Better With Physical Therapy (Formerly Professional PT & Training) — Local services in Madison

Let me preface this review by saying that I'm old school and have done only one other Google review, so this truly is a 50th birthday gift to Matthew Riordan! Better with Physical Therapy is awesome! I can say that with confidence and knowledge since over the course of my six decades of life, I have worked with 4 different physical therapists (due to various injuries) before meeting Matthew. In this instance, I had been seeing another physical therapist (without improvement) so decided to make a change after reading Matthew's many well-written and witty articles in Chatham Living magazine. Both of my knees had been problematic post-surgery (torn meniscus in one and a fractured kneecap in the other) which inhibited my normally active lifestyle and ability to enjoy my rambunctious 5 and 3 year old grandsons. Long walks and car rides, trail hiking, gardening, and playing soccer and basketball with the boys were painful activities. It was impossible for me to kneel or squat down to pick something up. Getting up and down from the floor to play with my grandsons was a struggle, not to mention unsightly! Those struggles were playing with my head, and I was feeling depressed about aging and my inability to really enjoy my recent retirement. But, thanks to Matthew, I am happy to say that is over and I'm back to my normal activities and having a blast with my grandsons! With Matthew I received one-on-one care for a full hour on EVERY visit (unlike other practices where you're lucky if you get 15 minutes with the doctor). He applies his knowledge and experience in practical and useful methods and modalities. He formulated my treatment and exercise routine to include not only my knees but also the affected areas down my legs to my feet and up my legs to my glutes and lower back. To attain a better result or to laser focus on a particular muscle, Matthew nuanced traditional exercises by slightly changing a movement or position...so simple, but so effective...no other physical therapist had ever done that in my experience. One of my exercises utilized a soccer ball to improve my flexibility, balance and agility - I'm loving that when playing soccer with the kids. During my sessions I happened to mention to Matthew that I have suffered frequent headaches for a good part of my life, and he was on it in a NY minute! After lots of questions and probing, he added treatment and exercises for that issue. For the first time in my life, I no longer suffer from 3-day headaches and now know how to proactively ward them off or lessen the intensity. Not only a skilled doctor, Matthew is a great communicator, usually with a touch of humor. If you've read any of his articles in local magazines, you'll know what I mean. Wait until you meet him...Matthew is the whole enchilada! A big shout out to his always pleasant and very efficient office manager, Marie, for keeping the Medicare insurance billing and appointment schedule moving smoothly. P.S. Better With Physical Therapy is very conveniently located inside the...

Back in October 2022 I began physical therapy at Better With PT located at the Madison YMCA.  At the time, physically, I was the worst I ever had been. My legs were so weak I truly was unable to do any stairs at all, and unable to step up/down, even curbs!  I was at the worst level of activity I had ever been! And I had a tremendous fear of falling.  I was not real excited about going to PT!!  But a friend convinced me I should try  Better With PT at the Madison Y.  Without being able to do stairs, your entire life is put on hold. You can’t visit people, can’t go on trips etc, life stops, and I quite frankly was not ready for my life to stop!

When  I entered the facility I was greeted by the receptionist Marie who was very upbeat and explained to me the entire program: pricing, scheduling, cancellations etc. Marie always went out of her way to find appts on my busy calendar!  I was given an initial evaluation by the owner, Matt Riordan, and told beginning the next day that Will Huylton would be my therapist ! Will accepted the challenges of my severe pain and cramping due to sciatica and post polio syndrome with extreme weakness in my legs.

He spent the first session doing evaluations/measurements and he took me out to the main stairs, but I was unable to even go up one step without my legs buckling!!

And so my PT continued every day with Will coming up with some new challenges, providing me encouragement and yet always maintaining his patience and "smile"! But each day I could see my legs getting stronger, and I was starting to do stairs!! I am happy to tell you that in July 2023 I finished my PT and I am continuing to do stairs each day along with my home exercises;  Thanks to Will!

Will and the facility “Better With PT” at the Madison YMCA did all they could. Aside from having an excellent staff what this facility does different from others I've been to is that each patient receives a full 60 minutes of hands on treatment in contrast to the 20-30 minutes you receive at other facilities!  That makes a differences!!  I am most appreciative to the entire staff for their efforts but now the rest is up to me!

I highly recommend Better With PT in Madison YMCA!!  A...

Three cheers for Matthew Riordan and his crew at Better with Physical Therapy!!! I have had a few injuries over the years that have lead me to working with a physical therapist. Each injury was treated at a different clinic with the experience at each building upon the previous but never leaving me completely satisfied. I landed at Better, at the recommendation of a friend/colleague, with back pain that has less to do with an injury than it does with misuse, muscle weakness and age (not to mention the dreaded word "arthritis"). From my first visit I knew I was in the best hands to receive care and achieve my wellness goals.

Better has shown me what it is like to be treated as an individual with specific needs. At each visit I noticed the clients were a variety of ages, needs and abilities. At Better my physical therapist, Andrew Nassayan DPT, has been treating me every step of the way. He saw that not only did I want to be pain free but I wanted to correct the issue, maintain my health and, well, get better. He was a man with a plan and I the lucky recipient of his care and concern.

Andrew took the time to teach me and work with me to see that my needs were met which ran the gambit of wanting to lift both weights and everyday heavy objects properly to running again all without pain. Most importantly he did it with kindness and humor which made receiving care both comforting and inspiring to stay well.

My road to recovery has been gradual. I have work to do. Every day I follow my individualized plan I am getting stronger. The pain continues to subside as I strengthen those weak muscle groups and use them properly. Better Physical Therapy has not only made me better it has made me want...