Back Pain Physical Therapy in Charlotte, NC

Whether you're dealing with sciatica that shoots down your leg, chronic lower back pain that won't quit, or recovering from a herniated disc, PowerPhysio delivers specialized back pain physical therapy in Charlotte, NC that finds and fixes the root cause.

Our board-certified Doctors of Physical Therapy use comprehensive movement assessment, hands-on manual therapy, and corrective exercises to help athletes and active adults eliminate back pain and return to training stronger than before.

Physical therapist performing back pain assessment and spine evaluation for athlete at Charlotte NC clinic
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Is Back Pain Stealing Your Strength and Confidence?

We know how frustrating it is when back pain controls your life. You've tried rest, stretching, and pain meds, but nothing sticks. You're tired of being held back by pain that just won't go away.

Pain That Keeps Coming Back

Your back feels okay for a few days, but as soon as you start lifting, training, or even just sitting at your desk too long, the pain returns with a vengeance. You're stuck in endless cycles of flare-ups.

Fear of Making It Worse

You're afraid to deadlift, squat, or even bend over to pick things up because you don't want to throw your back out again. The constant worry is keeping you from the workouts and activities you love.

Generic Advice That Doesn't Work

You've been told to "just rest" or given generic stretches that don't address the real problem. You need answers, not another cortisone shot or prescription for muscle relaxers.

Board-certified physical therapist treating lower back pain with manual therapy and movement correction in Charlotte NC
The PowerPhysio Difference

Expert Back Pain Treatment That Addresses the Root Cause

At PowerPhysio, we don't just mask your symptoms—we find and fix the root cause of your back pain. Our board-certified orthopedic specialists have advanced training in spine rehabilitation and work with athletes and active adults throughout Charlotte who refuse to let back pain end their athletic careers.

Every session is one-on-one with your Doctor of Physical Therapy. We perform detailed assessments to identify the biomechanical issues, muscle imbalances, and movement patterns causing your back pain. Then we use hands-on manual therapy, corrective exercises, and sport-specific training to restore strength, mobility, and pain-free movement.

Whether you're dealing with sciatica, herniated discs, chronic lower back pain, or post-surgical rehabilitation, our Reset → Rebuild → Thrive system gets you back to doing what you love.

Board-certified orthopedic specialists with advanced spine rehabilitation training

Comprehensive movement analysis to identify the true source of your back pain

Root-cause treatment, not just symptom management or temporary relief

Hands-on manual therapy, corrective exercises, and return-to-training protocols

"I started seeing Dr. Crandall for my bum knee which has been a problem on and off since I joined the Marine Corps 8 years ago. After listening to my saga of doctors, exercises, and stretches over the last several years, he told me he didn't think I had a knee problem, but a back problem.

After some experimenting in the office he confirmed a diagnosis of a pinched nerve in my lumbar spine. In just a few minutes he gave me a diagnosis that explained 20 years of back pain, hip pain, and knee pain. I had previously been treated by 7 other doctors for my back and knee.

They didn't look at my symptoms holistically for an underlying cause, but just treated symptoms in isolation. After my first appointment with Matt, it only took a few simple movements and about a week of discomfort to start feeling better. After 2 months, I'm no longer limited by pain. I stopped doing back squats about 10 years ago after my back flared up and put me out of commission for a few months.

For the first time in 10 years I'm working up my squats without immediate pain and fear of injury. I can run without worrying about my knee. It's so freeing to be able to do whatever I want again without fear of injury."

L Zinsmeister
How It Works

Your Path From back Pain to Performance

Schedule Your Free Consultation

Most back pain isn't just about your back. We start with a detailed consultation and movement assessment to identify the real culprit—whether it's a pinched nerve, muscle imbalance, hip dysfunction, or poor movement patterns causing your pain.

Build Your Foundation

Using hands-on manual therapy, targeted exercises, and pain-relief techniques, we address the root cause while teaching you how to move properly. You'll learn what triggers your pain and how to prevent it from coming back.

