Low back pain is a common condition that affects us all and is a leading cause of disability worldwide. It affects over 80% of the population at least once in their life and will become chronic in 20% of those cases.
The two types of low back pain we can experience: Acute and Chronic.
Acute, or short-term back pain lasts a few days to a few weeks, sometimes months. Most low back pain is acute and tends to resolve with conservative care and self-management.
Chronic, or persistent back pain is defined as pain that continues for 12+weeks, even after an initial injury or underlying cause has been treated. About 20% of people affected by acute low back pain develop chronic low back pain.
Common Symptoms of Low Back Pain
Low back pain is often described as a dull ache. It may be accompanied by mild-severe muscle spasms, limited mobility, and pain in the hips, buttocks, and/or pelvis.
Low back pain can also refer into one or both legs and feet. This pain is often described as burning, tingling, stinging, or sharp.
Low back pain is often aggravated by lifting/bending/twisting, prolonged sitting, changing positions such as sitting to standing, and physical activity.
What Causes Low Back Pain?
In general, the cause of low back pain is poorly understood and often triggered by a variety of factors. Work and physical demands, stress, mental health, nutrition, and genetics can all play a role in the development and experience of an individual’s low back pain.
While the origin of each individual’s low back pain may be complex, Chiropractors are musculoskeletal experts and are trained in diagnosing and treating the spine. And the good news – a wide range of treatments are available that can help.
How Can Physiotherapy Can Help with Low Back Pain
Current best evidence for managing low back pain recommends conservative care including manual and physical therapy. Recommendations include education regarding pain science (ie: how our brain interprets signals from the body) and the importance of movement and exercise. In clinic sessions may include spinal mobilization and manipulation, soft tissue therapy, and exercise training to maintain & restore function, improve mobility & strength, and reduce pain & disability.
At Strive, our Physiotherapists will work with you to develop a personal treatment plan catered to your goals and needs. Research shows that conservative care, like the type offered at Strive provides relief for acute and chronic low back pain and should be considered as primary treatment.
Self-Care Strategies for Low Back Pain
To get started with some simple exercises to help alleviate your back pain, check out the Managing Low Back Pain Home Exercise Programs suggested below. Please keep in mind that these exercises were designed as a place to start to address your symptoms. These exercises should not be performed or continued if they cause or increase your pain in any way. Using these exercises for self-management of your symptoms does not replace the value of being assessed by a Health Professional. If you find you need help, let our Strive Chiropractor help you!
If you experience pain aggravated by FLEXION (sitting, bending, stooping or lifting) these exercises may benefit your condition.
If you experience pain aggravated by EXTENSION (walking, standing, bending backwards) these exercises may benefit your condition.
Stefanos Goulas
HBScKIN,MScPT
Physiotherapist Resident
Growing up playing football, rugby and lacrosse, Stefanos received extensive coaching in strength training, Olympic lifting and sprinting. His personal and clinical experience in these areas has instilled a deep understanding of the biomechanical and technical demands necessary for peak athletic performance. Stefanos believes that successful rehabilitation goes beyond simply treating an injury; it requires an understanding the whole person, their lifestyle and their goals. He integrates exercise prescription, manual therapy and education to create individualize treatment plans tailored to each patients’ unique needs. Whether he is working with athletes or members of the community, Stefanos is committed to helping his patients meet their goals and return to the activities they enjoy with confidence. Originally from British Columbia, Stefanos relocated to Ontario to pursue post-secondary education, earning an Honors Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from McMaster University and a Masters in Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Toronto.