Physical Therapy
If you’re an embodied mover with a goal to be stronger and more durable with robust activity throughout your lifespan, our holistic treatment approach is for you
At Practice Human we specialize in physical therapy for women ages 40+. Proudly serving New York City Nomad, Flatiron, and Chelsea neighborhoods.
Our passion is working with people who have backgrounds in embodied movement practices such as yoga, Pilates, and dance. And who are dedicated to the pursuit of sustainable fitness and aging well. We focus treatment on education, addressing the multidimensional nature of pain, plus movement and exercise that you can do independently to manage symptoms long term.
Do any of these describe you?
- You’re reaching middle age and finding your body isn’t responding to exercise the way it used to. We often hear patients say, “my body doesn’t feel like my own.”
- The go-to movement practices you used to rely on for pain relief aren’t working anymore.
- Your joints feel stiff and achy.
- You want to stay active and exercise at a high level, but your energy feels depleted and you’re not recovering from intense exercise as quickly as you did in the past.
- You’re losing muscle mass, and a recent bone scan revealed osteopenia or osteoporosis.
- The whole world and everyone around you is saying you should be lifting weights—heavy weights—but you have no idea what that looks like for you or how to get started.
Conditions we commonly treat with physical therapy
- Persistent hip and sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain in yoga practitioners
- Gluteal tendinopathy
- Menopausal joint pain
- Hip arthritis
- Knee arthritis
- Persistent low back pain
- Lumbar radiculopathy and sciatica
- Axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA)
- Strength and impact training for the prevention and treatment of osteopenia and osteoporosis
- Rotator cuff related pain
- Adhesive capsulitis / frozen shoulder
- Running related injuries and return to running
Let's Work Together
Do you have a painful condition that’s been bothering you for a while? Or have you tried and been dissatisfied with other courses of physical therapy?
If you are seeking a more embodied approach to one-on-one physical therapy, look no further. Practice Human proudly accepts Medicare and works with most insurance plans out of network.
BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL THERAPY
At Practice Human we believe that everyone can access simple tools for increasing strength, mobility, and physical endurance. Given the right stimuli, you will gain the capacity to do more in your daily activities with ease.
Ideally, physical therapy goes a step beyond resolving your current pain symptoms, and improving your function in daily life. Our service model is designed to take you a step farther. By building a reserve beyond what's necessary to meet daily demands, you'll be prepared to withstand whatever life throws your way.
Our goal at practice human is to teach you how to become autonomous in keeping yourself strong and resilient throughout your lifespan.
She listens, she runs some tests, she explains clearly without ever being condescending, and then works with you one-on-one.
“Caitlin’s thoughtful, individualized approach is so refreshing. She listens, she runs some tests, she explains clearly without ever being condescending, and then works with you one-on-one. You’re never passed off to anyone else to do repetitive, mindless exercises. Caitlin has ruined me for any other PT. It’s like flying first class — you can’t go back to coach without knowing what you’re missing.
Speaking of exercises, don’t miss out on her small group strength programs focused on women over 40. She applies that same approach and for the first time in my life I am energized and excited about strength training. No matter your capabilities or equipment avails, there’s a way to start and make it work.
I’d like to gatekeep Caitlin but I just couldn’t live with myself. Run, don’t walk!”
— ANNEMARIE C.
Pricing
SINGLE PHYSICAL THERAPY VISIT
Initial Evaluation (60 min): $280
Follow-up Visit (50 min): $220
PHYSICAL THERAPY PACKAGES
Introductory Package - 1 Initial evaluation and 5 follow-up visits: $1,250 (save $130)
Follow-up Package - 6 follow-up visits: $1,200 (save $120)
PLEASE NOTE: All of our PT visits are one-on-one with a Doctor of Physical Therapy.The same pricing applies for in-person and online visits
"I’ve worked with Caitlin for several months and it’s transformed my everyday life. She carefully prepares me for anything new, makes sure my form is right to avoid injury, and checks on my reaction afterward.
Training with Caitlin isn’t an activity separate from the rest of my life. I’m constantly aware that it affects every action I take during the week, whether hoisting my (relatively) heavy bags up onto the train’s luggage rack, pulling out cast iron pots in the kitchen, transplanting large shrubs or smallish trees in the garden, and so much more. Lift a 50-pound bag of sand? Not a problem.
