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.
DPT, Cert. MDT
Your story comes first with Dr. Emily
Emily’s early work in neurological rehabilitation shaped her interest in movement, pain and what people want to get back to.
If you are considering surgery, Emily helps clarify the daily limitations you want treatment to change. After surgery, the operation, healing stage and surgeon’s restrictions guide the plan; she connects movement and strength practice with the tasks you want back.
Meet Emily and explore her approach · Request a Free Case Review to discuss how to understand your next step before or after surgery.
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
The encouraging research story is that some people facing a surgical decision improve along a structured nonsurgical pathway. The surgery-decision guide explains the study treatments and outcomes, including where McKenzie care was combined with injections. At your appointment, we turn that broad question into your next useful step: what to practice, what to measure and when to review the decision.
A focused rehabilitation trial may be appropriate before surgery for some people. Keep your surgical and medical conversations open. Ask what would make waiting unsafe and which changes would show that rehabilitation is helping.
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.
Evidence and further reading
Back and leg care — Google review: Kim P.
“She quickly identified my back and leg issues within just a few appointments, leading to immediate improvements in my condition.”
Let’s explore the next step together
Wanting to stay active without surgery is a good reason to ask questions about your options. We’ll hear what matters to you, explain what an assessment can clarify and help you build a plan you understand.
In your Free Case Review, we’ll listen to what you want back, answer your questions and help you decide whether care with Mindful Movement fits. Send a request and we’ll contact you by phone or text to arrange a time.
Dedicated one-on-one PT with Dr. Emily Warren, DPT, Cert. MDT—McKenzie certified. No referral needed. Your first PT visit is 60 minutes for assessment, explanation and a starting plan practiced together. The Free Case Review is a conversation before care.
In-person care at our Holladay clinic, serving Greater Salt Lake City. Virtual coaching from anywhere.
Call/text (385) 332-4939.