ATI Physical Therapy

Was handed off to multiple therapist. I don’t believe I had the same one twice in a row. They actually had a student work on me multiple times and charge me the full rate. I am a quiet person and at one time when I didn’t respond that I was finished with a exercise I was told that I was Creepy!!! I wouldn’t want someone to feel uncomfortable around me so I figured it was a good idea just to discontinue Therapy all together.

ATI was geographically convenient to my old apartment, so when my doctor prescribed physical therapy it seemed this place was a no-​brainer. In retrospect, perhaps I should have used my brain a little more when it came to choosing a place for physical therapy.
First and foremost, I can honestly say that I was not properly informed about their billing practices — and to be frank, they’re billing system is very confusing and they generally avoid explaining it to you. Again, this is something they do not go into great detail about and in fact, I was just told (by Malory) that post insurance my cost would be $ 25 – 30 a session. Fast forward to now and I discovered that I was being charged $ 40 – 50! Sounds fishy, right? A huge red flag that I should have noticed right away has to do with the fact that they do not send you one bill until your therapy is complete. Had I seen one bill I would have asked some questions early on. So as it turns out you are charged on a time basis, not per appointment — now that I know this is the case, I have serious issues with how this is handled and how the employees conduct themselves here.
Kim was my physical therapist and she was very friendly. But something I always had a huge problem with is that Kim and all of the staff are super chatty and spend a lot of time socializing with one another — this distracted Kim often and she would take much longer to get me out of the door. Had I known I was being charged on a time basis, I would have spoken up more and asked her to focus more on her job rather than chit chat. There were even a few times I was late for things I had scheduled afterwards because my appointments would run over. But seriously, if you go there, you’ll find that all of the employees socialize too much.
Additionally, they charge for «manual therapy» which Kim just started doing as part of the plan she made for me (and I probably didn’t need it) — I DID NOT KNOW THERE WAS AN EXTRA COST FOR THIS. She basically took a roller to my hip/​leg to roll out my muscle for 15 minutes — sometimes she’d take much longer to do this as everyone chit chatted with one another… chit chatting can be distracting and cause you to do your job much slower, which is what happened (she even told me she gets distracted). So not only are you charged extra for manual therapy, but you are charged on a time basis for manual therapy in addition to the time you’re being charged there anyway. Oh and you are also being charged for your physical therapist’s chit chat time…
Now that I have my bill I called the customer service number, they explained the manual therapy and time basis billing to me (after the fact). I informed them of the socializing and the fact that Kim would be working with more than 1 patient at a time (more distraction, less time to work with you consistently, and more time added to your bill), and I also complained about not being properly informed of the billing practices. I basically was told too bad as the times Kim wrote down are what I’ll be charged. Totally ridiculous! I feel very misinformed, taken advantage of, and very ripped off. I recommend you avoid this place.
PS– I will be filing a complaint with the BBB

Kim was my physical therapist, and she was nice, except she didn’t really do anything but tell me what to do. No correction of form, tips etc. She would be working with at least 2 people, often more, at the same time so after I finished with an exercise she wouldn’t notice and I would just sit there waiting for her to finish up with the other patients.
I would have given this place three stars just based and Kim’s mediocre performance until I found out this place charges outrageous prices! I was charged close to $ 400 for 45 minutes of physical therapy and they wanted me to come in 3/​week. They charge your insurance if they put a hand on you and call it «manual therapy», meaning that if they rub your back for 3 minutes they can charge your insurance close to $ 100, and if they do it twice they can charge your insurance around $ 200. That is in addition to the $ 200 or so they charge you for doing exercises. They even charged me for a hot pack! I wouldn’t have minded so much if I was told in advance, but they don’t ask you, they will just say «oh let me rub out your muscles» and rub you back on a table in front of 5 other people in the main room. I only found out about it when I got the bill and called to see why I was charged so much. Seriously 10 minutes at most and they charged around $ 100 for a back rub. Don’t you think they would tell someone that they were charging you for those services, especially at those prices?! That is like getting your hair cut for $ 50 and them charging an extra $ 50 because they blew dry your hair.
The staff was really friendly, but that doesn’t make up for the fact that they charge the highest prices I have ever seen and don’t spend much personal time with you.
It is crushing to have a serious medical problem and then have a company use that as an excuse to empty your bank account.

Being an ex-​Rugby player, this isn’t my first therapy rodeo, but it has been my best therapy experience. I can honestly say that I have fun going to physical therapy. The staff are knowledgeable, friendly, personable and attentive. They push you when you need pushed and know when you need to dial it down a notch. I’ve been seeing Kim for a ruptured Achilles tendon for the past 2 months and couldn’t be more pleased with my results. ATI provides a ride service for patients who have trouble walking or with leg injuries — what a fantastic service for a Physical Therapy office! I have already recommended a friend to ATI and would give the same recommendation to anyone I meet.

