I have been to six different physical therapy providers, for various issues, starting in 2006. I went to Central Park PT this spring (2015) for a knee injury and this is the best physical therapy practice I have discovered. I am a serious runner and when I injured my knee at the end of June 2014 I was eager to make a full recovery and get back to running. Unfortunately it turned out to be a long recovery process..after an orthopedist visit, I first went to a physical therapist near where I live in Queens, but the treatment I received there helped little, if at all. I then discovered a great active release practitioner who helped me be able to run again, but only for about 3 weeks before the pain started getting worse again. I knew I needed to try something else, and was hesitant to try PT again but decided to look for a physical therapist with a different approach, which turned out to be a very good decision. The treatments given at Central Park PT are quite unique, and very effective. Most physical therapists focus on strengthening exercises but don't know nearly as much about mobility/flexibility, which can often be the key to recovery - they certainly were in my case - and that's where Central Park PT excels. My therapist was Rik Misiura, the founder. He designed a rehab program for me that focused on improving my running form and posture; dynamic stretching, incorporating elements of yoga and feldenkrais (feldenkrais is a mind-body awareness approach); and some hands-on work. One of the first things he did was video-tape me while I running, which helped reveal some significant issues with my running form that were aggravating the injury. By the way, Rik is a former triathlete so he definitely understands an athlete's perspective. I decided to go back for more sessions to address some chronic muscle pain that I have in my neck and shoulders that began after a surgery for thyroid cancer in 2005. Rik's knowledge of postural issues and flexibility was very helpful for those issues as well. Since May 2015 I have been running races again and I recently set a new personal record at a half marathon that I do not think would have been possible without the treatment I received at Central Park PT. read more

12 years of constant lower back pain. 12 years of walking around feeling like there was a screwdriver stuck in your back. After numerous epidurals, inept physical therapy offices, surgery, apathetic gm's who were just content to prescribe more pain-killersand over a decade of chronic lower back pain, I just resigned myself to it --this is my life: PAIN. I'd heard about Paul-Ryan through a friend. I was skeptical. I thought 'nothing had worked so far, so why should PT work now?'. My friend insisted...actually he nagged the crap out of me. So I went. After an initial (and surprisingly thorough) assessment I was assigned to Paul-Ryan Mariano for care. Paul took time to listen. Paul was emotionally supportive and immediately put me at ease by understanding how this injury was crippling me physically and effecting me mentally. He made me realize that I was unconsciously afraid to move in certain ways and that was hampering my recovery. He encouraged me rather than pushed me. He guided me through every little movement i made during the session. That made all the difference. He made me feel comfortable, relaxed, and safe. He worked hard to help understand what was really going on with my injury on the level of mind-body connection. His positivity and calming manner is infectious and I truly believe he cares about his patients. I think he's a nice guy who found his calling in helping people not like the greedy parasites in the healthcare industry who don't even pretend to care if you drop dead tomorrow as long as they get their money. I'm not someone who's used to gushing praise, but this guy really saved me and it's only right to give credit where it's due. My body used to feel like a prison but Paul broke me out. It's not the Ritz Carlton yet but I'm working on it one floor at a time. Thanks from the heart Paul-Ryan. read more

My first session was a miracle. I was in total disbelief that PT Rik was able to reduce my pain from a constant 7/10 pain that I suffered with for years to an absolute 0 in a matter of 15 minutes. Even more astounding was the expression he gave me when i asked him why couldn't my previous 7 doctors & therapists in the last 3 years have done the same thing. He smirked and said "third time i was asked that question today". He is an absolute master in understanding how the body should be balanced. Starting the session he asked me to perform two seemingly unrelated movements and pressed deep into my belly. The back pain mysteriously disappeared. He went on to explain that if i maintained my current ways of moving (walking sitting etc) my pain would come back. His visualization to remind me to not walk into a headwind will be forever memorable : "Penis Forward!" I asked him if i should do any of the back exercises I previously learned, His response was "KISS - Keep It Simple and Smart" and showed me only one exercise to perform for 15 seconds hourly for 3 weeks. My friends are stunned at my erect posture, My wife has recaptured her lost lover. I have regained 1 inch in height. I am truly young again. This man is a magician. read more

Rik Misiura and his staff provided great physical therapy to me when I had a torn rotator cuff. Their therapy helped me have a complete recovery from this injury. They were compassionate, professional and knowledgeable. I am grateful to them for the treatment that they provided and the instruction that allowed me to perform the exercises at home. In addition, Rik and his staff offered a number of healing and fun activities to his patients yoga, stretching and dance are a few examples. I highly recommend Rik and his staff! Sadly, I understand that Rik will be closing the current office on October 31, 2015 due to the demands of managed care. Rik is committed to providing quality care and that is what I received from Rik and his staff. Rik plans to open a small economical therapy center that will offer affordable care for most physical therapy candidates. Look for an announcement from this excellent physical therapy provider in the hopefully, very near future. read more

