I've been to many physical therapists in my long life, mostly as a result of athletic injuries or mishaps with heavy power equipment. So I knew they work on joints, ligaments and tendons. But what I didn't know is that they can cure--not ameliorate-but really cure a serious form of dizziness, called, Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). "Benign" means the disorder is not life-threatening (tell that to someone throwing up because of feeling of the room spinning). "Paroxysmal' means it comes in sudden brief spells. "Positional" means the vertigo (sensation of room spinning fast and uncontrollably) comes when your head is in a certain position. Often the first episode you get is when you wake up in the morning. Seems to happen more frequently with older people. The room-spinning is not the same as what you get when you get drunk. Way worse. Plus, unlike getting hung over, you can have these episodes every day for months on end. Occasionally they resolve on their own. The inner ear plays a major role in maintaining our balance. It has three tiny semi-circular canals or tubes, (horizontal, anterior, and posterior) corresponding to the motions of a ship or airplane (turning, tilting and yaw). Inside the canals are some fine calcium deposits the position of which nerves can detect. Sometimes some of the fine deposits leave the main deposit and get lodged where they are not supposed to be, at the other end of the canal. Your brain gets confused and your eyes literally are twitching back and forth during the episode. Kinda cool to look at someone's eyes when they're wobbling like this. It doesn't last all that long. But I wouldn't dare drive a car, because you can't tell when the vertigo is going to come on. Once the vertigo starts, you can hardly see. Even walking around is dicey. You just have to stop and wait, and look around for a bucket. My local ER gave me an anti-histamine, which did nothing. But what they also did (after ruling out other causes) was to refer me to Willow Grove Physical Therapy, which cured me in two days. BPPV treatment is a specialty of Willow Grove PT. Treatment consists of no drugs. Just some controlled head movements. Doctor of Physical Therapy Jackie Pedersen accurately diagnosed the details of my situation. My problem was not the typical one, which would involve the horizontal canal. No, I had to have the anterior. Tougher to cure. I won't say the procedures, one on a Thursday and the second the next day, were a walk in the park. But you do what you have to do, and Jackie was more empathic and kindly than most of the PTs I've had. But on the Friday afternoon, I was done--really done--with BPPV. I went for a follow-up a week later, checking for gait, balance and so on, and I was completely out of the woods. That was three months ago, and I am still free of it. I never have had to use the exercises Jackie provided in the event of a relapse. I have no connection with Willow Grove Physical Therapy, and I have had no contact with with Dr. Jackie Pederson other than as a grateful patient who had this disorder. I should add that not all vertigo is caused by BPPV and that vertigo caused by other disorders can be much harder to treat. I got lucky--BPPV as my condition, not something worse, a fine ER that diagnosed the condition accurately and promptly and made a correct referral to a PT clinic that specializes in BPPV, and an outstanding, well-trained and empathic therapist. My hope is that if you, the reader, should ever have BPPB, you will be spared the months of misery caused by a failure to diagnose accurately and a failure to treat effectively, as a result of reading this review. read more

