Lower Back Pain Physiotherapy

Yes! Physiotherapy is safe and is the first line of treatment for acute and chronic lower back injuries. Break Free Physiotherapist will assess the movement of your spine and other areas that can affect your lower back. A tailored treatment plan from your physio can result in decreased pain, improved mobility, greater strength and prevention for future injuries. Many people in London, Ontario choose physio before medication or imaging.

Physio in London for lower back pain can help with disc-related pain, sciatica, muscular strains, stiffness and ongoing lower back discomfort. Whether you recently hurt your back or your pain has been lingering for months or years, physiotherapy can help you reduce pain, regain mobility, increase strength and restore your confidence in doing what you love.

Each individual has a unique recovery timeline, but many of our clients report an improvement of pain within 2-4 weeks of consistent lower back pain physiotherapy. Acute pain improves faster, while chronic pain requires a long-term approach that is gradual. Your physiotherapist at Break Free will talk about expectations and work together to guide you as your body responds to movement.

No, you do not need imaging or a doctor’s referral to receive treatment from a physiotherapist in Ontario! If you do have imaging, you are welcome to bring it to discuss with your physio. A doctor’s referral may only be necessary if your benefits require you to submit for coverage. Our physiotherapists are trained to identify when imaging or a referral to a specialist may be needed. A majority of back pain cases respond well to conservative management.

Generally, we recommend moving as much as you can without aggravating your lower back. However, if it is difficult to track what makes it better or worse, a physiotherapist can guide you in finding what movements are therapeutic. If a movement alleviates stiffness, decreases the intensity of pain, improves mobility and restores strength - that movement will likely promote healing in your back.

The first visit is a conversation between you and your physiotherapist to understand your pain and expectations. A physiotherapist will ask in-depth question to find clinical patterns and work together with you to investigate why your back is producing pain. A physical assessment if performed where your physio will gently and gradually guide you through movements of your spine. Together, both you and your physio will note the pain’s location, intensity and its effect on your mobility and strength. If you have no pain during your assessment time, muscular weaknesses will be identified with testing. Your physiotherapist may provide a hands on approach if required. Some may use modalities such as manual therapy, dry needling and acupuncture. However, your physiotherapist at Break Free will always provide you with something that you are able to do at home. This is to promote independence and also develop a working picture of why you are experiencing pain by testing a movement. As you improve, more exercises can be added to further strengthen your body.

Most extended health insurance plans cover physiotherapy in Ontario. As a local physiotherapy clinic in Northridge, we understand that submitting your physio receipts to your insurance can take up your time. Our clinic in London, Ontario provides direct billing for easy insurance claims.

No! It’s a common misconception that you need a referral for physiotherapy in Ontario. You can actually book directly with our clinic in London, Ontario. Your insurance company may need a doctors referral to submit your receipts for physio. Check your coverage and policy details for further information.

Yes! Chronic pain often requires more time, the potential use of modalities or a more graduated approach to movement. The timeline can vary, but generally the longer your pain has been present, the more time it may take to recover. The important thing is that you have a good understanding of the factors affecting your pain as well as a structured recovery plan that focuses on restoring range, strength and function all while respecting pain.

Physiotherapy is a great place to start when dealing with lower back pain. Our physiotherapists are trained to understand when a referral to a doctor or specialist is required for further investigation. There are certain questions and special tests that your physio will ask to help determine this.

Yes! We tailor our approach based on how you feel and what your physical examination shows. We make sure that the treatment we provide is catered the needs of your body. For acute pain, we progress slower with more gentler movements gradually increasing intensity as your body allows. We do not apply aggressive manipulation and push through pain. If something will be painful later, our physiotherapists will let you know ahead of time so you know what to expect. It is normal sometimes to feel sore after the initial assessment. In some rare cases, producing pain may be necessary to make progress, but your physio will educate you on what it should normally feel like and when to stop to prevent your injury from worsening.

If you’ve tried many approaches but have not seen success, you can choose our trusted local clinic that proudly serves Northridge and the greater London, Ontario area. Book with one of our expert physiotherapists to receive personalized one-on-one care. We look forward to finding the source of your injury and helping you find a workable solution!