Business Details
24 Years
experience
Your Trusted Physical Therapy Partner in Lockport
At Advantage Physical Therapy, we have dedicated ourselves to delivering individualized and high-quality physical therapy care to Lockport and its surrounding communities since 2002. Our team of skilled clinicians and billing professionals are trained using methodologies aligned with the nations top private practices, ensuring a standard of excellence in every patient interaction. We understand the emotional and physical toll of pain, which is why we prioritize creating a comfortable and supportive rehabilitation environment for every individual. Our mission is to help patients achieve their personal goals of optimal health and a life free from pain through evidence-based treatments and compassionate care. Under new ownership since April 2021, we continue to strengthen our team while maintaining a focus on improving quality of life within a positive atmosphere. We accept a wide range of insurance plans, including Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Medicaid, to ensure accessibility for all patients.Our clinicians specialize in orthopedic physical therapy, post-operative rehabilitation, and neurological condition management, utilizing advanced techniques such as manual therapy, instrument-assisted soft tissue massage, and kinesiotaping. We also offer aquatic therapy in our treatment pool, leveraging waters buoyancy to reduce joint stress during recovery. Our commitment to community health is reflected in our flexible scheduling, with extended hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and our adherence to New York State laws allowing direct access to physical therapy without a referral for up to 30 days. With over two decades of service, we remain dedicated to evolving our practice while upholding the core values of trust, expertise, and patient-centered care.
Services
Physical Therapy
Aquatic Therapy
Manual Therapy
Kinesiotaping
Electric Stimulation
Return to Work Hardening
Return to Sport Testing
Details
- Year established: 2002
Highlights and features
- We offer over 20 years of experience in orthopedic and neurological physical therapy.
- Our team includes clinicians trained in advanced manual therapy techniques.
- We accept 15+ major insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid.
- Our facility features a treatment pool and hot tub for aquatic therapy.
- We provide direct access to care under New York State law without physician referrals.
What people say
Amazing team
Improved flexibility
Family-like staff
Avoided surgery
Engaging sessions
Services
Physical Therapy
Our physical therapy services address musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and cardiopulmonary disorders through customized treatment plans. We specialize in post-operative recovery, injury rehabilitation, and chronic pain management using evidence-based techniques. Patients benefit from one-on-one care focused on restoring mobility, reducing pain, and preventing future injuries through therapeutic exercises and education.
Aquatic Therapy
Aquatic therapy utilizes our treatment pool to provide low-impact rehabilitation for patients with weight-bearing limitations. The waters buoyancy reduces joint stress while allowing strength and mobility exercises. This service is ideal for overweight patients, post-surgical recovery, and chronic pain conditions like arthritis, offering a safe environment for gradual improvement in cardiovascular health and functional movement.
Manual Therapy
Manual therapy involves skilled hand techniques to mobilize joints and soft tissues, providing fast pain relief and improved flexibility. Our clinicians use spinal manipulation, joint mobilization, and soft tissue massage to address restrictions and enhance mobility. This approach is particularly effective for back pain, neck pain, and sports injuries, complementing other therapeutic interventions for accelerated recovery.
Kinesiotaping
Kinesiotaping applies elastic therapeutic tape to support muscles and joints without restricting movement. This technique improves posture, reduces swelling, and enhances proprioception for better joint stability. Commonly used for knee, ankle, and shoulder conditions, it provides drug-free pain relief and supports recovery during physical activity, making it popular among athletes and active individuals.
Electric Stimulation
Electric stimulation (TENS) uses low-voltage electrical currents to reduce pain and stimulate blood flow to injured areas. Combined with heat or cold therapy, this modality interrupts pain signals and promotes healing. Its particularly effective for acute injuries, post-surgical recovery, and chronic conditions like tendonitis, offering non-invasive pain management as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation plan.
People
Andrew Perilli
Doctor of Physical Therapy and Owner
Andrew Perilli, a Lockport native, has practiced outpatient physical therapy since 2017. He purchased Advantage Physical Therapy in 2021 and focuses on improving clinical skills and community care. He graduated from Daemen College with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy and prioritizes patient-centered rehabilitation.
Alana Szewczyk
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Alana Szewczyk earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University at Buffalo in 2023. A former collegiate athlete, she specializes in injury rehabilitation and patient education. She joined Advantage Physical Therapy in 2023, bringing expertise in exercise science and a passion for helping others stay healthy.
Meaghan McKeever
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Meaghan McKeever joined Advantage Physical Therapy in 2021. She graduated from the University at Buffalo with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2020. Her background in collegiate rowing fuels her focus on sports-related injuries and functional rehabilitation, emphasizing long-term patient wellness.
Emily Arnone
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Emily Arnone graduated from Daemen College with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2020. She specializes in sports injury rehabilitation, drawing from her own experience with competitive cheerleading injuries. She joined Advantage Physical Therapy in 2021, focusing on active recovery and patient education.
Justin Budniewski
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Justin Budniewski has practiced physical therapy since 2020, following a background in collegiate exercise science. He joined Advantage Physical Therapy in 2023, specializing in post-injury rehabilitation and functional movement restoration. His approach combines manual therapy with sport-specific training for athletes and active individuals.
Questions
What do orthopedic physical therapists do?
Orthopedic physical therapists diagnose and treat musculoskeletal conditions affecting bones, joints, muscles, and ligaments using manual techniques, exercises, and modalities.
How does a physical therapist diagnose without imaging?
Physical therapists use clinical tests and years of training to identify musculoskeletal issues without imaging, often guiding referrals for further testing when needed.
How often are PT sessions needed?
Most patients attend physical therapy twice weekly, with frequency adjusted based on injury severity and progress toward recovery goals.
What happens during a follow-up PT visit?
Follow-up visits include manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, education on pain management, and progression of home exercise programs to accelerate recovery.
Can I start PT with severe pain?
Yes, physical therapists use gentle, pain-free techniques to safely mobilize injured tissues and reduce symptoms early in the healing process.
What is manual therapy?
Manual therapy involves hands-on techniques to mobilize joints and soft tissues, providing pain relief, improved flexibility, and enhanced function through skilled clinician interventions.
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