Return Stronger Than Before

We don't just eliminate your pain—we rebuild your strength and resilience with sport-specific training. Whether you're getting back to deadlifts or just want to play with your kids pain-free, we prepare you for real life.

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Back Pain Conditions We Treat in Charlotte, NC

From acute injuries to chronic pain that's lasted for years, we specialize in treating the full spectrum of back and spine problems for athletes and active adults in Charlotte. Our back pain physical therapy programs are designed to get you back to lifting, running, training, and living without limitations.

Sciatica and radiating leg pain

Herniated discs and bulging discs

Chronic lower back pain and lumbar spine issues

Degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis

Facet joint pain and SI joint dysfunction

Muscle strains and ligament sprains

Post-surgical spine rehabilitation (discectomy, fusion, laminectomy)

Pinched nerves and nerve impingement

Spondylolisthesis and spondylolysis

Poor posture and mechanical back pain

Back pain from lifting, squatting, and deadlifting

Thoracic spine pain and upper back tension

Physical therapist demonstrating back strengthening exercises for sciatica and lower back pain rehabilitation in Charlotte PT clinic

What Charlotte Athletes Are Saying About Back Pain Treatment

Real results from real people. See why PowerPhysio has a 5.0-star rating from 84 Google reviews.

"For years I struggled with neck and back pain that at times has been debilitating. Over the years I've seen many other providers across different specialties and became very discouraged at the lack of results I had experienced. Dr. Crandall's care and treatment has been life changing as he was able to not only treat the acute injury I had first seen him for, but also unravel some chronic issues that had been bothering me for 10+ years. My overall quality of life has improved dramatically (I not only feel, but move so much better) as well as my understanding of the human body and what I need to do on my own to stay healthy and best prevent injury in the first place. Thank you Matt!"
D K
"Matt found the source of my back pain and worked with me to significantly reduce my pain to a manageable level over the span of a few weeks. I highly recommend Power Physio to anyone who cares about seeing sustainable results in their physical therapy journey."
Bennett Schiro
"Game changing! Matt is amazing, he was able to help to determine the root cause of my persistent lower back pain and get me back to training. He provided treatment for the symptoms and he built out a set of exercises to help ensure I strengthened the right muscles to prevent the issue from happening again."
Blake Hart

Athletes Helping Athletes Reach Their Peak

Our Expert Team

Our licensed Doctors of Physical Therapy understand your athletic journey because they have lived it too. If you're looking for specialized physical therapy near me, meet the team dedicated to your performance.

Dr. Matt Crandall and Dr. Jordan Rodrigues headshots
Dr. Emily Hill
PT, DPT

Dr. Emily is a Jacksonville, Florida native who earned her Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology from Florida State University and her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Chatham University in December 2022. While at FSU, she developed a passion for evidence-based care and served as a research assistant at the Florida State Institute of Sports Medicine.

Her clinical training included cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and outpatient orthopedics, with experience in vestibular and sports-related concussion care.

Dr. Emily enjoys working with athletic and active populations, using a holistic, movement-focused approach to help patients return to the activities they love.

A published researcher and lifelong athlete, Dr. Emily is a dancer, long-distance runner and triathlete who brings both clinical expertise and real-world experience to every session. She is excited to continue to grow with Power Physio and empower patients to live strong, healthy, and active lives.

Dr. Matt Crandall and Dr. Jordan Rodrigues headshots
Dr. Matt Crandall
DPT, OCS

Dr. Matt Crandall is the Owner and Founder of Power Physio, a performance-focused physical therapy practice serving athletes and active adults throughout the Charlotte community. With over 10 years of experience treating in the Charlotte area, Matt specializes in helping individuals move better, recover smarter, and return to the activities they love with confidence.

A former collegiate football player at Ithaca College, Matt understands firsthand the physical and mental demands of sport. That competitive background continues to shape his approach to rehab—blending performance principles with personalized care to help clients not only recover, but thrive.

Outside the clinic, Matt is an avid jiu-jitsu practitioner and believes in leading from the front by staying active himself. When he’s not working with patients, you’ll find him cooking, gardening, or spending time with his wife, Cassandra, and their two children, Cali and Conrad.

