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The World Class Pain Solution for Athletes and Active Adults.
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Yes! It’s possible. Get to the deepest root of your pain. Online.

The Next Level Online Program: Innovation Meets Results

This isn’t just another “online consultation” where you chat with a PT and get sent a few generic exercises.

This is the same high-level care we deliver in our clinic, just brought to you wherever you are. How? Because real results don’t come from hands-on treatment alone. They come from deep knowledge and expert analysis.

Fixing pain at its root is about understanding how your body truly works. Movement patterns, posture, core control, breathing, and how it all fits together. A true expert can spot the clues and make sense of the bigger picture.

It might sounds different from anything you’ve tried before…because it is.

“Even online, we help you uncover and fix the root cause of your injury, so you can get back to doing what you love, without fear of the pain coming back.”

– Dr. Mike PT, DPT / Co-Founder

Pain-Free Secrets Guide 2.0
Our new guide dives deeper into the Next Level System, giving you clear, actionable strategies to eliminate pain, improve movement, and achieve lasting results.
Click Here To Get Free Access Now!
Athlete's Guide
Unlock your full potential with our free guide for athletes. Learn how to move better, prevent injuries, and perform pain-free with the proven Next Level System.
Click Here To Get Free Access Now!
End Back Pain Guide
Discover the proven steps to finally end back pain for good. This free guide reveals the root causes of pain and how to move, strengthen, and recover with confidence.
Click Here To Get Free Access Now!

FOUNDATION

Pain is the result of a weakness in your foundation.

Regardless of location, severity, and age, recovery relies on 4 key foundations.

This is our “4 Pillars of Recovery.”

Failure to address each pillar leads to pain and poor results. Long-term pain relief only happens when each pillar is strengthened at the right time.

PILLAR 1:
STRUCTURE
Any structural damages that have potential to limit your physical ability to recover must be addressed first. By tackling these barriers first, we set the stage for real lasting progress, not just temporary relief.
PILLAR 2:
MINDSET
Your thoughts and beliefs are a major indicator of your body’s ability to recover. We must ensure that they are healthy, empowering, and most importantly, accurate.
PILLAR 3:
MOVEMENT
How you move at the most basic level is the building block of everything. In order to load your body with advanced movements, you must possess strength and control in your basic functional movement patterns.
PILLAR 4:
CAPACITY
Solid movement with strength and control is what leads to long-term pain relief. As your body builds capacity, you’ll feel stronger and more confident to get back to doing what you love.

STRATEGY

We start with the end in mind so that your treatment has intent and purpose.

We get clear on your goals and what you want to achieve from the start.

We implement our 7 Level System to identify the root cause of your pain and develop a personalized treatment plan that is solely focused on your goals.

The system has transformed lives from professional and Olympic level athletes, to the everyday fitness enthusiast.

It is the perfect bridge that will get you from being limited in pain, to doing what you love again.

  • 07:
    Physical Mastery
  • 06:
    Transformation
  • 05:
    Power & Capacity
  • 04:
    Integration
  • 03:
    Control
  • 02:
    Position & Range
  • 01:
    Understanding
  • 00:
    Acute Management

Execution

Sound strategy with precise execution results in lasting transformation.

We have tested the most effective treatments and combined the most proven methods.

What we’ve created is a world-class treatment system where you’ll feel a difference at each session, one where you’ll have deep-rooted pain-relief at the end.

Video Testimonials

Shawn A.
"The one-on-one care is what sets this place apart. Next Level looked at the big picture—my movement, my measurements, the root cause... not only did the pain go away, but my hip and shoulder issues cleared up too."
Kam G.
"Next Level looked at me as an individual instead of assuming everyone reacts the same way. The breathing techniques were something I’d never seen before, and they actually worked."
Abby C. & Joe C.
“Coming here showed me how much was really out of alignment… and the difference was instant. I felt better right away.”
Maggie B.

“Being on my feet all day was miserable. At Next Level, they actually walk you through the exercises on the spot and make sure you understand everything. My mood, my energy, everything is better now.”

