Excel Physical Therapy – Walnut Street

I don’t know if it’s because I come from a culture where people deal with bodily pain and don’t whine or if it’s just me who doesn’t (didn’t) believe in physical therapy, but I was too hesitant to ask for some help with some weird pain in my left shoulder. When the pain was reaching the highest level of bothering, I finally asked my PCP for a referral and she put me down for Excel.
A couple of months back, I was putting my body through a lot of strenuous activity. On top of all of that, I was also in a lot of stress. Yes, stress can cause lots of weird pain throughout the body without us realizing it. While popping an Advil may help for the moment, I chose not to go through that route. I was waking up every day with a sharp pain in my left shoulder. I had pain moving, exercising and the end of the day I was just too uncomfortable.
I called immediately after my PCP gave me the referral. The receptionist is wonderful. She took down my information while clearly explained what I was going to expect at the first visit. The facility is conviently located in Center City. Moreover, they work around your schedule to make sure that you can make it there either before or after work. Each session is about 60 minutes. I got to work in improving my pain with the lovely, Alex. She’s patient, comprehensive and cautious. One day, she wasn’t able to see me and scheduled me with John. He’s again very wonderful to work with. I have to say that they pain in my shoulder definitely diminished after I went to 6 sessions. Alex wanted to me complete the full two month period but I had to stop due to the fact that I got another health issue and was afraid that the limit on my health insurance card was going to run out.
For anyone who needs PT, do not go anywhere else. This facility is super professional, clean and they will take good care of you.

I can’t say enough about my experience at Excel and my physical therapist Brett. When presented with the options of either surgery or physical therapy I choose the latter and couldn’t have made a better choice. From start to finish Brett was there every step of the way encouraging and motivating my recovery. As each week went on and my recovery improved, he tailored each session not only challenging me but keeping me excited and interested. He listened to any questions, comments or feedback I had and provided me with a thoughtful response. As a first time patient I really felt like he cared as much about my recovery as I did. I couldn’t have asked for a better PT.
The facility at excel is fantastic as well as clean. The rest of the staff is wonderful and share a nice comradery that makes patients feel comfortable and safe.
I hobbled (literally) into excel and after 3 months of diligent work with Brett I avoided surgery and am getting stronger each day.

I’m a guy with what’s called «chronic ankle injuries.» Dat chronic struck again a few months ago when I sprained the left one badly and it refused to heal. So I ended up at Excel for PT with Lisa. Lisa explained that my ankles have gone through so much bs that they grew extra tissue and that’s why when I bend my feet up they look like they have a chubby piece on the side (my feet are otherwise up to society’s strict standards for foot slimness). More importantly, she worked with me a couple times a week so I can do all my normal activities without pain and with less risk of re-​injury. PT is never easy, that’s kind of the point, but Lisa pushed me hard enough and gave me exercises to do at home so I can continue to strengthen at home. She was also just plain nice. I had to cancel and reschedule a couple of appointments, which was never a problem, and she was easy to reach by email.
Besides the actual therapy part, the office and amenities are excellent too. Every one of the people sitting at the front desk is so friendly and welcoming. They remembered me and greeted me by name every time I went in. They also took care of all the insurance nonsense for me. The waiting room has a water cooler and a Keurig for coffee or tea, so that’s another bonus. Although I don’t know who can drink a cup of coffee before working out.

They are the best. No one likes going to PT. However, the people who work here are just fabulous and make it a pleasant experience. They are very hospitable and accommodating. It is very busy but my therapist Matt does a great job multi-​tasking and is able to split his attention.

Friendly and knowledgeable staff and clean facility. Also fixed my lower back issues and improved my chronic neck pain.

First, let me openly and unabashedly say I love my physical therapist Kristen Stankus.
I came to Excel after weeks of leg pain that was only alleviated by steroids. Walking more than a city block without pain was out of the question and I was beginning to seriously fear losing my mobility. After my initial consultation Kristen assessed that the problem was really my back.
I was doubtful… but willing to try whatever she suggested.
We started off slow with various stretches; movements trying to pinpoint what would or wouldn’t help. After one session Kristen was on track and had a fairly clear idea of how to progress, which she explained to me at every step. She answered all my questions and never appeared offended when I voiced my doubts. She is personable, pleasant and I believe genuinely concerned about her clients. I never felt like I was being rushed thru my sessions.
She actively listened and engaged in conversation.
She clearly explained each movement and why it was necessary. I never felt like I wasn’t an active participate in my own improvement.
I was given weekly homework to accomplish between our visits.
Within a few weeks… I slowly begin to remember what it felt like to walk without pain.
I have one more week of therapy and I have to say, I’m happy to feel MUCH, MUCH better.
As for the office itself;
Spacious, clean, well lit and appointed. Excel appeared to be well stocked, plenty of equipment to help move you along in your recovery. Prompt appointments and a clean environment. The women at the receptionist desk always, always remembered my name even before signing in for my appointments! LoL
Initially I balked about the $ 35.00 co-​pay because of my insurance however Kristen and Excel were worth every dime.

