Back pain affects nearly every adult at some point in their life, but not all back pain is the same — and not all treatment approaches deliver long-lasting results. That’s why having access to a team of highly trained, doctorate-level physical therapists is one of the most effective ways to understand, treat, and prevent ongoing back issues.
If you’re searching for the best physical therapy for back pain in Andover, Kansas, you don’t have to look far. Our Andover clinic, located at 338 S. Andover Rd. STE 100, Andover, KS 67002, is home to a team of exceptional Doctors of Physical Therapy (DPTs) who specialize in helping patients overcome chronic pain, sudden injuries, and post-surgical recovery — all through personalized evaluation, targeted treatment, and one-on-one care.
Whether your back pain is caused by poor posture, how you sleep, a lifting injury, muscle weakness, or something you can’t quite pinpoint, our team is dedicated to identifying the true root cause so you can get back to living the life you love. And if you’re ready to schedule an appointment, you can reach us anytime at 316-348-2766.
Below, we’ll introduce our outstanding Andover therapy team, explain exactly what physical therapy for back pain looks like in our clinic, and walk you through why so many local residents trust us with their spine health.
⭐ Meet the Best Back Pain Physical Therapists in Andover, KS
At our Andover location, every clinician is a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy — the highest level of clinical education in the field. Each therapist has extensive experience evaluating and treating complex back pain conditions, whether they stem from lifestyle habits, injury mechanics, muscle imbalances, or surgical procedures.
👩⚕️ Demi Kraus, DPT
Demi brings a patient-centered approach that blends detailed assessment with hands-on treatment. She is especially skilled at identifying subtle movement patterns or postural habits that contribute to back pain. Whether your pain comes from poor sleep positions, mobility limitations, or years of compensation, Demi excels at uncovering “hidden” contributing factors and designing clear, purposeful treatment plans.
👩⚕️ Ashley Neidert, DPT
Ashley is known for her thorough evaluations and calming, supportive presence. She works closely with patients who have long-standing or recurring back issues, helping them finally understand why their symptoms keep returning and how to permanently correct the underlying dysfunction. Her treatments are education-rich and highly personalized.
👨⚕️ Chonnor Ludolph, DPT
Chonnor’s expertise includes advanced manual therapy, functional strengthening, and exercise programming tailored to the individual. He is particularly effective with patients recovering from acute strains, athletic injuries, and post-surgical rehabilitation. His goal is not just pain relief — it’s restoring confidence, strength, and long-term spine resilience.
👩⚕️ Sarah Schwemmer, DPT
Sarah combines strong clinical reasoning with compassionate care. She has extensive experience treating chronic back pain, sciatica, disc-related issues, and posture-related discomfort. Sarah prioritizes patient education, helping individuals understand exactly how daily habits, biomechanics, and strength imbalances influence their symptoms — and how to correct them.
🧠 Why Our Clinic Excels at Treating Back Pain
Back pain is multifactorial, meaning it rarely occurs because of just one problem. For many patients, the pain is the result of multiple lifestyle habits, movement patterns, or strength deficits working together. That’s why our Andover team performs comprehensive evaluations and individualized care rather than applying generic, one-size-fits-all treatment.
Our therapists specialize in identifying and addressing the real source of pain — not just treating the symptoms.
We Diagnose and Treat the Underlying Cause Of Back Pain, Including:
✔ Poor sleeping positions
The way you sleep can influence spinal alignment and muscle tension. Many patients unknowingly aggravate their back pain while resting, leading to morning stiffness and persistent soreness. Our therapists help you find better sleeping positions and mattress/pillow setups to support spinal health.
✔ Posture at work
Whether you sit for long periods, stand all day, or alternate between the two, your work habits can significantly impact your back. We analyze:
- your workstation
- chair setup
- monitor or screen height
- sitting and standing posture
- movement breaks
- repetitive tasks
Small adjustments can dramatically reduce daily pain and prevent flare-ups.
✔ Improper lifting or bending
Back pain often develops when lifting with poor mechanics — whether it’s weights at the gym, kids, pets, boxes, tools, or groceries. Our team teaches safe lifting strategies and strengthens the muscles needed to protect your back during everyday activities.
