Mobile Physical Therapy in Northern Vermont
Frustrated with rushed insurance-based PT that treats symptoms instead of root causes? Experience the Kōkua difference—where comprehensive 2-hour evaluations in your home reveal what’s really causing your pain.
Skip the clinic limitations. Call (802) 330-1491 for your in-home consultation.
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What you'll find on this page
Looking For Mobile Physical Therapy That Works?
Most people who work with us have tried physical therapy before through insurance or clinics without getting relief. Our founder, Dr. Teddy Zabel, is a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist who brought 8+ years of expertise from treating Olympic athletes in Hawaii to Vermont’s active community. We created Kōkua Physical Therapy because people deserved better than rushed, cookie-cutter approaches that fail to address root causes.
Our mobile physical therapy services in Chittenden and Lamoille County, Vermont include orthopedic physical therapy, sports rehabilitation, and custom orthotic fabrication delivered directly to your home.
We spend two hours in comprehensive evaluations using evidence-based assessment in your real environment, serving Burlington, Stowe, Cambridge, Jeffersonville, Essex, South Burlington, Hyde Park, Morristown, and throughout Northern Vermont. See our entire service area here.
Ready to understand what’s really causing your pain? Call (802) 330-1491 today.
Reasons to choose kokua
- 70+ Five-Star Reviews from Cases Others Couldn't Solve
- Board Certified Specialist with 8+ Advanced Certifications
- 2-Hour Diagnostic Evaluations vs. 20-Minute Assessments
- In-Home Treatment Where Your Pain Actually Occurs
- Available for Ski Resort Injuries & Vacation Care
What Services Do You Offer?
We bring comprehensive physical therapy services directly to your home, creating a healing environment where you’re most comfortable and eliminating barriers that prevent optimal care.
We specialize in treating the whole person—understanding how pain affects your work, family time, and hobbies—then address root causes, not just symptoms.
Our mobile physical therapy services in Northern Vermont include:
1. Orthopedic Physical Therapy
- Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) expertise
- Advanced diagnostic techniques (McKenzie Method, SFMA, electromyography)
- Precise, evidence-based assessment for back, neck, shoulder, knee, and hip pain
- Joint mobilization and spinal manipulation therapy
- Root cause identification, not symptom management
- Specialized training in complex spinal conditions and sports injuries
2. Sports Physical Therapy
- Experience with Olympic swimmers, professional surfers, and elite snowboarders
- Vermont-specific activity focus (skiing, hiking, mountain biking)
- Sport-specific movement pattern analysis and gait training
- Return to peak performance, not just pain relief
- Injury prevention strategies for active lifestyles
- Athletic training principles for recreational athletes
3. Performance Physical Therapy
- Bridge from rehabilitation to optimization
- Annual movement screenings using Functional Movement Screen
- Strength, mobility, balance, and movement pattern assessment
- Preventive care to keep you active long-term
- Performance enhancement for recreational athletes
- Exercise physiology principles for endurance and strength
4. Custom Orthotic Fabrication
- On-site fabrication using portable equipment
- Same-day fitting with immediate adjustments
- Treatment for flat feet, leg length discrepancies, structural foot problems
- Custom solutions for anatomical variations exercise can’t fix
- Perfect fit guarantee before you walk away
- Learn more about our custom orthotics here
5. Specialized Recovery Services
- Blood Flow Restriction Therapy – build strength with lighter weights
- Normatec Compression Therapy – enhanced recovery after training
- Hyperice Recovery Tools – heat therapy, cryotherapy, and vibration therapy
- Portable Traction Devices – specialized spine treatment equipment
- Electrotherapy and Therapeutic Ultrasound – advanced modalities most clinics don’t offer
Experience comprehensive physical therapy designed around your needs, not insurance limitations. Call (802) 330-1491 to learn how we can help.
Why Should I Choose Kōkua Physical Therapy?
We actually have time to figure out what’s wrong. Our 2-hour evaluations dive deep into your medical history and how pain affects your daily life—in your home where we can see how you actually move through your real environment.
Here are 6 reasons why to choose Kōkua:
✅ 2-Hour Comprehensive Evaluations
Instead of rushing through a 30-minute assessment, we take the time to understand your complete picture. We sit down, we talk, we observe how you move in your actual environment, and we perform the kind of thorough examination that gets to the root of what’s causing your pain.
✅ In-Home Convenience
You don’t have to drive somewhere when you’re hurting. We bring all the equipment we need directly to you, and we can assess things like how you get in and out of bed, how you navigate your stairs, how you move through your daily activities.
