Back Pain Slowing You Down? Physiotherapy Can Help!

Here’s a fact about back pain that may bring you some comfort: it’s one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints in the world. Around 80% of people will have back pain at least once. So, if you’re suffering now, you probably aren’t the only one!

Of course, that thought does little to help if your back pain keeps you from performing day-to-day activities — as it often does. Back pain is often accompanied by mobility restrictions that make walking, rising from sitting, or bending over difficult. And if left untreated, it can sometimes lead to long-term pain and dysfunction.

At Montrose Physio and Massage, we know how debilitating back pain can be. Our team of dedicated physiotherapists will help you understand the cause or causes of your back pain and work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that will let you get back to the activities you love to do.

Common Sources of Back Pain

Strains and Sprains

A strain occurs when you injure the muscles in your back. A sprain occurs when you injure the ligaments that link your spinal vertebrae. Both can cause pain and limited mobility, and they often result from lifting with improper form (such as twisting while lifting) or attempting to lift something too heavy.

Herniated Discs

Soft, flexible discs separate and cushion your spinal vertebrae. If one of those discs herniates — that is protrudes out — and irritates a nearby nerve, it can lead to intense pain, feeling “stuck” in a stooped over position, and often pain down the leg known as sciatica.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the world, occurring when the cartilage and bone tissue in a joint degenerate and become inflamed. While we often associate it with the hips, knees, or hands, it can occur in the spine, too. Spinal osteoarthritis is sometimes called spondylosis.

Lifestyle Factors

Several factors can contribute to lower back pain, including improper posture, prolonged sitting, or weakness in the muscles that wrap and support your spine (your core muscles).

What Conditions Benefit from Dry Needling?

This technique may be beneficial for a wide range of conditions, including acute and chronic back pain, neck pain, sciatica, muscle spasms, strains, tendinitis, overuse injuries, hip and knee discomfort, fibromyalgia, and repetitive strain conditions such as tennis or golfer’s elbow. When combined with therapeutic exercise and hands-on care, many patients experience meaningful improvements in pain, mobility, and function.

What to Expect During Treatment

Most people report minimal discomfort during treatment. Occasionally, a brief muscle “twitch” response may be felt. After treatment, mild soreness, similar to post-exercise fatigue, can occur and typically resolves within 24 to 48 hours. Staying hydrated and using ice or heat can help ease this temporary soreness.

Following a thorough assessment, your physiotherapist will determine whether dry needling is an appropriate addition to your individualized treatment plan, supporting long-term relief, improved movement, and better overall function.

Why Physiotherapy at Montrose Physio and Massage Is Your Back Pain Solution

While back pain often resolves on its own within 1-3 months, physiotherapy is an excellent choice for people with particularly intense pain or extremely restricted mobility. It’s also useful for people with chronic back pain — defined as pain that lingers past that three-month mark.

We customize all our back pain treatment plans according to your specific needs: the location and severity of your back pain, any mobility restrictions, your ability level, and overall goals. We’ll work to address the underlying issues causing your pain rather than simply masking the symptoms.

Our Comprehensive Approach

Manual therapy helps manage pain, promote blood circulation, and improve mobility.

A personalized therapeutic exercise plan improves the strength, flexibility, and endurance of your back and core muscles. Muscle weakness significantly contributes to lower back pain, so exercise is a must.

Specialized training, such as proper techniques and activities that simulate functional movements you’ll need to perform (i.e., squats, lunges, lifting, etc.).

Prevention strategies help reduce future back pain incidents. These strategies might include postural corrections or suggestions for at-home exercises, such as a walking program or regular strength and mobility practice.