Low Back Pain Physiotherapy in Saskatoon
If your back pain is stopping you from training, sitting comfortably, or getting through a normal workday, you’re not alone, and you’re not broken.
At Vigour Physiotherapy, I help people in Saskatoon with low back pain (LBP) and recurring “tweak” episodes break the cycle of flare-up → rest → flare-up by combining:
a thorough physiotherapy assessment
the right kind of movement and exercise (not just “stretching it out”)
strength and load progression
practical strategies for real life (work, kids, sports, working out, running, etc.)
hands on treatment where appropriate
We can help make this simple and give you an actionable plan.
No referral required, direct billing available, 1-on-1 care, exercises sent to you after your visit
Low back pain can feel scary, but you’re not broken. The goal is to calm symptoms, rebuild tolerance, and return to what you want to do using a plan that combines assessment, the right movement, strength progressions, and real-life strategies.
When should you see a physiotherapist for back pain?
Book an assessment if you’ve got any of the following:
your pain has lasted more than 2–3 weeks
you keep having “tweaks” every few months
sitting/driving is a consistent trigger
bending, lifting, or working out flares it up
your pain is limiting sleep, work, or training
symptoms travel into your glute/leg (often labeled “sciatica”)
you’re unsure what’s going on and want a clear plan
You don’t need a perfect diagnosis to start making progress — you need a plan that matches your situation and your goals.
Types of low back pain we work with
If any of the following sounds familiar, we can most likely help:
low back pain that keeps coming back
pain with sitting, standing, bending, or lifting
stiffness first thing in the morning
pain that flares with squats, deadlifts, running, or long drives
pain that radiates into the glute/leg (sometimes called “sciatica”)
“I tweaked my back” episodes that happen every few months
If you’re unsure what’s going on, that’s fine you don’t need a perfect diagnosis to start making progress.
What makes low back pain stick around?
A lot of back pain isn’t just a “tight muscle” problem. It’s often a mix of:
sensitivity (the nervous system staying on high alert)
load intolerance (your back isn’t currently prepared for the demands you’re asking of it)
movement habits that keep re-irritating it
strength/endurance gaps in the trunk/hips
work and life realities (sitting, stress, poor sleep, high training volume)
mobility deficits in your back or neighbouring joints
My goal is to reduce symptoms and rebuild capacity so you trust your back again.
What your first appointment looks like
In your assessment, we’ll:
Clarify your story (what started it, what makes it better/worse, what you’re trying to get back to)
Screen for red flags and decide if anything needs referral
Test movement + strength relevant to your goals (daily tasks or performance)
Create a plan you understand:
what to do now
what to modify temporarily (and what you don’t need to avoid)
what we’re building toward over the next few weeks
You’ll leave with a clear next step, not just “come back and we’ll see.”
How we treat low back pain (what you can expect)
Treatment is individualized, but typically includes:
education + reassurance (what’s normal, what’s not, and how to navigate flare-ups)
mobility work (when it’s actually the right tool)
strength and control for trunk + hips
graded exposure to the stuff you care about (lifting, running, sport, work, life)
hands-on treatment when helpful (to calm symptoms and improve tolerance)
dry needling / IMS when appropriate (optional — not mandatory, not magic)
The long-term win is resilience: building capacity so your back tolerates the life you want to live.
Common types of low back pain I see
People don’t fit neatly into boxes, but these are common patterns:
acute flare-up / “tweak”
stiffness-dominant back pain
load-related back pain (lifting, training, manual work)
referred pain into glute/leg (often labeled “sciatica”)
persistent back pain (symptoms lasting 3+ months)
No matter the category, the plan is usually the same: calm it down → rebuild tolerance → return to what you want to do.
Nick Allard, MPT: Your Back Pain Physiotherapist
“I’m Nick Allard, a Saskatoon physiotherapist and the owner of Vigour Physiotherapy. I work with active adults and everyday humans dealing with back pain, whether it’s a fresh flare-up or something that keeps coming back. My approach is straightforward: figure out what’s driving it, calm it down, and build your strength, mobility, and tolerance so you can get back to training, work, and life with more confidence. Read more about my bio here!”
Direct Billing to your insurance, 1-on-1 assessments and treatment, exercises sent to you following your visit, no waitlist
Low Back Pain FAQs
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Most back pain doesn’t require imaging early on, especially if there are no red flags. Imaging often shows normal age-related changes that don’t match pain. If your symptoms suggest a need for imaging or referral, I’ll tell you.
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Leg symptoms can come from several sources (nerve irritation, referred pain, hip/glute sources). The assessment helps us figure out what pattern you’re dealing with and what tends to work best.
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Usually not. Relative rest for a short window can help, but most people improve faster by staying active and choosing the right movements/loads.
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Yes. We’ll figure out what your back currently tolerates and build back up with smart progressions, technique cues, and capacity work.
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Yes, when it fits. It can help reduce sensitivity and muscle guarding so you can move and load better — but the long-term win is rebuilding capacity with rehab.
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No referral is usually required to book physiotherapy. If your insurer needs one, check your plan.
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Absolutely. Hip mobility, hip strength, and trunk control can all influence how your back is loaded. We’ll assess the whole system.
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It depends on the irritability, how long it’s been going on, and your goals. Some people need a few visits to calm things down; others benefit from a short block of rehab to build long-term resilience. We’ll map this out early.
Ready to get moving again?
If you’re tired of guessing and want a plan that actually fits your life (and your training), book an appointment. We’ll figure out what’s driving it and what to do next.
Reviewed by: Nick Allard, MPT (Registered Physiotherapist) • Last updated: [2025-12-19]
This page is for general information and is not medical advice. If you have severe or worsening symptoms, loss of bowel/bladder control, significant weakness, fever, unexplained weight loss, or symptoms after major trauma, seek urgent medical care.
Conveniently Located in Saskatoon, SK
610 Queen Street #102
Saskatoon, SK
S7K 0M8
Directly across from City Hospital in the City Park neighbourhood