If you’ve ever found yourself Googling “why does my back hurt?” while hunched over the sink brushing your teeth… you’re in good company. Low back pain, shoulder pain, and neck pain are three of the most common issues that drive people to seek help. In fact, according to the American Physical Therapy Association, nearly 1 in 4 U.S. adults experience chronic musculoskeletal pain every year.
But here’s the good news:
Whether you’re looking for physical therapy Princeton or physical therapy Somerville, you have access to expert clinicians who can help you move better, feel better, and get back to doing what you love—without pain deciding your schedule.
Welcome to your new roadmap to relief.
Why So Many People Struggle With Back, Shoulder, and Neck Pain
These three pain problems account for the majority of orthopedic visits nationwide. Why? Because modern life isn’t exactly movement-friendly.
Low Back Pain (the king of common pain)
- Affects 80% of adults at some point
- Often caused by prolonged sitting, weak core muscles, lifting mechanics, or stress
- Evidence shows that exercise-based physical therapy reduces pain by up to 50% within 12 weeks (Macedo et al., British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2023)
Shoulder Pain
- Up to 70% of shoulder pain cases involve the rotator cuff (AAOS)
- Aggravated by overhead lifting, posture, strenuous gym training, and combat sports
- Physical therapy improves mobility, posture, and rotator cuff strength to restore pain-free movement
Neck Pain
- Frequently linked to phone and laptop use (“tech neck”)
- A study in Spine Journal found that manual therapy + targeted exercise reduces chronic neck pain in 4–6 weeks
- Stress and poor workspace setup make it worse
Whether you’re in Princeton or Somerville, these patterns are nearly identical because our lifestyles are nearly identical—busy, technology-heavy, and movement-light.
Why Choose Progression Physical Therapy?
At Progression Physical Therapy of Princeton and Progression Physical Therapy of Somerville, we don’t just chase symptoms—we fix the underlying movement problems that cause pain.
Here’s what sets us apart:
✔ 1-on-1 care with a Doctor of Physical Therapy
✔ Comprehensive movement assessment
✔ Hands-on treatment + exercise programming
✔ Strength-based rehab for long-term results
✔ A fun, motivating environment (yes, rehab can be fun!)
Our job is to get you back to living your life—whether that’s lifting, running, playing with your kids, doing Jiu-Jitsu, or just waking up without groaning.
Try These 3 Self-Checks at Home
1. Low Back Flexibility Test
Can you touch your toes without bending your knees?
If not, your hamstrings, hips, or lower back may be limiting you.
2. Shoulder Mobility Check
Lie on your back and raise your arms overhead.
If your ribs flare up or your low back arches, your shoulder mobility is limited.
3. Neck Rotation Test
Turn your head side to side.
If one side feels tighter or more restricted, you may have mobility or postural imbalances.
If any of these feel “off,” that’s your body signaling that something needs attention—before the pain gets louder.
How We Help You Heal Better and Faster
Our approach blends:
- Manual therapy for pain relief
- Exercise therapy to build strength
- Movement retraining to fix faulty patterns
- Education so you understand your body better
- Customized home programs that match your lifestyle
This is the formula that gets results—and it’s why so many people searching for physical therapy Princeton or physical therapy Somerville end up choosing Progression Physical Therapy.
Ready to Finally Fix the Pain?
You don’t have to live with low back pain, shoulder pain, or neck pain.
And you definitely don’t have to keep Googling your symptoms.
Whether you prefer our Princeton or Somerville location, we’re ready to help.
Visit us here:
Progression Physical Therapy Website
Your body will thank you. Your future self will thank you.
And your spine will absolutely thank you.
References
- Macedo, L.G. et al. (2023). Exercise therapy for chronic low back pain. British Journal of Sports Medicine.
- American Physical Therapy Association. Musculoskeletal Pain Statistics.
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Rotator Cuff Injury Prevalence.
- Spine Journal (2020). Manual therapy and exercise effectiveness for chronic neck pain.