✅ Root Cause Focus
We’re not interested in just managing your symptoms. We want to find out exactly what’s causing your pain and fix that. It’s like being a detective—We keep digging until we find the real culprit, not just the obvious suspect.
✅ Board-Certified Expertise
Dr. Teddy Zabel is a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, which means he has passed a six-hour exam that tests advanced knowledge in diagnosing and treating complex orthopedic conditions. We’ve also got specialized training in things like the McKenzie Method for back pain and custom orthotic fabrication.
✅ Unlimited Time for Healing
Your treatment isn’t limited by insurance authorizations. We work together until you’re actually better, not until some insurance company decides you’ve had enough.
✅ Real Results
Most of our patients see significant improvement within 8-12 sessions. Not months of slow progress, but real, measurable change in how you feel and how you move.
What Is Your Treatment Approach?
Our Kōkua Method combines Hawaiian wisdom with cutting-edge orthopedic science through a systematic three-phase approach:
Phase 1: Relieve & Reduce (Thorough Diagnosis)
- 2-hour comprehensive evaluation vs. 20-minute clinic assessments
- Identify true root causes, not just symptoms
- Immediate manual therapy interventions for pain relief
- Custom orthotic assessment and on-site fabrication when needed
- Example: Knee pain often caused by hip weakness, not knee issues
Phase 2: Correct (Address the Foundation)
- Target underlying dysfunctions using advanced techniques
- McKenzie Method for low back issues
- SFMA for movement assessment
- Blood flow restriction therapy for efficient strength building
- Real-environment training (your stairs, bed, desk setup)
Phase 3: Move (Restore & Optimize)
- Prepare for Vermont-specific activities (skiing, hiking)
- Bridge rehabilitation to performance enhancement
- Injury prevention strategies
- Become more resilient than before injury
Experience all three phases in your home environment. Call (802) 330-1491 to start your journey.
How Does Kōkua Physical Therapy Compare To Insurance-Based PT?
| Insurance-Based PT | Kokua Physical Therapy | |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Evaluation | ❌ 30-45 minutes, often rushed | ✅ 2 full hours of focused attention |
| Treatment Location | ❌ You drive to clinic while in pain | ✅ We come to your home with all equipment |
| Therapist Attention | ❌ Shared with 2-3 other patients | ✅ One-on-one, exclusive focus |
| Treatment Approach | ❌ Generic protocols based on diagnosis codes | ✅ Completely customized to your unique situation |
| Session Length | ❌ 30-45 minutes, often cut short | ✅ 90+ minutes, as long as needed |
| Visit Limitations | ❌ Insurance caps, often arbitrary | ✅ Based on your actual progress and needs |
| Focus | ❌ Symptom management and basic function | ✅ Complete resolution and optimization |
| Typical Timeline | ❌ 3-6 months of slow progress | ✅ 8-12 sessions with significant improvement |
| Expertise Level | ❌ General PT, often new graduates | ✅ Board-Certified Orthopedic Specialist |
| Education | ❌ Basic exercise instructions | ✅ Comprehensive understanding of your condition |
When Is Kōkua The Right Choice For Me?
Kōkua Physical Therapy is ideal if you’ve tried traditional outpatient physical therapy without results, been told to “just live with” chronic pain, or are facing surgery recommendations but want to explore conservative options first.
You’re a perfect fit if:
- Previous PT made pain worse or showed no improvement
- Multiple providers couldn’t explain what’s actually wrong
- Chronic conditions like arthritis or low back pain limit Vermont activities (skiing, hiking)
- Transportation to clinics is difficult due to pain or mobility
- Want comprehensive evaluation instead of rushed appointments
Real Results:
Chris suffered bilateral knee and chronic low back pain for over two years, unable to walk on uneven surfaces despite trying PRP injections, gym workouts, and traditional PT. Our comprehensive evaluation identified weak core and hip muscles—not knee/back issues. After 8 weeks, he became 100% pain-free and resumed 4-5 mile daily walks on hills.
Don’t let pain steal another Vermont season. Call (802) 330-1491 for your comprehensive evaluation.
How Much Does It Cost?
Our cash-pay mobile physical therapy investment is transparent and cost-effective:
Pricing:
- Initial 2-hour comprehensive evaluation: $220
- Follow-up sessions: $220 per visit
- Package savings: 4 visits for $800, 8 visits for $1,500
- Custom orthotics: $350 (when needed)
Real Value:
While insurance-based PT seems “free,” consider hidden costs—co-pays, deductibles, failed treatments, time off work, travel expenses, and ongoing pain. Most patients resolve issues in 8 visits or less, often spending less than months of ineffective insurance treatments plus potential surgery costs.
Patient testimonial: “I spent more money on massage and chiropractor visits that didn’t work than I did on your entire treatment program that actually fixed my problem.”
