Back pain is one of the leading reasons people seek medical attention, and it’s no surprise — nearly 80% of adults experience back pain at some point in their lives. Whether it’s a dull ache after long hours at a desk or sharp pain from a previous injury, this type of discomfort can significantly affect your daily routine, sleep, and overall well-being. While many turn to medication for a quick fix. A more holistic and long-term solution is often found through movement-based therapy like kinesiology.
The Limitations of Medication
Painkillers are often the go-to solution for things like back pain, knee pain, shoulder pain, and so on. Prescription opioids and painkillers are designed to reduce inflammation and block pain signals between the brain and the body. In cases of severe pain, these medications can be an appropriate solution for temporary relief. However, this does not address the potential cause of pain directly, and in rare cases, some may develop a dependency or addictive behaviour to opioid and prescription medication to alleviate pain.
In cases where lower back pain can become a limitation to daily living – i.e. labour jobs – prescription drugs and painkillers often seem to be the quickest and most effective method of reducing back pain. And yet again, the cycle continues of masking the pain while not directly addressing the potential cause.
What is Back Pain?
Back pain can also be explained as a mechanical issue rather than an inflammatory pain response and quite often can be addressed by correcting mechanical inefficiencies and strength limitations. Dr. Stewart McGill is a world-renowned expert in lower back pain, who states that back pain can be addressed and helped by learning how to appropriately move the spine by creating spine stability, and pairing it with sufficient hip mobility. It is the high frequency of improper loading and movements that lead to trauma to the spine.
“The injury mechanism is not simply heavy load—it is the repetition of improper loading that leads to cumulative trauma.”
— McGill, S.M. (2002). Low Back Disorders: Evidence-Based Prevention and Rehabilitation.
For athletes who develop back pain from mechanical inefficiencies, the solution is often learning to move appropriately for their sport. This would include developing an inappropriate level of stiffness at the spine, along with an inappropriate level of mobility at the hips. Back pain is often paired with stiffness at the hip – the inability to move freely at the hips, which would lead the spine to bend and flex more than it should in order to create movement. This is what could lead to structural damage or irritation of the spine.
X-Ray’s, MRI’s, Spine Imaging
Back pain can be brought up in several ways and quite often is undefined. It is very common to find structural changes, degeneration, disc ruptures, and herniations in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. In many cases where a patient experiences lower back pain, imaging is often used to provide insight, especially when specific medical treatments are required.
Quite often imaging can lead the patient to feel anxious and fearful of treatment options and their movement ability. It is important to understand that imaging does not determine the outcomes of the patient’s rehabilitation. The goal is to continue to progress in your rehabilitation to increase comfort, strength, and tolerance.
Why Kinesiology Works
Kinesiology is the study of human movement and performance. A Registered Kinesiologist is trained to identify poor and inefficient movement patterns, muscular strength imbalances, and joint dysfunction and teach the most appropriate techniques for your sport or tasks. Rather than just treating symptoms, kinesiology aims to correct these issues through tailored movement programs and active rehabilitation.
During a session, a kinesiologist will assess your posture, strength, flexibility, and range of motion in a task. Using the finding they develop a customized plan that targets the areas contributing to your pain. Over time, these adjustments promote proper alignment, stability, and strength — providing effective and lasting pain relief for back pain.
A kinesiologist can use modalities such as strength, training, mobilization, soft tissue treatment, and others that may be appropriate for the client.
Other Important Links: https://fasttwitchkinesiology.ca/pain-relief-for-back-pain/
Kinesiology vs. Chiropractic or Physiotherapy
While chiropractic care and physiotherapy can also play an important role in back pain recovery, kinesiology sets itself apart by empowering clients with movement. Kinesologists can work hand-in-hand with physiotherapists, chiropractors, osteopaths, and other healthcare practitioners in order to best provide treatment for their patient client.
Immediately after injury or surgery, the patient tends to be referred to a physiotherapist in order to reduce pain and initiate movement (to get back on their feet). It’s at this point where kinesiologist would come in once pain has been reduced in order to further advance performance for daily living or for Athletics.
Kinesiology emphasizes active rehabilitation — putting you in control of your healing process. Instead of relying on devices or manipulation, you’re guided through exercises that retrain your body to move the way it was meant to. This proactive approach builds long-lasting habits that support continued pain relief for back pain well beyond the clinic.
The Fast Twitch Kinesiology Approach
At Fast Twitch Kinesiology, our team understands that no two bodies — or injuries — are alike. That’s why we take a personalized and patient-centered approach to every case. Whether your back pain is due to an old injury, repetitive strain, postural stress, or lifestyle factors, we will work with you to identify the mechanical causes and build a realistic, sustainable plan to eliminate them.
Our clinic in Oakville offers a warm, supportive environment where clients feel motivated and involved in their progress. We also focus on educating our clients about body mechanics, posture habits, and preventive techniques, so you’re less likely to experience recurring issues in the future.
If you’ve been struggling with back discomfort and are tired of relying on medication for temporary relief, it might be time to consider a more permanent and empowering solution. Kinesiology offers evidence-based techniques that help your body heal from within.
We take care of your body with personalized treatments designed to help you move and feel better — a solution focused on pain relief for back pain, right here at Fast Twitch Kinesiology in Oakville.
Back pain doesn’t have to be a lifelong burden. With the right approach and expert guidance, you can restore movement, reduce discomfort, and enjoy life again, without relying on constant medication. Explore how kinesiology can transform your health journey and bring you lasting relief.
Book your consultation with Fast Twitch Kinesiology in Oakville today and take the first step toward a stronger, pain-free you.