Low Back Pain and Disc Problems: Treatment in Mineola, NY

MULLIGAN CONCEPT

Low Back Pain and Disc Problems

Low back pain is one of the most common reasons people see a physical therapist, and most of it responds well to hands-on care and exercise. That includes pain linked to an irritated disc. At Enhanced Physical Therapy in Mineola, we use Mulligan SNAGs, traction and spinal mobilization with leg movement to help your back move with less pain, then build strength so it is less likely to return.

Certified Mulligan Practitioner Over 10 Years of Experience

Our clinics director is a Certified Mulligan Practitioner (CMP) with over a decade
of experience using this evidence-based approach. Each treatment is customized to
your specific diagnosis and movement limitations to achieve optimal outcomes.

Common signs of low back pain and disc problems

Aching or sharp pain across the low back
Stiffness getting out of bed or a chair
Pain bending forward, arching back or twisting
A back that feels locked or goes into spasm
Pain that limits sitting, driving or lifting

What causes it

Most low back pain comes from the joints, discs, muscles and ligaments being overloaded or stiff, not from serious disease. Common triggers include long hours sitting, lifting, twisting and changes in activity. Scans often show disc and joint changes that are also found in people with no pain, so we focus on how your back moves and what eases it, rather than on confirming or fixing a disc.

How we examine it

We take a detailed history, screen for anything that needs a doctor, and test movement, strength and nerve function. Then we apply a sustained glide to the level that seems involved while you repeat your painful movement. If it feels easier and pain-free, that becomes the base of your treatment.

Mulligan techniques we use

Lumbar SNAGs. Dr. Kurian glides a low back vertebra while you bend forward, backward or sideways, with a belt keeping you steady.
Self-SNAGs with a belt or towel. A home version for daily practice and flare-ups.
Spinal Mobilization with Leg Movement. Used when pain spreads toward the buttock or leg.
Lumbar traction. A gentle Mulligan traction technique that some people find eases pain.

What the research says

A 2026 meta-analysis found lumbar SNAGs reduced pain and disability in chronic low back pain in the short term, although the studies varied a lot. Clinical guidelines for low back pain recommend staying active and exercising, and Mulligan techniques work best as part of that approach.

What else is in your treatment plan

Alongside Mulligan techniques, your plan includes core and hip strengthening, walking, lifting technique, and sitting and car advice. We set clear goals, such as sitting through a meeting or getting back to the gym.

How long recovery takes

Recent low back pain often improves a lot within 1 to 6 weeks. Pain that has lasted months usually takes 6 to 12 weeks of consistent work.

If you are over 65

Back pain is common after 65, and most of it is still mechanical and treatable. Before hands-on work, we check for osteoporosis, past compression fractures and blood thinners. Mulligan SNAGs are gentle and you control the movement. We build in strength and balance work, because a stronger back and legs lower your risk of falls.

When to see a doctor first

Call your doctor, or get urgent care, if you have any of the following:

Numbness in the groin or saddle area, or new bladder or bowel problems: go to the emergency room
Leg weakness that is getting worse
Back pain after a significant fall or accident
Fever, unexplained weight loss or a history of cancer
Constant pain that does not change with position or rest

Low back pain and disc problems treatment near Mineola

Enhanced Physical Therapy is at 137 Willis Ave, Suite 100, Mineola, NY 11501, a short walk from NYU Langone Hospital-Long Island. We see patients from Mineola, Garden City, Williston Park, New Hyde Park, Carle Place, Westbury, Albertson and Manhasset, and across central Nassau County.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an MRI first?

Usually not. Most back pain can be assessed and treated without imaging. We refer you if your exam suggests you need one.

Is it a muscle or a disc?

It can be hard to tell, and the answer rarely changes the early treatment. We focus on how your pain behaves with movement.

What is a SNAG?

A Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glide: the therapist holds a gentle glide on a spinal joint while you move, aiming for pain-free movement.

What should I do when I throw out my back?

Keep moving gently, avoid bed rest and get assessed if pain is severe or not improving after a few days.

Written and clinically reviewed by Jacob Kurian, PT, MSPT, CMP, DPT, Certified Mulligan Practitioner, Enhanced Physical Therapy, Mineola NY. Last updated October 14, 2026.

Move Better, Feel Better

If this is limiting your work, sleep or activity, call Enhanced Physical Therapy at (516) 833-5880 to book an evaluation with Jacob Kurian, Certified Mulligan Practitioner. Mulligan treatment may help reduce pain and improve movement, and we will tell you honestly what to expect.