Quick answer
Most back pain is mechanical — strained muscles, stiff joints or irritated discs, not damage. Targeted exercise, manual therapy and education relieve it and restore movement, usually without medication or imaging. Physiotherapy is a proven, first-line treatment for back pain.
What Is Back Pain?
Back pain is pain felt between the ribs and the hips — in the muscles, joints, discs or nerves of the spine. It can be a dull ache, a sharp stab, or stiffness that makes bending and lifting difficult.
About 80% of adults experience back pain at some point, and it is one of the most common reasons Canadians miss work. The good news: most episodes settle well with active treatment. If your pain travels down the leg, see our page on sciatica.
Common Symptoms of Back Pain
Symptoms vary from person to person, but back pain most often shows up as:
- Dull ache or stiffness across the lower back
- Sharp pain when bending, lifting or twisting
- Muscle spasm that locks up movement
- Pain spreading into the buttock or leg
- Stiffness after sitting or first thing in the morning
- Trouble standing upright or walking far
What Causes Back Pain?
Common causes and risk factors include:
- Muscle or ligament strain from lifting or twisting
- Disc irritation pressing on nearby nerves
- Facet (spinal) joint stiffness or overload
- Weak core and hip muscles shifting load to the spine
- Long sitting, driving or physically heavy work
- Stress, poor sleep and low activity amplifying pain
How Physiotherapy Treats Back Pain
Your plan is tailored to your assessment findings, but most treatment plans combine:
- Hands-on manual therapy to restore joint and muscle movement
- Targeted core, hip and back strengthening
- Graded return to lifting, work and sport
- Education on posture, lifting technique and pain science
- Short-term relief options such as heat, TENS or acupuncture
At Dynamic Balance Physiotherapy & Vestibular Rehab Clinic in Clayton, Cloverdale, Surrey & Langley, BC, every plan is one-on-one, evidence-based and built around your goals — no two treatment plans are alike.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Your first appointment is a 45-minute one-on-one assessment. Your physiotherapist reviews your health history, tests the movement, strength and joints involved in your back pain, explains what is actually driving your symptoms, and usually starts treatment the same day. You leave with a clear diagnosis, a personalized plan and realistic milestones — no doctor’s referral needed.
Back Pain FAQs
Do I need a referral to physiotherapy for Back Pain?
No. In BC, physiotherapists are primary-care practitioners, so you can book directly with us. If your symptoms ever need a physician’s eyes, we will tell you and point you in the right direction.
Should I rest or keep moving with back pain?
Keep moving. Prolonged bed rest slows recovery — gentle walking plus the exercises your physiotherapist prescribes is the fastest route back. Modify heavy tasks for a few days rather than stopping everything.
How many sessions will my Back Pain need?
Most patients notice meaningful improvement within 4–8 visits, though recovery varies with severity and how long symptoms have been present. Your physiotherapist gives you a personalized estimate after the first assessment.
Get Back Pain Relief in Surrey & Langley
If back pain is limiting your day, the team at Dynamic Balance Physiotherapy & Vestibular Rehab Clinic is ready to help. Book online or call — same-week appointments are usually available, and we direct bill ICBC, WorkSafeBC and most extended-health plans.