Chronic Pain Physical Therapy in Durham, NC

If you've lived with pain for months or years, you've probably heard a lot of explanations and tried a lot of things. Maybe you've started to wonder if this is just how life is now. It doesn't have to be.

Chronic pain is real pain. It's also often driven by a nervous system that has become overprotective, sounding the alarm long after an injury has healed. The good news is that nervous systems can change. Dr. Daniel Howard, PT, DPT, a Duke-trained Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in chronic pain, will help you understand your pain and build the strength and confidence to trust your body again.

Your first evaluation is free. Book your free evaluation

Chronic pain we help with

  • Long-standing back, neck or hip pain
  • Widespread pain, including fibromyalgia
  • Nerve pain and sensitivity
  • Pain that moves around or flares without a clear reason
  • Pain that has lasted after an injury or surgery healed
  • Fear of movement or exercise after years of pain

Hurt isn't the same as harm

In chronic pain, how much it hurts often has less to do with damage and more to do with how sensitive your nervous system has become. Sleep, stress, past experiences and fear of movement can all turn up the volume.

That's not "all in your head." It's in your nervous system, which is part of your body, and it responds to the right kind of training. Understanding this is often the first step toward feeling better.

How we treat chronic pain

Every plan is built around you and typically blends:

  • Time to hear your story. A full hour, so nothing important gets rushed
  • Pain science education, so you understand what your pain means and what it doesn't
  • Graded movement and strength training, starting where your body is today and building from there
  • Hands-on manual therapy when it helps
  • Practical tools for sleep, stress and flare-ups, within the scope of physical therapy
  • Hope, Notice, Flourish: our approach of building hope, noticing the good days, and growing them into a fuller life

Why patients choose Equipt For Life

  • A chronic pain specialist who takes the time to understand you
  • Full 60-minute, one-on-one visits with a Doctor of Physical Therapy, every time
  • A private clinic in Durham with its own gym, sauna, and cold plunge
  • Transparent self-pay pricing; HSA and FSA cards accepted
  • We work alongside your doctors, therapists and other providers

"After being in chronic, soul-breaking pain for 10 years, and too many orthopedic doctors to count, he analyzed my pain on the first visit and put me on a course to being more pain-free every week." - Sue H.

"Working with him expanded my understanding about integrative medicine, the nervous system, and principles that will have me healthy for the long run." - Jacob B.

Related care at Equipt For Life

Frequently asked questions

Can physical therapy help fibromyalgia? For many people, yes. Gentle, graded exercise and education about pain are among the most helpful approaches for fibromyalgia. We start where your body is today and build slowly, so you don't pay for it the next day.

What if exercise has made my pain worse before? That's common, and it usually means the starting point was too much, too soon. We'll find a level your body tolerates now and progress from there, with a plan for flare-ups.

Do you work with my doctor? Yes. We're happy to coordinate with your physician and other providers. Questions about medication belong with your doctor; we focus on movement, strength and understanding.

Do you take insurance? Equipt For Life is a private-pay practice. You can pay with credit/debit, HSA, or FSA. See our policies for details.

Ready to move from lingering pain to longevity?

You're not broken. Your body is a puzzle, and you don't have to solve it alone.

Book your free evaluation or call (617) 943-7778.