Physical therapy can be part of a nonsurgical path for back pain. If you are hoping to avoid an operation, we help you explore what can improve with movement, education and strength work, and how to judge whether that plan is helping. Your symptoms and medical findings guide the decision alongside your treating team.
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.
Understand the scan before deciding what comes next
A good nonsurgical plan starts with understanding your situation. This video helps explain why imaging, symptoms and function all belong in the discussion with your care team.
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.
What can improve without surgery?
For someone whose condition allows nonsurgical care, improvement can mean less pain, easier movement and getting back to daily activity. We use your examination and goals to choose a plan, then check whether those changes are happening. Some conditions still call for surgery; a rehabilitation trial should support a clear decision with your treating team.
Ask which options fit your symptoms, what improvement would look like and when your treating team recommends reassessing.
What to ask your treating team
- Is it reasonable to try or revise nonsurgical care?
- What would a useful improvement look like?
- How long should we evaluate the plan before reviewing it?
- Which symptoms should prompt earlier medical contact?
- If surgery is needed, how should rehabilitation be coordinated?
What improvement without surgery can look like
For a person whose medical findings allow nonsurgical care, progress might mean walking farther with fewer stops, sleeping more comfortably or returning to work duties. Those changes matter even if a scan still shows a disc or age-related change.
At Mindful Movement, McKenzie assessment may help select a movement that improves symptoms. Pain education and gradual strength or activity work help turn that starting point into a plan for daily life. The combination is adapted to your presentation; a quick response is not required for every useful rehabilitation plan.
- Write down the activity you most want back.
- Record what you can currently manage and which symptoms stop you.
- Review the trend with your clinician at an agreed point.
If the plan is not producing useful progress, the next step is reassessment. Read what a focused nonsurgical trial involves and keep your medical team involved in decisions about an operation.
What PT can contribute
Assessment can focus on movement, function, exercise selection and the activities that matter to you. A useful plan includes reassessment and medical coordination when needed.
For the detailed discussion, see surgical and nonsurgical care decisions. For appointments, see the back-pain PT service.
Care options
Mindful Movement PT offers in-person treatment in Holladay, serving Greater Salt Lake City and virtual visits when appropriate. A virtual conversation can help organize questions, but does not replace required examination or a surgical consultation.
Frequently asked questions
What would a meaningful nonsurgical improvement look like?
It should reflect the reason you sought care: walking more comfortably, working, sleeping or returning to an activity you value. Agree on those measures with your treating team. They make it easier to judge whether a rehabilitation plan is meeting your needs.
How will I know when to revisit the surgery discussion?
Set a review point with your medical team and discuss the findings that would change the decision sooner. Worsening neurological function needs prompt attention. A planned rehabilitation trial should produce useful information, not leave you repeating an ineffective plan indefinitely.