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Your Scapula Is NOT Dysfunctional
I think we can all agree that shoulder pain is frustrating. Personally, I use my arms constantly. Getting dressed, showering, feeding myself, driving, lifting weights, doing pushups, writing this article, and a lot more all depend on healthy shoulder function. If you are anything like me, you rely on your shoulders every day too. There are many possible causes of shoulder pain, but if you have been told you have scapular dyskinesis, scapular instability, or scapular dysfunction, which are essentially different labels for the same idea, I have something important to tell you. It is the truth, but you might not be ready for it. Are you sure? Really sure? Alright, you asked for it. There is no such thing as a dysfunctional scapula. I know that may come as a surprise, but hear me out for a moment. I believe the word dysfunctional has no place in conversations about how bodies move. It reinforces the idea that our bodies are fragile or broken, which can lead to hesitation, fear avoidance, and an increased risk of recurring injuries. How does that happen? Our good friend Dumbledore summed it up well: (his beard is filled with wisdom) Calling a scapula dysfunctional implies that there is a single correct or normal way for a shoulder to move. Anyone labeled as dysfunctional is then seen as abnormal, incorrect, or at risk of hurting themselves. Terms like dyskinesia, abnormal mechanics, and instability create similar problems. They are binary. You are either normal or abnormal, with no room in between. This kind of mental framing often leads to self-limiting beliefs. People given these diagnoses frequently avoid activity out of fear of making things worse, which ironically tends to make things worse over time. Just because your shoulder is not working the way you want does not mean something is wrong with it. It simply means there are a few things that need to be addressed. To understand this better, we need to look at the anatomy of the shoulder. There are three main structures involved: the ribcage, the scapula, and the humerus. The scapulothoracic joint exists between the ribcage and the scapula, while the glenohumeral joint connects the scapula and the humerus. The scapula contributes roughly 30 percent of total shoulder motion and functions as a floating joint with no direct bone-to-bone attachment to the rest of the body. The upper arm bone, or humerus, sits in a socket on the outer edge of the scapula. As the scapula moves, the socket moves with it, allowing the shoulder to orient itself in many different positions. This is what lets you place your hand in such a wide variety of positions. The shoulder has more range of motion than any other joint in the body. With greater available motion comes greater complexity and a higher demand for control. This is where the discussion of stability usually enters the picture. For this discussion, stability means the ability to resist unwanted motion or return to a desired position after being moved. This definition explains why common treatments for an “unstable” shoulder often include exercises like BOSU planks, reactive drills where a therapist applies unpredictable forces, or lifting weights attached to bands. The intent behind these exercises is good, but the application is often flawed. These drills are complex and involve many variables. For someone already dealing with shoulder issues, that level of complexity can be overwhelming and lead to inconsistent results. A more effective approach is to start by developing passive motion so the shoulder has access to the positions it needs. The next step is active motion within that newly available range. From there, the focus should shift to producing force in those positions and building strength and consistency in the desired movement patterns. Only if the issue persists after these steps should more advanced and variable exercises be introduced. For example, I would not have a client perform any type of unstable surface pushup until they can clearly demonstrate twenty clean and consistent strict pushups first. Highly variable and dynamic exercises may look impressive, but they belong at the top of the pyramid, not the bottom. The foundation has to be built properly before progressing upward. If you have been struggling to get your shoulders back to where you want them to be and feel like you have tried everything, I strongly encourage you to return to the basics and master them using this progression. If you cannot sort it out on your own, working with a skilled professional who understands this process can make all the difference. There is nothing wrong with your shoulder. It is simply having difficulty managing complexity right now.
Hand Going Numb? Check Your Thumb – How the Relationship Between Your Hand and Wrist Movement Can Affect Your Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms (Part 1/2)
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a collection of symptoms that most commonly appear in the thumb, index finger, and middle finger on the palm side of the hand. The hallmark symptom is aching, tingling, or a loss of sensation in those three fingers specifically. These symptoms most often occur because the median nerve is experiencing prolonged compression as it passes into the hand through the carpal tunnel. The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway formed by bones and connective tissue near the wrist that also contains several tendons and muscles, along with the median nerve. Because this space is small, even subtle changes in position or tissue behavior can increase pressure on the nerve. (Figure 1). [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Figure 1: Anatomy of the carpal tunnel region and the median nerve. The nerve in the middle that runs to the thumb and middle finger is the median nerve. Source: https://qph.