The Missing Piece in Back Pain Treatment: A 28-Year Journey of Discovery
Why I risked everything to revolutionize how we treat low back pain
In 2001, I made what many would consider a risky decision. I invested everything I had to start an independently owned Physical Therapy company. But for me, it wasn't a risk—it was a necessity. I had discovered something that would change how I viewed back pain treatment forever.
The Revelation That Changed Everything
Shortly after graduating in 1995, I began noticing a pattern that would haunt me for years. Every single patient I assessed with low back pain (LBP) had one thing in common: the Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) was involved in their condition. Yet time and time again, this critical piece of the puzzle was completely overlooked in their diagnosis.
Over the next 28 years, I've read thousands of MRI reports related to low back pain. The startling truth? Not one mentioned the Sacroiliac joint's involvement. This glaring omission represents what I believe is the biggest missing piece in LBP treatment today.
Beyond the Sacroiliac Joint: The Full Picture
My clinical experience revealed another consistent pattern: lumbar facet joints being displaced, creating what I call a "twisted spine." But the problem doesn't stop at the lumbar region. These restricted and displaced facet joints appear consistently throughout the entire spine—from lumbar to cervical vertebrae.
This widespread misalignment creates a cascade of symptoms that patients and practitioners often treat as separate conditions:
Muscle spasms
Sharp, localized pain
Sciatica
Radicular symptoms (numbness and tingling)
Headaches and migraines
What if I told you these seemingly different symptoms often stem from the same root cause: spinal misalignment?
A Revolutionary Approach: The Leveling Technique™
After years of observation and refinement, I developed what we now call the Leveling Technique™. This approach fundamentally differs from traditional physical therapy and other disciplines because it addresses the core issue: accurate spinal alignment.
The technique focuses on achieving precise alignment of all 24 vertebrae and the sacrum through gentle mobilization techniques. The results speak for themselves—when we achieve accurate alignment, patients experience immediate relief. It's that simple, and that profound.
The Philosophy Behind the Method
Our philosophy is built on a simple but powerful equation:
Accurate Alignment = Immediate Relief
Conversely, when alignment is compromised, pain and dysfunction inevitably follow. This isn't just theory—it's what I've witnessed in clinical practice for nearly three decades.
Empowering Patients for Long-Term Success
Treatment doesn't end when patients leave our clinic. We believe in empowering our patients with the knowledge and tools they need to maintain their alignment throughout daily life.
Our comprehensive "homework" includes:
Specific exercises tailored to support proper alignment
Dos and don'ts for everyday activities like bending, lifting, and sitting
Self-alignment techniques that patients can use at home to minimize pain flare-ups
Proper use of an SI belt that we will fit to you in clinic and will help maintain your alignment at home
This educational component is crucial because maintaining proper alignment requires conscious effort and lifestyle adjustments. When patients understand how their daily activities affect their spine, they become active participants in their recovery and long-term spinal health. When you start at the foundation, the sacroiliac joint, you allow your spine to be rooted in strength.
Why This Matters to You
If you've been struggling with chronic back pain, headaches, or mysterious symptoms that seem unrelated to your spine, you're not alone. The traditional approach often treats symptoms in isolation, missing the bigger picture of spinal alignment.
The Leveling Technique™ represents a paradigm shift in how we view and treat spinal dysfunction. By addressing the root cause—misalignment of the spine's structural components—we can often achieve the immediate relief that has eluded patients for months or even years.
A Personal Mission
Starting an independent practice wasn't just a business decision—it was born from frustration with a healthcare system that consistently overlooks critical components of spinal health. When you've seen the same missing diagnoses for 28 years, and you've developed a solution that provides immediate relief, you have a responsibility to share that knowledge.
Every patient deserves to have their Sacroiliac joint properly evaluated. Every person with back pain deserves to understand how their entire spine functions as an interconnected system. And everyone deserves access to treatment that addresses the root cause, not just the symptoms.
This is why I invested everything to bring the Leveling Technique™ to patients who need it most. Because sometimes, the biggest risk is not taking one at all.
Are you ready to discover what accurate spinal alignment could mean for your pain relief?
Contact us today to learn more about how the Leveling Technique™ could be the missing piece in your back pain puzzle.
