Spine Pain Specialist
Comprehensive Spine Care for All Types of Pain
Experiencing back pain, neck pain, or radicular pain (pain radiating from the spine into the arms or legs) can be debilitating, affecting every aspect of your daily life.
Common Diagnoses I Treat
As a dedicated spine specialist and Doctor of Physical Therapy with over 18 years of experience, I focus on diagnosing and treating a wide range of spine-related conditions using non-surgical methods, tailored to your unique needs.
-
Herniated Disc
-
Bulging Disc
-
Lumbar Pain (Low Back Pain)
-
Thoracic Pain (Mid Back Pain)
-
Cervical Pain (Neck Pain)
-
Spinal Stenosis
-
Brachial Plexus Injuries
-
Radiculopathy, Radicular Pain, Radiating Pain, Nerve Root Pain, Nerve Pain, Pinched Nerve, Referred Pain (pain radiating from the spine into the arms or legs)
Avoiding Surgery with Effective Treatments and a Holistic Approach
In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to address persistent symptoms such as severe pain, tingling, or loss of strength in a limb. If such a case presents, I refer you to trusted doctors for diagnosis and more aggressive intervention as soon as possible. However, most spine-related conditions, including low back pain, mid back pain, neck pain, and radicular pain—such as that caused by sciatica—can be effectively managed with conservative care.
​
My holistic approach includes:
-
Physical Therapy: My approach encompasses a wide range of therapeutic strategies to promote pain relief and enhance recovery from low back, mid back, neck pain, and radicular pain originating from spinal conditions. Treatment is underpinned by a very thorough evaluation, including written and verbal intake and physical assessment to ensure an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan. Key areas of focus include:
-
Strengthening and Supporting Your Spine: Building muscular support to improve stability and prevent further injury.
-
Stretching or Lengthening Tight Muscles: To improve flexibility and reduce tension that may contribute to pain.
-
Mobilizing Stuck or Stiff Spinal Segments: Enhancing mobility and function by addressing areas of rigidity within the spine.
-
Realigning Structural Deformities: Correcting postural imbalances and misalignments to restore proper spine mechanics.
-
Improving Postural Awareness: Educating you on optimal posture to prevent strain and promote spine health.
-
Changing Dysfunctional Movement Patterns: Teaching new movement strategies to avoid habits that exacerbate pain and injury.
-
-
Spinal Adjustments and Manipulation: Utilizing techniques to realign the spine and reduce pressure on affected nerves, providing relief for low back pain, neck pain, and radiculopathy. I employ effective chiropractic techniques as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
-
Cutting-Edge Technologies: Incorporating advanced technologies such as shockwave therapy, interactive neuromuscular electrical stimulation, photobiomodulation (red light therapy), PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field therapy), and electro-needling to enhance treatment outcomes and support recovery.
-
Referral for Imaging and Injections: When necessary, I collaborate with trusted physicians to expedite referrals for imaging, injections, and other medical interventions to effectively manage pain and inflammation.
Tailored Exercise Programs
I create personalized exercise routines that align with your sport, job, daily activity demands, and personal goals, focusing on both immediate pain relief and long-term performance enhancement. Each routine is designed with your time constraints in mind and is delivered through the PhysiApp on your phone or computer, making it easy for you to follow along. This platform enables accountability, pain tracking, and intelligent progression to ensure you achieve optimal results.
Understanding the Causes of Spine Pain
Many believe that spine pain and radicular pain originating from spinal disorders can occur without a cause, but this is a misconception. Each case of spine pain has an identifiable source, whether it’s a herniated disc, pinched nerve, scoliosis, or other condition. My expertise in spine health allows me to accurately diagnose and treat these underlying causes, providing relief and restoring function.
One of the keys to resolving spine pain is identifying the postures and activities that contribute to the problem. By eliminating or modifying these stressors, often just temporarily, you can allow inflammation to subside, paving the way for recovery. This approach, anchored by accurate diagnosis, is central to achieving long-term relief and improving overall spine health.
Why Work with Me?
With over 18 years of experience as a Doctor of Physical Therapy, I am dedicated to providing exceptional spine care in Boulder. My methods are rooted in:
-
Spinal Mobilization and Manipulation
-
Eastern Medicine Principles and Modalities, including Tui Na and Needling
-
Comprehensive Biomechanics Assessment, Neuromuscular Reeducation, and Therapeutic Exercise
-
Cutting-edge Technologies and Modalities
You will receive a personalized plan of care based on your unique history and goals. I focus on helping you find relief from chronic pain by identifying and addressing the root causes of your symptoms, including conditions like scoliosis.
