Low Back Pain Treatment in Guelph & Wellington County
Whether it’s a dull ache or sharp pain that stops you from standing up straight, our physiotherapists get to the root cause of your low back pain and build a customized plan to help you get back to normal activities.
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Low back pain is the most common complaint of all musculoskeletal problems, affecting approximately 80% of people at some point in their lives. It’s highly variable in how it presents, and it can affect nearly every part of daily life.
Low back pain can lead to symptoms that radiate down the leg (often referred to as sciatica), that are sharp and localized in the back and may prevent you from standing up straight, or that show up as a general, constant ache in the low back or buttocks strong enough to keep you from working.
Low back pain can change how you live, leaving you wondering if things will ever feel normal again. Our physiotherapists will accurately diagnose your low back pain and build a customized treatment plan to help you on the road to recovery.
Common causes of Low Back Pain
Many clients find their low back pain comes on gradually, but it can also start suddenly, triggered by a specific movement that would otherwise be pain-free, like carrying the laundry, leaning over to brush your teeth, or vacuuming. Low back pain can be the result of:
- Wear and tear from heavy work
- Sudden impact or traumatic injury, such as a motor vehicle accident or workplace injury
- Degenerative changes that occur naturally over time
- Overuse or strain from activities the back isn’t strong enough to handle
Medical diagnoses for Low Back Pain
Low back pain can stem from a number of specific conditions. Common medical diagnoses include:
- Sciatica — pain that radiates down the leg from the lower back, along the path of the sciatic nerve
- Disc herniation or bulge — disc material pressing on a nearby nerve as the disc’s outer covering wears or tears, which can cause pain from the low back down to the toes
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) — age-related wear of the discs between the spinal bones that can lead to pain, stiffness, and nerve irritation over time
- Lumbar strain/sprain — injury to the muscles or ligaments supporting the low back, often from overuse or a sudden movement
How we treat Low Back Pain
Treatment for low back pain depends on the root cause of your pain. Our physiotherapists are skilled at accurately diagnosing low back pain and building a customized treatment plan based on your injury. Treatment may include a combination of:
- Lumbar mobilization and/or manipulation
- Acupuncture
- Therapeutic exercises
- Lumbar traction
- Massage
- Application of modalities such as heat, ice, ultrasound, or interferential current
Recovery Timeline
Depending on the type of injury, a typical course of treatment lasts between 8 and 12 weeks, though this varies with the nature and severity of the injury. Most low back pain resolves in 8-10 weeks, with treatment typically 2-3 times a week for 20-30 minutes. Because the re-occurrence rate for low back pain is quoted as high as 80%, you’ll be encouraged to continue your home strengthening program. In the unlikely event your low back pain doesn’t improve, we’ll work with you and your family doctor to explore further diagnostic imaging or tests. Most low back pain is treated conservatively, without surgery, though in rare cases clients go on to a surgery consult; if that happens, we’ll communicate with your family doctor and support you with post-surgery recommendations. Our goal is to return you to your pre-injury level of function and help prevent recurrence, whether that means getting back to work, sport, or simply sitting comfortably.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Common questions about low back pain and physiotherapy. Still have questions? We’re happy to help.
No. Physiotherapists in Ontario are primary care providers, so you can book an assessment directly. Direct billing to most major insurers is also available at our clinics.
It depends on the nature and severity of your injury, but a typical course of treatment lasts 8 to 12 weeks, and most low back pain resolves in 8–10 weeks. Your physiotherapist will give you a timeline specific to your diagnosis at your first assessment.
Low back pain has a high re-occurrence rate — quoted as high as 80% — which is why your treatment plan includes a home strengthening program you’ll continue after your symptoms improve. Staying consistent with it is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of a repeat episode.
Usually not. A physiotherapy assessment identifies the structures involved and whether treatment can begin right away. If your progress suggests imaging is needed, we work with your family doctor to arrange it.
The majority of low back pain is treated conservatively, without surgical intervention. In the unlikely event yours doesn’t improve, we’ll work with you and your family doctor to explore further diagnostic imaging, and our Path to Improved Health process will support you with post-surgery recommendations if a surgical consult becomes appropriate.
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