Low Back Pain (LBP) Rapid Access Clinics (RAC)
The Lower Back Pain pathway is for patients who are over 18 years of age, living with:
- Persistent lower back pain and/or related symptoms (e.g., sciatica, neurogenic claudication) that are not improving 6 weeks to 12 months from onset; or
- Unmanageable recurrent episodic lower back pain and/or related symptoms of less than 12 months duration post-recurrence.
Referral Form & Gaining Referral Privileges
In order to obtain the Lower Back Pain referral form, primary care providers (PCP) must register online, which can be completed on any computer, tablet, or smartphone via the following link:
Low Back Pain Rapid access clinic Locations
In collaboration with the patient, the primary care provider completes the referral form and sends it to Central Intake. The referral is sent to the community-based rapid access clinic closest to the patient's home. There are a number of community-based rapid access clinics located across the Central East:
| Scarborough | | Good Sheppard Physiotherapy and Rehab Clinic |
| Medisprint Physiotherapy and Wellness |
| Plane Tree Physiotherapy |
| Physioworx Physiotherapy |
| Durham | Ajax | Durham Wellness Centre |
| Oshawa | Total Osteopathy and Physiotherapy (TOP) Rehab |
| Advanced Physiotherapy and Wellness Centre |
| Pickering | Pickering Sports Medicine and Wellness Centre |
| Port Perry | Physiotherapy Associates of Port Perry |
| Whitby | North Whitby Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic |
| Northumberland County | Cobourg | Cobourg Spine and Sports Injury Clinic |
| Peterborough City and County | Peterborough | Trent Health in Motion |
| Peterborough | Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Institute Kawarthas (ORIK) |
| Lakefield | Freeflo Physiotherapy |
| Haliburton County and City of Kawartha Lakes | Lindsay | Adelaide Clinic |
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At the Lower Back Pain rapid access clinic, the patient will be assessed by an Advanced Practice Provider (APP), a physiotherapist who has received specialized training with orthopaedic surgeons in low back care. The Advanced Practice Provider will provide the patient with education and a self-management plan to better manage pain, improve mobility and overall function. Assessment findings are shared with the primary care provider, including recommendations for further treatment options.
Surgical Consultation
Patients who are potential surgical candidates will be connected with specialists and diagnostic imaging (x-ray, MRI). A Practice Lead who works closely with the Scarborough Health Network spine surgeons may conduct an additional assessment to identify a need for surgical consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
For more information on what to expect at the rapid access clinic appointment with the Advanced Practice Provider and some frequently asked questions Click Here
Contact Information
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Transforming Musculoskeletal Care Initiative, please feel free to contact us.
For questions related to patient scheduling or assessments, please contact the rapid access clinic directly. Note, if a referral has been sent to Central Intake, please allow up to several days before the rapid access clinic can begin patient scheduling.
For questions regarding referral processing and routing, Central Intake is available at 1-800-263-3877 ext. 2828.
