Neck & Back Pain
Hands-On Care for Neck and Back Pain
Osteopathic care in Decatur for neck and back pain, whether it started last week or years ago.
More than one cause
Neck and back pain often has more than one cause. Tight ribs, a stiff pelvis, or shoulders that carry stress can all contribute. When pain becomes chronic, the muscles nearby stay tight even after the original problem has healed, and your body becomes primed to keep sensing pain in that area and send pain signals to your brain.
Most of the visit you’re lying on the table in comfortable clothes. I use my hands to feel where things are tight and where they move easily. Sometimes I may ask you to try a small movement, with my hands for support, to find the easiest way to move.
How I practice
Consent
Touch happens only with your consent, and you can pause or change anything at any time.
Comfort
Your comfort is our guide. Positioning and pace adjust to you.
Being believed
Your symptoms are real, and what you tell me about your experience matters.
What people come in for
- Neck pain and stiffness Trouble turning your head, or pain that builds through the day at a desk or in the car.
- Low back pain Aching or spasms in the low back, especially after sitting a long time or lifting something.
- Pain between the shoulder blades Mid-back or rib pain, sometimes worse when you take a deep breath.
- Pain that keeps coming back Pain that gets better with rest and then returns.
- Neck and back pain with hypermobility If you have HSD or EDS, I adjust treatment to support stability. More about hypermobility care
Working alongside your other care
Osteopathic manual medicine works alongside your other doctors and therapies, including physical therapy. It does not replace primary care, and you should have a primary care physician managing your overall health. You don’t need a diagnosis or a referral to come in.
Common questions
Is this kind of care right for me?
This is gentle, hands-on care, and it’s different from most medical visits. It’s a good fit if you’re curious about the process and comfortable with some uncertainty.
Each visit is exploratory. I use my hands to feel where things are tight and where they move easily, and I ask what you notice as we go. Part of the work is learning to notice what’s happening in yourself, like where you hold tension or what helps you settle. That awareness is a big part of what makes treatment work, and it builds over time.
I can’t tell you ahead of time how many visits you’ll need, and changes are often subtle at first. This isn’t something I do to you. We work on it together. Not sure it’s for you? Start with a free 15 minute call.
During treatment I often work quietly, because it helps both of us notice what’s changing. I check in as we go, and you can ask a question or pause at any time. At the end, I ask what you noticed. The focus is on your experience, not on what I find.
Is an osteopath good for back pain?
Osteopathic physicians are trained to treat neck and back pain with their hands. I look at the whole picture, including the ribs, pelvis and upper back, because pain often has more than one cause. Treatment is gentle and hands-on.
What’s the difference between an osteopath and a chiropractor?
Both work hands-on. I’m an osteopathic physician (DO), a fully licensed physician, so I can also look at the medical side of your pain. My treatment is gentle and slow, and I pay attention to how sleep, stress and your nervous system affect it.
How many visits will I need?
I can’t predict that ahead of time. It depends on how long the pain has been there, what’s driving it, and how you respond to treatment. With chronic pain, visits are usually closer together at first and then spaced out as you improve.
Appointments
50 minute visits, $310
By appointment. See current openings online.
No referral needed
Superbills provided for out-of-network reimbursement
HSA and FSA cards accepted
Not sure it’s a fit? Book a free 15 minute call.
Ready to schedule?
Is this care right for me?
Is this kind of care right for me?
This is gentle, hands-on care, and it’s different from most medical visits. It’s a good fit if you’re curious about the process and comfortable with some uncertainty.
Each visit is exploratory. I use my hands to feel where things are tight and where they move easily, and I ask what you notice as we go. Part of the work is learning to notice what’s happening in yourself, like where you hold tension or what helps you settle. That awareness is a big part of what makes treatment work, and it builds over time.
I can’t tell you ahead of time how many visits you’ll need, and changes are often subtle at first. This isn’t something I do to you. We work on it together. Not sure it’s for you? Start with a free 15 minute call.
During treatment I often work quietly, because it helps both of us notice what’s changing. I check in as we go, and you can ask a question or pause at any time. At the end, I ask what you noticed. The focus is on your experience, not on what I find.
Free 15 Minute Call