Physical Therapy for Low Back Pain

Low Back Pain Treatment at Breaking Through

Have you tried physical therapy for low back pain before? Have you felt worse after your physical therapy sessions? Does physical therapy even help with lower back pain? That's because conventional physical therapy only scratches the surface, but Breaking Through is different. Physical therapy at Breaking Through goes deep to address the root cause of your low back pain. It's not about quick fixes, it's about lasting solutions.

At Breaking Through, we utilize the patented One80 System®. It is not just another treatment method, it’s a philosophy and a comprehensive approach that targets the underlying dysfunction. This system is about precision – from our total body assessment to each customized exercise you are given, our physical therapists will normalize your function in as few visits as possible.

Traditional physical therapy is focused on symptom modification, but that misses the point. Breaking Through will find the root cause of your pain. While conventional treatments focus on short term pain modification, our purpose is to maximize your nerve/muscle function. This is what will restore strength, increase motion, eliminate pain and get you back to your daily activities quickly.

Finding The Root Cause of Your Low Back Pain

Low back pain is one of the most common reported issues in people of all ages. Unfortunately, traditional physical therapy has shown little progress towards controlling the back pain epidemic. Many times, low back pain goes untreated because conventional health care options are unable to find the root cause. People tend to live with their pain because they are unable to find treatment options that are effective.

Does that mean you should just sit home in pain and wait for your issue to go away? No! At Breaking Through we want to eliminate your pain, prevent it from coming back, educate you on the root cause of your pain, and help you stay pain-free without needing us long-term.

Failures of "Traditional" Physical Therapy in Treating Low Back Pain

When we talk about "traditional" physical therapy we are referring to the "cookie-cutter" physical therapy approach that most physical therapists prescribe.

Instead of the "traditional" approach to physical therapy, the physical therapists at Breaking Through use the One80 system® .This treatment approach restores proper function back to the body, with better results in less visits. This approach does not employ gadgets and new technology, it's quite the opposite. With the One80 System®, we spend more time with the client, one-on-one, assessing mobility and function until we get to the root cause of the problem.

1. Traditional physical therapists use stretching and flexibility exercises - Although stretching tight muscles can deliver temporary relief, it actually compounds low back pain issues.

2. Traditional physical therapists will teach patients proper form for lifting, walking, and carrying to help with lower back pain - The body needs re-education at a neurological level to move effectively.

3. Traditional physical therapists prescribe corrective or "safe" exercise programs - Unfortunately, exercise alone does not correct dysfunction. Some prescribed exercises can prolong an injury and exacerbate symptoms. "How Long Does Physical Therapy Take for Lower Back Pain"

4. Traditional physical therapists and chiropractors will use spinal manipulation - Adjustments for the lumbar spine has shown to be ineffective in clinical studies. If done incorrectly, adjustments and manipulations could cause extreme damage. What to Do If Chiropractic Care or Traditional Physical Therapy Isn’t Working for Your Pain

5. Traditional physical therapists use massage to relieve tension - Massage helps muscles relax, which can alleviate pain temporarily, but muscles need to contract in order to function properly. Causing muscles to relax keeps them from being able to stabilize and protect the lower back, or lumbar spine. Massage also increases long term tightness. "Is Massage Bad for You?"

Other ineffective techniques used by traditional physical therapy includes: electrical stimulation, decompression, dry needling, ice/heat, cupping and foam rolling. These gimmicks will cover up the symptoms by providing short term relief, but do not address the root cause of your pain.

    
 
 
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   Melanie Reinke 
 16 September 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had plantar fasciitis for months. I thought I could fix it on my own through YouTube videos and advice from others. I could barely hobble mornings because my pain was so bad. My daughter suggested Breaking Through Intensive Therapy in Middleburg Heights.  They are absolutely amazing!!! They didn't just treat my foot's surface symptoms, they have a 180 approach which finds the root cause of the pain and corrects that. It's truly incredible what they do. I felt so welcome and no question was too silly or unimportant. I still learn something new every time I go there. It's awesome. I learned so much and feel so much better and I cannot recommend Breaking Through Intensive Therapy enough. They are so incredibly patient, knowledgeable, and skilled, and you will wonder why you waited so long to go.
  
 
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   Jennifer Toth 
 10 September 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I love that the team at Breaking Through takes such a different approach to PT. I’ve sent several members of my family there for various issues, and the sessions we’ve had have been simple and subtle, but so effective!
  
 
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   Tony Smerk, Sr. 
 8 September 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Over the past year I have experienced growing pain and discomfort in my lower back and down my legs . . . including some numbness in my feet. I had begun a program of Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen to manage/control the pain. At a meeting with friends, someone suggested physical therapy as a means of finding relief. They suggested Breaking Through, where several people had already had success in managing new back pain. Because of the relationship with those people, I went to Breaking Through and had my first treatment. I felt immediate relief right after the first treatment . . . and for the week that followed. So much so, that I had no need for the pain medication I had been taking prior to the treatment. I have been given exercises that take about 15 minutes to do 3 times a day. Since doing those, I am now experiencing very little pain and hope to achieve complete pain free days in the near future. I will see the therapist for a few more treatments to be sure it is not temporary, but I am feeling confident that the exercises and the treatment have helped me find relief that will lead to a pain free life again. I was actually considering surgery, as was proposed to me after an evaluation by a neurosurgeon, until I started the treatments. I am now convinced that Breaking Through has helped me "break through" the pain . . . and I'm on my way to those pain free days again. I highly recommend you visit Breaking Through to find the experience that may help you find pain free days as well.
  
 
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   cynthia mikula 
 8 September 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Josh’s methods of physical therapy at Breaking Through are exceptional! He has helped me with both shoulder and knee issues. I was unable to work due to a shoulder injury and after three visits, I could safely return to work without pain. As far as my knee is concerned, I’m bone on bone but through his techniques of therapy, I can walk without pain. My knee doesn’t crackle as much either.  With previous therapists, I either didn’t see any improvement or minimal improvement at best.  I’m very disciplined about doing my prescribed exercises at home, but no matter how much I did, I was making little progress. At Breaking Through, I see results.  My quality of life has improved. The at home exercises are easy which makes me more incredulous that this stuff works! I have referred other patients to Josh, and after a few sessions, they could do things that previously were difficult or painful. One person was told by his therapist that there was nothing more they could do.  This was as good as his mobility was going to get. He improved after a couple of sessions. Josh really understands the bio- mechanics of the human body.  He applies that knowledge to get you moving. If you have tried physical therapy in the past, just leaving you discouraged, try Breaking Through. You will be encouraged!
  
 
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   Christian Lee 
 8 September 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Josh is the best medical professional I’ve ever seen for physical ailments / chronic pain. After years of dealing with issues and seeing surgeons / PTs, I’ve improved more in a handful of appointments with Josh than ~5 years with other clinicians. His One80 method is uniquely effective, but it’s his personal dedication to his craft that elevates the quality of care to another level. I’ve gotten back to tennis and golf during my time under his care and look forward to building even more strength!
  
 
 
  
 
 
   Trustindex rating score: 5.0 of 5, based on 169 reviews

Physical Therapy for Low Back Pain