Walking in the city is a joy—I can pace myself to hit the green lights instead of relying on jaywalking. I’m 76, small-boned, female, and was headed to osteoporosis. I love having the confidence that I can take care of myself and want others to know they can, too. Because of Caitlin’s strength training, I’m only going to be getting better, not worse, in the future."
— DL D.
"Caitlin is a true healer and I feel so lucky to have worked with her over the course of several months. Her empathic, patient bedside manner really makes Physical Therapy a place for repair, growth and expansion not only Physically but Emotionally."
— ANDY
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do you take insurance for physical therapy?
Practice Human is an out-of-network practice. While we are not in network with commercial insurance carriers, we are a proud Medicare provider.
What does this mean?
If you have Medicare as your primary coverage: You are eligible for physical therapy visits under Medicare billing policy. We do not accept Medicare advantage plans.
If you have out of network coverage in your insurance plan: Claims submitted to your insurance count toward your deductible and you'll be reimbursed for a portion of the visit price once the deductible has been met. In some cases our billing team will submit claims on your behalf, in other cases it might be more advantageous for you to submit claims yourself in the form of superbills.
Would you like to have us check on your Medicare eligibility or out-of-network coverage? We're happy to do so! Please email your full name as it appears on your plan, insurance ID, and date of birth to hello@practicehuman.com. We'll work with our billing team to find out more, and will get back to you ASAP to let you know what you can expect in terms of insurance reimbursement.
Do I need to have imaging like x-rays or an MRI before I begin physical therapy?
No. As physical therapists, we are primarily interested in the physical examination and discovering more about the behavior of your symptoms, your current functional level, and your goals. Pain and function do not always correlate with findings on imaging, and outcomes can be worse for patients who receive unnecessary medical testing.
Physical therapists are qualified to recognize signs and symptoms that would indicate need for further investigation with imaging or other tests. Your PT will conduct a thorough initial evaluation and monitor your progress closely throughout your plan of care. Should further medical testing become necessary, your PT will refer you to the appropriate healthcare provider(s) and help you navigate the healthcare system.
Do you offer physical therapy sessions online?
Yes. However, online visits may not qualify for coverage under insurance.
As of spring 2025, Medicare no longer reimburses for physical therapy telehealth visits. Some out-of-network insurance plans cover telehealth visits and some do not. You would need to check with your specific out-of-network provider.
You are always welcome to schedule online physical therapy visits if you are willing to pay out of pocket and not go through insurance.
Let's Work Together
Unlike traditional in-network clinics that will have you coming 2 times per week for 6-12 weeks, we do everything we can to solve your problem in as few visits as possible. We like to spread out the visits toward the end of your plan of care to once every two weeks, or once a month. This is how we transition you toward independence. You may be surprised how much time and money could be saved going out of network when you consider high copays and deductibles, time missed from work, and unnecessary time spent in therapy sessions.
Further, physical therapy treatment shouldn’t be limited by the constraints of insurance authorizations. At Practice Human, your treatment is based on collaborative decision making between you and your therapist, not what your insurance thinks you need or don’t need in your plan of care.
WHAT OUR PATIENTS ARE SAYING
"Having met you and working with you has made me feel that I am slowly getting a big hurdle figured out in terms of wanting to remain strong and very active as I am aging as a photographer. It makes me feel positive about the future!"
— AM L.
"Thrilled about my relatively speedy treatment for arm and neck pain caused by a herniated disk relapse, and long term plan to remain pain free with Practice Human PT led by Dr. Caitlin Casella.
Her hands-on approach to the causes of pain, and ways to alleviate discomfort or symptoms brought immediate relief. Casella’s work with me on strengthening exercises was empowering, and so much more effective than my initial PT years ago that only alleviated my pain. Thank you!"
— SUSAN C.
"After Caitlin’s close support, I am in the best shape of my life. I feel good running farther than ever, consistently; I am lifting heavier than I ever have, occasionally; I’m resting more than I ever have. And I’m having more fun working out than ever before!"
— JAHMIRE C.
"I have the good fortune of having known Caitlin for several years, as both strength trainer and physical therapist. I feel very grateful to have her as a reliable resource, especially as my body is aging, and needs more attention than it used to. She is consistently smart, empathic, skilled, and empowering in all of our work together. She is a clear communicator, an open listener, and is warm, funny and kind.
I trust her 100% to make thorough and accurate assessments, and to provide me with exercises that not only provide quick relief for my aches and pains, but also help me feel more embodied, centered, and powerful. I cannot recommend Caitlin highly enough, she is truly a rare gem!"
— SARAH H.