I started seeing Sarah nearly eight weeks ago - for pt for my knee, which still gives me trouble since a fractured patella 4 years ago. Sarah is terrific - deep massage that's breaking up all the knots in my quads and hamstrings etc. - and my range of motion and flexibility are greatly improved. I went through PT twice before - nothing like this, so I have a comparison. The earlier PT was in a dreary place, I always had to wait, and although the therapist was a nice guy with a great sense of humor, I felt that there wasn't much progress. All the staff are nice and friendly to clients and to each other - that's a real plus. Sarah has given me lots of "homework" - my least favorite part of PT, but I see the difference this all makes, so I'm trying to keep up. Location is really convenient to Columbus Circle, where my A train goes. That's important, too. In fact that's how I picked this place. So I'm happy with it in every way. read more

As a referring physician as well as long term patient I can unequivocally state that Central Park PT is the best physical therapy facility in Manhattan,if not all of NYC. Paul Pilastis is an extraordinary person who diagnosed my pirifirmis syndrome after my doctors had failed and then went on to successfully treat it over the years. I can honestly say that I have referred hundreds of patients over many years to him as well as other therapists there with never a complaint. And for those of you cynics this was clearly never a fiduciary arrangement as I never was referred a patient by them(a practice done by many othervPTs and referring MDs). The owner Rick Misura has created a culture of hands-on,non rushed excellent work in a serene ambience. I am currently working with Carina who is fabulous and already helping me with a long-standing issue unhelped by the venerable Rusk Institute. If I could I'd give them 10stars! read more

Rik Misiura is truly a magician -- he and his team work magic. I have been to many PTs for back and other injuries over the years. PT with Rik was the first time where I truly was paid attention to and helped for life vs for the moment. He takes a whole body approach and helps patients understand real versus mental limitations and how everything is integrated, so you end up healing more than just the injury you came in to treat. The therapy is a nice combination of individual and group attention, where the patients end up helping each other, building camaraderie and sharing humor to get through the adversities faced. Each session was unique, sometimes exercises, sometimes Rik's healing hands -- with Rik applying pressure on the kink or repositioning me, and suddenly a wave of relief would follow. If I am ever *unlucky* enough to need PT again I do hope I am *lucky* enough to have PT again with Rik. read more

My wife have been going to CPPT with great results over a 10 year period with multiple injuries/issues. CPPT really understands how to treat and heal the whole body comprehensively. There really is no other place like them. After my wife had gone to CPPT with a rotator cuff injury almost 10 years ago and achieved great results, I went to them with a broken tibia in June 2013 after a motorcycle accident. Their team had me walking again in 3 months. The care was incredible and I don't think I could have done it without them. Today I feel my leg is functioning at 98% of where I was before my accident and my doctor was quite pleased with the results as well. My wife was back to them around 6 months ago with a hip impingement and the staff had her feeling good in no time. There is no other place to consider if you need any type of physical therapy. read more

As a professional actress, singer, dancer, I have traveled all over the world, and seen many, many physical therapists along the way. The moment I arrived at CPPT, and Rik, the owner, started working on me---I knew that I was being treated by the BEST!! I have had immediate relief of my lower back pain, and no longer live with the idea that I have "a bad back." Rik has immense knowledge, keen instinct and understanding of the relationship between different body parts; because of this he was able to approach my back injury with healthy, insightful treatment. The end result is that I am stronger now that I was pre-injury. For this I am forever grateful to Rik and CPPT. read more

I have unfortunately been in need of physical therapy many, many times over the last decade - severe back injuries, neck injury, horseback riding accidents, gym injuries, scoliosis, herniated & ruptured disks.... My salvation: Central Park Physical Therapy! Owner Rik Misiura has kept me out of surgery on multiple occasions! I can not thank him and his staff enough for the amazing, on-going care they have provided me over the years. When every doctor I saw insisted on surgery, Rik held strong in his belief I could heal. And he was right. Today I am pain (and surgery!) free! Thank you Central Park Physical Therapy!! read more

After years of shoulder and back issues, I finally began to be treated by Mehrbano, and I can honestly say she was truly a Godsend! She was able to show me various exercises and do soft tissue work during my sessions to improve my joint mobility. I am beyond happy with the results and am pleased to have an improved range of motion! I highly recommend this PT clinic and would definitely suggest Mehrbano as your PT of choice. read more

Airy environment very clean with courteous , knowledgeable staff. I have many fond memories After my hip replacement and knee injury. Staff was very patient and gave great suggestions for message and exercise i STILL DO TODAY! What a blessing to have had such GREAT PROFESSIONALS CLOSE BY MY HOME. TRUST THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE THEIR NESSESARY service SOON! Blessings to CPT Always, read more

My wife, Doris, and I have been long-time patients and highly recommend Central Park Therapy for its expertise. However, beyond that, there's another dimension that transcends the medical and, in a word...it's heart. Rik Misiura brings compassion and caring as well to his patients and that always translates into speedier recovery, and that's a talent rarely found elsewhere. read more

Rick, Clea and the entire office is truly life changing. I had a fall and have been going to my neighborhood physical therapist for 3 years with no improvement and paid TONS of money. I was thankfully referred by my dentist to this office and I was completely fixed in 3 weeks. They gave me proper exercises, stretched and corrected my alignment. I will be forever grateful. read more

This is the BEST physical therapy place - period. I have been to many others and nobody helped me the way Rik and his team did. I have been pain free for 2 years now, able to move, bend, hike, kayak....... Rik is a true miracle worker! read more