What Is It?
Low back pain (LBP) affects up to 80% of Canadians at some point in life and is often non-specific and benign, resolving over 1 to 6 weeks cmaj.ca+4physiotherapy.ca+4cfpc.ca+4.
Goals of Physiotherapy
- Assessment & early triage to rule out serious conditions and expedite recovery .
- Education & reassurance, emphasizing that movement and staying active is key pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+15cfpc.ca+15physiotherapy.ca+15.
- Exercise therapy including core stabilization, aerobic activity (e.g., walking), and mobility/stretching programs theprehabguys.com+4physiotherapy.ca+4en.wikipedia.org+4.
- Manual therapy like spinal mobilization and soft-tissue release for acute symptom relief pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+15en.wikipedia.org+15physiotherapy.ca+15.
- Self-management training, such as gradual return to work, safe lifting techniques, and ergonomics .
What You Can Do at Home
- Stay moving — walk daily and avoid bed rest
- Do stabilization exercises
- Use heat or ice, gentle stretching or massage for relief
- Maintain good posture at home and work
- Learn lifting techniques: back straight, lift with hips, push rather than pull en.wikipedia.orgchoosept.comen.wikipedia.org
Why It Works
- Physiotherapy reduces pain, improves function, and lowers chronic disability risk physiotherapy.ca.
- Early access can shorten sick-leave by 44 days over 3 years physiotherapy.ca.
- Most recover significantly in the first 6 weeks physiotherapy.ca+15cmaj.ca+15achieveptonline.com+15.
? Resource: Canadian Physiotherapy Association’s LBP guide — patient-friendly info and self-care strategies.
? Resource: Ontario Rapid Access Clinics for Low Back Pain — equity in rapid PT access. physiotherapy.ca+4lowbackrac.ca+4physiotherapy.ca+4