What is referred pain?
Referred pain is pain you feel in one part of the body that actually comes from a problem somewhere else. A stiff upper back can cause low back pain. A hip problem can show up as knee pain. Tight structures in the neck can trigger headaches. If treatment only targets the spot that hurts, the pain often comes back.
At Trusting Hands Physiotherapy in Kitsilano, Vancouver, our physiotherapists assess the whole body to find where your pain is really coming from. Then she treats that source.
Does this sound like you?
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- You’ve had massage, chiro or physio, and it helps, but only for a few days.
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- Your scans came back “normal,” yet you still hurt.
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- The pain moves around, or it’s hard to point to one exact spot.
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- You’ve been told to “rest and take Advil,” and it hasn’t changed anything.
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- You’re starting to wonder if you’ll just have to live with it.
If you nodded along, it’s not your fault, and you’re not imagining it. Often the treatment was aimed at the right symptom but the wrong source. When the real driver is found and treated, many people finally start to see lasting change.
Common pain that comes from somewhere else
| Where you feel it | Where it may be coming from |
|---|---|
| Low back | A stiff upper back (thoracic spine) or ribcage, hips, or the pelvic floor |
| Knee | The hip, or how your foot and ankle move when you walk or run |
| Shoulder or shoulder blade | The neck or upper back |
| Headaches | The neck, jaw (TMJ) or upper back posture |
| Arm, wrist or hand | Nerves irritated in the neck |
| Hip or groin | The low back, pelvis, or pelvic floor |
This is why a desk worker’s low back pain, a runner’s knee pain, or a new mom’s hip pain often needs a whole-body look.
How we find the real source at Trusting Hands
Every first visit is one-on-one with our physiotherapists, with no hand-offs to assistants.
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- Your story. When the pain started, what makes it better or worse, and what you’ve already tried.
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- Whole-body assessment. Our physiotherapist watches how you move, breathe, sit, and stand, not just the painful area. We use the Thoracic Ring Approach and Connect Therapy, methods designed to find which area of the body is driving your symptoms.
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- Treat the driver. Depending on what we find, treatment may include manual therapy, IMS / dry needling, acupuncture, visceral manipulation, or pelvic floor rehabilitation.
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- Retrain movement. Exercises, Pilates-based movement and stretch therapy help the change last, so you’re not back on the table every week.
You’ll leave your first visit with a clear explanation of what’s going on and a plan you understand.
About Trusting Hands Physiotherapy and Wellness
Trusting Hands Physiotherapy and Wellness is a one-on-one physiotherapy clinic on West Broadway in Kitsilano. Our name comes from our patients, who often told us they felt comfortable and confident in our hands. Built on over 20 years of physiotherapy experience, the clinic opened in 2025 to bring clinical expertise and a holistic, personal approach together.
We look beyond isolated symptoms. We take time to listen to your story and understand how movement, lifestyle and well-being shape your pain. That whole-person view is what helps us find pain that isn’t coming from where it hurts.
Through physiotherapy, pelvic health care, Pilates and complementary wellness approaches, we tailor care to your body and your goals. Our mission is to honour the trust placed in our hands and help you move with confidence.
Frequently asked questions
Can back pain come from somewhere else?
Yes. Low back pain is often driven by a stiff upper back or ribcage, the hips or the pelvic floor. A whole-body assessment helps find the source.
Can hip problems cause knee pain?
Yes. The hip and knee share nerve pathways, and how your hip moves affects the load on your knee. Knee pain that won’t settle is worth a hip check.
Why does my pain keep coming back after treatment?
Often the treatment eased the symptom but didn’t address what’s causing it. Finding and treating the driver, then retraining movement, gives longer-lasting results.
What is the Thoracic Ring Approach?
It’s an assessment and treatment method that looks at how each ring of the ribcage and upper spine moves. It helps a physiotherapist find which area is driving pain elsewhere in the body.
Do I need a doctor’s referral to see a physiotherapist in BC?
No. You can book directly. Some extended health plans ask for a referral before they pay, so check your plan.
Does Trusting Hands direct bill insurance?
Yes. Trusting Hands direct bills Sun Life, Green Shield, RBC, Manulife, Canada Life, Desjardins and other plans. ICBC claims are also accepted.
Where is Trusting Hands Physiotherapy?
Suite 404, 2150 West Broadway, Vancouver, in Kitsilano. It’s easy to reach from Fairview, Point Grey, Dunbar and downtown.