Rapid Access Clinics for Low Back Pain

The Rapid Access Clinics for Low Back Pain program is a free Ministry of Health initiative that aims to help patients receive timely low back pain assessment, education, and evidence-based self-management plans. Collaborative care with patients, the program’s advanced practice clinicians, and primary-care providers helps decrease the prevalence of unmanageable low back pain and reduce unnecessary diagnostic imaging and specialist referrals. Rapid access to specialist care is possible through the program’s practice lead when required.

Location 

Various clinics in Kingston, Trenton, Merrickville-Wolford, and Bancroft

Central Intake Office and practice lead clinics are located in Kingston at Kingston Health Sciences Centre’s Hotel Dieu Hospital site, 166 Brock St.

Contact Information 

The Southeast (Kingston and area) Central Intake Office can be reached by calling 613-544-3400 extension 22382 or by emailing @email. Please note the office is staffed three days/week, so please allow 1-2 days for a response.

Hours of Operation

Monday to Friday, hours vary by location

Referrals

Only primary-care providers registered with the program can refer, and patients must meet the criteria below. To register, primary-care providers can access the onboarding module at https://lowbackrac.ca/primary-care-providers/.  

Inclusion criteria:
  • Patients with six weeks to 12 months of persistent lower back pain and/or related symptoms (e.g., sciatica, neurogenic claudication)

       OR

  • Patients with unmanageable recurrent episodic lower back pain and/or related symptoms of less than 12 months duration post-recurrence.

It is recommended for primary-care providers to consider referral in the above-mentioned scenarios before imaging, specialist referral, or initiation of an opioid prescription.

Exclusion criteria:
  • Patient with RED FLAGS
  • Initial low back pain (LBP) symptoms <6 weeks post-onset
  • Constant/persistent LBP symptoms >12 months post-onset
  • <18 years of age
  • Unmanaged established chronic multisite pain disorder
  • Unmanaged established narcotic dependency
  • Active LBP-related WSIB claim
  • Active LBP-related motor vehicle accident claim
  • Active LBP-related legal claim
  • Pregnant/post-partum patients (<1 year)

What patients can expect

Appropriate patients will be assessed by a physiotherapist or chiropractor with advanced training in lumbar-related pain management. Assessments are arranged within four weeks of receiving a referral, when possible. Patients will receive recommendations and a treatment plan. When indicated, the Rapid Access Clinics for Low Back Pain program can arrange for spinal imaging and referrals to specialists for injections and surgical opinion.