INJURIES AND CONDITIONS THAT WE TREAT
BACK PAIN TREATMENTS
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- Compression fractures in the spine can occur from trauma such as a fall, or can occur without trauma when the bone weakens in conditions such as osteoporosis. Some risk factors include female age, elderly (>80), certain medications such as steroids, smoking, heavy alcohol use, and history of cancer. The pain felt is usually central and severe as well as pain when coughing, sneezing, and lifting. Our therapists are trained to detect spinal fractures and create a custom treatment plan to get the recovery you need including medical referral as needed. Learn More
- Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine and usually detected in childhood and adolescence. Scoliosis can be idiopathic (no known cause), congenital (due to a birth defect in the spine), or neuromuscular due to conditions such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and spina bifida. Scoliosis may cause back pain or may be asymptomatic. Most mild cases of scoliosis dont require surgery or braces and do well with physiotherapy treatment including exercises to stretch one side and strengthen the other. Our therapists are trained in detecting and treating mild scoliosis or providing a referral to other specialists in more advanced cases. Learn More
- Facet joints (also known as zygapophyseal joints) are the joints in the spine. Pain in these joints can be caused by poor posture, trauma, aging, whiplash, obesity, arthritis, etc. Facet joint pain is usually one sided and can refer to a large area of the back and/or leg. You may also experience stiffness and difficulties with certain activities such as standing straight or bending backward. Frequently, your pain will be eased when sitting. Our physiotherapists are trained in assessing the spinal joints, and providing a custom treatment plan including manual therapy and exercise to restore function at the spinal joints. Learn More
- Spondylolysis is a defect or stress fracture in a certain part of the vertebrae of the spine. There is a possible genetic component but also seems to occur more often in certain sports such as gymnastics, football, swimmers, weight lifters, and wrestlers. The stress fracture usually occurs at hyperextension. Pain is often worse when bending backward or rotating and rest usually feels better. This condition usually heals well with rest, medication, and physiotherapy. Your therapist can assess your condition and create a custom treatment plan to get you back to feeling well. Learn More
- Stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal that may lead to compression of the nerve roots or spinal cord. Stenosis may occur as a result of degeneration (spondylosis), trauma (fracture, instability), or inflammation. This narrowing may lead to nerve symptoms in your legs such as numbness, tingling, and weakness. Our therapists are trained in detecting the pattern of stenosis and providing you a treatment plan to help you manage your symptoms. Learn More
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- Spondylolisthesis is the “slippage” of one vertebrae in a forward or backward direction. This condition can be caused by spondylolysis (stress fracture on part of the vertebrae), trauma, or idiopathic (no known cause). The condition is graded based on percentage of slippage. Pain is usually increased when bending backward and may be reduced when bending forward or when lying flat on your back. There may also be radiating pain into the leg. Most cases resolve well with physiotherapy and medical intervention only needed in severe cases. Our therapists are trained in detecting spondylolisthesis and will create a custom treatment plan including exercises and education on which activities to avoid. Learn More
- The discs are located between each vertebrae and are responsible for absorbing shock. Disc herniation is a condition where part of the disc tissue protrudes out of the vertebral space. The herniated disc is usually caused by a traumatic event (such as trying to lift something very heavy in a forward bent position). Other risk factors include aging, heavy work, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, smoking, and poor posture. The pain is described as burning or stinging and may also radiate into the leg. Pain is often worse during forward bending and better with backward bending. Most clients do not need surgery for this condition as physiotherapists see this condition commonly and there is a lot of research evidence about how to heal the disc. Your therapist will assess the condition of your disc and create a treatment plan including manual therapy and exercise to restore your back function. Learn More
- Internal Disc Disruption is a degradation of the disc that causes the outer border to “stretch” or “bulge” and may lead to a disc herniation. Causes include repetitive forces on the spine, certain fractures (endplate fracture), and trauma. Pain is usually central and is aggravated by sitting, driving, twisting, and coughing. This condition rarely requires surgery and occasionally responds to injection therapy. Physiotherapy will help to improve function including decreased pain, improved range of motion, and stabilization of the low back. Our therapists will perform a thorough assessment of your back and create a treatment plan including manual therapy, exercise, and education on which activities to avoid. Learn More
- Degeneration of the disc is a normal process of aging that occurs causing the discs to lose height, elasticity, and hydration. These changes may affect the disc’s ability to absorb shock effectively. This process of degeneration may lead to other conditions such as arthritis (spondylosis). Symptoms may include decreased range of motion, stiffness, and improvement with gentle activity. Your therapist will examine your back and create a treatment plan to address your symptoms. Learn More
- Pain can occur at the joints that attach the rib to the spine (called the costotransverse and costovertebral joints) due to trauma, muscle spasm, arthritis, and poor posture. Pain and stiffness is usually located over the ribs and upper back but can sometimes radiate to the shoulder and front chest wall. You may also experience pain when coughing/sneezing/laughing, taking a deep breath, bending forward, or twisting. Your therapist will assess your ribs and create a custom treatment plan to address your pain. Learn More
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- A muscle strain occurs when the muscle is subjected to excessive force leading to strained fibers and possible tear. Most commonly this occurs when lifting heavy objects or doing a sudden twisting motion but can also happen from repetitive activity that overloads the muscle. Symptoms include pain, tenderness, spasm, and possibly swelling. Your therapist will conduct a thorough assessment of the low back and create a custom treatment plan to restore your spinal function. Learn More
- Low back pain is not always attributable to one specific cause or one specific structure. Since many of the low back structures share the same nerve supply, you may have the same sensation of pain from many different structures and it can be hard to determine which specific one is the cause or there could be pain from multiple structures (for example ligament, fascia, disc, joint, etc). New research and international guidelines suggest it is not always possible or necessary to identify the specific tissue for effective management of low back pain and that imaging can often be inaccurate. The therapist will rule out serious conditions such as fracture or nerve damage and will then assess the pattern of your low back pain to create a treatment plan that reduces pain, restores range of motion, and strengthens the back to prevent re-injury. Learn More
