Impressed with everything about this place. Beautiful new studio in a hip area of East Austin. We booked online to try out pilates as part of a rehab program for my boyfriend's lower back. April Perez, the instructor was phenomenal. She was so patient and knowledgable. She took her time to make sure every exercise was right for the injury he had and had excellent advice for future treatment. So easy to book and schedule online. Payment online also a plus. No hassle. Will definitely be back! read more

Yes, curiosity killed a cat, but sometimes curiosity can save your back, sciatic nerve, IT band, and your feet. I'm not really a mess (physically, anyway). I don't suffer from chronic pain, but I do see people my age being introduced to it all the time...friends with lower back pain that just doesn't go away, or nags them when they turn quickly. Color me slightly paranoid, but that is certainly not the life for me. That's why when I heard that physical therapy at Bodywise can be taught as a preventative, I decided to give it whirl in hopes of saving me from future years of Ben-Gay and bribing grandchildren with quarters to rub sore spots. To be honest, I thought my curiosity was going to kill me. As someone that's never done Pilates, the machines in Rupal's studio were intimidating. But Rupal was great at calming my fears, and was great at explaining how they all worked. It only took Rupal a couple of seconds to check out my strut and help me realize that I was setting myself up for a world of future pain. My feet were pronated, which is something I had been told since I was little. And with a few simple exercises she helped me correct my gait and my stance. Turns out, I was using the wrong muscles to walk. And once she corrected my stance, I felt completely different, in a good way! I was more grounded, my core was engaged more (even when just standing), and I noticed new muscles contractions when I walked. As someone that always felt fine, it was new and exciting to feel how inefficiently I was using my body! Although I'm a pretty easy case compared to the other clients that Rupal sees, I was amazed at the difference one session makes. So whether you're suffering from chronic pain, trying to prevent a future mishap, or cat-like curious, Rupal and Bodywise are for you. read more

Rupal has a fundamental understanding of the human body. Eight months ago I tore all 3 of my hamstrings from my pelvis, had a big surgery and spent 2 months in bed. I dedicated a massive part of the next 6 months to rehabing this injury, spent a lot of money on deep tissue work and myofacial release and countless hours with other PTs. Nobody helped me more than Rupal. She helped me understand my limitations and why my injury happened in the first place. If you are recovering from an injury, an overuse syndrome or want to take your training to the next level, I highly recommend you invest in yourself and book an appointment with her (if you can get one she is very popular) read more

Had my first free appointment with Rupal this morning. I'm an athlete, a rower, and I've been having some over-use injuries, and some other just "daily life" injuries I guess. Who doesn't have those? In any case, I'm not sure what I expected, I had never done any Pilates anything before. Happy to say I got some excellent feedback and took home some things that I can work on to help my injuries, my day-to-day posture, and just to feel better about moving my body the way I was born to move. Rupal know her stuff! She has an eye for even the tiniest body movements, and explains everything in easy-to-understand terms. After putting me through a few exercises and stretches, I even saw some results during the visit, which I thought was pretty amazing. Runner? Cyclist? Anybody? I would highly recommend going to this place. As a coach, I would send my athletes there. Get in and see what it's all about. Learn how to move your body in a smarter way. Plus, they just opened and it's FREE right now, so you really have nothing to lose. read more

I've been seeing Rupal almost every other week for about 3.5 months and couldn't be happier with the results. I've had ongoing, significant pain and discomfort with my shoulder, neck and back for over 3 years. I had been to 4 other PT's, tried Airrosti, tried dry needling, got massages - nothing has been nearly as helpful as my time with Rupal. From the first 20 minutes of our first session, I could tell she had a solid idea of what was going on in my body to cause pain. She takes a holistic approach - examining and working with the entire body since everything is so interconnected. Each session is a totally personalized and hands-on experience. She spends most of the hour long session doing manual therapy and will give a few meaningful exercises for you to do on your own. As long as I did these exercises every day, in addition to the manual sessions, I was very quickly on my way to recovery. After trying multiple Physical Therapy places that accepted my insurance and having negative to incredibly negative experiences at each of them (30 short minutes of people so obviously checked out, attention divided, giving me some exercise worksheets and sending me on my way, etc), I decided I'd go see a PT that doesn't accept insurance in hopes that I'd get better care. Best decision ever; It's worth every penny. As another part of my recovery, I started seeing a personal trainer (Pat at Athletic Outcomes, who I also highly recommend) to work on gaining strength and repatterning my movement to lead to a stronger, healthier and pain free body. Rupal has been awesome at helping me communicate my issues to him and answering any questions that arise from my outside training sessions, to ensure that everything is working well together. I really felt like she went the extra mile with this and it's very appreciated. I cannot thank Rupal enough. I almost started crying from relief and happiness the other day because I felt so good & pain free for the first time in a long time. Don't hesitate, go see her! read more

