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Therapy Locations

bryan west medical plaza

Bryan Medical Center,
Bryan West Campus
2300 S. 16th St.
Lincoln, NE 68502

bryan lifepointe

Bryan LifePointe
7501 S. 27th Street
Lincoln, NE 68512

crete area medical center

Crete Area Medical Center
2910 Betten Drive
Crete, NE 68333

merrick medical center 260x138

Merrick Medical Center
1715 26th St.
Central City, NE 68826

Spine Therapy

Our therapists have advanced training in evaluating and treating the spine. After a thorough history and evaluation, our therapists use various treatments to help you achieve your goal of:

  • Less pain
  • More mobility
  • Return to normal function after an injury or surgery

Spine Therapy Treatments

Manual Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a form of physical therapy done with the hands instead of devices or machines. In manual therapy, practitioners use their hands to put pressure on muscle tissue and mobilize joints in order to decrease pain caused by muscle spasm, muscle tension and joint dysfunction.

Lumbar Stabilization

Lumbar stabilization is an active form of exercise used in physical therapy. It strengthens muscles to support your spine and help prevent lower back pain. Through a series of exercises and with the initial help of an experienced physical therapist, you're trained to find and maintain your “neutral spine” position. The back muscles are then exercised to teach the spine how to stay in this position. This exercise is performed on an ongoing basis and is generally used during all phases of a back pain episode and may be prescribed after a thorough evaluation of your specific condition.

The goals of lumbar stabilization exercises include:

  • Reduce back pain
  • Gain control over the movements of, and forces acting on, the spine during daily activity
  • Heal soft-tissue injury, such as muscle strain and torn ligaments
  • Reduce the chance of back injury due to repetitive motions or sudden movements or stresses

Postural Training

Postural problems are usually related to a joint restrictions, muscle imbalances or weakness. Our physical therapists are highly trained in postural analysis.

After an analysis is performed, the therapist can design a thorough workout program as well as use manual skills to eliminate any joint or muscle restriction you're experiencing.

Post-Operative Rehabilitation

We can help you achieve the range of motion and strength you need to return to all of your previous activities after surgery. Each surgery has a specific exercises to be followed during your rehabilitation. Our therapist communicates directly with your surgeon in order to assure the safest and most effective progression of your rehabilitation.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Bryan Medical Center:
To schedule an appointment, call 402-481-5121
For information and questions, call 402-481-9445

Crete Area Medical Center:
To schedule an appointment, call 402-826-6541

Merrick Medical Center:
To schedule an appointment, call 308-946-3015

traci carey

Traci Carey, physical therapist

Traci Carey, PT, DPT, earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a doctorate in physical therapy at University of Nebraska Medical Center in 2004. She has worked in outpatient orthopedics and sports medicine, inpatient acute, skilled nursing, rehabilitation and home health settings. Traci’s outpatient expertise includes treating spine and orthopedic diagnoses and amputees, manual therapy and Graston-technique trained, shoulder rehabilitation and gait/running analysis. She currently is Eastern district co-chair for the Nebraska Physical Therapy Association.

Provides therapy at: Bryan West Campus

justin hash

Justin Hash, physical therapist

Justin Hash, PT, MTC, CSCS, earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and earned his physical therapy degree at Mayo School of Health Sciences in Rochester, Minn. He completed his certification in manual therapy from the University of St. Augustine. He has expertise in treating spine pain, orthopedic and sports injuries and hand injuries, using tools that include creating custom splints, functional dry needling, gait analysis and creating custom foot orthotics. He treats injuries with a focus on returning to work. 

Provides therapy at: Bryan LifePointe Campus

brad howe

Brad Howe, PT

Brad Howe, MS, PT, earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology from Midland College and a master’s degree in physical therapy from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He has trained as a teaching assistant for postural health restoration, and his other work specialties include orthopedics, sports medicine, back pain, and vertigo/vestibular rehabilitation. 

Provides therapy at: Crete Area Medical Center

Heather Kalkwarf, PT, DPT

Heather Kalkwarf, PT, DPT earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science at Nebraska Wesleyan University, and a doctorate in physical therapy from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 2014. She has worked in both outpatient and acute care settings. Heather specializes in post-operative rehabilitation, orthopedic injuries, spine rehab and acute care medical patients. She is certified in functional dry needling.

Provides therapy at: Crete Area Medical Center

jeff schultz

Jeff Schultz, PT, Crete Area Medical Center Rehabilitation Manager

Jeff Schultz, PT, received his bachelor’s degree in physical therapy at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. Jeff has been a member of the CAMC team for over 30 years. His special interests at work include geriatrics, general orthopedics, and acute and skilled medical-surgical patients. Jeff also performs the Frail to Fit program at CAMC, which evaluates patients for deficits in strength, flexibility, and balance and sets up a rehab program involving functional activities to individually address a patient's concerns. 

Robb SchnitzlerRobb Schnitzler, PT, Astym Certified

Robb earned a bachelor of science degree in education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and a bachelor of science degree in physical therapy from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha. He has worked at Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, South Dakota, Grand Island Physical Therapy, and for the past 25 years has provided care at Litzenberg Memorial County Hospital. He received Astym certification in 2015. He enjoys working with patients in outpatient rehab, acute care, and skilled nursing settings. His professional focus includes orthopedics, post-operative rehabilitation, sports medicine, geriatrics, back and neck rehab, and work injuries.

Provides therapy at: Merrick Medical Center

Melissa Gragg, MPT Melissa Gragg, MPT

Melissa earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of Nebraska in Kearney, Nebraska, and a master of arts degree in physical therapy from Rockhurst University. She has worked in many settings, including acute care, acute rehab, outpatient rehab, home health, pediatric clinic, public school and skilled rehab. She has extensive experience in Nervo-based therapies such as CVA, TBIY, and SCI. She also is certified in level one functional dry needling. 

Provides physical therapy at: Merrick Medical Center

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