✔ Core, hip, or glute weakness
These muscles are the “support system” for your spine. When they’re weak, your back works harder than it should. This leads to fatigue, tightness, and recurring pain. Our therapists create custom strength programs that rebuild stability and correct imbalances.
✔ Movement compensation patterns
Sometimes pain comes from the way you’ve been moving for years — something you may not even notice. We break down your movement mechanics to identify problems such as:
- shifting weight to one side
- limited hip mobility
- excessive spinal rotation
- stiff thoracic spine
- tight hamstrings or hip flexors
Correcting these patterns often leads to long-lasting relief.
🏥 Common Back Conditions We Treat
Our Andover DPT team is highly experienced in treating a broad range of conditions, including:
- Chronic low back pain
- Acute strains from lifting or sudden movement
- Herniated or bulging discs
- Sciatica and nerve-related pain
- Spinal stenosis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Arthritis-related back pain
- Post-surgical rehabilitation
- Scoliosis-related discomfort
- Pregnancy-related back pain
- Sports and athletic injuries
- Back pain from prolonged sitting
- Posture-related dysfunction
If your pain is persistent, worsening, or interfering with your daily routine, physical therapy is one of the most effective first-line treatments — and it’s backed by extensive research.
🧾 What Physical Therapy Looks Like at Our Andover Clinic
Many people are unsure what to expect during physical therapy, especially if it’s their first time seeking treatment. We believe patients should feel comfortable, informed, and confident from the moment they walk through our doors.
Here’s what your care will look like from start to finish.
🔍 1. Your First Visit: The Evaluation
Every journey begins with a 40-minute, one-on-one evaluation with one of our DPTs. During this session, your therapist will:
- Ask about your symptoms, when they started, and what makes them better or worse
- Review medical history, previous injuries, and your daily activities
- Observe posture, walking mechanics, and functional movement
- Perform hands-on assessment of joint mobility, soft tissue, and flexibility
- Test strength, endurance, and muscle activation
- Identify potential irritants such as sitting habits, sleeping positions, lifting mechanics, or movement compensations
This is a detailed, personalized assessment designed to map out the exact factors influencing your pain. No two evaluations are the same because no two patients are the same.
By the end of the evaluation, you will understand:
- what’s causing your back pain
- which muscles or joints are involved
- what habits may be contributing
- what treatment will look like
- how long recovery is likely to take
📝 2. Your Personalized Plan of Care
After your evaluation, your therapist creates a customized plan of care, which may include:
- Manual therapy (hands-on treatment)
- Soft-tissue mobilization
- Joint mobilizations
- Corrective strengthening
- Mobility and flexibility work
- Postural retraining
- Core endurance training
- Neuromuscular re-education
- Ergonomics coaching
- Lifting mechanics training
- Home exercises designed specifically for your goals
This plan is built for you — not for the average patient, not for your age group, and not for your diagnosis alone. Your therapist designs a plan based on your body, your goals, and your lifestyle.
⏱ 3. 40-Minute One-on-One Treatment Sessions
Each physical therapy visit at our Andover clinic is a 40-minute, one-on-one session with your therapist. This allows us to deliver high-quality, focused care without rushing through treatment.
A typical treatment session may include:
- Hands-on manual therapy to reduce pain or stiffness
- Guided exercises to improve strength and mobility
- Movement training to correct faulty patterns
- Education on avoiding flare-ups at home and work
- Progression of your home exercise program
- Reassessment to ensure improvement
We continually adjust your exercises and treatments as you progress, ensuring every session takes you one step further toward recovery.
🎯 4. Long-Term Relief and Prevention
Our goal is not just to treat the current flare-up — it’s to prevent your back pain from returning.
We help you develop:
- stronger, more stable muscles
- healthier movement habits
- improved posture
- better sleep positions
- safer lifting mechanics
- greater mobility and resilience
When your plan of care is complete, your therapist will give you clear guidance for long-term maintenance so you can confidently stay active and pain-free.
📍 Visit the Best Back Pain Physical Therapists in Andover, KS
You don’t have to live with back pain — and you don’t have to navigate recovery alone. Our team of highly trained DPTs is ready to help you understand your pain, treat the root cause, and return to a healthy, active lifestyle.
📞 Call us today at: 316-348-2766
📍 Visit us at: 338 S. Andover Rd. STE 100, Andover, KS 67002
Our team is here to support you every step of the way.