I was skeptical of needing physical therapy, but the only other option was knee surgery so I figured I should give this a try first. I had just moved to Philadelphia a few months prior and I was clueless about where to go for my physical therapy. I found out that I lived and worked near Excel Physical Therapy so the convenience was a major factor. The facilities were very clean and the employee’s were always friendly and personable.
I suffered from an injury commonly referred to as «Runner’s Knee». On my first visit I was set up with Brian and we went through a range of exercises to examine the depth of my injury and my current mobility. I was extremely frustrated because I would generally be fine walking, running, etc. and then at a random moment walking, standing up, or going up/​down the stairs I would experience a sharp pain under my knee cap and my leg would give out. I told Brian about my issues and my passion for running. I took his advice and dialed back on the exercise and came in for PT sessions twice a week. I must admit I was annoyed at first that I was only allowed to do such subtle exercises and didn’t feel like I would ever make progress. Once we moved onto weighted squats I started to feel like I was making progress.
Brian was very good about scheduling/​rescheduling with me and honest about what I should expect. It freaked me out when he told me not to get my hopes up about running and that after an injury I might never regain the ability I had in the past.
I am happy to report after completing my physical therapy at Excel I was able to get back to my love of running and a year later I ran my first half marathon in the 2013 Philadelphia Half Marathon AND this year I’ll be running my first marathon in the 2014 Philadelphia Marathon! Thank you Excel :)

Still kicking it with Hana, who still remains fabulous, but now Meryl also deserves a shout out!
I’m a regular at «club excel» and continuing treatment for various back ailments, including but not limited to a herniated disc pressing on my nerve roots & causing sciatica. Last month over the course of a week I developed severe shoulder pain. When did I realize I needed help? When I got stuck in my outfit and couldn’t lift my arm enough to get out.
One rotator cuff tendinitis diagnosis & cortisone shot later, I started adding shoulder exercises to my Excel regimen. Unfortunately weeks later I was still in pain and barely able to do the simplest of exercises. Fast forward to one session with Meryl while Hana was on vacay, and my shoulder is on it’s way to recovery.
Apparently your first rib can get lodged under your collar bone* making it physically impossible for your body to move the way it should. Meryl was able to assess the situation, and sent my rib packing back to where it belonged with a not-​so-​painless mobilization. I saw an immediate change in my range of motion, and two days later the pain was gone.
Bottom line, Excel is great for treating more than just your back. And if you’re unable to see Hana, Meryl is another excellent choice.
* I may have over simplified this, but that’s my basic understanding of what happened. And it’s not surprising given my daily contortion routine to keep my back in check.

Very professional and engaged staff. Jordan was my PT and she was very thorough, efficient, friendly, attentive, and most of all great at her job. I would definitely go back.

I needed PT for my IT band. I’m an avid runner and things had gotten so bad that I went from routine, 22-​mile weekend runs to not being able to run… no, hobble… 6 miles without having to stop because of excruciating pain. I ended up having to take almost a month off, which depressed me because I am in love with running. I saw Jen Breithhaupt PT, DPT at Excel and immediately liked her — she’s very down to earth and is a great listener. Each week, she gave me a series of easy but effective exercises to loosen up my IT band and strengthen my hips and glutes. She customized my program to my own schedule and to what my body responded to. I «graduated» after only 5 sessions with a great deal of improvement. I’m back to running again, longer and longer, with no pain. I’m so thankful for Jen’s help. So go see Jen. And do what she tells you!

I cannot rave enough about Excel PT! I tore my hamstring in September, and started seeing Sarah at Excel in November. She is the best! My first appointment was a general eval, where she tested me out to see how bad my injury was. After that, we started with easy/​moderate workouts, stretches, and strengthening exercises. I go twice a week. It is now end of December and Sarah says I am almost ready to end the program! The PT is working so well, and my hamstring is much more flexible, usable, and so much stronger than 2 months ago. She expects me to be fully functional by another 1 – 2 weeks! I will be able to participate in athletic events and dance classes again! I am so thrilled to have my leg back to normal use, and its no longer in pain.
Sarah is great, but honestly, everyone else at Excel is also great. They are young, passionate, knowledgeable, and really care about your health and making you better. My roommate also went here for his shoulder, and saw Keith (I think that’s his name), and he loved him also. Thank you Excel for helping my torn hamstring heal the proper way! You guys rock!