Patient-Centered Approach
My non-surgical treatments are designed to address both acute and chronic conditions. I work closely with trusted clinicians when necessary to ensure a comprehensive approach, providing guidance on:
-
Posture and Movement Patterns
-
Effective Pain Management Techniques
-
Lifestyle and Activity Modifications
Local Care for Long-lasting Results
Based in Boulder, I am committed to helping those in my community live pain-free lives. My goal is to empower you with the knowledge and tools to maintain spine health, eliminating or significantly reducing the need for surgical intervention.
FAQs About Spinal Issues and Pain
How do you fix sciatica?
I offer personalized physical therapy combined with chiropractic techniques to effectively relieve sciatica pain. With over 18 years of experience and a doctorate in physical therapy, I have a deep understanding of anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics. My treatment model emphasizes accurate diagnosis, which is crucial for effective and efficient care. Even chronic sciatica can be resolved with the right approach. Here’s a key insight for effective sciatica treatment: In nearly every case, certain activities or positions are contributing to the inflammation and discomfort. Once we identify and adjust these triggers, you’ll often experience significant improvements within days or weeks.​
What is the best treatment for herniated discs?
Like sciatica and many other spinal conditions, bulging or herniated discs—most often found in the lumbar and cervical spine—are highly treatable, and the majority of patients can avoid surgery. My evaluation can usually determine if your back or nerve root pain involves disc issues. In severe or unclear cases, I will promptly refer you for imaging to better understand the underlying problem. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment. The initial approach to relieving pain and restoring function typically includes educating you on which postures and movements to reduce or avoid, providing a home exercise plan to address deficits, and applying skilled hands-on techniques and effective modalities in the clinic.
Who is the best professional to see for spine-related pain?
There are different types of professionals who treat sciatica, each with their own approach. Chiropractors focus on adjusting the spine, physiatrists may use injections or medications, and orthopedic surgeons might suggest surgery. But if you want to treat most spine issues without surgery, physical therapy is your best option as it addresses the root cause by empowering you to take targeted actions that lead to lasting results. Clinicians from various disciplines, including physical therapists, chiropractors, medical doctors, massage therapists, and personal trainers, can effectively treat spine-related pain. However, I've found in my career that true experts are rare in each field, with many clinicians providing mediocre or even harmful care. Unfortunately, I've frequently had clients come to me who were made worse by well-meaning clinicians who took the wrong approach to treating delicate spine issues. Spinal issues are complex and often require a clinician with advanced education, over 10 years of experience, and a clinical model that allows time for thorough problem-solving. As a doctor of physical therapy with over 18 years of experience, I bring a diverse clinical toolkit to address each unique case and meet your specific goals. As a spine specialist with extensive experience, I provide holistic care for all spine issues, including low back pain, mid back pain, neck pain, radicular pain, and scoliosis.
Can sciatica be treated without surgery?
Yes, the vast majority of sciatica cases can be effectively resolved or managed with conservative care, such as high-quality physical therapy. The first principle is to do no harm. It's easy to exacerbate the issue by using inappropriate exercises, modalities, or manual therapy for the specific presentation at a given time. Even with excellent clinical care, failing to educate you about movements and postures that perpetuate inflammation and pain can lead to short-lived improvements. Activity modification coaching is imperative in most cases. My goal is always to identify the root cause(s) of the pain and implement a plan of care to resolve or cure the issue, if possible. This approach relies on an accurate diagnosis, frequent communication between us, and a flexible plan of care.
What are the non-surgical treatment options for scoliosis?
There are different types of professionals who treat scoliosis, each with their own approach. Chiropractors focus on adjusting the spine, physiatrists may use injections or medications, and orthopedic surgeons might suggest surgery. But if you want to treat scoliosis without surgery and give yourself the best chance of getting out of pain, staying out of pain, and, in some cases, even permanently improving alignment, physical therapy is your best option as it addresses the root cause by empowering you to take targeted actions that lead to lasting results. Sometimes, collaborating with other healthcare professionals is necessary to achieve the best results. This might involve working with a physiatrist or orthopedist for imaging, medication, or injections, or exploring complementary forms of movement like Pilates or yoga, or even partnering with a personal trainer. I have a vetted network of like-minded clinicians in Boulder to whom I can refer you, ensuring that we maintain clear communication as we progress through your treatment.
Get Started on Your Path to Pain-Free Living
Your spine is the central pillar of your neurological and musculoskeletal system, and its health is vital for everyday activities. Don't accept low back pain, mid back pain, neck pain, radicular pain, or any spine pain or dysfunction as a permanent part of your life. Contact me today to schedule a consultation and learn how my spine specialist services in Boulder can help you achieve a pain-free, active lifestyle.