Business Details
Your Trusted Partner for Physical Therapy Solutions
Pittsburgh Performance Physical Therapy was founded on the principle that physical therapy should be personalized, evidence-based, and focused on delivering measurable outcomes. Our team of licensed therapists brings decades of combined experience in treating a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, specializing in sports rehabilitation, pre/post-surgical care, and performance-based therapy. We prioritize one-on-one care, ensuring each patient receives individualized attention and a treatment plan tailored to their unique needs. Our approach integrates advanced techniques such as dry needling, IASTM, and vestibular therapy to address both acute and chronic pain.With a commitment to continuous education, our therapists stay at the forefront of industry advancements to provide cutting-edge care. We emphasize transparency, patient education, and long-term wellness, empowering clients to regain mobility, prevent future injuries, and achieve their personal goals. Our facility in Pittsburgh offers a welcoming environment designed to foster trust, collaboration, and lasting recovery.
Services
Physical Therapy
Sports Rehabilitation
Dry Needling
IASTM Treatment
Vestibular Therapy
Pre/Post-Surgery Rehab
Running Analysis
Performing Arts Therapy
Massage Therapy
Chronic Pain Management
Highlights and features
- We offer one-on-one care with licensed therapists for personalized treatment
- Our therapists hold advanced certifications in specialized techniques like dry needling
- Customized treatment plans adapt to your progress and evolving needs
- We accept most major insurance providers for accessible care
- Flexible hours available Monday through Friday with early appointments
What people say
Excellent service
Real results
Personalized care
Knowledgeable therapists
Flexible scheduling
Services
Physical Therapy
Our physical therapy programs address pain, injury, and mobility limitations through evidence-based interventions. Each session includes real-time assessments to adjust treatment based on your daily progress. Therapists utilize manual techniques, therapeutic exercises, and modalities to restore function and prevent re-injury. Patients receive education on posture, body mechanics, and home exercise programs to support long-term recovery and maintain independence in daily activities.
Sports Rehabilitation
Specialized sports rehab focuses on accelerating recovery from athletic injuries while enhancing performance. Treatment integrates strength training, agility drills, and sport-specific movement patterns to rebuild resilience. Therapists conduct biomechanical assessments to identify risk factors and implement injury prevention strategies. Programs emphasize progressive loading, neuromuscular retraining, and functional testing to ensure safe return-to-play timelines for athletes at all competition levels.
Dry Needling
Dry needling targets myofascial trigger points to alleviate chronic muscle tightness and pain. Thin filament needles stimulate healing responses in affected tissues, breaking the pain cycle and improving circulation. This technique effectively treats headaches, TMJ dysfunction, and repetitive strain injuries by resetting dysfunctional neuromuscular patterns. Sessions combine needling with corrective exercises to address underlying biomechanical imbalances for lasting relief.
IASTM Treatment
Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) uses specialized tools to detect and treat adhesions in muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This technique improves range of motion by breaking down fibrous scar tissue and stimulating collagen remodeling. Common applications include plantar fasciitis, tendonopathies, and post-surgical restrictions. Treatment combines tool-based mobilization with stretching protocols to restore tissue elasticity and functional movement patterns.
Vestibular Therapy
Vestibular rehabilitation addresses dizziness, vertigo, and balance deficits through customized exercise programs. Therapists implement gaze stabilization drills, habituation exercises, and balance retraining to improve central nervous system adaptation. Treatment protocols target BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) and other vestibular disorders through canalith repositioning maneuvers. Patients learn compensatory strategies to reduce fall risk and regain confidence in daily activities.
People
Dr. Elisabeth Wheeler
Owner and Physical Therapist
Dr. Wheeler specializes in performing arts physical therapy and sports rehabilitation. With a doctorate in physical therapy and advanced training in manual therapy, she develops personalized treatment plans for musicians, dancers, and athletes. Her approach combines hands-on techniques with performance-specific exercises to restore function and prevent re-injury.
Dr. Kathryn Barry
Physical Therapist
Dr. Barry holds advanced certifications in orthopedic manual therapy. She specializes in treating complex musculoskeletal conditions using evidence-based interventions. Her expertise includes post-surgical rehabilitation and movement pattern analysis to optimize patient outcomes through comprehensive, individualized care plans.
Twauna T.
Physical Therapy Assistant
Twauna supports patient care with hands-on assistance during therapy sessions. She implements treatment plans under therapist supervision, focusing on exercise instruction and therapeutic activities. Her role emphasizes patient education and progress monitoring to facilitate effective rehabilitation outcomes.
Questions
What makes Pittsburgh Performance Physical Therapy different from other clinics?
We provide one-on-one care with expert therapists who create customized treatment plans. Our approach combines advanced techniques like dry needling with hands-on manual therapy for faster, more effective recovery.
Do I need a referral to start physical therapy?
Pennsylvania's Direct Access law allows evaluation and treatment without a physician referral. However, some insurance plans may require one for coverage verification purposes.
What should I wear to physical therapy sessions?
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows movement. Athletic shoes are recommended for mobility assessments and exercise portions of treatment sessions.
How long do typical therapy sessions last?
Sessions range from 30-60 minutes depending on individual treatment plans. Initial evaluations typically take longer to complete comprehensive assessments and goal setting.
What types of conditions do you treat?
We treat musculoskeletal conditions including sports injuries, chronic pain, post-surgical rehabilitation, TMJ disorders, and vestibular/balance issues using evidence-based, personalized treatment approaches.
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