How One-on-One Physical Therapy for Back Pain Is Helping Lexington Patients Recover

Lexington, United States – June 12, 2026 / Move Smart /

Lexington, Kentucy – June, 2026 – Move Smart

Move Smart, a Doctor of Physical Therapy-led private practice in Lexington, Kentucky, has announced the expansion of its back pain treatment program, now serving patients seeking physical therapy for back pain in Lexington through a direct-access, cash-pay model. The program is designed for adults who have not found lasting relief through traditional insurance-based physical therapy, as well as those managing post-surgical lumbar recovery, herniated discs, sciatica, and chronic low back conditions.

Every back pain appointment at Move Smart is structured as a 45-to-60-minute session with the same licensed clinician throughout the full course of care. The practice does not rotate patients between therapists or rely primarily on supervised exercise machines. Manual therapy, dry needling, movement analysis, and progressive loading are the primary clinical tools, selected based on each patient’s individual assessment findings.

A Different Approach to a Common Problem

Low back pain is one of the most frequent reasons adults seek physical therapy in the United States, and also one of the most common reasons people stop treatment early. Short appointments, inconsistent care teams, and exercise-only protocols frequently fail to address the movement dysfunction driving the pain.

Move Smart’s clinical team evaluates hip mobility, thoracic rotation, gait mechanics, and load tolerance alongside the primary site of pain. This whole-system assessment is what allows clinicians to identify why the problem keeps returning, not just where it hurts.

The practice’s team includes Sarah Martin, Kelsey Karnes, Andrea Moore, Margot van Eck, and Tameka Johnson, each of whom holds a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and specializes in conditions ranging from orthopedic and sports injuries to pelvic health and chronic pain.

No Physician Referral Required

Kentucky is a direct-access state, meaning patients can begin physical therapy without a physician referral. Move Smart patients can book an initial evaluation directly through the clinic’s online scheduling platform, with no waiting room time required to obtain a prescription first. For patients managing post-surgical recovery, the practice coordinates with referring orthopedic surgeons on protocol and return-to-activity timelines.

The practice accepts HSA and FSA payments. Superbills are available for patients seeking out-of-network reimbursement from their insurer.

Conditions Treated

Move Smart’s back pain program serves patients dealing with:

Lumbar disc herniation and degenerative disc disease
Post-surgical rehabilitation following lumbar fusion, discectomy, or microdiscectomy
Sciatica and radiating leg pain with a lumbar origin
Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
Chronic low back pain that has not resolved with previous PT, injections, or rest
Sport-related low back injuries in athletes and active adults

About Move Smart

Move Smart is a cash-pay private practice in Lexington, Kentucky, offering one-on-one care for back pain, neck pain, hip pain, shoulder pain, post-surgical rehabilitation, pelvic health, sports performance, and chronic pain. Additional services include dry needling, gait analysis, movement analysis and biomechanics, craniosacral therapy, TMJ therapy, and nutrition services. The practice is staffed entirely by Doctor of Physical Therapy-credentialed clinicians and does not accept insurance, allowing each session to remain focused on clinical outcomes rather than billing constraints.