Business Details
17 Years
experience
Expert Physical Therapy Services in Omaha, NE
Founded in 2009 by Joel Makovicka and Natalie Harms, Makovicka Physical Therapy has grown to become Nebraska's leading provider of physical therapy services, operating 19 clinics across Omaha, Lincoln, and surrounding areas. Our team of over 175 professionals includes the largest number of board-certified orthopedic specialists in the state, combining decades of clinical expertise with personalized care. We specialize in sports rehabilitation, post-surgical recovery, vestibular therapy, and women's health, utilizing evidence-based techniques like dry needling, blood flow restriction, and manual therapy.Our commitment to community extends through our Makovicka Cares philanthropy program and occupational health services that serve both patients and local businesses. With advanced training in specialties ranging from pelvic floor therapy to concussion management, our clinicians deliver comprehensive care focused on restoring mobility, reducing pain, and improving quality of life for patients of all ages.
Services
Physical Therapy
Sports Injuries
Vestibular Therapy
Dry Needling
Work Conditioning
Details
- Year established: 2009
Highlights and features
- Largest team of board-certified orthopedic specialists in Nebraska
- Personalized treatment plans developed by experienced physical therapists
- 19 convenient clinic locations across Omaha, Lincoln, and surrounding areas
- Specialized programs for sports injuries, vestibular disorders, and women's health
- Comprehensive occupational health services for workplace injury recovery
What people say
Caring and professional staff
Outstanding recovery results
Personalized treatment programs
Knowledgeable and motivating therapists
Family-like atmosphere
Services
Physical Therapy
Our comprehensive physical therapy programs address musculoskeletal conditions, post-surgical recovery, and chronic pain management. Using evidence-based techniques like manual therapy, dry needling, and therapeutic exercise, our board-certified specialists create personalized treatment plans to restore mobility, improve function, and reduce pain. Patients benefit from one-on-one care with therapists who maintain advanced certifications in orthopedic and sports rehabilitation specialties.
Sports Injuries
Specialized sports injury rehabilitation focuses on returning athletes to peak performance. Our certified specialists treat common athletic injuries like ACL tears, rotator cuff dysfunction, and concussions using sport-specific training programs. Advanced techniques including blood flow restriction therapy and isokinetic testing help athletes recover faster while preventing re-injury through biomechanical analysis and targeted strengthening protocols.
Vestibular Therapy
Specialized vestibular rehabilitation addresses dizziness, vertigo, and balance disorders through customized exercise programs. Our certified therapists use video-oculography technology to diagnose inner ear issues and develop treatment plans incorporating gaze stabilization, habituation exercises, and repositioning maneuvers. This specialized care helps patients regain balance confidence and reduce fall risk through progressive balance training techniques.
Dry Needling
Certified clinicians perform functional dry needling to treat myofascial pain and movement restrictions. This technique targets trigger points in muscles and connective tissue to reduce pain, improve flexibility, and enhance recovery. Combined with traditional physical therapy, dry needling accelerates healing for conditions like chronic back pain, tendonitis, and post-surgical stiffness through evidence-based neuromuscular interventions.
Work Conditioning
Our work conditioning programs help injured workers safely return to job duties through functional capacity evaluations and job-specific training. Certified occupational health specialists develop progressive strengthening programs that simulate workplace demands while coordinating care with employers. This structured approach reduces lost work time and prevents re-injury through ergonomic assessments and workplace modification recommendations.
People
Joel Makovicka
President, Board of Directors
Former NFL player and three-time national champion at Nebraska, Joel transitioned from football to physical therapy after earning his Doctorate from Creighton University. He leads clinical innovation while maintaining active involvement in professional associations like the American Physical Therapy Association.
Natalie Harms
Vice-President, Board of Directors
With dual master's and doctorate degrees in physical therapy, Natalie brings 25+ years of clinical and administrative expertise. A former Geriatric Clinical Specialist Emeritus, she has served on Nebraska's State Board of Physical Therapy and received multiple leadership awards in healthcare administration.
Cory Sylliaasen
Chief Executive Officer
A Creighton University graduate with expertise in sports medicine, Cory has practiced outpatient orthopedics since 2001. He combines clinical excellence with community leadership, serving on professional boards while directing Makovicka's strategic growth across Nebraska.
Jordan Makovicka
Chief Strategy Officer
Board-certified orthopedic specialist with advanced training in manual therapy and dry needling. Jordan holds an MBA from UNO and leads strategic initiatives while maintaining clinical practice, blending business acumen with hands-on patient care expertise.
Chris Cameron
Director of Occupational Health
Board-certified orthopedic specialist managing workers' compensation programs. Chris directs functional capacity evaluations and workplace injury prevention initiatives, combining clinical expertise with employer partnerships to optimize occupational health outcomes.
Questions
What types of physical therapy services do you offer?
We provide orthopedic rehabilitation, sports injury recovery, vestibular therapy, dry needling, work conditioning, women's health services, and post-surgical rehabilitation across 19 Nebraska locations.
Do I need a referral for physical therapy?
Nebraska allows direct access to physical therapy services. However, some insurance plans may require physician referrals, which our staff can help verify during appointment scheduling.
How do I schedule an appointment?
Patients can schedule through our website's clinic locator, by calling their preferred location directly, or using our online request form for same-day or next-day availability.
What should I wear to physical therapy sessions?
Wear comfortable clothing that allows access to the treatment area. Athletic wear is recommended for exercise-based therapies, while specific garments may be suggested for pelvic floor or women's health treatments.
Do you accept insurance?
We participate with most major insurance providers including Medicare, workers' compensation programs, and commercial plans. Our billing team verifies coverage and explains financial responsibility before treatment begins.
Are your therapists specially certified?
Our team includes multiple board-certified orthopedic specialists, vestibular experts, and therapists with advanced certifications in dry needling, manual therapy, and sports rehabilitation through recognized professional organizations.
