Low back pain, one patient at a time.
Low back pain can stop a Montana life in its tracks: the garden, the wood pile, the ski hill, the drive to work. I find what is driving your pain, treat it hands on, and build the strength that keeps it quiet.
- 60 to 90 min
- evaluations
- One on one
- every visit
- No referral
- required
01
What I treat
- Lumbar spine pain, sudden or long standing
- Pain that travels into the buttock or leg
- Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
- Muscle strain and spasm
- Stiffness after sitting, driving or sleeping
- Back pain in pregnancy and after birth
- Low back pain connected to how your feet meet the ground
02
How I treat it
Every plan starts with a thorough evaluation of your spine, hips and pelvis, and how you move through your day. Then I treat with hands-on care: vertebral mobilization, myofascial release, trigger point release, deep tissue massage and neural mobilization.
When tight, shortened muscles keep the pain going, Gunn IMS dry needling can help them let go. Postural and core stabilization work and a home program build the strength to keep your back moving well.
03
From the ground up
When you have structural dysfunction in the feet, supporting them can reduce pain all the way up to the neck. If a collapsed arch or a leg length difference is part of your back pain, custom-made orthotics become part of the plan.
04
Your first visit
- 01A 60 to 90 minute evaluation: your history, how the pain started, what makes it better and worse, and a hands-on assessment of how you move.
- 02Treatment the same day, so you leave with less pain and a clear understanding of what is going on.
- 03A plan built around what matters to you, with a home program you can actually do.
Questions
Good to know.
Should I rest my back?
Usually gentle movement helps more than bed rest. At your evaluation I will show you what is safe to do now and what to leave for later.
Do you treat sciatica?
Yes. Pain that travels from the back into the buttock or leg is part of what I assess and treat. If anything in your evaluation needs a physician’s attention, I will tell you.
Can dry needling help back pain?
For many people, yes, when tight muscles are part of the problem. Gunn IMS is a tool, tailored to your assessment and incorporated into a comprehensive physical therapy program.
Do I need a referral?
No. Montana allows direct access to physical therapy, so you can call me directly. It is always wise to check whether your specific insurance requires a physician referral for reimbursement.
How do I make an appointment?
Call or text (406) 871-1751, or email tami.ellis@protonmail.com. Tell me a little about what is going on and when you are free. Visits are by appointment only.
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Get in touch
Let’s get you moving.
Call, text or email. No referral needed in Montana. Visits are in the clinic on Highway 35 in Bigfork, or by telehealth.