Bergen County, NJ · No referral needed
Back and neck pain
Physical therapy in Bergen County, NJ. You can start without a doctor's referral.
Back and neck pain is one of the most common reasons people start physical therapy. It can come on suddenly after lifting or twisting, or build slowly from long days of sitting, driving or looking down at a screen.
Some insurance plans and Medicare still ask for a doctor's note. We check yours before your first visit.
What we often see
- Low back pain, with or without pain down one leg (sciatica)
- Disc problems
- Neck stiffness, or pain that spreads to the shoulder blade or arm
- Pain from sitting, standing or sleeping in one position
- Headaches that start in the neck
Your first visit
We ask when it started, what makes it better or worse, and what you need to get back to. Then we look at how you bend, sit, stand and walk, check strength and the nerves to your arms or legs, and agree on a plan with you.
When to see a doctor first
If any of these apply, please get medical care before booking. A physical therapist will also refer you on if something needs a doctor.
- Loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness in the groin or inner thighs: go to the emergency room.
- New weakness in a leg or arm that keeps getting worse.
- Back pain after a serious fall or accident, or with a fever or weight loss you can't explain.
Answers
Do you need a doctor's referral first? Not in New Jersey.
Is physical therapy a good first step for sciatica?
Physical therapy is a common first step for sciatica, before injections or surgery are considered. At your first visit we look at what's driving the leg pain, and we tell you plainly if something needs a doctor first.
Should I rest or keep moving?
For most everyday back pain, staying gently active is better than long bed rest. What's right for you depends on what's causing it, which is what the first visit is for.
Do I need an X-ray or MRI before physical therapy?
Usually not. Most back and neck pain doesn't need a scan before physical therapy, and New Jersey doesn't require a referral. If your symptoms suggest a scan is needed, we'll tell you and point you to a doctor.
Book your first back & neck evaluation
Three quick steps. About a minute. Some insurance plans and Medicare still ask for a doctor's note. We check yours before your first visit.
Other things we treat
This page explains how physical therapy works. It isn't a diagnosis or medical advice.