I was diagnosed with Parkinson's in November of 2012. I did not have the tremors. My most prominent symptom was severe stiffness of my left leg. I began therapy at Willow Grove Physical in January of 2014. I was treated by Margaret Fitzpatrick and Julie Sergio. I am still taking therapy there two times per week. Therfore, I have had ample time to see, first hand, their professional practices and to experience the way that they treat their patients. I can say, without reservation, that my treatment has been excellent, and their handling of a difficult case like Parkinson's has been done with compassion and understanding, so that I am completely comfortable and very much at ease with all of my sessions. I really do look forward to each session. My session begins with stretching of my hamstrings and quads,, done by the therapist.Then I am given a massage of my neck, shoulders,upper and lower back. Then I am given stretches of my upper and mid back. Next are balance exercises, followed by a series of "Big Movements" and some standing stretches. Next are specific walking movments that consist of correct form walking, turning, side stepping, turning and jogging. We also practice the correct way to climb and descend stairs. About three months ago we started boxing. The therapist uses mits to catch my punches as we work through a series of one/ two combinations, hooks, uppercuts, and backhands. I throw a total of 320 punches in about 10 minutes, and I work up quite a sweat. We have now incorporated forced excercsing into my program. Using a recumbent bike, I start with 10 minutes of warm up followed by alternating one minute of 80 rpm and with one minute at 60 rpm. So far I am up to 10 minutes of 80 rpm and 10 minutes of 60 rpm. My goal is 40 minutes of forced exercise. When I am done with this exercise, I can walk normally without any dragging of my left leg. The entire time I am supervised by either Julie or Margaret, who provide immediate feedback on my form, or whether I need to make any adjustments in my cadence, etc. Since I am now well into my second consecutive year, there is the question of whether the therapy is helping and whether I should continue taking it at the center instead at home. Parkinsons is a progressive disease, whose symptoms are totally fickle. So the symptoms become worse as time goes on, and they vary in severity from day to day. I had deep brain stimulation surgery in September of 2015 to hopefully improve these symptoms, however, I have not had a lot of sustained success so far from this surgery. For me, the therapy that I get at Willow Grove PT, is absolutely necessary in order to keep me in generally good physical condition, but just as important. to keep my outlook positive and my hopes high. Any improvement that I have achieved is due to the work at Willow Grove P.T.The boxing and forced cycling have become important factors in these areas, and I cannot do these at home. Also,the encouragement provided by Julie and Margaret is powerful medicine, and is perhaps the most important thing of all. My five star rating comes without reservation. Hugh McClure Abington, PA. read more

Willow Grove Physical Therapy is a great place for your care and you will feel blessed to have discovered them! After my car accident I went to another physical therapist where I felt like I was interfering with staff time on their smartphones and there was a great lack of personal interaction and attention. They would point to the stations to go to and the TV was our babysitter. I thank God that I was prescribed by my neurologist to add vestibular rehab to my PT because I discovered Willow Grove Physical Therapy, where they do both. Just that first phone call with Sandy was so positive and I remember my first day at Willow Grove PT that the whole atmosphere was light, cheerful, and welcoming. Willow Grove PT has a great team all around. They don't seem like coworkers, rather, like a family. In time you feel like you're part of that family and you realize that you are not the only one who feels valued there, but everyone around you is receiving the same quality personal attention that they need. Despite the reason for needing care, everyone is glad to be THERE! The care is tailored to your needs and they are actively involved visit after visit in getting you better and knowing your situation and progress. Julie Sergio is my physical therapist and also does my vestibular rehab to improve my dizziness issues. She is terrific! Julie is so attentive, knowledgeable, personable, and caring, and has great communication with others who help with parts of my rehab because they know what's going on with me personally. Whether doing balance exercises, weights, boxing mitts, or the neck massage that helps with my headaches, there is a personal care that I couldn't have imagined. And Julie is awesome on the mitts! That's my favorite and it was like divine intervention that she's my physical therapist! :) Scott, Dana, and Stephanie are also great in helping with my treatment and it amazes me when, no matter who ends my rehab that day with the heating pad on my neck, they remember to turn down the lights for me. Still, even if they didn't, Willow Grove PT is a great place for your care. I leave there feeling better physically, emotionally, and mentally. They are a blessing! read more

It all began on a weekend with a rush of light headedness whenever I changed my head position. It was scary as I lurched around banging into walls and hanging onto furniture. My PCP diagnosed the problem as probable Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo or BPPV and recommended Willow Grove Physical Therapy and Margaret Fitzgerald with the warning that if it didn't improve in several sessions I would need to have further evaluations. I immediately called the practice. The scheduler, who was very accommodating and friendly, was able to get me in in less than 24 hours. I was initially evaluated by Margaret but all of my treatment was with Matt Fackner. I had a stubborn case of BPPV but both were professional, knowledgeable, caring and very understanding of my concerns. Matt answered my questions and explained the purpose of the therapy maneuvers. There was a upbeat feeling in this practice both from the women at the front desk and from the other therapists as they worked with their patients. I never heard a patient complain or a therapist respond inappropriately. I would highly recommend this practice to anyone, especially those in need of vertigo or balance services. Linda B. read more