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-2effc0be8c4ff02f065339aebda08596-c[/caption] The most common treatments I see recommended include prolonged static stretching of the muscles on the front of the wrist and forearm, active range of motion exercises for the wrist and hand in all directions, stretching of the thumb muscles, and tendon or nerve gliding activities. What all of these interventions have in common is their shared goal of reducing compression on the median nerve. Nerves thrive on movement, blood flow, and adequate space. The intent behind these treatments is sound, which is why the surgical option for severe cases involves cutting the connective tissue that runs across the carpal tunnel to create more room for the nerve. While there is nothing inherently wrong with these approaches, not all interventions produce the same effect. If the goal is to create space around the carpal tunnel, it is critical to consider the relationship between the position of the hand and the wrist. Many of the muscles and tendons that influence carpal tunnel pressure either cross through the tunnel or attach directly to the bones of the hand and wrist. Static stretching primarily increases a muscle’s tolerance to being lengthened. According to current research, it does very little to change how muscles or tendons behave or function in daily movement (PubMed ID# 28801950). In addition, applying prolonged tension to a nerve that is already compressed can be similar to stretching an already tight rubber band. Increasing tension does not reduce stress on the structure and may actually worsen symptoms. Rather than focusing solely on muscles that are labeled as tight, it is often more effective to focus on positioning the bones of the hand and wrist in a way that reduces tension on the nerve. This approach helps “unstretch” the rubber band and gives the median nerve more room to move freely. The image below shows an example of a thumb that is internally rotated relative to the wrist, highlighted in yellow. The blue arrow shows a thumb that is better able to externally rotate relative to the wrist. (Figure 2) [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Figure 2: An example of differing thumb and wrist orientations. Source: https://i2.wp.com/plasticsurgerykey.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/10-1055-b-002-98003_c049_f001.jpg?w=960[/caption] Can you see how stretching the muscles of the yellow hand might produce a completely different result than stretching the blue hand? Applying the same solution to two different presentations does not lead to the same outcome. In the next part of this discussion, we will explore how to create a more effective strategy to improve space and movement around the median nerve. This approach may help reduce or eliminate carpal tunnel symptoms by addressing the specific presentation shown in the yellow hand.
The #1 Missing Piece In Resolving Shoulder Pain
Are you Treating the Problem or The Result?  Shoulder problems are incredibly common among the athletes and active adults we see. As therapists, we regularly encounter diagnoses such as shoulder impingement, tendonitis, and rotator cuff injuries. These conditions are often blamed on weak rotator cuff muscles, scapular winging, or muscle imbalances. One major thing to understand about these diagnoses is that they are not the actual problem. They are the result. They are the result of deeper rooted movement habits and mechanics that often go unaddressed in traditional rehabilitation. Common solutions for these issues are often just as short sighted. Stretching, rotator cuff strengthening, and general strength training are frequently prescribed, yet they often miss the mark when it comes to truly resolving pain. Why? Because they address symptoms rather than the cause of the faulty mechanics, overuse of certain muscles, or positioning muscles in disadvantaged positions. To understand the biggest missing piece in resolving shoulder pain, we first need to understand how the shoulder actually works. A Quick Anatomy Lesson of the Shoulder Complex  The shoulder complex is made up of four major components: the glenohumeral joint, which is the ball and socket, the scapula or shoulder blade, the sternum and clavicle, and the rib cage. Shoulder movement in any direction requires rotation of the humeral head within the glenoid socket. Because the shoulder has so much freedom of movement, stability of the joint must be maintained. This is why every shoulder movement is accompanied by scapular movement. Since the socket of the shoulder joint is part of the scapula, its motion is essential for keeping the humeral head centered within the socket during movement. When the humeral head does not stay centered, issues such as shoulder impingement, proximal biceps tendonitis, and rotator cuff injuries can occur. For the shoulder to move well, the scapula must move in coordination with the humerus. The scapula has a natural curvature and sits on a rib cage that also has curvature due to normal thoracic spine shape. The rounded rib cage and curved scapula allow these structures to stay congruent and permit normal scapular rotation in support of shoulder movement. The position of the rib cage and its ability to expand properly to support the scapula is essential for normal shoulder motion without compensation. Rib Cage Position and Expansion  Under normal circumstances, the rib cage should be able to expand in all directions during breathing. With each inhale, the lower ribs should move outward in what is known as bucket handle motion, while the upper ribs and sternum move up and outward in a pump handle motion. The back side of the rib cage should demonstrate similar movement, particularly in the upper ribs. When the rib cage lacks these normal movements, scapular position and shoulder mobility are negatively affected. For example, when the back side of the upper rib cage becomes restricted or flattened due to chronic tension in the upper back, scapular movement becomes limited. A curved scapula resting on a flat surface cannot move or rotate the same way it would on a rounded, congruent rib cage. Without proper scapular movement, the shoulder either loses access to normal motion or must rely on compensatory mechanics. Repeatedly moving into ranges you do not truly have or compensating for restrictions is exactly what leads to repeated stress in the same tissues. This often shows up as shoulder impingement, biceps tendonitis, or gradual wear of the rotator cuff tendons. How Rib Cage Mechanics Are Lost Loss of normal rib cage mechanics is commonly seen in resistance training. Many gym movements emphasize pulling the shoulder blades back and down for stability. Whether pushing, pulling, squatting, or deadlifting, rib cage and