Back & neck pain physical therapy
In-Home Physical Therapy for Back Pain, Neck Pain & Sciatica
One-on-one care from a Doctor of Physical Therapy for low back pain, sciatica, neck pain, and headaches that start in the neck—at home, at work, or in another private setting. We find what is driving your pain and build a plan around how you sit, lift, sleep, work, and play.
Prefer to talk? Call or text (574) 686-7313 (South Bend & Michiana) or (239) 399-5023 (Naples & Southwest Florida).
Serving South Bend & Michiana, Southwest Michigan, and Naples & Southwest Florida. Private-pay physical therapy.
Spine care
Back and Neck Pain Rarely Has Just One Cause
The spot that hurts isn't always the source. Stiff joints, weak or overworked muscles, irritated nerves, and the way you sit, lift, sleep, and move can all play a part. The right plan depends on what your examination shows.
Find What Is Driving Your Pain
Your evaluation looks at how your spine, hips, and shoulders move, how your nerves respond, and what makes your symptoms better or worse.
Care Where Your Pain Shows Up
We see how you get out of a chair, bend, lift, and work at your desk—in your own space—so your plan fits your real day.
No Driving or Waiting Rooms
When sitting in a car or a waiting room is part of the problem, your Doctor of Physical Therapy comes to you: at home, at work, or in another private setting.
What we treat
Back, Neck & Nerve Symptoms We Commonly Treat
You don't need a diagnosis before contacting us. Your evaluation helps determine whether physical therapy is appropriate and what may be contributing.
Low Back Pain
- A recent flare-up or a strain from lifting or yard work
- Back pain that keeps coming back, or never quite leaves
- Stiffness in the morning or after sitting
- Pain with bending, lifting, standing, or walking
Sciatica & Nerve Pain
- Pain, numbness, or tingling down the leg
- Disc-related back and leg pain
- Leg symptoms that build with standing or walking
- A pinched nerve in the neck with arm or hand symptoms
Neck Pain & Stiffness
- Neck pain from long days at a desk, laptop, or phone
- Trouble turning your head to drive or check a blind spot
- Tightness through the upper back and shoulder blades
- Neck strain after a fall, a sport, or a sudden movement
Headaches That Start in the Neck
- Headaches that build from the base of the skull
- Tension headaches with neck and shoulder tightness
- Headaches tied to posture, screens, or sleep position
- Headaches along with jaw tension (see TMJ physical therapy)
When to get medical care first
Physical therapy is a good starting point for most back and neck pain. Seek urgent medical care instead if you have new loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the groin or inner thighs, quickly worsening weakness in a leg or arm, pain after a serious fall or accident, pain with fever or unexplained weight loss, or a sudden, severe headache unlike any you've had before.
Your first visit
What to Expect From Your Back or Neck Evaluation
Your first visit is a 60-minute, one-on-one evaluation and treatment session with a Doctor of Physical Therapy. Your therapist brings a treatment table and the supplies the visit needs. Before it ends, you'll understand what we found, what we recommend, and what to do next.
- Your full story. When the pain started, where it travels, what makes it better or worse, and how it affects work, sleep, driving, and exercise.
- A focused spine exam. Movement of your back, neck, and hips; strength; reflexes and sensation; nerve testing; and how you sit, bend, and lift.
- Treatment starts with what we find. When appropriate, care begins the same visit, and you leave with a plan for between visits.
- If something needs a physician's evaluation or imaging, we'll explain why and help guide you to the right next step.
Have X-ray or MRI reports, notes from your doctor, and your health history handy if you have them.
Treatment
Treatment Built Around What We Find
Your plan is chosen from your examination and your goals, and it changes as you respond.
Hands-On Care
Joint and soft-tissue techniques for the spine, hips, and shoulders when appropriate.
Dry Needling, Included
Used when clinically appropriate as one part of your plan, with no separate fee. Currently offered in South Bend & Michiana and Southwest Michigan.
Exercise Matched to the Problem
Strength, mobility, and trunk control chosen from your findings and progressed as you improve.
Nerve-Focused Care
For sciatica and arm symptoms: movements and positions that calm irritated nerves and restore motion.
Everyday Mechanics
Lifting, bending, sitting, sleeping, and desk setup, practiced in the space where you actually do them.
A Home Plan You'll Use
A short routine that fits your day and is updated as you progress.