Invest in results, not just visits. Call (802) 330-1491 to discuss your investment in pain-free living.
What Affects My Cost?
Several factors can influence your total investment in getting better:
- Condition complexity: Simple, acute injuries typically resolve faster than complex, chronic conditions that have been developing for years. That said, we’ve seen people with “complicated” diagnoses improve quickly when we address the actual root cause.
- Geographic location: We serve all of Chittenden and Lamoille Counties, and travel time is factored into scheduling but not into your session cost.
- Treatment timeline: Acute injuries often respond faster than chronic conditions, but we’ve been surprised many times by how quickly someone can improve when we’re treating the right thing.
- Additional services: If you need custom orthotics for anatomical variants contributing to your pain, that’s an additional investment that can prevent future problems.
- Package selection: The 8-visit package offers the best value and covers most people’s needs completely.
What we can’t put a price on is getting your life back. The ability to hike, ski, play with your kids, or just sleep through the night without pain—that’s priceless.
Get a personalized cost estimate based on your specific needs. Call (802) 330-1491.
What Is Your In-Take Process?
Here’s exactly what you can expect when you decide to work with Kōkua Physical Therapy:
Do You Guarantee Results?
We believe in the work we do, and we want you to feel confident in your investment. Here’s what we promise:
- If you don’t understand exactly what’s causing your pain after our first session, that session is free. We should be able to give you a clear explanation of your condition that makes sense to you.
- If you don’t experience some improvement within the first week, we’ll adjust your plan at no charge. While complete resolution takes time, you should notice positive changes quickly when we’re treating the right thing.
- If we determine we can’t help you, we’ll connect you with someone who can—no charge for the referral consultation. Sometimes the best thing we can do is point you toward the right specialist for your specific situation.
The Hawaiian concept of mālama means to care for and protect what’s important. Your health and well-being are important, and we take that responsibility seriously.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What exactly does physical therapy do?
Physical therapy identifies root causes of movement dysfunction and pain through comprehensive assessment, then uses manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, and specialized techniques to restore optimal function and prevent future injury.
2. How do I know if I need PT?
You’re a good candidate for PT if you have persistent pain limiting daily activities, previous failed treatments, difficulty with movement tasks, or desire to prevent injury and optimize performance.
3. When should someone see a physical therapist?
The optimal timing for PT is immediately when pain or movement limitations begin, rather than waiting for conditions to worsen or after multiple failed treatments.
4. Should I go to a doctor or a physical therapist first?
Physical therapists are primary care providers for musculoskeletal conditions and can provide direct access assessment without referral in most cases, making them an excellent first choice for movement-related problems.
5. How much does physical therapy cost without insurance?
Our cash-pay PT sessions are $220 each with package discounts available ($800 for 4 sessions, $1,500 for 8 sessions), providing exceptional value for comprehensive care.
6. How much does 1 hour of PT cost?
Our sessions are $220 for comprehensive 1.5-2 hour evaluations and treatments, providing significantly better value than traditional 30-45 minute clinic visits.
7. How many times a week should you do physical therapy?
The optimal treatment frequency is typically 2-3 sessions per week initially, progressing to weekly sessions as function improves, based on your individual response and goals.
8. Is 3 months of physical therapy enough?
The optimal treatment frequency is typically 2-3 sessions per week initially, progressing to weekly sessions as function improves, based on your individual response and goals.
9. Should you do PT if it hurts?
Mild discomfort during therapeutic exercise is normal and expected, but sharp or severe pain indicates the need for treatment modification to ensure safe progress.
10. Will physical therapy help a pinched nerve?
Mild discomfort during therapeutic exercise is normal and expected, but sharp or severe pain indicates the need for treatment modification to ensure safe progress.
11. Should you do PT if it hurts?
Mild discomfort during therapeutic exercise is normal and expected, but sharp or severe pain indicates the need for treatment modification to ensure safe progress.
12. Will physical therapy help a pinched nerve?
Physical therapy is highly effective for pinched nerve treatment when properly diagnosed, using the McKenzie Method, manual therapy, and exercises to reduce nerve compression and restore mobility.
13. Can physical therapy help a bulging disc?
Physical therapy achieves excellent outcomes for bulging disc management using specialized techniques like the McKenzie Method and specific exercises to reduce disc pressure and strengthen supporting structures.
14. Which is better for a bulging disc, chiropractor or physical therapy?
Physical therapists offer a more comprehensive approach to bulging disc treatment with exercise prescription, patient education, and long-term movement pattern correction compared to chiropractic care alone.
mobile physical therapy in northern vermont
What do our PATIENTS say about us?
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