scapular position often remain the same. A similar issue comes from the common advice to pull the shoulders back and down for good posture. Spending excessive time in a retracted scapular position limits normal scapular motion and flattens the upper rib cage. This forces the shoulder to compensate to achieve desired movements. The Solution To truly resolve shoulder pain, you must start at the source. While factors such as rotator cuff strength, dynamic stability, and local tissue irritation matter, they should not be addressed in isolation. If you do not resolve what led to these issues in the first place, you are simply treating symptoms. To improve shoulder joint mechanics and motion, proper scapular movement must be restored. Normal scapular movement depends on a rib cage that is positioned correctly and able to expand in all directions to provide a stable foundation. Once this foundation is in place, other components of shoulder rehabilitation can be addressed with much greater success. Below are 2 examples of drills to implement into your program to improve ribcage expansion: Seated Zercher Breathing Video [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CtDqIZnC_U[/embed] Seated Back Expansion Video  [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24K6f7OMDXE[/embed]
Ditch The Theraband To Build A Confident Shoulder
The foremost principle that guides rehabilitation is the SAID Principle, or Specific Adaptations to Imposed Demands. Simply put, this principle of physiology tells us that the body adapts to the specific demands placed upon it. Perform enough aerobic exercise and your heart adapts by increasing the size of the muscles in the left ventricle. This allows more blood to be pumped with each contraction, lowering resting heart rate over time. Similar adaptations occur within the nervous and hormonal systems and often lead to decreases in resting blood pressure as well.¹ The tendons of sprinters become increasingly stiff as they train to run faster. This is a positive adaptation. Think about the last time you struggled to change the roll of bathroom tissue because the spring was stiff and kept snapping back quickly. A stiffer spring, much like a stiffer tendon, releases more energy when stretched and recoils, helping the sprinter move faster and more efficiently. When an injury occurs to a muscle, tendon, or another joint structure, it is usually because that tissue was exposed to a level of stress that exceeded its ability to adapt positively. When you trip and roll your ankle in the classic position shown below in Image 1, the ligaments and muscles on the outside of the ankle are injured because they were loaded too quickly and with too much force for what they were prepared to handle. Meanwhile, there are well documented examples of martial artists being able to break stone with their shins without injury because they have spent years gradually adapting their bodies to those compressive forces. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="652"] Image 1: Despite this being Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors, my left ankle was in this same exact situation about a year ago. Source: https://i2.wp.com/b-reddy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/klay-thompson-right-ankle-sprain.jpg?ssl=1[/caption] How does this relate to a shoulder injury? If we want to restore shoulder function and allow the joint to tolerate increasing physical stress without negative adaptations like pain or injury, we need to apply the Goldilocks Principle of rehabilitation shown in Image 2. The stress must be just right. Too little will not create change, and too much will drive setbacks. The chart below is a helpful way to visualize this concept when restoring strength and range of motion following injury. Image 2:  Volume vs intensity threshold for gaining an adaptation. (Joel Jamieson’s “Ultimate MMA Conditioning”)  Resistance tubing, often referred to by the commercial name Theraband, is one of the most common tools people associate with physical therapy. Despite the title of this article, I am not against the use of resistance bands. For individuals in the early stages of shoulder rehabilitation, tubing can be extremely useful. It provides a low level of resistance that may be enough to rebuild initial strength or improve control of the arm through a safe range of motion. Bands can also help provide external feedback so you can better feel your shoulder moving into different positions, which can be valuable when restoring range of motion. However, if the goal is to build a shoulder that can produce and absorb meaningful force, bands alone are often not enough. At some point, greater resistance is needed to apply the appropriate combination of volume and intensity required for long term strength gains.   Sidelying Kettlebell Arm Bar Exercises like the kettlebell or dumbbell arm bar are an excellent entry point for retraining shoulder rotation with heavier loads. They also help retrain coordinated movement of the shoulder blade, allowing smoother and more controlled motion of the arm. Hooklying Dumbbell Pullover The hooklying dumbbell pullover is another effective way to improve overhead range of motion while building strength through a large arc of movement. This exercise is commonly used to help clients regain overhead motion without compensating through excessive lower back arching. It also builds confidence when holding weight overhead. Staggered Stance Landmine Press Landmine pressing is a highly effective way to load the muscles around the shoulder with progressively heavier resistance. This variation also allows easy modification to train coordination between ribcage rotation and shoulder movement, which is critical for many athletic and daily activities. If you are returning from a shoulder injury, it is important to understand the purpose behind each exercise you choose. Not all rehabilitation needs to look like bands and two pound weights. Your program should be challenging enough to prepare your shoulder for the real world demands you place on it. Make sure the time you invest in rehabilitation is producing the adaptations your shoulder actually needs. References Farrell C, Turgeon DR. Normal Versus Chronic Adaptations To Aerobic Exercise. [Updated 2021 Jul 15]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK572066/

