Spine physical therapy uses targeted exercise, hands-on techniques and education to help you move with less pain, rebuild strength and lower the chance of pain coming back. At Innovation Spine Medical, physical therapy is part of the same practice as your pain management team, so your therapy can be coordinated with the rest of your treatment plan.
Physical therapy for the spine focuses on the muscles, joints and movement patterns that support your back and neck. Rather than just treating where it hurts, your therapist looks at how you sit, stand, lift and move, and at which muscles are weak, tight or not working together.
Your program is built around your diagnosis and goals, whether that’s getting through a workday without pain, returning to the gym or picking up your kids again.
Physical therapy is often recommended alongside other treatments. For example, after an epidural steroid injection or radiofrequency ablation, pain may be lower for a period of time, which can make it easier to build strength and improve mobility.
Exercise-based care is a cornerstone of treatment for many types of lower back pain, including sciatica, disc problems and muscle strain.
Posture work, mobility exercises and strengthening may help with neck stiffness and pain.
Therapy may help with pain and weakness in the shoulder, hip, knee, elbow and hand and wrist.
Pelvic and core-focused exercises and sitting strategies may help.
Physical therapy is often part of care after a car accident or a workplace injury (/injuries/workers-compensation/).
Facet pain usually doesn’t travel below the knee or into the hand. Pain that shoots down a limb is more often nerve-related, and an epidural steroid injection may be more appropriate. Learn about Epidural Steroid Injection
Physical therapy may help if you:
Your provider or therapist will evaluate you first and let you know if physical therapy is appropriate, or if another evaluation is needed.
Your therapist reviews your history, measures your strength, flexibility and posture, and discusses your goals. Together you’ll set a plan and a schedule.
Sessions may include therapeutic exercise, stretching, hands-on (manual) therapy, balance and core training, and guidance on posture and body mechanics.
You’ll learn exercises to do between visits. This is one of the most important parts of therapy.
The number of visits depends on your condition, how long you’ve had symptoms and your goals. Your therapist will check your progress regularly and adjust your plan.
It’s normal to feel some muscle soreness as you start new exercises. Therapy should challenge you but not significantly worsen your pain. Let your therapist know if something doesn’t feel right so they can adjust your program.
Physical therapy is covered by many insurance plans, often with visit limits or copays. We also see patients through No-Fault and Workers’ Compensation
New York allows direct access to physical therapy for a limited number of visits or days in many cases, but some insurance plans still require a referral. Our team can help you check.
Spine-focused therapy concentrates on the back and neck and on how they relate to the hips, shoulders and core. It’s especially useful when your pain involves the spine.
Yes. In addition to spine care, our therapists work with shoulder, hip, knee, elbow, and hand and wrist pain.
Comfortable clothing that lets you move easily and gives access to the area being treated.
Schedule your first visit at our Rego Park office and get a plan built around your goals.
