Lower Back Pain Treatment in Mississauga & Etobicoke

Are you suffering from sudden low back pain? Is it hard to walk, sit or bend? Are you stiff in the morning and does it affect your sleep? Are you unable to go to work or play your sport?

Back pain is a common problem with over 80% of people having experienced at least one episode of low back pain in their lifetime. The reasons why people experience back pain can be different from person to person. However, back pain can be a very debilitating experience and can severely impact a person’s quality of life.

What are the common signs and symptoms of low back pain?

Back pain can be very variable and present in so many ways. The most common signs and symptoms of low back pain include:

Sharp back pain
Reduced range of movement of the back
Dull aching in the back, buttocks, and legs
Feeling of heaviness in the leg
Shooting or burning pain in the leg
Pins and needles or numbness in the leg

What can cause low back pain?

Low back pain can be caused by many different reasons. For some people it can be a one-time episode after doing too much of something or lifting something too heavy. However, some people are more vulnerable to experience low back pain because of certain pre-existing conditions or lifestyle choices.

Physical Trauma	Trauma can result in fractures, disc injuries and sprains and strains in the back. Examples of physical traumas can include motor vehicle accidents, falls and blunt forces.
Sciatica	Sciatica is a general term used to describe pain that runs down the leg. It is usually caused by a disc bulge or disc herniation, which places pressure on the nerve roots in the spine, and sends symptoms into the leg.
Scoliosis & Kyphosis	Scoliosis and Kyphosis are additional curvatures of the spine. These spinal deformities can produce stiffness and muscle imbalances in the back, which can lead to pain.
Osteoarthritis	Arthritis can produce changes in the size of the intervertebral discs, reduce spinal joint spaces and create excessive bony growths throughout the spine. These changes can lead to stiffness and pain, especially with certain triggers such as repetitive lifting or sudden traumas.
Inflammatory Conditions	Some conditions produce inflammation throughout the joints and tissues of the body, including the low back. Examples of inflammatory conditions that can produce back pain include Ankylosing Spondylitis and Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Vertebral Fractures	Vertebrae are the bony compartments of the spine. Physical traumas can cause fractures in the vertebrae, which can result in pain in the back.
Pregnancy-related Back Pain	A growing baby bump can place more pressure on the joints and tissues of the back resulting in pain. Pregnancy hormones also work to increase the flexibility in the soft tissues of the back, which can lead to feelings of instability and pain in the back and pelvis areas.
Sedentary Lifestyles	A sedentary lifestyle means that there is very little physical activity in a person’s day to day routine. A sedentary lifestyle increases stiffness and produces and weakness which can lead to pain and injury of the low back.

Can Physiotherapy help relieve low back pain?

Physiotherapy Treatment for Lower Back Pain

Physiotherapy can most definitely help relieve and manage low back pain. A Registered Physiotherapist will take detailed history about the pain and perform a thorough assessment of the back. Once the physiotherapist has determined the possible source of the pain, they will develop a treatment plan to address the problem areas.

The physiotherapy treatment recommended will be based on the presenting problems of the patient and their specific goals. In general, physiotherapy treatment for lower back pain will include multiple elements:

Education related to the pain experience, recommendations for work and activity modifications and tools to self manage symptoms.
Manual therapy, including mobilizations, passive stretching and soft tissue work.
Exercises to increase flexibility, strength, and function through the back and associated areas.
Physiotherapy for back pain may also include other forms of treatments such as electrotherapy, acupuncture and spinal decompression.

The research shows that the best treatment for managing low back pain is staying strong and active. The Registered Physiotherapists at PhysioNow can provide the necessary back pain treatment to do that safely and effectively.

Do not let back pain stop you from living your life. We have 4 locations across the communities of Mississauga and Etobicoke to help you manage your pain. Contact PhysioNow to book your appointment and get started today!

Common Questions about Lower Back Pain Treatment

When should you see a doctor for lower back pain?

It is not normally necessary to see a doctor first for lower back pain unless you require a note for your insurance company in order to claim for physiotherapy or massage therapy benefits. At PhysioNow, we do not require a doctors note in order for you to be seen by a physiotherapist.

What is acute low back pain?

Most acute low back pain is caused by a disc injury for people between the ages of 25-55. After that, it can be caused by degenerative change of the spine.

What are the causes of lower back pain?

There are many possible causes of lower back pain including: disc pain, facet joint pain, nerve root pain that can be caused by bony compression or by a disc injury, or degenerative changes to the vertebrae that can compress the nerves.

What treatments are available for lower back pain?

There are many possible treatments of lower back pain including: spinal decompression/traction, manual movements to take the pressure off of the disc or facet, registered massage therapy, and exercise specific treatments. Most people with lower back pain respond very well to mechanical treatment performed by a highly skilled Registered Physiotherapist. PhysioNow has several highly skilled Physiotherapists trained in these spinal mechanical treatments in order to speed recovery from lower back pain.

How long will lower back pain typically last?

This depends on if you are what we call a “Fast Responder” or a “Slow Responder”. Fast Responders can be painfree within days of starting Physiotherapy Treatment. Slow Responders can take weeks to months to fully respond and heal.

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