As surprising as it sounds, it’s true. Back pain may not always start in the back. The human body is highly interconnected, and misalignment in one part can create disturbances in others. Finding out what is at the root of the problem is the key to long-term relief, and that is where the right physiotherapy for back pain is needed.
Your back does not function independently. It’s supported by a chain of muscles, ligaments, and joints from your shoulder to your feet. If you have weak abdominal muscles and stretched hips, other parts of the body will take up the slack. Often, the lower back ends up carrying all the extra brunt.
Poor mobility of the hips is one of the most underappreciated and common causes of back pain. Tight hip flexors, which may have resulted from long sitting or weak glutes, will shift excess strain to the lumbar back and bring about pain. In such cases, the back cannot be relieved by isolated treatment alone; a comprehensive plan including the hip area and the pelvic region is generally required for optimal outcomes. With physiotherapy, Kitchener patients receive a full-body inspection, even if they come in for back pain.
An overlooked cause of back pain is your posture while walking or standing. Fallen arches or flat feet distort your gait, and then your posture will subtly shift to accommodate it, ultimately causing strain to the lower back. Similarly, slouching due to computer work or office setup can also lead to muscle imbalances and pain. This scenario is highly prevalent in urban cities like Kitchener, where everyone has office jobs and sits all day.
This is where Kitchener physiotherapists shine, addressing not just what hurts, but why it hurts. Re-education of movement patterns, realignment of posture, and prescription of orthotics or support footwear are some of the treatment options to address and help prevent recurring pain.
Besides physical pain, emotional tension is felt in the body, mainly in the back and neck. Tension caused by anxiety causes our muscles to stiffen, we slouch our posture, and we move less, which leads to back pain. Physiotherapy in Kitchener recognizes that real rehabilitation is working with the client, not the condition.
No matter if they recommend guided stretching, breath exercises, or tension release movement, Kitchener physiotherapists understand the mind-body connection and utilize it in treatment. As one releases physical tension, emotional tension is released as well, and vice versa.
Comprehensive physiotherapy for back pain may start with an examination of the entire body. Depending on the case, it can follow through with core stabilization exercises, hip mobilization exercises, postural correction techniques, and manual therapies. Patients are also educated and given resources to better cope with the condition outside the clinic, because real healing does not stop when the session ends.
Someone with lower back pain due to tight hamstring muscles will undergo hamstring stretching, while someone with weak abdominals will undergo abdominal strengthening. It is not the complaint but the cause that needs to be addressed with treatment.
At Highland Physio and Rehab, we treat numerous patients with varying conditions. We feel privileged to be at the heart of the physiotherapy Kitchener community, helping locals to find strength and relief through one-to-one care that starts by addressing the big picture, not the pain spot.
