Back Pain and Spine Physical Therapy in Tomball, TX
Most back pain is not a damaged spine; it is a spine that has lost tolerance for load, and the fastest way back is a precise diagnosis followed by the right dose of movement and strength. H.I.R.T. was built around the spine. Dr. Sean Harris spent years as Spine Research Manager at Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine, publishes peer-reviewed research on low back pain and strength athletes, and wrote the Low Back Pain Assessment & Treatment Guide other clinicians use. In Tomball you get that level of care one-on-one for a full 60 minutes every visit.
Back, neck and spine conditions we treat
- Acute low back strain and “my back went out” episodes
- Herniated and bulging lumbar discs, with or without leg pain
- Degenerative disc disease and lumbar spinal stenosis
- Facet joint and SI joint pain
- Spondylolisthesis
- Neck pain, cervical radiculopathy and headaches that start in the neck
- Thoracic and rib pain
- Pre- and post-op spine care, including microdiscectomy and fusion
- Back pain in lifters, runners and tradespeople that flares with squats, deadlifts, long drives or a full shift
How a spine visit works
The first hour is a differential diagnosis, not a protocol. We work out whether the driver is a disc, a joint, a nerve root or simply a back that is under-conditioned for what you ask of it, and we check for the few things that should not be treated conservatively.
Then the plan: directional-preference movements that reduce pain within the first visits, manual therapy and dry needling to free up stiff segments and guarding muscles, and a progressive loading program that rebuilds the hinge, brace and carry patterns your back needs.
Because the clinic sits inside Rise Gym, you finish on real barbells, sleds and turf, so “cleared” means ready for your actual life, not just pain-free on a table.
What it costs and how long it takes
$199.99 per 60-minute visit, FSA/HSA eligible, superbill provided for out-of-network reimbursement. Most low back pain patients need 4 to 10 visits over 6 to 10 weeks; post-surgical spine cases run longer and are planned with your surgeon.
There is no insurance limit on what we can do in a session or how many visits you need, because there is no insurance.
Who you'll work with
Dr. Sean Harris
Board-certified orthopaedic specialist and fellowship-trained manual therapist. Former Spine Research Manager at Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine, adjunct faculty at Texas Woman's University, author of peer-reviewed research on spine, nerve pain and strength athletes. 2026 TPTA Clinical Excellence Award.
Dr. Ashley Gregg
Board-certified orthopaedic and sports physical therapist who builds a plan around your goals, whether that is getting back under the bar or through a workday without pain.
Questions people ask before booking
Should I get an MRI before starting physical therapy for back pain?
Usually not. Most disc findings on MRI appear in pain-free people too, and guidelines recommend starting with movement-based care first unless there are red flags. We screen for those at the first visit and refer for imaging when it will change the plan.
Can physical therapy fix a herniated disc?
Discs heal and resorb on their own in most cases; physical therapy gets you moving and strong while that happens and lowers the chance it comes back. Several of our Google reviews are from lifters who returned to competition after a lumbar disc herniation.
Do I need a referral?
No. Texas is a direct-access state. Book a screen or an evaluation today.
Is it safe to lift weights with back pain?
In almost every case, yes, with the right load and pattern. Avoiding all loading is the most common reason back pain lingers. We coach the squat, hinge and carry directly in the gym.
Do you treat neck pain and headaches too?
Yes. Cervical radiculopathy, mechanical neck pain and cervicogenic headaches are treated the same way: diagnosis first, then manual therapy, dry needling and graded strength work.
Where are you located?
Inside Rise Gym at 11703 Spring Cypress Rd, Tomball, TX 77377. Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Call or text (281) 702-4262.
Find out in 20 minutes whether your back is a physical therapy problem
A free 20-minute screen with the doctor who would treat you. No cost, no pressure, and a straight answer either way.