If you are one of the thousands of Nebraskans dealing with chronic pain, you CAN find lasting relief through physical therapy, right here in Lincoln! Many Nebraskans live with persistent pain that interferes with work, sleep, and quality of life. If that sounds familiar, you are not alone. The best news is that you have more options than relying only on medication or temporary fixes.
Makovicka Physical Therapy’s expert teams in Lincoln specialize in helping patients understand and manage their pain through evidence-based, individualized care. Whether you are dealing with long-term back pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia, or post-surgical discomfort, physical therapy offers a science-backed path to healing and restored movement.
Physical Therapy-Why it Works for Chronic Pain
Unlike treatments that only mask symptoms, physical therapy treats the root causes of your pain. A physical therapist doesn’t just ask, “Where does it hurt?” They determine the cause of the pain and develop a care plan to address it.
Pain often results from a combination of factors: muscle imbalances, poor posture, joint stiffness, or faulty movement patterns developed over time. Physical therapy targets these issues directly, helping you move better, reduce inflammation, and build resilience.
Every person’s pain story is unique. That’s why cookie-cutter solutions rarely work for chronic pain. At Makovicka Physical Therapy in Lincoln, your therapist begins with a detailed evaluation.
The Evaluation:
- Movement and posture – identifying compensations or mechanical stress points.
- Muscle strength and flexibility – revealing weak or overworked areas.
- Joint stability and mobility – understanding how your body moves as a system.
- Lifestyle and daily activities – tailoring your plan to what matters most to you.
The way chronic pain is treated differs from the way a new (acute) injury is treated. If pain persists long after it takes an initial injury to heal, then the problem may actually lie with the “pain system” in the brain itself.
Modern pain science tells us the best way to treat chronic pain can be summarized in these 3 steps:
Step 1: Understand pain
- Pain protects us by acting as our “alarm system” to alert our brains if our tissues are damaged.
- Sometimes, following an injury, your pain system can be “on” for so long that it can rewire your brain to actually become overprotective and hypersensitive, giving you the continual sensation of pain even after your initial injury has healed (Note: this does NOT mean that your pain is not real, it simply means your body does too good of a job protecting itself!).
Step 2: Understand your body
- This overprotective pain system tells us not to move or load our bodies because moving hurts, and this avoidance can cause a kind of vicious cycle of making your pain system even more alert.
- It is important to understand that injuries heal with time, and your body’s tissues have an incredible ability to adapt amazingly well to the demands of life.
Step 3: Retrain your pain system
- The good news is, you can re-train your pain system back to providing protection when you need it, but not when you don’t.
- Once you are assessed by a healthcare provider such as a PT or primary care physician and given the “OK” that it is safe to move, exercise and movement are key in helping reduce chronic pain.
- As you load your tissues you will become stronger, and your stronger body will be more resilient to injury. In this way exercise and movement help to “turn down” your protection setting.
Take a Step Towards Relief!
With four convenient Lincoln locations—Pine Lake East, Pine Lake West, University Place, and 70th Street—Makovicka Physical Therapy makes it easy to access expert care close to home.
Our Lincoln teams include therapists with advanced training in orthopedic, sports, and manual therapy, ensuring that every patient receives the highest level of professional expertise. Whether you’re a young athlete, a working professional, or an active retiree, our clinics are equipped to meet your needs.
We also offer specialized services that support those living with chronic pain, including:
- Dry Needling for muscle tension and trigger point relief.
- Vestibular and balance therapy for dizziness or postural issues.
- Occupational health services for workplace-related injuries.
At Makovicka PT, our approach is compassionate, educational, and empowering – because chronic pain doesn’t define you. Call our clinics to schedule a Free Consultation with a physical therapist, or if you have a referral from your physician, schedule your evaluation today. Pain management through physical therapy can be found at Makovicka Physical Therapy! 
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