Hoping to feel better without back surgery? We can help you explore a focused nonsurgical plan. At Mindful Movement PT, we combine McKenzie assessment, pain education and progressive activity to work toward easier movement and the life you want back, while keeping your medical team’s recommendations in view.
One-on-one PT with Dr. Emily Warren, DPT, Cert. MDT. No referral needed. In-person care in Holladay, serving Greater Salt Lake City, and virtual coaching from anywhere.
Your scan is part of the surgery conversation
Dr. Emily explains why an imaging finding and the experience of pain are not the same thing. We use that perspective alongside your examination and medical recommendations when discussing your options.
Your scan is one part of the story
Dr. Emily uses a simple overflowing-cup analogy to explain how imaging findings, activity, sleep, stress and sensitivity can contribute to pain. We connect your scan with your symptoms and assessment so you have a clearer idea of what to work on.
Key points from the video
- Dr. Emily uses an overflowing-cup analogy to explain how several factors can contribute to pain.
- Imaging findings, activity, sleep, stress and sensitivity can all be part of the picture.
- The message is that you may have options for improving pain and activity without having to change every scan finding.
Clarify why surgery is being considered
Ask which symptoms the operation is intended to improve and what findings support it. The decision for a herniated disc can differ from one involving stenosis, instability or another problem.
If the situation is urgent, do not delay medical care while seeking an exercise alternative. Review warning signs and follow your treating team’s advice.
Review the nonsurgical plan you have actually tried
- What assessment informed the plan?
- Which activities or symptoms was it targeting?
- How did your function change, not just pain immediately after a visit?
- Was the plan adjusted when it was not helping?
- Are there reasonable options still worth discussing?
A trial of care should have an agreed review point rather than continue indefinitely without useful progress.
What a focused nonsurgical rehabilitation trial involves
If your medical team agrees that a trial of nonsurgical care is appropriate, it should give you more than a collection of stretches. At Mindful Movement, we establish a starting point, test a useful strategy and agree on how to judge progress.
Movement assessment plus a plan for daily life
Dr. Emily’s McKenzie assessment explores whether selected movements or positions help your symptoms. Pain education addresses the questions that can make movement feel threatening, while strength and activity practice work toward the things you need to do. Manual therapy or dry needling may support the plan when appropriate; the aim is to develop skills you can use between visits.
- Choose a meaningful baseline: for example, walking to the mailbox, sitting through dinner or managing stairs.
- Agree on what to practice: know the exercise dose, activity adjustments and symptoms that mean stop or contact the clinician.
- Set a review point: compare function, symptoms and examination findings. A useful trend helps guide the next decision.
- Keep the options open: if progress is inadequate or neurological findings change, discuss the next step with your medical team.
Wanting to avoid an operation is understandable. We can work toward that goal where appropriate while treating a necessary surgical consultation as part of good care. Read about making the decision with your treating team.
What a PT review can add
An individualized assessment may help identify a practical rehabilitation plan or organize questions for a medical consultation. It can also identify reasons to refer back for further evaluation.
No exercise response proves you will never need surgery. Do not interpret an observational study as a personal prediction.
Make a shared decision
The decision should consider expected benefits, risks, alternatives and your priorities. For a fuller checklist, use our surgery decision guide.
Dr. Emily Warren, DPT, Cert. MDT, offers in-person PT in Holladay, serving Greater Salt Lake City and suitable virtual care. A PT assessment complements rather than replaces a surgical opinion.
Frequently asked questions
What should a PT review add before I decide about back surgery?
It should clarify your current function, what has already been tried and whether a more focused rehabilitation plan is appropriate. Dr. Emily can help document the response to that plan so you have useful information for a shared decision with your surgeon.
Can I seek a PT opinion while keeping my surgical appointment?
Yes. The appointments can answer complementary questions. Bring the reason surgery is being proposed and your medical instructions. A PT review should support informed decisions and coordination, not delay urgent medical care.