Back Pain

Physiotherapy Plateau Mont-Royal

Low back pain, sciatica, thoracic stiffness, or sacroiliac discomfort can significantly limit your activities. At Physio Plateau, our physiotherapists assess mechanical, neurological, and functional factors to offer you a personalized, active, and evidence-based treatment plan.

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Why consult?

Understanding your back to treat it better

Back pain encompasses several realities: mechanical low back pain, disc irritation, pain radiating into the leg, thoracic stiffness, sacroiliac discomfort, or rib-related pain.

Low back pain is very rarely a sign of serious injury. In many individuals, symptoms are influenced by mobility, the ability to tolerate certain loads, strength, movement habits, sleep, stress, and activity progression.

At Physio Plateau, on Plateau-Mont-Royal in Montreal, the clinical assessment aims to determine what reproduces, relieves, or modifies your symptoms. Depending on the clinical picture, your physiotherapist examines the lumbar and thoracic spine, pelvis, hip, strength, neurological sensation, and your functional movements.

Treatment prioritizes an active approach: education, therapeutic exercises, gradual return to activities, manual therapy when relevant, and self-management strategies. The goal is to restore your function and reduce the risk of recurrence.

+ 80%

of the population will experience back pain at some point

360°

An assessment that considers the back, pelvis, hips, nerves, and activities that trigger symptoms

Active

An approach focused on movement, load progression, and patient autonomy

Our areas of expertise

Main back conditions we treat

Our physiotherapists assess the lumbar, thoracic, sacroiliac, and costal regions to identify factors contributing to your symptoms and propose appropriate management.

DISC / MCKENZIE APPROACH

LUMBAR DISC HERNIATION

A disc herniation or protrusion can cause low back pain, with or without radiation to the buttock or leg. The McKenzie/MDT approach can be used when assessment reveals a clear directional response, particularly centralization of symptoms. Treatment typically combines education, appropriate repeated movements, activity progression, and functional exercises.

STRUCTURE / STABILITY

SPONDYLOLYSIS AND SPONDYLOLISTHESIS

Spondylolysis corresponds to a defect in the vertebral isthmus, while spondylolisthesis involves a slippage of a vertebra. These conditions can be asymptomatic or cause low back pain, especially with certain loads or extensions. Physiotherapy aims to improve lumbo-pelvic control, strength, effort tolerance, and activity management.

DEGENERATIVE

LUMBAR OSTEOARTHRITIS AND SPINAL STENOSIS

Osteoarthritis and lumbar stenosis can lead to stiffness, lower back pain, heaviness, or discomfort in the legs when walking. Treatment aims to improve mobility, strength, endurance, and functional tolerance, with exercises adapted to the patient’s profile.

VERY COMMON

LUMBAR SPRAIN AND MECHANICAL LOW BACK PAIN

Mechanical low back pain can appear after exertion, a sudden awkward movement, a prolonged period in the same position, or without a specific event. Physiotherapy seeks to restore movement, reduce apprehension, progressively strengthen the core, and safely reintroduce meaningful activities.

NERVOUS / RADIATING

LUMBO-SCIATICA AND RADICULOPATHY

Pain radiating down to the buttock or leg, sometimes accompanied by tingling, numbness, or weakness, may suggest nerve root irritation. Neurological and mechanical assessment helps determine the most appropriate strategy, including exercises, relief positions, and gradual activity progression.

BONE HEALTH

OSTEOPOROSIS

Osteoporosis weakens bones and increases fracture risk. Physiotherapy can contribute to movement safety, strengthening, balance, fall prevention, and adapted exercise.

PELVIS / SACROILIAC

SACROILIAC DYSFUNCTION

Pain around the sacroiliac joint can be influenced by mobility, load, pelvic control, or local irritation. Rather than limiting itself to the notion of a ‘displaced’ joint, the assessment seeks to identify movements and stresses that reproduce symptoms and to improve tolerance through adapted exercises.

THORACIC / POSTURE

THORACIC DYSFUNCTION

Thoracic stiffness, scoliosis, hyperkyphosis, or discomfort associated with certain postures can limit trunk mobility and influence breathing or activities. Management aims to improve available mobility, strength, endurance, and the ability to vary positions rather than seeking a single ‘perfect’ posture.

RIBS / BREATHING

COSTAL DYSFUNCTION

Costal pain can originate from the costovertebral joints, intercostal muscles, or the chest wall. Costochondritis can cause pain in the front of the chest, while costal irritation can be aggravated by breathing, rotation, or coughing.

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When to consult?

Recognizing symptoms that require consultation

A physiotherapy assessment is indicated when pain persists, returns regularly, radiates into a leg, or limits your daily, professional, or sports activities.

