Don't let back pain keep you from the activities you love. At Urban Physical Therapy, we help active adults and athletes overcome back injuries with personalized, fitness-forward care that builds lasting strength and resilience.
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Rushed Sessions That Miss the Root Cause
You've tried traditional physical therapy, but 15-minute appointments focused only on your symptoms—not why your back pain keeps coming back.
Worried You'll Never Return to Your Sport
Whether you're a runner, athlete, or weekend warrior, the fear of permanent limitations is real. You need more than temporary relief.
Cookie-Cutter Plans That Don't Fit Your Goals Pain Relief Without Real Strength
Generic exercises and one-size-fits-all protocols don't address your specific activities, fitness level, or what matters most to you.
We're not your typical physical therapy clinic. Urban PT offers a fitness-forward approach that goes beyond pain relief—we help you build the strength, mobility, and resilience to move without limits.At Urban Physical Therapy, we take a different approach. Tell us what activities matter most to you, and we'll design an individualized care plan to get you back doing them—and achieving goals you didn't think possible.
• 60-minute one-on-one sessions with a Doctor of Physical Therapy—no rushing, no shortcuts
• Located inside Pallas Fitness with access to 10,000+ sq ft of athletic training space
• Direct access in NY—no prescription or referral needed for up to 10 visits
"Eric at Urban Physical Therapy is by far the best physiotherapist I have ever encountered. As an aging athlete (40+), maintaining strength and flexibility in the face of mounting injuries is both very important to me and increasingly challenging. Eric is a great diagnostician, knows when and how to make me push my limits, and has given me a ton of easy-to-implement recommendations for things I can do at home to speed my recovery and improve my strength and flexibility. Overall, Erik's disciplined, holistic, and practical approach to physio is just what I needed to get—and keep—my body right. — Daniel A."
1. Root: Find the True Cause
We don't just treat the site of pain. We perform a thorough evaluation of your entire body to determine the root cause of your back pain and help you get out of pain faster.
2. Restore: Rebuild Function
We work to restore normal tissue function through targeted mobility, strength, and stability interventions designed specifically for your body and goals.
3. Reload: Build Resilience3. Reload: Build Resilience
We sufficiently reload tissues and create resilience by helping you get stronger and move better in activities directly related to your overall goals—a vital component often missing from traditional rehab.
From acute injuries to chronic pain, we treat the full spectrum of back-related conditions with evidence-based care.
"I came to Eric after a fall left me with a painful shoulder injury. From the first session, it was clear his approach was different from traditional PT. Rather than just treating the symptoms, he took the time to evaluate everything holistically and built a personalized plan tailored to my specific needs and goals. What really sets Eric apart is the strength training focus. We didn't just work on getting me out of pain—he made sure I rebuilt the strength and stability to stay that way."
"I highly recommend Urban PT. I started working with Eric after two injuries (ankle and shoulder) were preventing me from rock climbing, and I wanted to recover enough to do an outdoor climb 3 months later. I was able to meet that goal, and now, several months later, I am able to improve my climbing and get stronger again. This has been the best PT experience I've had because it's not been just about alleviating pain and getting back to what is 'normal' but getting to be able to continue to do what I want to do."
"I'm in my mid-40s, and had shoulder surgery - Shoulder Arthroscopy Rotator Cuff Repair, Subacromial Decompression/Acromioplasty, and Biceps Tenodesis. I had not been exercising regularly for years before the surgery. Working with Eric on my recovery has not only strengthened my shoulder and bolstered the healing process, but has helped me to become active again overall. Eric is consistently positive and energetic, while remaining grounded and practical."
Experienced Doctors of Physical Therapy
Owner and Physical Therapist. Eric earned his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Samuel Merritt University and holds a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist credential. He opened Urban Physical Therapy in 2018 to offer hour-long appointments and more personalized care. Specializes in orthopedic rehabilitation, return to sport, post-operative care, manual therapy, and strength training for back pain near me.
Physical Therapist. Bekah earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Miami in 2019. She brings extensive experience in fitness and rehabilitation, having worked in acute care, cardiopulmonary rehab, and owned a CrossFit affiliate and clinic. Her philosophy: movement is medicine, and training is healthcare. Specializes in therapeutic exercise, CrossFit, Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting, and athletic performance.
We're conveniently located inside Pallas Fitness, just 7 minutes from Downtown Ithaca near Cayuga Shopping Center and The Dewitt Mall.
Just 7 min from Downtown, Ithaca, NY via E Seneca St. We're located near Cayuga Shopping Center and Ithaca Shopping Plaza. From downtown, take E Seneca St, turn left onto N Fulton St, then right onto W State St. Turn left onto Taber St, which becomes Cherry St. Look for Pallas Fitness at 241 Cherry St—we're inside this state-of-the-art athletic facility.
1. Do I need a referral for back pain physical therapy in Ithaca?
No! New York is a direct access state, which means you can see a physical therapist for up to 10 visits without a prescription or physician referral. After your initial evaluation, we'll determine if you need additional visits or a referral for continued care.
2. How long are physical therapy sessions at Urban PT?
Every session is a full 60 minutes, one-on-one with your Doctor of Physical Therapy. Unlike traditional clinics where you might see a therapist for 10-15 minutes, you'll receive our undivided attention for the entire hour—allowing us to properly address your back pain and work toward your specific goals.
3. What should I expect during my first visit for back pain?
Your first visit includes a comprehensive evaluation of your entire body—not just where you feel pain. We'll discuss your goals, assess movement patterns, identify the root cause of your back pain, and create a personalized treatment plan. You'll leave with a clear understanding of your condition and actionable steps for recovery.
