How Does Physiotherapy Work For Back Pain?

Apr 20, 2023

Back Pain Relief, Physiotherapy

Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek out physiotherapy—and for good reason. Whether the discomfort is sharp and sudden or dull and chronic, back pain can have a serious impact on mobility, sleep, and overall quality of life. Fortunately, physiotherapy has been proven to reduce pain, restore function, and address both acute and chronic causes.

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Back Pain

While some back pain can resolve with rest and time, recurring or severe discomfort should not be ignored. In many cases, people delay treatment, allowing symptoms to worsen or become chronic. Early physiotherapy intervention helps reduce the risk of long-term damage and speeds up recovery—helping you return to your daily routine with confidence.

What Causes Back Pain?

Back pain is one of the most common ailments affecting humans worldwide, and there are almost as many causes as there are people afflicted. In fact, it is one of the world’s leading causes of disability. While back pain can be brought on by an accident or injury — especially of the repetitive strain variety — it can also be brought on by poor posture or habits. In these cases, when the back pain accumulates over a period of years, it can often seem like back pain has come on without explanation or cause.

The Most Common Types of Back Pain Include:

Some of the Most Common Causes of Back Pain Include: pull muscles, arthritis, stress, fibromyalgia, a ruptured or herniated disc, and others.

The Impact of Back Pain on Daily Life

Back pain can range from a mild annoyance to a debilitating condition that limits your ability to work, sleep, or stay active. For some, it becomes an ever-present part of life. When pain lasts more than a week or interferes with your ability to function, it’s time to seek professional help.

Physiotherapists are often the first line of treatment recommended by doctors because they specialize in identifying movement dysfunctions, rebalancing the musculoskeletal system, and helping patients regain control over their bodies.

How Physiotherapy Helps Relieve Back Pain

Physiotherapists will use exercises known as modalities to gradually increase circulation and movement and decrease aches for the patient. Some patients may use physiotherapy in addition to other treatments, such as prescription drugs. In most cases, a physiotherapist will assign homework to patients — the consistency of exercises is an integral part of healing through physiotherapy.

Physiotherapy Experts in Vancouver & Burnaby

If you are currently living with chronic back pain, the progressional physiotherapy experts at MSK Clinics can help. MSK focuses on the performance of the musculoskeletal system and takes a holistic look at the health of an individual. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help get you on your journey to a life free of back pain.

When to See a Physiotherapist for Back Pain

You should consider physiotherapy if:

• Your back pain lasts longer than a week
• Pain interferes with work, sleep, or movement
• Over-the-counter treatments haven’t helped
• You’ve had recurring episodes of back pain

Key Physiotherapy Techniques Include:

• Individualized exercise therapy to strengthen weak areas and correct imbalances
• Manual therapy such as joint mobilization or soft tissue release
• Modalities like heat, cold, or electrical stimulation to reduce inflammation and pain
• Posture and ergonomic education to reduce daily strain
• Ongoing exercise programs (“homework”) to support long-term improvement

Popular Physiotherapy Exercises for Lower Back Pain

The exercises that are prescribed by physiotherapists do not come as one-size-fits-all. Instead, they will be catered towards the individual patient and designed for their particular mobility levels and aches levels. However, some popular physiotherapy exercises to relieve back aches include:

• Knee to chest stretch, where the individual is laying on their back and holding their knee to their chest
• Child’s pose, the popular yoga stretch that involves kneeling and reaching to the top of a mat with your hands
• Foam rolling, which involves using a foam roller on a sore area to stimulate the muscles
• A classic bridge formation, which involves lying with your knees bent and lifting your abdomen
• A cat stretch, which entails standing on all fours and lifting your head up and down repeatedly

Find Expert Physiotherapists Near You

Whether you’re managing chronic back pain or recovering from a recent injury, MSK Clinics has experienced physiotherapists ready to support your recovery journey. We offer personalized care at multiple convenient locations across the Lower Mainland:

• Physiotherapist in Vancouver – Downtown
• Physiotherapist in Vancouver – Kitsilano
• Physiotherapist in Burnaby – Metrotown