About Us
Kokua Physical Therapy is a family-centered practice bringing personalized, in-home physical therapy to Vermont’s active community. Founded on advanced orthopedic expertise and the spirit of Aloha, we provide comprehensive evaluations and treatment in the comfort of your home, serving everyone from weekend warriors to Olympic athletes with the same dedication to root-cause diagnosis and long-term wellness.
About Kokua Physical Therapy
At Kokua Physical Therapy, we believe that healing should be a collaborative journey built on understanding, education, and genuine care. Founded by Dr. Teddy Zabel and operated alongside his wife Julia, we’re personally present and hands-on for every patient we serve.
Teddy’s journey began as a lifelong athlete who experienced his own major injuries – shoulder and back problems that taught him the rehabilitation process from the patient’s perspective. After earning his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from UNC Chapel Hill and becoming a Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, he grew frustrated with traditional insurance-based care – rushed appointments, generic protocols, and treating symptoms rather than root causes.
In 2018, Teddy established Island Performance Health on Maui, developing an approach that prioritized thorough diagnosis, education, and personalized care. After six transformative years helping thousands of patients – from 90-year-old stroke survivors to professional surfers – the Zabel family made the bold decision to leave paradise and bring their unique approach to Jeffersonville, Vermont in 2025.
Julia manages operations while working as a radiology technician. With son Theo (age 2) serving as “Quality Control Specialist” and daughter Alana Rose (4 months) as “Assistant in Training,” the Zabels are planting roots in Vermont and treating every patient like ohana – family.
A message from the Zabel Ohana...
What sets Kokua Physical Therapy apart is our commitment to the Hawaiian principle of kōkua – kindness; accompanied by the desire to help. We’re not just health care providers; we’re your neighbors who happen to specialize in helping you move without pain.
We’ve built our approach around what matters most to Vermonters who value their active lifestyle:
- We conduct thorough 2-hour evaluations to identify root causes, not just symptoms
- We provide one-on-one care in your home where real life happens
- We educate you so you understand exactly what’s happening and why
- We create custom treatment plans from pain relief to performance optimization
- We offer specialized services like on-site orthotic fabrication
- We bridge the gap from rehabilitation to fitness, helping you thrive long-term
This means you’re working directly with a Doctor of Physical Therapy who has advanced training in low back pain, functional movement, and treating elite athletes. Whether you’re recovering from a ski injury, dealing with chronic pain, or visiting Vermont for winter, we treat your recovery with the same care we’d want for our own family.
Hawaiian Philosophy Meets Vermont Grit
These aren’t just words on our wall – they’re the foundation of Kokua Physical Therapy:
- Kokua (to help) – Giving oneself to the greater good. This means if you need help jump-starting your car or shoveling your driveway, we’re here for that too.
- Aloha – More than a greeting, it means breathing life into everything we do. We bring genuine warmth and compassion to your healing journey.
- Malama (to care for) – We care for individuals, families, and our entire community with the same dedication we show our own ohana.
- Ohana (family) – You’re not just a patient; you’re family. We treat you with the same attention and care we’d want for our loved ones.
- Ha’aha’a (humility) – We approach every case with a humble heart and kind spirit, always learning and always listening.
These aren’t just words on our wall – they’re the foundation of how we practice medicine and serve our Vermont community.
The Kokua Method: Our Three-Phase Approach
Phase 1: Root Cause Diagnosis
We pride ourselves on diagnostic expertise. Our signature 2-hour evaluation dives deep into the true source of your pain. Think of it as climbing to the top of the tallest tree to see the full landscape before drawing your map. That personalized recovery roadmap guides everything we do moving forward.
Phase 2: Rebuild a Strong, Pain-Free Foundation
Recovery isn’t just about fixing what’s broken – it’s about building resilience. We use a total human approach to reduce pain, rebuild function, and lay groundwork for long-term success. We teach you about your injury, recovery timelines, and how to self-manage flare-ups.
Phase 3: Flourish
Once you’re pain-free, we help you thrive. Whether that means chasing podium finishes or chasing grandkids around the yard, we bridge the gap from rehabilitation to peak performance with custom programming designed to keep you strong and active for life.
physical therapy patient testimonials & reviews
LISTEN TO THEIR REAL-LIFE RECOVERY STORIES
Melissa
“I was able to run a marathon 11 months after the accident, 13 months after the accident, I ran an ultra”
Sean
“I thought my only alternative was going to be surgery. It was so painful for so long. But yeah, saw Teddy… no surgery.”
Amber
“Through the process there was the emotional support, the intellectual support, the physical support, and I just felt like it was gonna be okay after that first time.”
counties, cities & towns we serve in vermont
Become pain-free in the comfort of your home
Chittenden County
- Burlington, VT
- Essex, VT
- Jericho, VT
- Milton, VT
- South Burlington, VT
- Underhill, VT
- Westford, VT
- Williston, VT
Lamoille County
- Belvidere, VT
- Cambridge, VT
- Hyde Park, VT
- Jeffersonville, VT
- Johnson, VT
- Morristown, VT
- Morrisville, VT
- Stowe, VT
- Waterville, VT