His favorite part of the job? Watching his clients crush their goals and get back to doing the things they love.

Dr. Matt Crandall and Dr. Jordan Rodrigues headshots
Dr. Jordan Rodrigues
PT, DPT

Dr. Jordan Rodrigues is a North Carolina native raised in Kill Devil Hills on the Outer Banks. From surfing, skating, and skimboarding to wrestling, football, and lacrosse, Jordan grew up with a very active lifestyle—one that taught him the important link between physical activity and mental and physical well-being.

For college, Jordan traversed the state to Boone, NC, to study Exercise Science at Appalachian State University. It was there that he found a passion for long-distance and trail running.

After graduating, Jordan earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Winston-Salem State University. He then moved to Charlotte to begin his career.

He states:

“Your body is capable of more than you’d ever believe—but accessing its potential requires the right approach. My aim is to help you uncover the user manual for your own body, so that you can take control of your health and stay active for life.”

Jordan’s years as a PT have been spent helping people from all walks of life. And no matter the circumstance, they all want the same thing: to feel and move better. Whether you're recovering from an injury, looking to get stronger, or just want to move pain-free, his approach focuses on sustainable progress. This helps his clients gradually bridge the gap between who they are and who they want to become.

When not helping clients, you can find Jordan running with his four dogs, training jiu-jitsu, gardening, or out on the disc golf course. He aims to practice what he preaches—staying active in the ways he enjoys—and he’s here to help you do the same.

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Visit Us in Charlotte for Back Pain Treatment

We're located just off West Morehead Street, less than 5 minutes from Bank of America Stadium and minutes from South End. Easy access from I-77 and convenient to Uptown Charlotte, Wesley Heights, and surrounding neighborhoods. Free parking available on-site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to common questions about back pain treatment and what to expect during physical therapy in Charlotte.

How long does it take to fix back pain with physical therapy?

Recovery time varies depending on the severity of your condition and how long you've had pain. Many patients with acute back strains or muscle-related pain see significant improvement in 4-6 weeks. More complex issues like herniated discs, sciatica, or chronic back pain that's lasted for years may take 8-12 weeks or longer. During your evaluation, we'll give you a realistic timeline based on your specific condition and goals. Our focus is always on getting you lasting relief—not just temporary fixes.

Can physical therapy help sciatica and herniated discs without surgery?

Recovery time varies depending on the severity of your condition and how long you've had pain. Many patients with acute back strains or muscle-related pain see significant improvement in 4-6 weeks. More complex issues like herniated discs, sciatica, or chronic back pain that's lasted for years may take 8-12 weeks or longer. During your evaluation, we'll give you a realistic timeline based on your specific condition and goals. Our focus is always on getting you lasting relief—not just temporary fixes.

Do you accept insurance for back pain treatment?

We are an out-of-network physical therapy provider, which means we do not bill insurance directly. However, we provide detailed superbills that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement based on your out-of-network benefits. Many of our patients receive partial or full reimbursement. We encourage you to call your insurance company and ask about your "out-of-network physical therapy" coverage before your first visit.

Do I need a doctor's referral for back pain physical therapy?

No. In North Carolina, you do not need a referral to see a physical therapist. You can schedule directly with us and begin treatment right away. If we determine during your evaluation that you need imaging (like an MRI) or medical consultation first, we'll let you know and can coordinate with your physician. Many of our patients come to us first to get answers faster and avoid unnecessary imaging or interventions.

What's the difference between acute back pain and chronic back pain?

Acute back pain typically comes on suddenly—often from a specific injury, strain, or movement—and usually resolves within a few weeks to a few months with proper treatment. Chronic back pain is defined as pain lasting longer than 3 months and often has multiple contributing factors including movement patterns, muscle imbalances, previous injuries, and lifestyle factors. The good news is that both respond well to physical therapy when we identify and address the root causes rather than just treating symptoms.

Still have questions?

We're here to help. Reach out and let's discuss how we can eliminate your back pain and get you back to training, working, and living pain-free.