Spine
Low Back Pain — North Vancouver
From the desk-job ache that won't quit to acute disc flare-ups and radiating nerve pain — practical care that gets you moving instead of stuck on rest.
What it is
Understanding your low back pain.
Low back pain is the most common reason patients come through the door at Medstar's North Vancouver clinic. It shows up in every form — the runner whose lumbar seized after a long hill, the desk worker on Marine Drive who's been nursing a dull ache for six months, the post-surgical patient referred from Lions Gate Hospital, and the ICBC claimant with a rear-end whiplash that settled in the lumbar region instead of the neck.
Most low back pain isn't structural — even when it feels like something terrible happened. The disc, the joint, the muscle, and the nerve all share the same neighbourhood, and irritation in any of them can produce a similar story: it hurts to bend, it hurts to sit, and the morning feels worse than the night.
Sciatica is the version of this where pain or numbness travels down the leg. It's usually a nerve root being squeezed, often by a disc that's bulging slightly under load. The good news: the vast majority resolve without surgery.
The bad news is that rest alone usually makes it worse after the first few days. The job is to figure out which movements settle the system and which provoke it — then do more of the first and less of the second, in the right amounts.
What to expect
Treatment timelines vary by type. Acute low back pain (less than 6 weeks, no leg symptoms): most patients are significantly better after 2–4 sessions; the initial assessment and 1–2 follow-ups often close the chapter. Subacute (6–12 weeks): expect a 4–6 session block focused on manual therapy, nerve glides if needed, and a progressive loading plan. Chronic low back pain (over 3 months): 8–12 weeks of structured graded exercise, with hands-on care in the early phase; the goal shifts from pain control to load capacity. True sciatica with leg pain takes 6–12 weeks for the nerve root to fully settle, but day-to-day walking and sitting function typically improves within the first 2–3 sessions once provocation is managed.
Get a plan
Not sure if we're the right fit?
Send us a quick note about what's going on. A physiotherapist — not a receptionist — will read it and reply with what they'd recommend. No commitment to book.
Common questions
About low back pain.
Should I get an MRI before starting physio?+
Almost never. MRIs of low backs show "abnormalities" in roughly half of pain-free adults — meaning the scan often finds findings that aren't the cause of your pain. We start with a thorough physical assessment. If we see red flags or you're not responding to treatment, we'll send you to your GP for imaging.
I've heard "bend with your knees, not your back." Is that real?+
Partially. The back is built to bend — telling people to avoid it forever often makes things worse because the tissue de-conditions. The real skill is loading the right amount for what the back is currently ready for, then progressing.
Is sciatica permanent?+
No, in the overwhelming majority of cases. Even disc bulges that show on MRI tend to shrink over time, and the nerve calms down with the right combination of movement and load management. Conservative care — physiotherapy, graded exercise, load management — is the recommended first-line approach for most radicular presentations before surgery is considered.
I sit at a desk all day. Will physio actually help, or do I need to quit my job?+
Help, not quit. Position changes every 20–30 minutes, a few targeted breaks, and 10 minutes of the right loading work usually offset 8 hours at the desk.
Should I use heat or ice?+
Whichever feels better. Heat for muscle tension and chronic stiffness, ice for fresh injuries or after a hard day. There is no "right answer" — your symptoms vote.
How many physiotherapy sessions will I need for low back pain?+
For acute low back pain without leg symptoms, most patients see major improvement in 2–4 sessions. Subacute cases (6–12 weeks) typically need 4–6 sessions. Chronic low back pain usually takes 8–12 weeks of structured rehab. True sciatica with leg pain takes 6–12 weeks, though function improves much sooner. At Medstar we reassess after every 4 sessions and adjust the plan based on measurable progress.
Can physiotherapy help low back pain from a car accident?+
Yes. ICBC physiotherapy is a significant part of our caseload at the Marine Drive clinic. Under BC's Enhanced Care model you're pre-approved for 25 sessions in the first 12 weeks after a crash. Low back pain from a rear-end collision — whether lumbar muscle strain, joint irritation, or disc involvement — typically responds well to early hands-on care and graded activity. Book with your claim number and we handle the rest.
Reviewed by Amir Ahmadi, PhD, MSc PT — Registered Physiotherapist, Certified IMS Therapist, College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia (CPTBC).
This page is for general information only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individual presentations vary — assessment findings and treatment plans differ from person to person. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, neurological changes (numbness, weakness, bowel or bladder changes), or a significant trauma, contact your physician or emergency services. Physiotherapy at Medstar Sport Physio & Health is provided by physiotherapists registered with the College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia (CPTBC).
Related reading
- Sciatic nerve pain — dedicated treatment guide for leg symptoms →
- IMS dry needling — release the deep lumbar muscle guarding that stretching does not reach →
- Class IV laser therapy — adjunct for acute disc-irritation flares →
- Low back pain after a rear-end crash — ICBC rehab guide →
- Disc bulge & herniation — how we treat nerve-root pain →
- ICBC physiotherapy — North Vancouver hub →