Back pain can limit work, sleep, driving, and training. We start with an assessment to identify what’s driving your symptoms, then build a step-by-step plan—relief → rehab → prevention—so results last.
Assessment-led care • Licensed clinicians • Evidence-informed rehab • Two clinic locations
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Most back pain is not an emergency and improves with conservative care. Seek urgent medical attention if you have back pain along with any of the following:
Disclaimer: This information is for education only and not medical advice. If you think you may be experiencing an emergency, seek urgent medical care right away.
Most back pain improves with a structured plan: assessment → symptom relief → mobility/strength → prevention.
Back pain isn’t one diagnosis—treatment works best when it matches your pattern (joint, muscle, nerve sensitivity, load tolerance).
You don’t always need imaging—clinicians screen for red flags and guide you if X-ray/MRI is appropriate.
The best long-term outcomes usually combine hands-on care + exercise therapy + education.
Most plans follow the same structure; the details depend on your pattern and goals.
Physiotherapy for back pain is assessment-led care that identifies the movement and load factors driving your symptoms. Treatment typically combines hands-on care with targeted mobility, strengthening, and a progressive home plan so results last.
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Chiropractic care may help when joint stiffness and movement restrictions contribute to back pain. Treatment can include gentle manual techniques to improve mobility and reduce sensitivity—often combined with active rehab for longer-term improvement.
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Massage therapy (RMT) can help reduce muscle tension and protective guarding around the lower back and hips, supporting comfort and sleep. It often works best alongside a rehab plan that rebuilds strength and load tolerance over time.
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Acupuncture may help reduce pain sensitivity for some people, making movement and rehab more manageable. It’s commonly used as part of a broader plan that includes strengthening, mobility, and return-to-activity milestones.
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Most back pain improves when you stay gently active, reduce irritators temporarily, and progress activity gradually. The goal isn’t to “push through” sharp pain—it’s to keep moving within tolerance while your plan builds capacity.
Keep moving (within tolerance)
Short, frequent walks and regular position changes often help more than long rest. Aim for movement that doesn’t spike symptoms afterward.
Change positions often
If one position aggravates symptoms (long sitting or standing), break it up. A simple rule: change positions every 20–40 minutes when possible.
Use comfort strategies that help you move
Heat or cold can be useful if it helps you stay active. Choose whichever feels better.
Use “range, not force”
Gentle motion is often helpful early on. Avoid aggressively stretching into sharp pain during a flare-up.
Avoid long bed rest
Resting completely often increases stiffness and sensitivity. If you need rest, keep it brief and return to gentle movement.
Avoid repeatedly “testing” painful movements
Constantly checking the most painful motion can keep the area irritated. Re-test less often.
Avoid sudden spikes in load
A big jump in lifting, bending volume, sitting time, or training can flare symptoms. Reduce volume first, then rebuild gradually.
Sleep position and support
Choose a position that reduces pain. Some people do better with support under the knees (back sleeping) or between the knees (side sleeping).
Sitting and desk setup
Comfort and regular movement matter more than “perfect posture.” Use shorter sitting blocks, brief walks, and position changes.
If symptoms are rapidly worsening, you develop new or worsening weakness, or pain/numbness begins to travel into the leg and doesn’t settle, it’s worth an assessment. If you have red-flag symptoms (bladder/bowel changes, numbness in the groin/saddle area, severe trauma, fever/feeling very unwell), seek urgent medical care.
Back pain isn’t one condition. Your treatment works best when it matches your pattern.
If symptoms worsen quickly or you develop new weakness/numbness, seek medical advice.
For many mechanical back pain presentations, imaging does not change initial conservative care.
You may be more likely to need imaging/medical evaluation if you have:
General timelines (varies by pattern, duration, and sensitivity):
Assessment-led care
Back pain isn’t one diagnosis. We identify your pattern (bending-intolerant, extension-intolerant, nerve-related symptoms, stiffness/overload, flare-ups) so your plan matches findings and goals.
Clear explanations
People often ask online “Is it a disc?” or “Do I need an MRI?” We explain what your exam suggests, what matters most, and what you can safely do now.
Rehab-first, long-term results
Short-term relief helps, but long-term change comes from rebuilding capacity. We use progressive strengthening and graded exposure so you can return to lifting, walking, work, and sport with confidence.
Measurable milestones
We track real outcomes—tolerance for sitting/standing, walking distance, bending/lifting capacity, sleep comfort, and flare-up frequency. If progress slows, we adjust the plan.
Return-to-work and lifting
We give practical guidance for posture, lifting mechanics, and workload pacing so you don’t keep re-triggering symptoms.
Education only, not medical advice. For urgent symptoms, seek medical care.
Most back pain is mechanical and relates to how tissues tolerate load and movement. Common contributors include overload/strain patterns, stiffness/joint irritation, disc-related sensitivity, hip/SI or upper-back contributions, and changes in activity, sleep, or stress.
We review your history and goals, assess movement and strength, screen neurological signs when needed, explain the likely driver, and give you a plan—including home steps you can start right away.
It depends on how long symptoms have been present, irritability, and your goals. Many people start with a short block of visits to calm symptoms and learn the plan, then taper as independence improves.
It depends on your presentation. Many people benefit from a combination (hands-on care to reduce symptoms + progressive rehab to build resilience). An assessment helps match you to the best-fit approach.
For many people, yes. Short, frequent walks often reduce stiffness and help the nervous system “de-threaten” movement. Start within tolerance and gradually increase.
Sciatica is commonly used to describe symptoms that travel into the leg. Some leg symptoms are from nerve irritation, while others are referred pain from the back/hips. Assessment helps clarify the pattern so treatment matches the driver.
Seek urgent care if you have major trauma, worsening leg weakness, numbness in the groin/saddle area, new bladder/bowel control changes, fever/feeling very unwell, or rapidly worsening constant pain. (See the full urgent checklist on this page.)
Not always. Many cases improve without imaging early on. Imaging is more likely to be helpful after significant trauma, progressive neurological changes, systemic illness signs (fever, unexplained weight loss, feeling very unwell), or when symptoms aren’t improving as expected.
Usually no. Gentle movement and position changes within tolerance tend to help more than prolonged bed rest. The goal is to keep moving without repeatedly triggering sharp pain.
Avoid repeatedly “testing” painful movements, forcing aggressive stretching into sharp pain, and staying in one position too long. Modify range, load, and duration, then progress gradually.
Timelines vary by pattern, duration, and sensitivity. Many flare-ups improve in days to weeks with the right plan. Persistent or recurring cases often take longer because they require rebuilding strength, tolerance, and habits.
Yes—this is common. We assess whether symptoms suggest nerve irritation or referred pain and build a plan to reduce symptoms and restore function. If you have progressive weakness or bladder/bowel changes, seek urgent care.
Ready to get clarity and a plan? Book an assessment and we’ll guide you step-by-step with an assessment-led plan and measurable progress checks.