Reviews

Carson L.
Physical Therapist

I was extremely fortunate to find Next Level PT in my quest for better movement, decreased pain and better training. I myself am a sports medicine PT, was a college athlete, have strength trained for many years and have (for the most part) successfully rehabbed my own injuries and surgeries, but for the last several years have been unable to really reverse the trend of tightness in my R shoulder that was reducing my training quality and, honestly, my desire to even train, since I would train and be in pain for 2-3 days after. Sometimes a problem needs a new perspective….

A PT friend of mine happen to send me a link for Next Level and after doing some research and taking advantage of a free phone screen, I signed up and am glad I did! The intake process was very thorough and pertinent, asking not only health but training questions and the most important piece for any patient – what are my goals? I was subsequently matched with Artem and he proved to be an excellent fit!

It’s important to note that I live in Chicago and can fully endorse telemedicine as a viable treatment option. In the hands of an expert clinician such as Artem, this treatment format worked wonderfully!

Artem did an extremely thorough movement assessment to identify the origins of my deficits and systematically built a custom-tailored program that took me from very basic, isolated movement and breathing patterns to much more complex movements. Artem structured and progressed my program in a very collaborative manner, constantly soliciting feedback and adapting to any particular areas where I was struggling. Now that I’ve completed the program I feel empowered with a rock-solid program of corrective and mobility exercises that feed into an overall training regimen that really works and feels good. I feel like I’m finally moving forward, gaining strength and not getting hung up with small nicks that turn into larger injuries down the line.