PERSISTENT LOW BACK PAIN

Pain that remains present for several days, returns frequently, or increases with certain activities.

RADIATING PAIN

Discomfort that travels down into the buttock, thigh, leg, or to the foot.

NUMBNESS

Tingling, decreased sensation, or burning, associated or not with low back or radicular pain.

STIFFNESS

Difficulty bending, straightening up, twisting the trunk, or changing position.

MECHANICAL THORACIC PAIN

Pain in the middle of the back or around the ribs, aggravated by certain movements or breathing.

WEAKNESS

Decreased strength in the leg or foot.

SACROILIAC PAIN

Pain localized near a buttock or the posterior part of the pelvis during transfers, walking, or exertion.

ACTIVITY LIMITATION

Difficulty working, sleeping, lifting, walking, running, or sitting without symptoms.

Our approach

A rigorous 5-step clinical process

At Physio Plateau, each patient benefits from a structured assessment and an individualized program based on the type of pain, irritability level, goals, and activities to resume.

Biomechanical and Neurological Assessment

Your physiotherapist analyzes your symptom history, movements that aggravate or relieve pain, mobility of the back, pelvis, and hips, as well as strength and functional movements. When pain radiates, a neurological examination may include sensation, strength, reflexes, and nerve tension tests.

Explanation of the Clinical Picture

We explain the factors most likely to contribute to your symptoms, movements that are safe, and those that need to be temporarily adapted. This understanding helps reduce apprehension and facilitates a gradual return to activity.

Personalized treatment program

Your treatment plan is developed according to your goals: getting out of bed, caring for your family, returning to work, participating in hobbies, or resuming sports. Exercises are progressive and adapted to your tolerance.

Active Treatment and Manual Therapy

Sessions may combine directional exercises of the McKenzie/MDT type when relevant, mobility, lumbo-pelvic strengthening, hip work, neurodynamics, manual therapy, and load management strategies.

Return to Activities and Prevention

The final phase aims to restore confidence, endurance, and the ability to tolerate the demands of daily life or sports. You leave with concrete tools to manage potential recurrence and maintain your gains.

Prepare your visit

To consider before your first visit

Back pain treatment is based on a personalized approach aimed at treating the cause of the problem, not just the symptoms.

Wear clothing that allows for easy observation of back, pelvis, and hip movements.
Bring your X-ray, MRI, or other examination reports if you have them, though they are not mandatory for the assessment.
Note what triggers, increases, or relieves your pain, as well as activities that have become difficult.
Provide a list of medications used and other ongoing treatments.

Each treatment plan is tailored to your reality, whether your goal is a return to daily function or a return to sport.

Our team

Our therapists offer
this service

Rémi Grandhomme – Lauren Quigley – Zoé Nguyen-Bergeron – Emmanuelle Harris Ranger – Myriam Lafrance – Guillaume Hohly – Olivier Benoit

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Frequently asked questions

Everything you want to know about back physiotherapy

Can physiotherapy treat a lumbar disc herniation?

Yes, the presence of a disc herniation on imaging does not mean surgery is necessary. Physiotherapy can include an active approach, McKenzie/MDT-type repeated movements, strengthening, manual therapy, and a gradual return to activities.

What is the difference between low back pain and sciatica?

Low back pain describes pain primarily located in the lower back. Sciatica or lumbo-sciatica involves pain that radiates to the buttock or leg, sometimes accompanied by numbness, tingling, or weakness. A physiotherapy assessment helps determine if a nerve root appears to be involved.

Should I completely stop moving when I have back pain?

For mechanical low back pain, complete rest is not recommended. It is generally preferable to maintain a tolerable activity level and temporarily adapt the most irritating movements. Your physiotherapist helps you determine how to move safely and progressively.

Can physiotherapy help with lumbar stenosis?

Yes. Even when degenerative changes are present, an adapted program can improve mobility, strength, endurance, and walking tolerance. Exercises are chosen based on movements and positions that decrease or aggravate symptoms.

Does sacroiliac pain mean my pelvis is displaced?

Pain in the sacroiliac region can be influenced by loads, lumbo-pelvic control, and pelvic movements. The assessment primarily aims to identify what reproduces symptoms and modifiable factors, rather than assuming a joint is ‘out of place’.

Consult us quickly if...

You experience severe back pain after a fall, accident, or significant trauma.
You have significant or progressive weakness in one or both legs, with difficulty walking or standing.
You experience a loss of significant sensation, particularly in the legs, buttocks, or perineal region.
You have incontinence associated with your back pain.
The pain is severe at night or at rest, accompanied by fever, general malaise, or does not seem influenced by movements and positions.
You experience significant shortness of breath during exertion accompanied by your chest pain.
Symptoms persist, worsen, or significantly limit your activities despite several weeks of activity adaptation and appropriate care.