ATI is a great place to go to. Everybody is super friendly, caring and has a great sense of humor. you don’t feel like just another number here. when you go to ATI it feels like they really care about you and it also feels more like you’re hanging out with good friends. the therapist angie and her helper are very good at what they do. they’re very attentive to your needs and make sure that you do the exercises well. the clinic is also super clean. I highly, highly recommend this place

Having had an unfortunate experience at Athletico on Clark Street (the staff didn’t work together, my therapist was more interested in reading «Bride» magazine in apparent preparation for her upcoming wedding (poor fellow), AND there was absolutely no sense of humor by anyone on the staff), this time when I needed physical therapy I was reluctant to start anywhere. Then I saw an article in the Chicago Tribune that named ATI as one of the best places to work. I figured if the workers are happy it would make a difference. It did, big time.
What a difference! Everyone there is friendly, cheerful and outgoing. The staff works together, not just with his or her assigned patient. I’ve had times when there are more therapists that patients there. When this happens the therapists help each other and help each of the patients. Not just one on one here, sometimes two on one, or three on one, even if the therapist just stops by and chats with you while your doing an exercise or in my case a therapist is bending my knee a little further than when I came in. It makes a difference. There’s no therapists reading magazines at ATI. If there are patients there, ALL of the staff is on the floor helping out. They all have a great sense of humor and they listen to you. The very friendly cheerful receptionist Mallory (spelling?) takes an interest in everyone there, and is always helpful in making changes to your schedule if that needs to be done.
By the way, the therapists aren’t a bunch of rah-​rah clones. They are a bunch of very competent individuals who are all friendly and compassionate.
Going through physical therapy after a bad injury has been very difficult. It’s been a lot of work, and it isn’t all fun, but working with folks who are cheerfully encouraging — rather than dryly pushing — has made a HUGE difference. Even when I don’t want to go, I leave happier, feeling that I’ve had a good experience and knowing I’ve done a positive thing.
The friendliness is infectious there. I’ve gotten to know some of the other patients. We’ve traded stories about why we’re there and we encourage each other. It’s not the rah-​rah of a gym. It’s people taking notice of each other, saying hi and being friendly.
The only thing that keeps me from making this a 5 star rating is there is no changing room except for the (large, very clean) bathroom. The bathroom is private to ATI, not public, but it would be a bit nicer to have a changing room.
I very highly recommend this facility and ALL of the staff.

Outstanding! My experience at ATI on Michigan Ave was excellent. Everything from calling to set up an appointment to the physical environment to my treatments were friendly and supportive. The staff quickly assessed my issues and came up with a treatment plan. All along the way communicating the goals and purpose. Everyone there is great. Be sure to ask for Angie. She is very impressive.

For the past couple of months I have been in physical therapy because of a surgically repaired Patellar tendon. Before the surgery I went to two other physical therapy clinics trying to rehab the injury. Had I come to ATI when I was first injured, I may not have even needed the surgery. Christy is my physical therapist, and she has been everything I could have ever asked for. She is extremely knowledgeable and has kept me informed throughout the entire process. If not for her, I’m not sure how I would have gotten through this injury. All of the people at the Avondale location have made this a very positive experience for me. Great people and a great facility! I would recommend them to anyone.

I’ve been going to ATI for a neck and nerve problem for the last month. I’ve never been to physical therapy for anything before so I can’t compare Avondale ATI to anyplace else, but I think this place is a great choice. The facilities are clean and new, very well maintained and there is easy access to the machines. I feel very comfortable there (and if you’ve ever had to go to p.t. you know you’re there ALL the time so I think this is important.) My therapist is Amber who gives stellar care and is great to chat with to pass the time. She’s getting me back in tip-​top shape in no time at all. I’ve also worked with Christy who is also as knowledgeable and as nice as they come. Every person I’ve encountered there has a great demeanor and is very professional. I’m happy to recommend them!

Breaking your elbow sucks. Physical Therapy isn’t exactly fun either. That said, if anyone must go through this torture I highly recommend the people at this ATI location. The facilities are top notch too.
My therapist, Karen, was extremely professional and kind and made me feel comfortable even while I was in extreme pain during my stretches. She was very knowledgeable about my injury and explained exactly why I was feeling pain, why there was swelling and and what needed to be done. When she went on vacation for 2 weeks I was a bit anxious about having replacement therapists but they were also very friendly and caring. The other employees are all super friendly and treat their clients like friends while still remaining professional.
Highly recommended for anyone that needs any type of physical or occupational therapy.