Let me introduce you to Patrick, a father and motorbike enthusiast whose life came to a screeching halt due to unbearable back pain.

Patrick arrived at our clinic unable to walk without assistance. His x-ray in hand, his wife holding him up—he had waited too long. Shooting pain radiated down his legs, and he described crawling on the floor trying to find relief. “I shouldn’t have waited this long,” he admitted. “It robbed me of life.”

His story isn’t rare. That’s why I’m sharing 5 steps that helped Patrick—and can help you too.

What is Lower Back Pain and Why Does it Matter?

Radiating back pain isn’t just back pain. It starts in your lower back and spreads to your legs or even your feet. If this sounds familiar, you might be experiencing one of these:

• Radiating pain can shoot down one or both legs
• It may feel electric, numb, or tingling
• It often worsens when standing, walking, or bending

Radiating vs. Referred vs. Radicular Pain

Radicular Pain:

This is pain caused by irritation or compression of a spinal nerve root. It's often sharp and follows a specific nerve pathway, like in sciatica.

Referred Pain:

Pain felt in a different part of the body from where the issue originates—like back pain felt in the hip or buttock area.

Radiating Pain:

This starts at the source (e.g., your spine) and spreads outward into your limbs. Think of it as the warning siren of deeper nerve involvement.

Why This Matters

Radiating pain signals more than just a tight muscle. It usually means multiple areas—like discs, nerves, and surrounding tissues—are involved.

Your physiotherapist will look beyond symptoms to find the root cause of your pain and guide a multi-level recovery plan.

5 Steps to Relieve Your Lower Back Pain with Physiotherapy

✅ Step 1: Write It Down

Prepare answers before your physio appointment:

• When did your pain start?
• Was it sudden or gradual?
• What activities worsen it?
• Have you tried anything that helped?

The clearer your history, the more targeted your treatment plan can be.

✅ Step 2: Movement Testing

Your physio will guide you through a series of movements. These help determine which nerve or muscle is causing the issue.

💡 Some movements may increase or decrease your pain—that’s useful data for diagnosis!

✅ Step 3: Gentle Mobility Exercises

Early-stage exercises focus on pain-free movement. Think:

• Pelvic tilts
• Knee-to-chest stretches
• Cat-cow spinal mobility

✅ Step 4: Core Activation

A weak core = poor spinal support. Your physio will guide you on how to activate your deep abdominal muscles to stabilize your spine.

Examples:

• Dead bug exercise
• Bracing while breathing
• Modified planks

✅ Step 5: Trigger Point & Manual Therapy

Sometimes the problem isn’t just muscular. Soft tissue or joint restrictions may need hands-on techniques like:

• Myofascial release
• Spinal mobilization
• Trigger point pressure therapy

Your physiotherapist will tailor these based on your pain pattern.

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to live like this. Whether your pain is acute or has become part of your daily life, physiotherapy offers hope. Just like Patrick, you too can return to doing what you love—with less pain and more confidence.

So don’t wait. Get started today.

Call-to-Action

• Book a FREE virtual consult with our licensed physiotherapist
• Download our Lower Back Pain Cheatsheet with top exercises and tips
• Contact us now and take the first step toward feeling better

FAQ

Q: Can a physiotherapist help with lower back pain?

Absolutely. Physiotherapists assess your condition and create a personalized plan using hands-on therapy, mobility drills, and strengthening.

Q: Do I need a referral?

Not necessarily. Most private clinics in Canada accept direct bookings without a referral. However, your insurance provider may ask for one.

Q: What’s the fastest way to ease excruciating lower back pain?

Avoid aggravating movements, apply cold therapy, and book a physiotherapy session for assessment. Guided exercise is often more effective than rest alone.