable for all participants.
Lead researcher and UniSA PhD candidate Alice Farmer says returning to basic movements can help people regain control and reduce ongoing discomfort.
"Lower back pain does not discriminate. It affects people of all ages, from all backgrounds. But the common response is the same: people start avoiding certain movements because they fear making things worse," Farmer says.
"We often see people change how they move, or stop moving altogether, which can compound the problem and increase the risk of long-term disability.
"While exercise is one of the safest and most cost-effective treatments, many people find traditional programs intimidating or not suited to their needs. Motum was designed to change that."
The first four weeks of the program focus on floor-based movements such as rolling, crawling and kneeling, which provide a safe, stable foundation to rebuild essential motor control. Participants then progress to more complex movements over the 12 weeks, supported by physiotherapists who tailor the exercises to individual abilities.
Globally, lower back pain affects more than 600 million people. It is the leading cause of years lived with a disability. In Australia, it costs the healthcare system more than $4.8 billion a year.
The Motum study included surveys and in-depth interviews with participants, who consistently praised the program and its everyday benefits:
- "The build-up from basic movements at the start through to more complex and loaded movements at the end felt achievable."
- "There's huge value in the real-time corrections. The instructor checked in and adjusted things, so it worked for everyone."
- "I don't worry about hurting my back later. Everything we learnt, I apply daily."
- "It taught me to move more mindfully - and why that matters."
Co-researcher UniSA's Dr Jacinta Brinsley says the early findings suggest Motum could become a valuable addition to chronic pain care.
"For people with persistent back pain, programs that focus on fundamental movement and motor control, not just strength or endurance, may offer a genuinely promising pathway out of pain," Dr Brinsley says.
"Chronic pain is complex, but engagement is everything. If people don't enjoy or trust a program, they simply won't do it. Motum achieved the opposite: people showed up, felt safe, and noticed meaningful changes in how they moved.
"We still need larger trials, but this pilot shows real potential. For many people with chronic lower back pain, a program like this could be the first step toward moving more freely and taking back control of their lives."