Willow Grove Physical Therapy is a hidden gem. It is located in the Regency Towers apartments in Willow Grove. It has been in business for 15 years. They have helped thousands of patients with dizziness, balance, vertigo, movement disorders such as Parkinson's Disease. They are experts in pain management for orthopedic conditions, for example back pain or knee and shoulder pain. The front desk is extremely kind, courteous and knowledgeable in scheduling convenient appointments and verifying insurance for their patients. All of the staff have a wonderful rapport with their patients and each other. It is a pleasure to have PT in this clinic. read more

The staff at Hatboro/Willow Grove Physical Therapy are extremely knowledgeable and offer lots of suggestions to get you back on your feet as quickly as possible! I worked with Gina, who was awesome, after my foot surgery and she made me feel very comfortable. She didn't overwhelm me with too many exercises, but challenged me to push myself to improve each week...and I have! I've been to physical therapy a couple times in the past, but the staff here is just very professional and they take their time with each patient. I would definitely recommend Hatboro/Willow Grove Physical Therapy if you're looking for a competent and educated staff! read more

I was referred to them by my Neurologist for positional Vertigo/ Vestibular issues. My therapist Kevin, and every therapist that works here is wonderful. I never knew treatment like this existed. I was suffering so bad when I started there, the room was spinning and I was totally off balance. They know exactly what to do. Thanks to them the room no longer spins and my balance is perfect. I tell everyone I know how wonderful Willow Grove Physical therapy is and I can't say enough good things about them and the staff. read more

I am so happy with Willow Grove Physical Therapy. I have worked with 3 therapists and each are exceptional at what they do. I was really suffering with a knee injury and after 2 sessions I can see AND FEEL a tremendous difference. That alone should be proof of a job well done. I feel like I am in good hands and there is an overall sense of caring and extreme helpfulness. I could not be more pleased and I would (and will) highly recommend their services to anyone in need. read more

I am grateful for the team at Willow Grove Physical Therapy. Over the course of 16 appointments for Dizziness, I worked with many of the team members. All are knowledgeable and good at meeting the patient where they are. But I want to give a special acknowledgement to Kyle. He has that perfect combination of knowledge/caring/communication/personality that made me look forward to each session. I am feeling better as a result of my time there. read more

What can I say about Willow Grove Physical Therapy? Nothing but great things! I instantly felt at home from my initial assessment until now, 9 months later. Everyone is friendly and professional. I love all of the PT's, however, Dana Winkler holds a special place in my heart. I thank God for WGPT. If you need assistance along your road to recovery, look no further. Tell them Adreeonah sent you! read more

Willow Grove PT, best ever. Having been to two other PT centers, this place is far and away so much better. I have chronic issues, and they really monitor and adjust your therapy to fit your needs. The progress can be slow at times, but definitely definitive. You have to do your part, but they are with you all the way. Anne Bishop read more

I am impressed with the knowledge of the therapist, assigned to my therapy, ERin is knowleedgeble, and fills the training period the next procedure. I have been in a therapy in house for 21 days, and find that every procedure I experienced while there has been presented to me in my therapy with Willow Grove read more

Willow Grove PT is the best. I have been going there for years and they have helped me each time. The therapists are great no matter who you get. I have been using Julie and she is great. I feel like if I was her mother I could not get better treatment. But they are all good. read more

Everyone was fabulous .. Julie took her time explaining to my husband and myself ... the receptionist.. I didn't get her name unfortunately... was great .. friendly .. made us comfortable even thru the masks read more

What a great experience, walked in there with a bad case of Vertigo and my excellent therapist Amy removed the dizziness in about 30 mins. She was amazing! I will definitely recommend. Thank you read more

Willow Grove Physical Therapy is the best! All of the staff is competent, experienced, knowledgeable, and personable. I recommend them to anyone who needs physical therapy. read more

For vertigo and balance problems these therapists are knowledgeable courteous and helpful. Recommended highly, without reservation. Go now and suffer less! read more

I found it easy to schedule appointments at times convenient for me. The initial evaluation was done professionally. Explanations of methods were useful read more