Low back pain in Stittsville. Get moving again, with a plan.
The back that seizes up when you lift the laundry, aches after a day at the desk, or flares every few months. Assessment, hands-on treatment and a clear plan back to the things you do, from a physiotherapist and athletic therapist who work beside our coaches.
Back pain is common. Living around it does not have to be.
Most low back pain is not caused by serious damage, and most people improve with the right movement and a plan. An assessment tells you what is going on and what to do about it.
- The sudden seize-upBending, lifting or twisting, then a back that will not straighten for a few days.
- The ache that keeps coming backFine for a while, then it flares again every few months.
- Desk and driving backStiff and sore after long days sitting, better when you move.
- Pain into the buttock or legSometimes called sciatica. Worth an assessment to understand the cause.
- Back pain after liftingGym, garden or moving house. Usually a load problem we can work with.
- Nervous to exerciseWorried that moving will make it worse. A plan takes the guessing out.
When to see a doctor straight away.
- New trouble controlling your bladder or bowels
- Numbness around the groin, buttocks or inner thighs
- Leg weakness that is getting worse
- Fever, unexplained weight loss, or a history of cancer
- Pain that started after a serious fall or accident
If any of these apply, call your doctor or go to emergency before booking with us.
A clear plan, then back to the things you do.
- AssessmentHistory, movement testing and a hands-on assessment. You leave knowing what is going on, what to avoid for now, and what to do.
- Treatment and a home planHands-on treatment where it helps and a short, specific exercise plan for the days in between appointments.
- Back to lifting, with a coach if you want oneWhen you are ready, a coach builds the strength that keeps your back resilient, with your therapist down the hall.
See appointment lengths and rates on the physiotherapy and athletic therapy pages.
General things that help most people with a sore back.
- Keep gently movingShort walks and normal activity, within comfort, usually help more than bed rest.
- Change position oftenIf sitting aggravates it, get up every 30 to 45 minutes, even for a minute.
- Do not wait monthsIf it is not settling after a couple of weeks, or keeps coming back, get it assessed.
This page is general information, not a diagnosis or a treatment plan for you. If you are worried about your symptoms, see your doctor or book an assessment.
Two clinicians, one building, one plan.
Resident physiotherapist. Much of her week is adults returning to movement after years away, after surgery, or after a flare-up that would not settle.
About physiotherapy →
Heads athletic therapy and also coaches strength, so the plan carries on past pain free and into real training.
About athletic therapy →Not sure which one to book? Book either. If it should be the other, we will simply move you.
Most therapy stops when the pain stops. Ours carries you back.
Your physiotherapist, athletic therapist and coaches work in the same building and talk to each other. When treatment ends, you do not get discharged into thin air. You get handed to a coach with a program that respects what your therapist found, so you go back to the golf course, the garden and the gym floor and stay there.
Assess and treat
A proper assessment, hands-on treatment and a plan you understand. No mystery, no endless open-ended appointments.
Rebuild with a coach
Strength, control and durability, coached one-on-one or in a small group, with your therapist twenty feet away if anything flares up.
Before you book.
Do I need an X-ray or MRI first?
Usually not. Most back pain is assessed with a history and a physical exam. If imaging or a doctor visit is needed, we will tell you and explain why.
Do I need a referral?
No. In Ontario you can book directly with a physiotherapist or an athletic therapist. Book online and pick a time.
Is it covered by my benefits?
Physiotherapy and athletic therapy are covered by many extended health plans. Coverage varies, so check your plan before your first visit.
How many appointments will I need?
It depends on what we find, and your clinician will tell you after the assessment. The goal is a clear plan with an end, not open-ended weekly visits.
Should I stop exercising?
Usually you should keep moving, with some changes for now. Your clinician will tell you what to modify and what to keep, and if you train here, they talk to your coach directly.
Other things we help with.
Book a back pain assessment online.
Real-time availability online, no referral needed. If you would rather talk to a person first, call us and we will find you a time.