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Back Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy plays an important role not only in treating persistent or recurrent low back pain, but also in prevention and risk reduction of future occurrences. If you have experienced low back pain, you are not alone. Approximately one quarter of Americans report experiencing low back pain within the past 3 months at any given time. Low back pain often occurs due to overuse, strain or injury. This includes too much bending, twisting, lifting, and even too much sitting.

How Can You Prevent Low Back Pain?

  • Keep your back, stomach, and leg muscles strong and flexible. Maintain a regular fitness regimen – staying active can help prevent injuries!
  • Don’t slouch – keep good posture! Keeping your body in alignment allows it to be more efficient when you move.
  • Ask for help or use an assistive device to lift heavy objects. If you are lifting something heavy, keep the load close to your body.

The ProActive Difference

Hands-On Physical Therapy

Your physical therapy experience should be tailored to meet your specific needs.

Cutting Edge Techniques

Our therapists maintain advanced certifications in many specialized services and techniques.

Dedicated Staff

We will guide you through the recovery process, we will stick with you until you make a full recovery.

Back Physical Therapy Locations

Frequently Asked Questions

  • If we are asking you to do something that is hurting too much, let us know! Physical therapy should not be severely painful. It is not common to be so sore that patients are in pain or it affects their daily life. If this ever happens during or after an appointment, let us know and we will adapt your program.

  • We recommend budgeting 40-60 minutes for a typical therapy session. The only exception to this will be your first visit, which can take about 20 minutes longer due to the physical therapy evaluation your therapist will provide. We also recommend showing up about 10-15 minutes early to your first visit. This way, you can complete the paperwork before your visit time and streamline the process.

  • A physical therapy visit lasts about 40-60 minutes. The actual contents of the visit vary based on your diagnosis/need, but typically what happens is:

    1. You check in with the receptionist, make any appointments necessary, and we discuss your health insurance benefits with you.
    2. You go into the gym. You can change clothes if you need to, then begin therapy.
    3. You perform 6-8 various exercises and stretches. These can include therapeutic band exercises, light body weight exercises, or minimal weights. The stretches will promote strength, stability, improved range of motion, and pain relief.
    4. We can initiate other techniques to include manual work, taping, cupping, and dry needling as needed.
    5. The therapist makes recommendations based on your progress. These can include altering the frequency of visits, making additions/alterations to your home exercise plan, or things to do before your next visit.
  • You should wear loose clothes that make it easy to move. We also recommend sneakers. Workout clothes will work, but any comfortable clothing will work fine. Plan on giving your therapist access to your area of concern. The less your clothes restrict your movement and the more comfortable you are, the better. Shorts, yoga pants, or athletic/loose fitting pants and a tee shirt are all good options.

Have more questions? Contact Us

People in Arizona Trust ProActive Physical Therapy

Hear from patients that reclaimed their lives.

My primary care physician recommended that I visit with this group because of a nagging shoulder problem. Proactive has helped me and continues to help me with this problem and others. Well-trained staff that listens to your needs and then provides a solution to fix the problem.

5 stars

Sam H.

Google

These guys have been awesome. First, my knee surgery, and 2 months later, my shoulder surgery. They are a fun group to work with, makes having to go there much easier, makes recovery much easier. Very caring toward your issues and very friendly bunch of people there even the office staff are very helpful and sweet I would recommend them to any one I know and the ones I don’t.

5 stars

Lori M.

Google

I had 14 physical therapy sessions with ProActive. At each session, the entire staff was very professional and friendly. Josh, my physical therapist, was very knowledgeable of my condition and gave me a plan to follow when my program ended. I would highly recommend proactive Physical Therapy to anyone in need of such service.

5 stars

Michael K.

Google

Leslie and her team were fantastic! Her initial evaluation was very thorough and I appreciated her positive attitude. She works closely with her team and I felt I was getting the best care even though I didn’t see Leslie every appointment. Her assistants watched me during all the exercises to make sure I was doing them properly and helped me make adjustments when I wasn’t. The office staff was friendly and very helpful when I had an issue with my insurance. I really liked the atmosphere here and the good rapport among coworkers. And the best part is that the therapy really helped me!

5 stars

Kenneth F.

Best PT office. Very organized. Detail oriented. Helpful. Always returns calls and emails. Works very hard to fit you in especially in an emergency. Communicates with patients very well. Frank is very knowledgeable and empathetic. He helped me a lot as I navigated the aftermath of my son’s concussion. Highly recommend!