The Pilates-based rehab I've gotten at Bodywise has been able to do what no other physical therapy has accomplished in the seven years that I've been dealing with injury -- get me running distance again, pain-free. Whereas traditional PT seems to focus only on building up weaker muscles, Rupal takes a more holistic approach, also addressing alignment, core strength and flexibility. Most importantly, she works with you to reprogram your body to use the proper muscles to trigger and perform various movements. This has improved my performance as a dancer and kept me pain free when running, and for that I can't thank her enough. As a bonus, Bodywise recently started offering reformer classes, so I can maintain the work we do in therapy and get even stronger and more flexible! April, who teaches the 7am Tuesday/Thursday class, is AWESOME. She is friendly, great at cueing and explaining movements, and gives you a killer workout. Plus, she has excellent taste in music and keeps her iPod on in the background. :) I'm so glad I found this place! read more

Rupal set me right. Four weeks before the Austin Marathon I thought my knee was toast. I had to stop training altogether. There was a really sharp pain in my knee every time I tried to run. After one session I felt a significant improvement and was able to return to my training. On my first session she asked a couple questions, worked on me a bit and then watched me walk around. Her observations were right on. It was like she had a bionic eye. A slight posture adjustment here and a little change in how I stood and Bam-fast track to better. It's crazy how poor posture can wreck your body. Over the next couple weeks Rupal gave me exercises, gave me bodywork and continued to fine tune my gate. Now I have a new and improved gate for life. Go to Bodywise and do whatever Rupal suggests. read more

I recently went to see Rupal for some upper back muscle tension. She was a whiz at knowing exactly which exercises to go through to help alleviate this tightness. She's very knowledgable and has magic hands! I highly recommend her to anyone who has any physical ailments. :-) read more

This is NOT the typical PT clinic where the therapist teaches you some exercises and sends you home with a home care program and the hope that you will feel better soon. Rupal is without doubt, one of the most loving, caring and amazing therapists you will find in Austin, and from my perspective, a gifted practitioner. I came here after 18 months of dealing with hip/back problems (diagnosed with S.I joint dysfunction), and after trying several methods to help with the constant pain (regular PT, cortisone injections, plasma rich platelet injections, etc). As you can imagine, my expectations were really low ...but since my first week with Rupal, I started feeling better! She has taught me how to stretch, how to move correctly, and how to deal with the muscle imbalances in my body. A completely different and refreshing approach to chronic pain (like the one that I had). Thanks to Bodywise Physical Therapy, I can finally see 'the light at the end of the tunnel'. read more

I recently had my first session with Rupal, and it's amazing how much I learned! She was able to pinpoint some very subtle adjustments that I needed in my posture, shoulder placement, etc. What I enjoyed most about my session was the fact that Rupal not only told me what to do to find better alignment, but she explained why. Essentially, sessions with her give you the tools to recognize how your posture and movement SHOULD feel, rather than just showing you what to do in the studio. Some of the simple suggestions she made have helped me tremendously because they are easy to follow and useful in every-day life. Walking, standing, and even laying down have been much more natural now that I'm conscious about my posture. read more

The Physical Therapy and Pilates Rehab that was customize for me was far superior to any other treatment that I have ever received. I have suffered from poor posture, walking improperly to chronic upper back pain for the last 25 years. Rupal Goradia not only has restored my strength and has elevated my chronic pain but I have grown an inch in the process. Rupal has shown me that she has mastered her skilled of Physical Therapy with the use of Pilates to rehabilitate my body. Her care and concern is heads and shoulders above any other Physical Therapy that I have experience. Rupal @ Bodywise has truly taken the chronic daily pain out of my life and replace it with strength and the flow of energy! read more

After seeing her name in Austin Fit Magazine's Best of 2013 issue, I came to see Rupal for a sports related knee injury. Although there was no tear, I had a lot of pain and very little range of motion. Rupal examined my knee, observed how I walked and stood, and asked many questions about how my knee and body felt. She identified where the pain originated from and worked on that area. But more importantly, she worked on surrounding areas that were also tight due to me compensating for my knee. Rupal explained what was going on with my knee (and the rest of my body), always asking if I had any questions. She also helped me to make adjustments in my posture and how I walk that will benefit me for life! After a follow up visit, I was back to my normal activities, a lot sooner than had I just waited for my knee to heal on its own. I later brought my teenage son to see Rupal after he broke his arm and was in a cast for 5 weeks. After the cast was removed, his arm was weak and had very little range of motion. She gave him the same initial assessment and identified how his back and shoulders were misaligned from him favoring one side of his body for several weeks. She treated his arm and the surrounding areas and by the end of the session, he was able to fully bend his wrist without feeling pain. Rupal also showed him several strengthening exercises and stretches for him to do at home. Rupal is very knowledgeable, patient, and personable. She has a friendly personality and makes you immediately feel comfortable. I can't say enough about her and how she has helped me. She recently relocated her office, so check out her listing at her previous location if you want to see more awesome reviews. read more

I am very pleased with my recent treatment for a knee injury. My care this time included assessing my movement, body alignment and walking and working on some problem areas around my knee, leg, hip and foot with her hands. The technique is intense (she did her best to distract me with chit-chat) but very, very effective. After only 3 appointments my knee is better! I no longer feel pain in the side of my knee when I walk. Rupal also recommended how to ice my leg if I feel soreness. She will continue to be someone I trust for any future issues. read more

