Dr. Evan Johnson is a renowned expert in the field of spine care. Three decades of clinical care inform his approach to the spine, rooted in evidence-based practice and bolstered by his personal experiences with movement and injury. He uses a combination of manual therapy, exercise, and other specialized techniques to help reduce pain, improve mobility, and restore function.  

Bio

Dr. Evan Johnson is an Assistant Professor of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine (Physical Therapy) in Orthopedic Surgery and Neurological Surgery at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center. He lectures nationally on clinical management of spinal conditions, therapeutic exercise, and regional interdependence of movement. He has served on multiple committees and advisory groups for North American Spine Society and the American Physical Therapy Association. Dr. Johnson is recognized by the Marquis Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in Healthcare as an educator and leader in the field of physical therapy.

Over the past 30 years of clinical practice, Dr. Johnson has had the privilege of applying his clinical expertise while working with individuals from all walks of life, including heads of state, leaders in the industry and medicine, Nobel Prize winners, professional athletes, and dancers.

Dr. Johnson practices physical therapy at 590 5th Avenue as part of Columbia University’s Department of Orthopedic Surgery for New York Presbyterian Och Spine.

Select Publications

• Johnson EK, McCormick, PC. The effect of early isolated lumbar extension exercise program for patients with herniated disc undergoing lumbar discectomy [invited commentary]. Neurosurgery. 2005;57(4):771-772.

• Johnson EK, Chiarello CM: The slump test: The effects of head and lower extremity position on knee extension [cover article]. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1997;26(6):310-317.

• Said RM, Johnson EK, Roh EY: The relationship between golf swing trunk rotation biomechanics and low back pain in golfers. Spine Line. 2013;14(5):21-26.

• Wong CK, Johnson EK. A narrative review of evidence-based recommendations for the physical examination of the lumbar spine, sacroiliac and hip joint complex. Musculoskeletal Care. 2012;10(3):149-161.

• Davis G, Johnson E, McCormick PC, et al. Clinics in neurology and neurosurgery of sport: lumbar spine. Sequestrated disc prolapse and disc bulge. Br J Sports Med. 2009;43(10):796-801.

• Gardner TR, Fishman K, Johns A, Johnson EK. Joint reaction forces at the hip joint during dynamic manipulation of the femur. Digital Human Modeling for Design and Engineering Symposium, Society of Automotive Engineers. 2008;DOI:10.4271/2008-01-1885.

Select Media Appearances

• Featured in The New York Times Click here

• Interviewed in The Wall Street Journal Click here

• Appears on Fox News’s The Wall Street Journal Live Click here

• Interviewed on National Public Radio

• Interviewed on Canadian Broadcast Company Radio Click here

News and Media

• The Wall Street Journal LunchBreak: "The Importance of Good Posture, Even When Sitting." Click here

• The New York Times, "About the Idea That You're Growing Horns From Looking Down On Your Phone." Click here

• Huffington Post, "Improve Your Posture with 3 Simple Steps." Click here

• Psychology Today, "The Aches and Pains of Working From Home During Covid-19." Click here

• CBC Radio, "No, Staring at Your Phone Won't Give You Horns, Says Physical Therapist." Click here

• Wisconsin Public Radio, "Teach Me What You Know: How to Sit." Click here

• National Association of Spine Surgeons (NASS) Series, “Ask the Expert.” Videos:

  • "A Multidisciplinary Approach to Lumbar Spinal Stenosis." Click here

  • "Physical Therapy: Pre- or Post-Planned Surgery." Click here

  • "Special Considerations When Treating Athletes with Low Back Pain." Click here

  • "Spinal Cord Mapping." Click here

  • "Spinal Masqueraders." Click here

Select Presentations

• “Clinical Management of Adult Spinal Disorders: Current Concepts and What the Future Holds.”
  Directed by Evan Johnson, DPT, MS, OCS and Director of Och Spine Care Outpatient Physical Therapy, and Dr. Ronald Lehman, Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Director, Adult & Pediatric Spine Fellowship. This symposium provided physicians, physical therapists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals with an update on the most current evaluation and treatment techniques for various spinal disorders.

  • Introduction to the Conference, Click here

  • "Spinal Manipulation: What is Happening When We Manipulate the Spine?" Videos 1 2 3

  • Conference Presentation Q&A, Click here

• Columbia University Irving Medical Center, "I am a Physical Therapist, Evan Johnson PT, DPT, OCS." Click here

• Speaking at NASS 2018 Click here

• Featured in NASS video 2018 Click here

• Speaking at NASS 2017 Click here

• Moderates forum at NASS Annual Meeting Click here

• Pri-Med Conference Click here