5 stars

Samantha G.

The staff and care you receive here are the best ever. They are professional yet compassionate and personable. Would highly recommend this facility for all of your physical therapy needs.

5 stars

Karen D.

The facility is very clean and the therapists were attentive and very helpful. I have continued therapy in PA and my therapist here is very impressed with the progress made at ProActive. I would highly recommend this facility for all of your PT needs.

5 stars

Antonia D.

Just finished a ten visit stint with Misty Smith as my main therapist for hip arthritis. Her professional treatment and deep knowledge of specific (and needed) exercises was extraordinary. However, what I really appreciated was her ability to continually push me and slowly but steadily add new and effective treatments so that I felt improvement after every visit. All in all, I highly recommend treatment by the team at Green Valley.

5 stars

John N.

I love this ProActive Office at Thorneydale and Hardy! This is the warmest, kindest most efficient office. The front staff welcomes you with a smile and the techs and therapist are gentle and take your concerns and needs to heart and work diligently to help you. I am so grateful I found this office.

5 stars

Sally L.

I recommend Proactive Therapy on Thornydale to anyone! I had knee replacement surgery and couldn’t have ask for a more kind and caring group of people to help me through my healing. Thank you so much!!

5 stars

Don H.

I have been using ProActive PT since April of 2014 on and off for various problems. They have always been professional and have helped me immensely with my problems that required PT. They have also helped several other members of my family over the last several years. My experiences with them have been fantastic.

5 stars

Janet B.

1st time ever having physical therapy and this place has made me so comfortable. From setting the appointment to the knowledge of the staff and their kindness my experience has been amazing! Highly recommend these guys!

5 stars

Maxine P.

I came in several weeks ago in terrible pain and hardly able to walk because of tendonitis in a knee. I am now pain-free and able to resume my normal activities. Kathi and her staff were empathetic, knowledgeable, and patient.

5 stars

Brian M.

I could sense that they actually did care about my physical well being. They kept an eye on the quality of the exercises or motion that I was performing and would correct me. They explained, at at level that I could understand, how the mechanics of my movements work to heal, in this specific case, my shoulder. I am doing great and have them to thank for the focused, professional and personal effort they have put into my recovery.

5 stars

D.G.

This office has a wonderful staff. Fun & very caring. I have a much more rounded workout routine that I can use for life and a better understanding of how weight training works.

5 stars

S.W.

Everyone is helpful and capable. Nikki is so skilled and has changed my life to the better. Her hands-on care and explanation of muscle placement has helped me understand my problem. I have reduced pain, better posture, increased range of motion and ability to stand longer.

5 stars

E.S

I went from constant pain for approximately a year to virtually pain free. The staff is awesome and I appreciate what everyone did.

5 stars

A.R

Excellent, knowledgeable physical therapy. I had strained muscles and lingering pain in right forearm for 9 months. I was completely healed after only two visits.

5 stars

J.B.

I have been coming to ProActive Physical Therapy since March 2021, pre & post-op shoulder surgery & each visit has been beyond my expectations as far as the knowledge & care I have received there, as well as, being very conveniently located to my home. The entire staff is amazing, caring & even funny. My personal therapist, Alex Lechtenberg, has been the BEST physical therapist I have ever encountered & works hard to get me rehabilitated as well as being gentle. I highly recommend him & the entire ProActive staff!!!

5 stars

L.M.

Customer service is the best I have seen in the physical therapy field. They showed me proper ways to do things that I never did right before now. Going to ProActive changed the way I do my daily activity.

5 stars

J.M.

After a traumatic car accident, ProActive Physical Therapy has become my second family. All of them take care of me like family. I feel better every single day and I’m almost 100% recovered from all the injuries I had. The treatment has helped me go back to my routine and I’m so grateful to have them in this difficult situation. I’ve tried different therapists, but no one like David and Brian. Thank you so much!

5 stars

K.M.

Each individual was unique and special to my rehabilitation. Taking the time to explain and answer my many questions, watching how I performed the exercises enough to gently correct me was an invaluable course correction. The massage before and the pain management therapy afterwards were especially attended to with care and concern. Everyone seems to enjoy providing therapy and take their work seriously. Everyone makes a difference. The front staff was very personable and always greeted me by name, even if I do not know their names. My intake and exit interviews were thorough and meticulous. I have never had such detailed attention. I came in with a chip on my shoulder not expecting physical therapy to help, after having been to other physical therapy places. My experience at ProActive humbles me. What a wonderful staff. Thank you all!

