Established in the heart of Montoursville in 1993, Lycoming Physical Therapy continues to add to their arsenal against everything from every day aches and pains to recovery from major surgeries and accidents.

“My career started at Williamsport Hospital back in the 1980’s, and from there, I was out at Muncy Valley Hospital when it was a standalone facility, and I was a chief therapist there,” owner Rob Burger said.

Throughout those five or six years, the idea of opening up a private practice came to fruition.

“Those years of experience that I had within the hospital system really solidified some of my clinical skills, but that calling to open up a practice just kind of churned,” Burger said.

At the point that they decided to open the clinic, there was only one practice in the area, but it was some encouragement at a couple’s getaway that solidified the decision to open their own.

“My wife and I went to a marriage retreat, and talked with several people, and their recommendation was, ‘hey, if this is what you’re supposed to be doing, this is what we’re called to do, then go do it,’ and that was really the impetus for us to start the practice,” Burger said.

In 2005, Lycoming Physical Therapy settled into its current location, 1009 Broad St., with a second location in Muncy following in 2014, at 1199 E Penn St.

Today, the practice is a family affair with daughter, Alyssa Neidig in the role of business manager, while Burger’s wife, Patty, watches two over children and runs errands for the office.

“Our son just graduated from Misericordia with a business degree, and he’s starting to do some of the claims reimbursement claims and cash flow management aspects of the business, and our oldest daughter helps out with some statistical analysis,” Burger explained.

“And then we try to sell out some of the administrative responsibilities to whoever’s so interested. Some of the office staff are very creative and help us out with advertising. We’ve got some very good speakers, and when we do workshops, they help present the material. It’s a great team with a great mix of talents,” he added.

Some of the services offered by Lycoming Physical Therapy include treatment for general musculoskeletal problems, shoulder, neck, back and knee pain, as well as post-surgical treatments.

“If someone has had a rotator cuff repair or knee or shoulder replacement, we work with them on a daily basis,” Burger said “Those folks who have some degree of dizziness or imbalance and have fear of falling are treated very successfully in the Balance Center,” he continued.

“They have a program called Big, which really targets Parkinson’s Disease and patients that are afflicted by that. We’re gonna have a new therapist coming on who is a level three specialist in pelvic floor disorders. So we’re trying to expand the different niches and serve the community in more than just your general orthopedic cases,” Burger said.

“We have an aquatic center in the building, and the benefit of the pool is there’s some buoyancy and there’s the warmth of the water,”Burger added.

“It’s a nice way to offer some services to people who are arthritic, as well. The buoyancy supports and adds some stability, but it also has some resistance, so you train the muscles. And as you get a little stronger, hopefully we can transition onto some land based therapy,” he said.

“The folks who develop all those different programs are just top notch, and they really take an interest in their clients and their patients,” Burger said.

Patients are accepted by referral, as well as walk-in.

“Pennsylvania law allows us to treat patients with certain certifications, and those certifications say we can treat patients without physician referral, and most insurances will cover those non-referred services, but that coverage varies depending upon the insurance company,” Burger explained.

Because of this variation, Lycoming Physical Therapy verifies patient insurance, so that there is no confusion over the amount of coverage afforded, the amount of visits allowed and any restrictions that may be in place.

For those with out of pocket expenses, financing options are available.

Burger also stressed that while patients may receive referrals to specific facilities, they are always free to choose their own provider.

“As long as a physical therapy clinic participates with your insurance, you have a choice on where you want to attend therapy,” he said.

As for what keeps the patients coming to Lycoming Physical Therapy, Burger said several factors come into play.

“We take a very personal approach to each and every treatment. You’re not tossed around between a number of different therapists,” he said, adding that the clinicians work in teams that are in constant communication to help their patients reach their goals.

Despite carrying a heavy caseload, wait times for initial consultations also tend to be fairly short, with most first time patients being able to be seen within 48 hours.

To help facilitate a quick start to treatment, the facility offers evening hours most days of the week.

Additionally, the therapist teams are in constant contact with patients’ primary care physicians.

“We’re constantly sending them notes or calling them to give them updates on how you’re progressing. Or if there’s problems, we can contact them and try to stave them off,” Burger said.

Above all else, Burger credits Lycoming Physical Therapy’s welcoming atmosphere, mixed with some traditional Christian values for its continued success.

“We take what we do seriously and we have a good time doing it,” he said.

“We make things fun, exciting and challenging for our clients, but we push them a little bit too,” Burger said.

“Its location, its convenience, its accommodations and its personal care. I think those are the factors that drive people here,” he said.

For more information on Lycoming Physical Therapy, check out their website at www.lycomingpt.com or contact them by telephone at 570-218-9431.