Burnaby Physio & Massage Therapy
Back Pain Treatments in Burnaby - EastWest Physiotherapy
Treatments
Suffering From Back Pain?
You are not alone. It is one of the most common conditions where people seek medical care every year.
People often seek physio for back pain at our Burnaby Physiotherapy clinic.
Many patients have self-limiting episodes of acute back pain and do not seek medical care. Those who seek back pain treatment often report an improvement in symptoms in the first month (1). But, some may experience ongoing pain and disability. These patients will need more frequent treatments and attentive management. Addressing acute pain and dysfunction early prevents the development of chronic pain.
Using Eastern and Western techniques, our registered Physiotherapists in Burnaby can provide an effective back pain treatment strategy to speed up your recovery.
Upper Back Pain Causes
The diagnosis is usually straightforward and can be done by our registered Physiotherapists. We will look at the clinical presentation and take a history of your condition. Then we will conduct a comprehensive physical exam to determine if it is an overuse injury. We may also refer to other medical specialists for further imaging and consultation.
Upper Back Pain Causes
Poor Posture (Most Common Cause)
We spend hours sitting at a computer, looking down at a phone, or driving every day and it can overload the upper back muscles leading to muscle tension and muscle spasms. The typical poor posture pattern:
- Forward head with a chin poke
- Rounded shoulders
- Stiff, hunched upper back
Muscle Deconditioning
If the postural muscles lack strength or endurance, they fatigue faster. This causes upper-back joints and soft tissues to become overloaded easier, resulting in stiffness, burning pain, or fatigue between the shoulder blades. Weak or fatigued muscles are less able to support the spine, which slowly worsens the pain over time.
Lower Back Pain Causes
Lower back pain can come from one cause or a combination of different issues.
Postural Stress
Slouched sitting, soft couches, poor back support, and long hours of sitting can overload lumbar joints, discs, and muscles.
Lifting Injuries
Improper lifting techniques, repetitive heavy lifting, or sudden movements can irritate: Muscles Facet joints Ligaments Discs Disc irritation or herniation may compress nerve roots, causing radiating leg pain. Poor lifting technique can strain/sprain muscles, ligaments, and joints.
Lack of Flexibility
Tight hips, hamstrings, or lumbar muscles reduce shock absorption and limits movement, which increases load on the spine.
Weak Core / Deconditioning
Research consistently shows that weak back and hip stabilizers increase the risk of recurrent low back pain. Lack of strength in the back and hips decrease the amount of support on the spine increasing the changes of lower back strains.
Overweight / Obesity
Extra body weight places additional compression on lumbar joints, discs, and nerves. Maintaining a healthy weight, limiting the intake of processed foods, and staying active will help reduce inflammation and stress on the spine.
Symptoms of Back Pain
- Dull, achy discomfort - often posture-related
- Sharp pain with movement or bending
- Muscle fatigue or heaviness
- Headaches if upper back is involved
- Burning sensations from nerve irritation
- Radiating leg pain if spinal nerves are affected
- Pain between the shoulder blades with sustained sitting
- Morning stiffness due to joint irritation or muscle tightness
If you are unsure what type of back pain you have, our physiotherapists can help assess and diagnose it accurately.
When Back Pain Becomes Chronic (And Why It Keeps Coming Back)
Not all back pain is the same. While many acute back pain episodes improve within a few weeks, a significant number of people develop recurrent or chronic back pain that comes and goes over months or even years. Understanding why pain persists is key to long-term recovery.
Chronic back pain often develops when the original injury or irritation never fully resolves. Common contributing factors include:
- Dull, achy discomfort - often posture-related
- Sharp pain with movement or bending
- Muscle fatigue or heaviness
- Headaches if upper back is involved
- Burning sensations from nerve irritation
- Radiating leg pain if spinal nerves are affected
- Pain between the shoulder blades with sustained sitting
- Morning stiffness due to joint irritation or muscle tightness
Over time, the body adapts to pain by moving differently. You may unconsciously avoid certain positions, brace your muscles, or rely on compensations that feel protective in the short term but increase strain elsewhere. This cycle can make even simple activities like sitting, standing, or bending uncomfortable. Chronic pain can also change how the nervous system processes pain signals, and it can become more sensitive to different sensory signals.
Physiotherapy plays an important role in breaking this pattern by restoring confidence with movement, retraining proper mechanics, and addressing both physical and neurological contributors to pain.
