How Physiotherapy Can Help with Back Pain
We’ll identify the source of the pain and find a solution that works!
Sometimes, helping a friend move can have lasting repercussions. John, a 48-year-old science teacher and avid hiker, agreed to help his neighbor load up a moving van when the hired movers failed to show. While attempting to lift an antique wardrobe, John felt a sudden, sharp pain in his lower back.
While the injury did get John out of helping on moving day, the pain persisted for weeks, severely limiting John’s mobility. He could barely stand through even a single 45-minute class, and he found himself stuck indoors during the beautiful summer months, as hiking, or indeed any physical activity, was out of the question.
If you’ve ever been in John’s situation, you’re not alone. Lower back pain is one of the most common physical impairments in the world. Over 80% of people globally will experience back pain at some point in their lives, and up to 12% will actually become disabled due to back pain.
Fortunately, John knew he didn’t have to depend on pain medication and rest to address his condition. When his pain lingered, he made an appointment with his local physiotherapist, who identified John’s injury as lumbar muscle strain. Together, they developed an effective pain management program using therapeutic exercise and manual therapy.
If you’re struggling with debilitating, persistent lower back pain, Bloor Jane Physiotherapy & Active Rehabilitation offers the same services as John’s physiotherapist. We’ll work with you to identify the exact cause of your pain, then provide you with a customized plan of action.
Schedule an appointment with us to learn more!
Some of the Common Causes of Lower Back Pain
While John’s pain had a clear source–his moving-day injury–we understand that isn’t always the case. In fact, back pain has several potential culprits. So even if your back pain feels like it came out of nowhere, rest assured that something is at fault. Our team of therapists can help you identify what it is.
Here are some potential sources of your lower back pain:
- Muscle strains: A strain is an injury to your muscles, tendons, or ligaments that generally results from improper form while lifting (as John experienced). Muscle strains are an especially common source of back pain among active adults.
- Degenerative disc disease: This condition isn’t really a disease. Instead, it occurs when the cushiony discs between your vertebrae, called the intervertebral discs, break down, usually due to aging or injury. Without the discs to protect the spinal joints from rubbing against each other, you’ll experience back pain.
- Herniated disc: Those intervertebral discs can also tear, either after a major trauma or as a gradual injury over time. This injury can compress the nerves in the back, leading to back pain and other symptoms like neck pain or tingling and numbness in your legs.
- Spinal stenosis: Spinal stenosis occurs when the vertebrae within the spinal column narrow, leading to pressure on the spinal nerves. It can result from normal aging processes or bone disease (such as osteoporosis).
- Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis occurs when the protective cartilage in your joints starts to wear down. If it develops in your spine or hips, you may feel pain in your lower back.
- Poor posture or a sedentary lifestyle: Sometimes, back pain results not from injury or illness but from lifestyle factors. Prolonged sitting and poor posture put extra pressure on your spine, leading to lower back pain.
How Physiotherapy at Bloor Jane Physiotherapy & Active Rehabilitation Helps Resolve Back Pain
While back pain has several potential causes, physiotherapy offers several different solutions. Our team will work with you to develop a treatment plan that addresses your symptoms and suits your needs and abilities.
When you come in for your initial appointment, we’ll begin with a physical assessment, including a complete health history, a discussion about your symptoms, and a series of in-depth physical tests and movement screens. From there, we can create your customized treatment plan.
While treatment plans will vary based on factors such as the cause of your pain, you can expect them to include one or more of the following:
- Therapeutic exercise program: Regular exercise is one of the best ways of addressing lower back pain. We’ll provide you with tailored exercises, ensure you perform them safely and effectively, and monitor your progress so we can adjust your plan as needed.
- In addition to a general exercise program, we might show you targeted exercises to strengthen the muscles of your lower back and core, helping to relieve pressure on the spine.
- Manual therapy: These hands-on treatment techniques, which include spinal and soft tissue manipulations, can reduce pain and improve your spine’s mobility. If your pain is too intense for exercise, manual therapy can help!
- Pain management: We also offer additional pain management techniques, such as hot or cold therapy or electrical stimulation.
- Education: Finally, we’ll equip you with the information you need to care for your spinal health, including postural corrections, information about proper lifting techniques, and other lifestyle modifications.
Get Back to The Activities You Love
For John, one of the worst parts of his back pain was that it kept him from his favorite leisure activity, hiking. But after six weeks of regular physical therapy, he could go for walks around his neighborhood, and after a few months, he was back on the trails.
At Bloor Jane Physiotherapy & Active Rehabilitation, we don’t want to see back pain keep you from your favorite activities. Our team will work closely with you to try and determine the source of your pain and find a solution that works for you.
If you want to learn more about how physiotherapy can help treat your back pain, schedule an appointment for an initial consultation today!