Physical Therapy in Buffalo, NY, led by Doctors of Physical Therapy
Back and neck pain, sports injuries and recovery after surgery. You work directly with your physical therapist from the first evaluation to the day you graduate, and with most plans you can start without a referral.
- No referral needed for most plans
- Most major WNY plans accepted
- $100 self-pay evaluation
531 Virginia Street, Buffalo
Find the right care in two taps
Choose an area to see the conditions we treat and how physical therapy helps.
Neck and head
Neck pain, tension headaches and arm symptoms often start in the neck.
Shoulder
Pain lifting, reaching overhead or sleeping on your side.
Back
Low back pain is the most common reason people start physical therapy.
Elbow and wrist
Overuse pain at the elbow or wrist from work, sport or daily tasks.
Hip
Hip and buttock pain, or recovery after a hip replacement.
Knee
Runner's knee, arthritis, meniscus irritation or rehab after surgery.
Ankle and foot
Sprains, Achilles and running injuries.
Orthopedic physical therapy for the problems that keep you from moving
Back pain and spine care
Low back pain, herniated discs and sciatica, assessed with the McKenzie Method so treatment matches how your pain behaves.
Learn moreNeck pain and headaches
Stiff necks, whiplash, pinched nerves and neck-related headaches, with a plan you can keep up at home.
Learn moreRehab after surgery
Knee and hip replacement, ACL reconstruction and rotator cuff repair, coordinated with your surgeon's protocol.
Learn moreSports physical therapy
Sprains, strains and overuse injuries, with a clear path back to running, lifting and competing.
Learn moreShoulder and knee pain
Rotator cuff problems, frozen shoulder, runner's knee and arthritis, treated with hands-on care and progressive strength.
Learn moreBlood flow restriction training
Build strength with lighter loads when heavy lifting is not an option yet, guided by a certified clinician.
Learn moreA spine assessment built around how your pain behaves
Back and neck pain rarely follow a script. The McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) tests how your symptoms respond to specific, repeated movements and positions. The response tells us what kind of problem you have and which exercises are likely to help, so you are not handed a generic sheet of stretches.
Dr. Will Tso, PT, DPT, is certified in MDT, and both owners have built their practice around it. You learn how to manage your own symptoms, which is what keeps pain from coming back.
How a McKenzie evaluation worksListen
Your history, your goals and what makes symptoms better or worse.
Test
Repeated movements and positions to see how your symptoms respond.
Explain
What is going on, shown with joint models, in plain language.
Empower
Exercises you can do yourself, progressed until you no longer need us.
With most plans, you can start physical therapy without one
New York is a direct access state. Pick how you will pay and we will show you exactly what you need before your first visit.
- 10 visits or 30 daysDirect access, whichever comes first
- No-FaultReferral required
- Workers' CompensationReferral required
No referral needed to start for most plans
New York lets you see a licensed physical therapist for up to 10 visits or 30 days, whichever comes first, without a referral. Some plans still require one before they will pay, so we check your benefits first. You will sign a short notice about coverage at your first visit.
How direct access worksNo referral needed to start
Medicare does not require a referral, but your physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant certifies the plan of care your therapist writes. We coordinate that for you. Some Medicare Advantage plans also need prior authorization.
Medicare physical therapyA referral is required
No-Fault covers physical therapy with a referral from your provider. Bring your claim number and adjuster's details, and notify your auto insurer in writing within 30 days of the accident.
Car accident physical therapyA referral is required
Workers' Compensation covers physical therapy with a referral from your treating physician, physician assistant, podiatrist or nurse practitioner. Bring your Workers' Compensation Board case number and carrier information.
Workers' Compensation physical therapyNo referral needed to start
Under direct access you can begin right away. Self-pay rates are $100 for the evaluation and $70 for each follow-up visit.
Pricing and self-payCheck your insurance in seconds
We accept most major Western New York plans, including Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Independent Health, Univera, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Fidelis, Molina, the Empire Plan, Tricare and Medicare, plus Workers' Compensation, No-Fault and most Medicaid managed care plans.
Not covered, or prefer to pay directly? Evaluations are $100 and follow-up visits are $70.
Nothing you type leaves this page. Plans and benefits vary, so we confirm your coverage before your first visit.
From first call to back on your feet
Request a time
Call or request an appointment. We check your benefits and tell you what to expect.
Evaluation
A one-on-one exam with your physical therapist, who finds what is driving your pain.
Your plan
Hands-on care, targeted exercise and education, adjusted every visit as you improve.
Keep it going
Graduate with a plan you own, plus an optional supervised gym program after discharge.
You work directly with your physical therapist
An owner-led practice: the Doctors of Physical Therapy who run Lake Erie PT are the people treating you.
Dr. Will Tso, PT, DPT, Cert. MDT
Certified in the McKenzie Method (MDT) and Level 1 certified in blood flow restriction training.
Read bio
Dr. Ryan Mitchell, PT, DPT
Orthopedic physical therapist at this Buffalo clinic since 2017, with a practice built around the McKenzie Method.
Read bio
Evan Johnston, PTA
Physical therapist assistant and local coach for Frontier wrestling and Grand Island football.
Read bioEasy to reach from anywhere in Buffalo
531 Virginia Street, Suite 1
Buffalo, NY 14202
On Virginia Street between Allentown and the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.
- Right now
- Mon to Fri, open as early as 7 AM
- Metro Rail
- Allen/Medical Campus station, about a 4-minute walk
- Bus
- Stops at Main and Virginia, and at Virginia and Delaware
- Parking
- Street parking nearby
| Monday | 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM to 6:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM to 6:30 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM to 6:30 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM to 4 PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
531 Virginia Street, Suite 1
Buffalo, NY 14202
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Physical therapy for Buffalo and 72 nearby communities
One clinic on Virginia Street, with patients from the Northtowns, the Southtowns, Niagara County and beyond. Every community below has its own page: the drive, the school districts and how physical therapy fits into a week there.
Northtowns
East of Buffalo
Southtowns
Questions Buffalo patients ask us
Not sure about a referral, your coverage or your first visit? Call us and we will walk you through it.
Call (716) 332-4838Do I need a referral for physical therapy in New York?
For most plans, no. New York's direct access law lets you see a licensed physical therapist for up to 10 visits or 30 days, whichever comes first, without a referral. No-Fault and Workers' Compensation cases do need a referral, and some insurance plans require one before they will pay. See how it works.
Do you take my insurance?
We accept Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Independent Health, Univera, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Fidelis, Molina, the Empire Plan, Tricare, Medicare, Workers' Compensation and No-Fault, plus most Medicaid managed care plans, including Independent Health, Highmark, Molina, Fidelis and UnitedHealthcare. We are out-of-network for most Cigna and Humana plans and do not accept straight (fee-for-service) Medicaid. Check your plan.
How much does physical therapy cost without insurance?
Self-pay rates are $100 for the first evaluation and $70 for each follow-up visit. See pricing.
What happens at my first visit?
Your physical therapist takes a full history, examines how your symptoms respond to movement, explains what is going on in plain language and starts treatment. You leave with a plan and exercises to begin at home. First visit details.
Where are you located, and is there parking?
We are at 531 Virginia Street, Suite 1, between Allentown and the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. Street parking is nearby, and the Allen/Medical Campus Metro Rail station is about a 4-minute walk. Directions and hours.
Start physical therapy this week
With most plans, you can begin without a referral under New York's direct access law. Call us or request a time, and we will confirm your coverage before your first visit.