Low Back Pain Rapid Access Clinic
What is a Rapid Access Clinic?
A Rapid Access Clinic (RAC) for Low Back Pain offers assessment of your low back pain and/or low-back-related leg pain to determine the next steps in your care.
A clinic team will assess your low back condition in a timely way and work with you to create a personalized care plan to help you better manage your low back symptoms.
RACs have been established across the province to help improve access to quality low back care.
At Sunnybrook, we offer a RAC for Low Back Pain.
Accessing a rapid access clinic
You can be referred to a rapid access clinic (RAC) by a family doctor or nurse practitioner that has RAC Low Back Pain referral privileges.
You will need a referral from your primary care provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner).
Please have your care provider include:
- Details of your symptoms
- Any treatment(s) you have had
- Any recent applicable reports of MRI/CT scan or x-ray investigations.
RAC services are fully covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).
Appointment information
What you can expect
Once you are referred to a RAC, you will be contacted by an Advanced Practice Provider's clinic to schedule your appointment.
An Advanced Practice Provider (APP) is a physiotherapist or a chiropractor with advanced education and experience who has completed specialized training.
You can expect an appointment date within four weeks.
Your assessment appointment will be scheduled with the nearest available clinician.
It is recommended that you arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment to complete the necessary paperwork.
Upon completion, you will then receive a thorough assessment by an APP for approximately one hour.
What to bring
- Your OHIP card
- A list of medications you are taking
- A CD of any recent applicable images of MRI/CT Scan/x-rays
- Your completed patient intake form.
1. Quit smoking
2. Positions and activities to help manage your pain
Pain with sitting: If your back hurts with sitting make sure to stand up or walk around at least once every 20 minutes. Choose a seat with good lower back support, arm rests and a swivel base. Consider placing a rolled towel in the small of your back to maintain its normal curve. Keep your knees and hips level (90 degrees).
Pain with standing or walking: If your back hurts with standing or walking make sure you sit down, round your back or perform pelvic tilts as needed to help alleviate your symptoms. Additionally, avoid wearing high heels.
3. Exercise regularly – get active!
If your back hurts with standing and walking: Regular low-impact aerobic activities such as cycling, swimming and tai chi can increase your overall cardiovascular fitness while strengthening and increasing endurance in your back. This allows your muscles to function better.
Regardless of what positions make your back hurt, core-strengthening exercises (abdominal and back exercises) such as planks, side planks, and bird dog exercises can help specifically condition your core muscles so that they work synergistically to support your back.
4. If your back is hurting, avoid lifting heavy objects or awkward objects.
But if you must… let your legs do the work. Hold the weight close to your body and avoid lifting and twisting simultaneously. Ask for help if the object is heavy or awkward.
This information is NOT meant to replace the specific care provided by your doctor or another health professional. If you have any questions about the above recommendations, please speak to your health care provider.
Resources
Location and contact
Low Back Pain Rapid Access Clinic
Sunnybrook Bayview Campus
2075 Bayview Ave.
M-wing, take elevator to the ground floor, Room MG 301(to your left)
Phone:
416-967-8617
Fax (for referrals):
1-877-411-4577