So as both a PT and a patient, I recommend Artem and everyone at Next Level PT with the utmost confidence. Not only is Next Level a strong group of solid clinicians, but they are a credit to the PT profession as a whole – the type of practice that every PT should aspire to!

Kiley S.
Active Adult

I am an (getting back to being) active 47 year old and have had low back pain for 5 years. There was no known cause or injury at the time and I had never had back issues before. For all of those years, my back hurt almost all of the time, to varying degrees, depending upon the day.
I have done yoga for years – sometimes that helped. I ran – that did not help but I didn’t want to give it up. I tried a couple of back pain programs I found online – no luck. I have seen chiropractors (“Sounds like degenerative disk disease? Well, you’re over 40, so ….” Shoulder shrug.), my MD (“Take ibuprofen and Tylenol.” For 40 more years? Ummmm….No. Plus meds only took the edge off.), and a local physical therapist (who really, really tried), all with no relief.
Last spring, at the end of about 6 months of PT, I knew I wasn’t really getting anywhere. I saw a Facebook ad for Next Level PT, and half-heartedly asked for more information. (Seriously? Facebook? Yup.) I talked to Dr Ben on the phone who discussed my issues and previous treatments. He actually screened me to see if I was someone they could help. It was with nothing more than a hope and a prayer that I jumped in to yet another program. But this one was different. Enter Dr Artem into my living room (via laptop).
The program is, and must be, individualized. It involves getting into SPECIFIC positions that are awkward and, oftentimes, difficult at first. And then you breathe. It works. Over time, things shift, exercises advance, and you work on getting stable and then stronger. I couldn’t do some of the exercises at first and many had to be broken down or modified. It was difficult for me to determine if I was doing them properly because my body was so used to being out of alignment and had weak areas. But, always, Dr Artem had a patience, and a plan with clear direction, and encouragement. No lie, it takes time and effort. There have been some not-so-great weeks. There were a couple SOS calls to Dr Artem between appointments for adjustments. It’s not magic. (Except for one foam roller release that resolved over 10 years of worsening side pain within a few sessions. That was beyond.) These guys are knowledgeable and organized. There are videos on each and every prescribed exercise.
I now have had days without ANY pain. Sometimes, I do something new or stupid and I hurt again. BUT, not anywhere to the degree that I used to. Plus, it resolves very quickly now. I stand differently. I move differently. I have a solid base to build the rest of my body on now.
I live in Wisconsin. This PT group is in Pennsylvania. ALL appointments have been via telehealth appointments, in my home, with a minimal amount of equipment. (chairs, doors, tables, walls, pillows or towels, a couple of weights, foam roller, resistance bands) They are remarkably good at telehealth consults and direction/explanations. The cost is very comparable to my out-of-pocket cost for local PT.
I have things I need to do – vacuum the house, mow the lawn, pick up a cat or a kid, sleep all night. I have things I want to do – a full Tough Mudder and hiking Half-Dome in Yosemite. To do the most basic activities of daily living without pain is such a relief. It makes me a much better person with so much more patience and energy, and subsequently, a bigger and more enjoyable life. I mean, that’s the goal, right?
LADIES: This was an unexpected bonus: I don’t pee when I run anymore. The realignment of my pelvis and the strengthening of all of those pelvic muscles (through exercises for my back) have made a tremendous difference. I haven’t completely mastered sneezing with a full bladder yet, but this is pretty fantastic!

Ben R.
Active Adult

This has been truly life changing. I started the online program after having tried all sorts of options in the past – physical therapists, chiropractors, even sports medicine professionals. Within a few short weeks, I was already seeing progress in my range of motion, and now a few months later I feel like a new person. The online program I did was tailored exactly to my needs, and I always felt like they were listening to me when anything new came up. I can’t recommend Next Level highly enough!

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