Back Pain Physical Therapy in Long Island City

60-minute, one-on-one physical therapy for back pain, sciatica and disc problems with Ariel Osharenko, PT, at the On Point clinic at 44-01 21st Street, Suite 203 (between Queens Plaza and Court Square), or in your home anywhere in NYC. Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM to 8:00 PM. (347) 871-6814.

Back pain I treat

Sudden low back pain and muscle spasm.
Sciatica and nerve-related pain down the leg.
Disc herniations and bulges.
Back pain from lifting, including squats and deadlifts.
Desk-related back and neck stiffness.
Back pain in runners and athletes.
Back pain that keeps coming back.

How I treat back pain

Most back pain gets better with the right active care. My job is to find what’s driving yours and give you a plan that fits your life.

A thorough first assessment. We talk through how it started, then I test how you move, your strength and your nerve function, and check for anything that needs a doctor first.
Calm it down. Positions and movements that ease the pain, and hands-on care such as mobilization, myofascial release or dry needling when it helps.
Build capacity. Progressive strength for the hips, trunk and back, and a graded return to lifting, running and sitting at your desk.
Keep it from coming back. Lifting technique, training load and desk set-up, so one bad week doesn’t turn into another flare-up.

I don’t rely on passive treatments alone. Pain is real, but it isn’t always a sign of damage; this is explained in pain sensation and physical therapy.

For lifters and athletes

As a USA Weightlifting coach, I’d rather adjust your training than take you out of the gym. We look at your hinge and squat patterns, change load and range for a while, and build back up. Related: squat stance and stretching misconceptions.

When to see a doctor first

Go to the emergency room or call your doctor before booking physical therapy if you have:

Loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness in the groin or inner thighs.
Leg weakness that is getting worse.
Back pain with fever, unexplained weight loss, or a history of cancer.
Back pain after a serious fall or accident.

What happens at your first visit

Sixty minutes, one-on-one. We talk, I test, I explain what I find in plain language, and treatment starts the same day. You leave with exercises for home and a plan. More on why that first assessment matters: why a full evaluation comes first.

Who this isn’t for

If you need an in-network clinic, I’m out-of-network.
If you have any of the warning signs above, see a doctor first.
If you need pelvic floor therapy, I’ll refer you to a specialist.

Insurance and cost

On Point Physical Therapy is an out-of-network, private-pay practice. However, as a courtesy to our patients, we offer direct insurance billing. Our billing specialist will submit claims on your behalf to your insurance provider for potential out-of-network reimbursement, subject to the benefits and coverage of your individual plan.

No referral needed to start. New York’s Direct Access law lets you see a licensed physical therapist without a prescription for up to 10 visits or 30 days, whichever comes first.

Long Island City clinic or your home

44-01 21st Street, Suite 203, Long Island City, NY 11101
Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM to 8:00 PM.

G train: 21st Street station, about a 3-minute walk.
7 / E / M / G: Court Square, about 8 minutes.
E / M / R: Queens Plaza, about 9 minutes.
7 / N / W: Queensboro Plaza, about 10 minutes.

Prefer not to travel? I bring the treatment table and equipment to you: in-home physical therapy across Queens, Manhattan and Brooklyn, with the same 60-minute, one-on-one session.

Meet Ariel Osharenko, PT

Licensed Physical Therapist in New York and New Jersey, and the founder of On Point. Before opening the clinic I coached athletes on the strength-and-conditioning side, so I take you past “pain-free” and back to what you actually want to do.

NSCA CSCS*D and USA Weightlifting Level 2 Coach.
Former Strength & Conditioning Coach, NYU Athletics and Georgetown University; President and Club Coach, Chelsea Piers Weightlifting Club.
Certified in dry needling (Myopain), blood flow restriction training and FMS Levels 1 and 2.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an MRI before physical therapy for back pain? Usually not. Scans are recommended when there are red-flag signs or when symptoms don’t improve as expected. Many people without any pain have disc changes on an MRI, so a scan often doesn’t explain the pain. I’ll tell you if I think you need imaging and refer you to a doctor.

Should I rest or keep moving? For most back pain, staying active within comfortable limits works better than bed rest. I’ll show you which positions and movements calm it down and what to avoid for now.

Can physical therapy help sciatica? Yes, many cases of sciatica improve with conservative care including physical therapy. I check nerve signs (strength, sensation, reflexes) at every visit and refer you to a doctor if they get worse.

How many sessions will I need? It depends on what’s causing the pain, how long you’ve had it and what you want to get back to. After the first visit I’ll give you an estimate, and we re-test regularly so you can see progress.

Can you treat back pain at home? Yes. In-home sessions are the same 60 minutes, one-on-one, anywhere in Queens, Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Book a 60-minute evaluation: call or text (347) 871-6814, email [email protected], or book online.