5 stars

R.F.

Very professional and knowledgeable staff. I am very pleased with my recovery from back pain. Micah and the other techs were very good to work with.

5 stars

Cynthia W.

Kathi and Holly are amazing to work with. They understand the physical demanding nature of firefighting and push me to new levels each session. I had requested Kathi as my PT for 3 separate injuries and have referred many others to them. The stellar care and recovery I’ve gotten each time will keep me coming if I ever need to again.

5 stars

H.E.

ProActive Physical Therapy put me back on my feet! I came to the therapist with a lot of pain in my foot and lower leg. Throughout the treatments I gradually got back to my former active self. I can’t thank Kathi, Holly and the gang enough. Now I can go on and do what I need to without any pain or restriction.

5 stars

C.S.

I am a two time client of ProActive Physical Therapy. 2016 left total knee, 2017 right total knee. Without the coaching and guidance of the staff at ProActive, I know that I would not have achieved the range of motion nor the degree of bend in either knee. What doesn’t get measured doesn’t get done! A motto I have to live by! Thanks ProActive for continuing to raise my bar.

5 stars

J.H.

I came to physical therapy after a terrible prior experience. Cristina listened and truly empathized. She worked each week to build my trust and make sure I was comfortable with the process. The dry needling helped my pain immensely. Between Christina and Daniella, I’ve had the best physical therapy experience. They’re fantastic assets to the ProActive Team.

5 stars

Caitlin P.

I was totally pleased with the care I got at your facility. Christina, Daniela and Sydney were wonderful. They worked me hard, but not too hard, and I give them credit with how quickly I progressed. Thanks for everything!

5 stars

Judith F.

Excellent experience at this center—bright facility and friendly professionals from front office to therapists. The evaluation of my neck and shoulder problem was acute/accurate with the specific exercises to relieve stress and strengthen weak areas. Christine was observant, encouraging and fun to work with. As a result my range of motion has increased considerable and I have less pain overall. Thank you so much.

5 stars

Trudy D.

ProActive Physical Therapy put me back on my feet! I came to the therapist with a lot of pain in my foot and lower leg. Throughout the treatments I gradually got back to my former active self.

5 stars

C.S.

I cannot say enough about how great ProActive has been. From pre-op PT to post op PT all the therapists are encouraging, knowledgeable, professional and actually make the hard work of PT fun. The staff always greets me with a smile even if I’m complaining and remind me my PT will be successful with their help. I highly recommend ProActive.

5 stars

Angela

I wholeheartedly appreciate my time at ProActive. The staff are warm and welcoming. My treatment goals fit into my life style and need perfectly and I am feeling 200% better than the first day I walked in. We’ve significantly improved the quality of my life.

5 stars

Sunshine

Hip replacements are genetic in my family. I started working with Jon and the ProActive team in 2013, then off and on until April 2017. The exercises and therapeutic massage helped me delay surgery for four years. Finally when my hip was bone on bone, I had a total hip replacement. Three months post-surgery, I am walking great, hiking again and returning to the gym. I know that my recovery has been safe and thorough thanks to Jon and the ProActive team.

5 stars

L.M.

I had back surgery and shoulder surgery at TMC. They wanted me to receive therapy with them. I did, no big improvement at all. Then I was referred to Proactive and everything changed for the better. The attention to detail and program that was set up has changed my life. JD and staff have created the most incredible healing atmosphere. A perfect combination of therapy and personality, which I feel has been so instrumental to my physical recovery.

5 stars

K.D.

I came to ProActive with plantar fasciitis, which severely hindered my running. Jon Davison fixed this within a few months, and has continued to help me with other running pains, which enabled me to complete a full marathon last month. I have achieved this lifelong goal because of Jon’s incredible skill and expertise, the wonderful tech staff at ProActive, and my own dedication. I look forward to many more years of successful runs and races because of my sessions at ProActive Physical Therapy.”

5 stars

N.S

The staff ensures you leave each appointment feeling physically and mentally better. Being in constant pain is frustrating and it’s clear the team at Central is aware and cares. I worked with Rick for my chronic neck pain and experienced the most thorough exam I’ve ever had. I’ve been to other PT clinics and didn’t receive the same treatment and attention ProActive provides.

5 stars

A.H.

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