Great physical therapy place! I work with Hana, and she does a great job really challenging me at every session, and I’ve had an awesome recovery from my back pain. They are very professional and you can even buy the apparatus that you need to complete your at home exercises there so you don’t have to go on a hunt around town for stuff. Great therapists, location, and services!

I’m so very happy I went to this group. Kristin helped me progress to a level of flexibility and strength I have not enjoyed for the better part of my life. It was difficult work, and I have to keep up with the neck and back exercises daily, but I’m pain free for the first time in years.
My experience is– go in, do the work, and you won’t be disappointed.

I went here for a whole to rehabilitate my shoulder. The PT, sarah, I worked with was really really good. She knew her stuff and really helped my shoulder heal. I did feel like they were too focused on getting as many clients as they could in the least amount of time instead of focusing on needs.

I’m disappointed to see a group so focused on forcing clients to come in the door to pay for a session, versus meeting their needs when they make a reasonable request. Here’s the story, judge for yourself:
1) I went into Excel after I messed up my shoulder doing some exercises and needed to improve my range of motion, retrain my muscles, and reduce some pain.
2) I went for three sessions with a PT back in April. They were professional, helpful, friendly, and quick to identify my issues and figure out how to rebuild my muscles to behave properly. Good so far? I agree. Based upon the feedback from the PT, they said the program they’d provided me would address my issue and I could use that during my upcoming summer of travel. Let me repeat, I have no issue with the quality of the PTs, when you’re at Excel and paying. The experienced PTs were good, though a bit distracted, as they seem to be managing a lot of clients and training new PTs.
3) I moved away from Philadelphia for the summer and used the exercises they provided me during my summer travels, based upon what we’d reviewed in our sessions. They provide you a few sheets that review proper form and sequence, before you leave.
4) I called Excel this morning to get another one of those sheets, because I’ve since lost mine in my travels and wanted to make sure I was still doing the exercises correctly, which had been working well.
5) Despite having a complete record of the exercises given to me, as confirmed by the person who answered the phone this morning, she said the only way for me to get that sheet of exercises was to come in for a whole new session, during which the PT could (this is what the receptionist said, not me) review the exercises we’d gone over and then give me the sheet. This request was made by one of the PTs to the receptionist, as the receptionist intimated to me.
6) I don’t want to pay $ 100 to get a sheet of paper. If I’d re-​injured myself or was complaining of excessive pain or anything, these issues would warrant a new visit (at my discretion, right? I brought myself to them in the first place, so I clearly have some ability to identify when something needs a lot of attention). If this was the case, I’d appreciate that the PT would want to see me again.
7) All I want is that sheet of paper. $ 100 seems like a steep price. I’m sure the PT barely gave a second thought to this request for me to come, as many people use worker’s comp or someone else’s money to pay for their PT and are essentially price insensitive. However, this is my money and I’d prefer if they treated me more like a patient and customer, than an insurance company client with an expansive policy. Despite my request to reconsider this requirement, I was repeatedly rebuffed. In the end, the receptionist was rude, as though I’d made a ridiculous request.
Maybe this is just the way physical therapy companies are run. If it is, that’s a shame. I’m sorry for sounding so naïve.

Tweaked my shoulder badly, could barely raise it half-​way. I have full range of motion now, and will def go back if I were injured again.
They have great hours, and the admin staff is friendly, flexible, and patient. Kim DePaul was my PT — knowledgeable, skilled, and friendly, she would keep changing my exercise to keep me from being bored, and was always encouraging (even when I was tired and whiney and so ridiculously below-​average strength that I can barely do a push up even when I’m not injured). And she does ART, which totally rocks.
The rest of the staff are great too. Their PT Aides, many of whom are gearing up to become PTs themselves, are all friendly and helpful. Often saw the PTs teaching the aides and explaining the physiology, and the aides taking the time to ask questions and understand what’s going on — as a patient, it was very reassuring to know that the PT is knowledgeable and that training is continuous amongst the staff.
My left shoulder loves Kim, and would take her home for the holidays and bake her cookies.