Back Pain and the Nervous System
Back pain is not always caused by tissue damage alone. The nervous system plays a major role in how pain is experienced and maintained. After an injury, nerves can become more sensitive, meaning normal movements may trigger pain signals even when tissues have healed.
This is especially common in people who:
- Have had back pain for several months or longer
- Experience flare-ups with stress or fatigue
- Feel pain that changes location or intensity
- Notice stiffness or pain without a clear trigger
Our Burnaby physiotherapists at EastWest Physiotherapy can help calm the nervous system through a combination of different modalities such as manual therapy, acupuncture, cupping, electrotherapy, gradual exposure to movement, education, and reassurance. When the nervous system feels safe again, pain often reduces more quickly and predictably.
Staying Active Safely With Back Pain
One of the biggest misconceptions about back pain is that rest is the best solution. While short periods of rest may be helpful during acute flare-ups, prolonged inactivity often delays recovery.
Research consistently shows that staying active within tolerance leads to better outcomes than avoiding movement entirely. The key is choosing the right movements at the right time.
At EastWest Physiotherapy, we guide you through:
- Safe ways to bend, lift, and twist
- Gradual return to walking, gym activity, or sport
- Modifications to daily tasks that reduce strain
- Exercises that build confidence rather than fear
This approach helps you regain trust in your back and reduces the likelihood of future flare-ups.
Back Pain Prevention and Long-Term Spine Health
Preventing back pain is just as important as treating it. Many people seek physiotherapy after multiple episodes of pain, wishing they had addressed the problem earlier.
Long-term spine health focuses on:
- Maintaining good posture and movement variety
- Building strength and endurance in core and hip muscles
- Improving flexibility in tight areas such as hips and thoracic spine
- Managing stress, sleep, and workload demands
Your physiotherapist will help you create a sustainable plan that fits your lifestyle—not a generic exercise sheet. Small, consistent changes often make the biggest difference over time.
When to Seek Physiotherapy for Back Pain
You should consider seeing a physiotherapist if your back pain:
- Lasts longer than 1–2 weeks
- Keeps returning despite rest
- Interferes with sleep, work, or exercise
- Radiates into the legs or causes numbness/tingling
- Worsens with sitting, standing, or movement
Early assessment can prevent minor issues from becoming long-term problems and help you recover with less frustration.
Back Pain Prevention and Long-Term Spine Health
Back pain treatment should be individualized – no two people with back pain have the same cause. Evidence shows that a combined approach works best rather than relying on one single treatment.
Here is how we treat back pain at our clinic:
Hands-On & Manual Therapy
Release tight muscles Improve joint mobility Reduce protective muscle guarding Manual therapy is supported by research showing it can reduce pain and restore movement when combined with exercise.
Exercise Therapy (Essential for Long-Term Relief)
Customized programs include: Core stabilization Hip and glute strengthening Thoracic mobility work Nerve gliding (if needed) Systematic reviews show exercise is one of the most effective interventions for acute and chronic low back pain.
Electrotherapy
Used to decrease pain and reduce inflammation. Currents may include: TENS IFC NMES Super Inductive System (SIS) SIS, in particular, uses high-intensity electromagnetic stimulation and has growing evidence for reducing pain and improving mobility.
Acupuncture & Dry Needling (IMS)
Eastern and Western approaches may be used to: Reduce muscle tension Stimulate blood flow Release endorphins Improve nerve sensitivity IMS is especially effective for chronic muscle tightness and nerve-related back pain.
Cupping Therapy
Promotes circulation, reduces stiffness, and helps release deep muscle tension.
Education, Ergonomics & Self-Management
We address: Desk setup Sleep positions Movement habits Stress-related muscle tension Patients who understand their condition recover faster and experience fewer recurrences.
Why Choose EastWest Physiotherapy for Back Pain Treatment?
You should consider seeing a physiotherapist if your back pain:
- One-to-one private treatment rooms - no shared spaces or crowded clinical settings
- East-West integrated approach - blending traditional techniques with modern rehabilitation
- Experienced physiotherapists with advanced manual, needling, and exercise therapy skills
- Focused care with no overlapping appointments
- Convenient Burnaby location near Brentwood & Highway 1
- Customized treatment plans unique to you
We treat the root cause, not just the symptoms, so your back pain stays gone.
Book Your Back Pain Treatment in Burnaby
Whether your back pain is new, recurring, or chronic, early physiotherapy can make a significant difference. If you’re ready to move freely again and prevent future flare-ups, we’re here to help.