About Pain Science Physical Therapy

We provide integrative physical therapy for people who need a more complete, whole-person approach to care.

At Pain Science Physical Therapy, we help people struggling with chronic pain, persistent injuries, movement limitations, and unresolved symptoms make sense of what their body is experiencing and find a clearer path forward.

Our goal is not simply to reduce symptoms, but to help people build confidence, resilience, and the ability to participate more fully in the activities and relationships that matter most to them. Many of our patients come to us after trying traditional physical therapy, chiropractic care, injections, medications, or other treatments that only provided temporary or incomplete relief.

What we know about pain

Imaging findings like disc bulges and degeneration are common in people with no pain at all.

Brinjikji et al., AJNR (2015)

Combining movement with pain neuroscience education often leads to better outcomes than either approach alone.

Louw et al. systematic reviews on Pain Neuroscience Education

Effective chronic pain care focuses on improving function and quality of life, not just reducing pain intensity.

CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain (2022)

Our whole-person approach to pain

Pain is not always a direct indicator of tissue damage. Because of this, many people benefit from an approach that goes beyond treating symptoms alone.

That’s why we use an integrative, biopsychosocial approach to physical therapy and chronic pain care.

We take the time to understand your story, your goals, your symptoms, and how pain is affecting your daily life so we can build a plan that is personalized and realistic for you. Pain is shaped by the interaction of physical, neurological, psychological, social, and environmental factors that influence how our bodies adapt and respond to life's demands.

Care at PSPT is designed to help you:

  • Better understand your pain and what may be contributing to it
  • Reduce fear and uncertainty around movement and symptoms
  • Improve mobility, strength, and confidence in movement
  • Calm an overprotective or sensitized nervous system
  • Rebuild trust in your body
  • Return to meaningful activities at a sustainable pace
  • Build resilience and adaptability so you can navigate life's challenges with greater confidence

Physical therapy that helps your body feel safe moving again

Pain Science Physical Therapy was founded in 2009 by Dr. Orit Hickman with the belief that healing happens best when patients feel heard, supported, and treated as individuals—not rushed through a system.

Unlike traditional high-volume clinics, every session at PSPT is one-on-one with your provider. We prioritize longer appointments, individualized care, and strong patient-provider relationships because meaningful progress takes time, attention, and trust. This allows us to better understand the many factors influencing your health and work alongside you to create sustainable change.

No middlemen. No insurance restrictions. Care on your timeline.

We are a fee-for-service, relationship-based physical therapy practice. Our care is guided by clinical expertise, current research, and your goals—not insurance requirements.

What this means for you:

  • Care designed around your goals and timeline

  • Flexibility in visit frequency and treatment approach

  • No insurance restrictions dictating your care

  • No referral required to get started

    By removing insurance barriers and administrative constraints, we’re able to focus fully on personalized care for people navigating chronic pain, complex conditions, and unresolved symptoms.

    We offer in-person physical therapy in Washington and virtual services across the United States.

    • How it started

      Pain Science Physical Therapy was founded in 2009 by Dr. Orit Hickman with the belief that healing happens best when patients feel heard, supported, and treated as individuals—not rushed through a system. Healing is not something we do to patients; it is a collaborative process built on trust, partnership, and meaningful relationships.

      What started as a small clinic with Dr. Orit Hickman as the sole provider was built on strong relationships, personalized care, and a commitment to helping patients feel heard and supported throughout their recovery.

    • How it’s going

      Today, PSPT has grown into a relationship-centered, fee-for-service physical therapy practice focused on helping people with persistent pain, complex conditions, and unresolved symptoms find a clearer path forward. Our approach goes beyond symptom management to help people build confidence, resilience, and greater participation in meaningful life activities.

      We combine evidence-informed physical therapy with a whole-person understanding of pain—including movement, nervous system sensitivity, stress, and lifestyle factors that are often missed in traditional care models. Rather than viewing the body as a collection of separate parts, we recognize that health emerges from the interaction of many interconnected factors.

      We’ve expanded to include in-person care in Washington and virtual care across the United States, allowing us to support more people without the limitations of insurance-driven systems

    Our Mission Statement

    At Pain Science Physical Therapy, we provide integrative, evidence-informed physical therapy that views each person as more than a diagnosis or body part. We recognize that pain and movement are influenced by the body, nervous system, thoughts, emotions, lifestyle, and life experiences.

    Through individualized care, education, movement, and collaboration, we help people better understand their bodies, restore confidence, and return to the activities and lives that matter most to them.