Dr. Patel (Rupal to her patients) is professional and friendly. After seeing many doctors, including an injection, Rupal took a refreshing approach to my pyriformis pain. She focused on correcting my body mechanics to eliminate the underlying cause of irritation to my pyriformis. Nine months later, I still focus on body mechanics and perform stretches that she taught me, and I'm pain free!!! I am also training for a half marathon, which wouldn't be possible without her help. Thx Rupal! read more

I walked into the office 10 minutes early with such severe back pain that I had to lie down on the couch to fill out the new patient paperwork because I couldn't sit for that long. Rupal promised, and delivered, immediate relief on that first visit. My diagnosis from my referring doctor was a slipped disc in my lumbar spine, which is an incredibly painful injury with a typically long recovery (often times people elect for surgery as a "quick fix"), however after 2-3 sessions with Rupal I regained about 70-80% of my mobility and my pain decreased by more than half. Not only that, but she's an incredible caring soul, and I feel like I'm spending time with an old friend during each review. As stated in another review, she is not your typical PT--she doesn't need an MRI or X-Ray to treat you, because she's looking at how your body moves and improving overall alignment in order to create lasting results. The exercises she's given me are subtle, yet profound, and have helped me to develop a new awareness of my body. She's helped me to correct my everyday posture and to be conscious of how I carry my body during day-to-day activities. As an avid yogi, I am thrilled to be returning to my full practice with a new perspective on how to practice safely and sustainably. In addition (I found this to be a plus) she doesn't go through insurance, so you know exactly how much you're going to pay with each visit. It may be a slightly higher rate than an in-network provider, but in my opinion it's beyond worth it, because I truly feel that I'm being set up of a life with less/no back pain! I've struggled with chronic low back pain since a car accident I was in as a teenager and had resigned myself to the fact that that's just how my life would be. I'm so hopeful now that that won't be the case. If I had any doubt that her methods worked--I dont, but if I did--Rupal, herself, was in a serious car accident just two years ago that resulted in severe injuries including a literal broken back. She's a serious rock climber and participates in strenuous physical activity and work out regimens and lives most days completely pain free, which speaks volumes to me. This also provides her with a unique perspective from which to work, because she's been on the patient side of things too. I can't recommend Bodywise Physical Therapy highly enough. read more

Rupal (Dr. Patel) is amazing. I'm a 40 year old rock climber, and frequently have aches and pains from my sport, but sometimes things just get a little too far out of control. I can always count on Rupal's sage advice and strong hands to quickly sort me out. She regularly works out issues I think might be sprains or joint issues, and that other doctors or PT's can't figure out. She is intelligent, motivated, and loves helping people. Rock on Rupal! read more

I just called because I was extremely excited to find what I thought would be my next place for physical therapy. I have been in pt for 3 yrs and I have never experienced such horrid phone manners. I planned on beening a potential long term patient for this place, but the 3 minute phone conversation I had with one of the ladies helped me decide that I would not waste my time with this office. Thank you for not wasting too much of my time and none of my money. read more

I have been to a couple of physical therapists in Austin and Rupal at Body Wise Physical Therapy is by far the best. In only a few visits, I went from crawling (because of pain) to the restroom in the middle of the night to walking upright with a lot less pain. Rupal is a true professional. She is a great listener and has inspired me and made me remember that anything is possible. read more

Rupal is very good at what she does. I have suffered from chronic knee pain since I was 13 and got to the point where I could barely walk up stairs let alone run (which I love). I have been seeing her for a couple of months and am able to run a few times a week with much less knee pain. I'm sticking with her since she is the only person that has been able to help me this much. Her passion for and knowledge of movement is empowering. She's the only PT in Austin I will recommend to my clients. Oh, I should mention that I am a bodyworker and yoga teacher. read more

I had my first appointment with Rupal last week, and I came away with so much I need to work on! I haven't been able to run for a while due to a hip pain, have been to a doctor about it, and was just resigned to not being able to again. But Rupal helped me see that the way I walk and stand is probably contributing to the pain, and changing these things as well as doing some exercises will help. She gave me several instructions for working on my posture, and pointed out things I've been doing for years (such as keeping my shoulders really tense), that I've never even noticed. I learned a lot, and because she sent me a follow-up e-mail with her instructions and a summary of our appointment, it's been easy to follow through with everything. Rupal's very knowledgeable, she definitely knows what she's doing. It's been a week, and I'm working on things, but I can already feel it making a difference! read more

I want to start this review off by saying Rupal is the best physical therapist in Austin. I came in to see her because I was suffering from work out induced migraines. I am an avid rock climber and getting this while climbing was no fun. I had been to another physical therapist, a chiropractor, and a doctor with no sign of getting any better. After the first visit with Rupal, the migraines were less frequent and pains I thought I would have for the rest of my life were gone. Now my migraines are practically non existent and my body feels better than it has in a long, long time. She not only helps to eleviate immediate problems, but teaches you to move better in all parts of your active and sitting life. I do not know where I would be with out her help (in a lot of pain I'm sure). To sum it up, all she has to do is watch you walk and can tell what your underlying problems are, it's the coolest assessment I've ever seen! read more