Cupping, Also Included
Static and dynamic cupping for tight, restricted tissue in the back, neck, and hips, used when clinically appropriate as one part of your plan, with no separate fee. More about cupping →
Some people improve in a few visits; others need a longer plan. Your recommendations are based on your findings and how you respond—not on a set number of visits. If you're preparing for or recovering from spine surgery, see post-surgical rehabilitation.
The goal
Back to What Pain Has Been Limiting
Your plan is built around the activities that matter to you, such as:
- Getting through a workday or a long drive without stopping to stretch
- Lifting, carrying, and yard work without bracing for pain
- Sleeping through the night
- Getting back to golf, tennis, pickleball, the gym, or travel
“He’s helped me with my shoulder as well as my neck and low back pain. For the first time in several years I’m pain free and feel strong again. … Matt took the time to actually listen to my complaints and gave me a very thorough assessment for each area I had problems with. He identified all my problems and addressed each one of them.”
“Matt is a phenomenal physical therapist who’s helped me with herniated discs, knee pain, and neck pain. He’s super knowledgeable and will take the time to walk you through exercises and treatments. Can’t recommend him as a PT enough!”
Payment
Private Pay, Explained Up Front
ECPT is a private-pay practice, and payment is due at the time of service. We'll go over cost with you before your first visit, so there are no surprises.
Commercial Insurance
We provide an itemized invoice (often called a superbill) for patients with commercial insurance who wish to seek reimbursement through out-of-network benefits.
Medicare
ECPT is a private-pay practice and does not bill Medicare.
HSA and FSA
HSA and FSA cards can't be used for ECPT visits.
Questions
Questions About Back & Neck Physical Therapy
Do I need an MRI or X-ray first?
Usually not. Many people with back or neck pain can start physical therapy without imaging. If your exam suggests you need imaging or a physician's evaluation, we'll explain why. If you already have reports, have them handy for your first visit.
Can physical therapy help sciatica?
Often, yes. Your exam shows where the symptoms are coming from and which movements calm them, and treatment is built from there. If your symptoms suggest you need medical care first, we'll tell you.
Do you treat headaches?
Yes, when they're related to the neck, upper back, or jaw. If your headache pattern suggests something else is going on, we'll recommend medical evaluation.
Is dry needling included?
Yes. When it's clinically appropriate, dry needling is part of your visit, with no separate fee. It's one tool within your plan, not a standalone treatment.
How long are visits?
Your first visit is a full 60 minutes, one-on-one with a Doctor of Physical Therapy. After that, visits run 45, 60, or 90 minutes, depending on your plan, goals, and availability.
Do I need a referral or prescription?
In many cases, you can begin physical therapy without a physician referral. However, depending on your medical history, surgery, diagnosis, insurance situation, or state-specific requirements, we may recommend or require coordination with your physician.
Do you bill insurance or Medicare?
ECPT is a private-pay practice and does not bill Medicare. For patients with commercial insurance, we provide an itemized invoice (often called a superbill) to submit for out-of-network reimbursement. Reimbursement depends on your plan.
Where do visits take place?
Your therapist comes to you—your home, office, private gym, senior living residence, or another appropriate private space—in South Bend & Michiana, Southwest Michigan, and Naples & Southwest Florida.
Where we provide this care
Ready to Find Out What’s Driving Your Pain?
Tell us what you’re feeling and where you’re located. Back and neck physical therapy is available in all three regions.
South Bend & Michiana
South Bend, Granger, Mishawaka, Notre Dame, Osceola, Elkhart, and nearby communities.
Call or text(574) 686-7313In-home PT in South Bend →Southwest Michigan
Niles, Edwardsburg, Cassopolis, and nearby communities.
Call or text(574) 686-7313In-home PT in Southwest Michigan →Naples & Southwest Florida
Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers, and nearby communities.
Call or text(239) 399-5023In-home PT in Naples →Prefer to write? Use the form below, and a Doctor of Physical Therapy will personally follow up within 24 hours.
Start with a conversation.
This brief request helps us understand your needs before connecting. We’ll review your goals, confirm your location, and follow up to discuss next steps for private, in-home care.
Prefer to speak directly?
Call or text us at (574) 686-7313 for South Bend / Michiana or (239) 399-5023 for Naples / Southwest Florida.