Back Pain Treatment in Sterling Heights, MI
Low back pain is the single most common reason people come to physical therapy — and one of the most treatable.
How we treat back pain
Most back pain is mechanical: joints, discs, and muscles that have been overloaded, deconditioned, or guarded for too long. Our evaluation sorts out which one yours is — using movement testing and, where useful, computerized range-of-motion measurement — then builds a plan around progressive loading, hands-on treatment, and the specific movements your day demands, whether that's a production line, a desk, or a grandchild.
Signs this page is about you
- Pain that worsens with sitting or first thing in the morning
- Stiffness that eases with movement
- Pain radiating into the buttock or thigh
- Recurring 'thrown-out back' episodes
Common questions
How many visits does back pain usually take?
Most mechanical low back pain responds within 6–12 visits over 4–8 weeks. You should feel measurable change within the first 3 visits — if not, we re-evaluate rather than repeat.
Do I need an MRI before starting physical therapy?
Usually not. Clinical guidelines recommend starting conservative care first for most back pain without red-flag symptoms; imaging is reserved for cases that don't respond or show warning signs. We screen for those signs at your first visit.
Can I start without a doctor's referral?
Yes. Michigan direct access law lets you begin physical therapy without a physician referral in most cases. Some insurance plans still require a referral to pay — our front desk verifies yours before your first visit.
Opening February 2027 — evaluations bookable now
Join the waitlist and we'll schedule your back pain evaluation in opening week, verify your insurance in advance, and send intake paperwork you can finish from your phone.
Request an evaluationRelated: