Brookyln Heights


About Us
Choose to get better. Choose MOTION PT Group.
Brooklyn Heights is a physical therapy clinic with one mission: to get you back to normal fast, with less pain and lasting results. It’s conveniently located on Smith Street in Brooklyn, NY.
Our team of therapists develop personalized treatments and follow evidence-based protocols that lead to the best possible results. We’ll help you feel better, so you can get back to what moves you.
Call today and book an appointment. We can’t wait to meet you.
Looking For Another Brooklyn Location?
Boro Park - 4911 13th Avenue
Ditmas Park - 1818 Newkirk Avenue
Gravesend - 98 Avenue U
Lefferts Gardens - 672 Parkside Avenue
Williamsburg - 44 Lee Avenue
Your Recovery Starts Here
We love a good success story – you’ll be one of them.
MOTION PT Group is a network of clinics offering physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Here, we have one mission. To improve your mobility, help you feel better, and improve your quality of life.
With clinics throughout Georgia, New York, Maryland, and Massachusetts, our goal is to get you back to daily living with less pain and lasting results. Our team of licensed therapists develop personalized treatments and follow evidence-based practices that lead to the best possible results. Many of our therapists have advanced degrees, board certifications, and are trained in innovative techniques.
Whether it’s physical therapy, hand therapy, or sports medicine… we’ll help you feel better, so you can get back to what moves you.
In The News
MOTION named Official Physical Therapy Partner for Major League Rugby’s newest member
MOTION PT Group, a leading provider of physical, occupational and speech therapy, and Rugby United New York (RUNY) announced MOTION as a multi-year team sponsor and “Official Physical Therapy Partner” for RUNY, the newest member of Major League Rugby (MLR).
The partnership represents the first major sports sponsorship for MOTION in the U.S. and includes providing personalized physical therapy for RUNY players throughout their first three MLR seasons.
“It’s an honor to work with Rugby United New York, one of the most promising new franchises in American sports,” said MOTION PT Group Chief Clinical Director Michael Fox. “It’s an exciting step parlaying our vast experience working with rugby in New York and with Men’s Eagles, the U.S. Men’s National Rugby Team.”
Fox worked with Xavier High School’s rugby team with fellow alumnus and RUNY head coach Mike Tolkin. Tolkin went on to serve as head coach of the New York Athletic Club’s Rugby Super League and the U.S. Men’s National Rugby Team, bringing Fox with him and solidifying their partnership.
“Coach Tolkin and I have been working together for almost 30 years,” Fox said. “The opportunity to now work with him and Major League Rugby in our own backyard is a real honor for our MOTION team.”
“I am ecstatic to take on the role of head physical therapist for RUNY and develop a support team of therapists to assist with coverage,” said MOTION Director of Sports Medicine Services Ethan Burger. “RUNY embodies New York and unity, and we will put forth our best efforts to keep the lads in one piece!”
MOTION therapists will provide onsite services to the RUNY players at all games and practices as well as at their flagship MOTION Sports Medicine facility in midtown Manhattan.
“We are proud to welcome MOTION as the official physical therapy partner of the RUNY team,” said James English, GM for Rugby United New York. “MOTION is an ideal partner, offering us clinical expertise in rugby fitness and injury prevention as well as access to cutting-edge sports rehabilitation technology and equipment.”
RUNY players have access to MOTION’s groundbreaking sports rehabilitation technology such as TRAZER®, with interactive testing and training programs, and AlterG®, an Anti-Gravity Treadmill™ allowing players to move without pain or interference to natural gait mechanics.
RUNY’s season runs through June, with the first home game on March 15 at MCU Park in Coney Island.
# # #
MOTION Renames New York Clinics Under
MOTION Sports Medicine Brand
NEW YORK — MOTION, Inc., a leading provider of physical, occupational and speech therapy services in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions, is expanding the MOTION Sports Medicine brand in New York State. The company will adopt the MOTION Sports Medicine brand at all of its New York locations.
MOTION has been rapidly expanding in New York by acquiring high quality, founder-owned physical and occupational therapy practices and is now building a common brand that New Yorkers will recognize as a top provider of Physical and Occupational Therapy services.
For more information visit www.motionptg.com
Blog Posts
Physical Therapy for Tennis Elbow
What is tennis elbow?
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is caused by repeated stress of the elbow through motions that are done over and over or overuse of the arm and wrist. The muscles and tendons can withstand a fair amount of abuse, but sometimes these repeated motions can wear them down over time from the inside. These microscopic tears grow larger and more painful with every subsequent motion.
Despite the name ‘tennis elbow’, this type of injury can happen to almost anyone. Athletes who play in arm-based sports such as fencing, weight lifting, swimming, and any type of racket sports are partaking in repeated elbow motions every time they play. Additionally, those who work labor-intensive jobs frequently develop tennis elbow from constant lifting and moving motions. If this is the case, Motion physical therapy in Lynbook offers an intensive workplace injury management program to assist you with your personalized care. However, the effects of tennis elbow can be felt from even the slightest of actions.
Can I be at risk for tennis elbow if I’m not an athlete?
Some at-home causes of tennis elbow can include painting, knitting, carpentry, cooking (cutting motions), constant lifting activities like moving, and typing. Despite these motions seeming innocuous, they still put an albeit slower to form yet painful repetitive strain on the tendons in your elbow. If you have questions about what activities could put you at risk, visit Motion Physical Therapy in Lynbrook to meet with your local physical therapist.
What are some of the most common symptoms of tennis elbow?
The symptoms of tennis elbow are universally regarded as a slow yet painful experience. Gradual amounts of pain normally start in a mild aching form on the outside of the upper forearm with slowly worsening symptoms turning into chronic pain over time. Though the injury resides in the elbow, your pain will most likely be triggered while partaking in activities involving your hands. You might be suffering from tennis elbow if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- Shaky hands.
- Pain or burning on the outside of the elbow.
- Weakened grip.
- Weakened strength of the wrist and arm.
- Difficulty with everyday tasks (holding a cup of coffee, turning a doorknob, etc.).
Determining your injury can make it easier for a healthcare professional or physical therapist to treat it and prevent further damage. These symptoms may be consistent with other common injuries, so scheduling a consultation with our staff for physical therapy in Lynbrook will allow you to receive a full evaluation and diagnosis of your condition.
What are my treatment options for tennis elbow injuries?
The longer that you wait on receiving treatment for your tennis elbow, the more irreversible the damage can become. Early diagnosis with prompt treatment is typically the best option for your situation. Our programs for physical therapy in Lynbrook can help you treat your tennis elbow. If the injury is left unchecked, your elbow could become permanently weakened as your muscles heal in a fragile manner. Should the damage be allowed to develop to a severe enough level, or you are experiencing these symptoms for around 12 months, you might be forced to undergo a surgical procedure to repair the tears in your muscles or tendons or even remove the injured muscle completely. This process is an expensive and painful endeavor with an extended healing process, and so non-surgical treatment is always the first possible option.
Here are some at-home remedies to try while you wait for your physical therapy appointment in Lynbrook:
- Rest and relaxation, keep the injured area stationary for a brief period.
- Recommended stretching techniques (but only those suggested by your therapist).
- Hot and cold therapy, use both heated packs and ice packs to apply for this treatment.
Many patients suffering from tennis elbow get fitted a personal brace to hold the elbow in place. This brace will be centered over the back of your arm and will force your elbow into a proper resting position. By visiting physical therapy in Lynbrook, you will have the opportunity to custom-fit a brace with our physical therapists in order to create an efficient seal. Additionally, ask our team about your options for a counterbalance brace. This strap reduces tension on the muscles/tendons by transferring force farther down on your arm. While this method is not the best for restricting access, it remains efficient in reducing elbow pain.
Our patients find that hot and cold therapy is an efficient non-invasive physical therapy treatment for their pain and can provide sufficient relief. Which therapy you receive depends on your personal situation and time passed since the injury occurred. Because of this, it’s essential that when you attend physical therapy in Lynbrook that you alert your therapist of this information and give prior notice. In general, ice therapy is the preferable option during the start of the injury. The cold will be efficient in reducing swelling and numbing the pain that has been experienced as a result of your tennis elbow. Do not use ice prior to any sort of workout or stretching activity however, as this can be counterproductive to the healing process and should only be used afterward. Likewise, heat therapy is useful from about 3 days onward after an injury. The heat helps to increase blood flow and relax the muscles, placing them into a more flexible state. This therapy should be used alternatively with cold therapy, so use heat therapy prior to exercise and during your long-term healing process. Working with one of our experts here at Motion Physical Therapy in Lynbrook can offer further personalized help to educate you on proper temperature based techniques and when it is best to use them.
Physical Therapy for Tennis Elbow
While these techniques are naturally effective in their own way, applying physical therapy in addition to them can only further aid your healing process. A physical therapist can properly train you on exercises that gradually move your forearm muscles in a comfortable fashion. During your visit to physical therapy in Lynbrook, your physical therapist will work closely alongside you to develop a personalized treatment schedule. They will create a customized regiment that selects specific exercises to pinpoint your injury. Overall, the goal is to increase strength or improve movement within the supportive muscles of your arm without further aggravating the stressed muscle. You may be assigned special modalities to help with your condition, some of which might include ice massages and muscle-stimulation programs.
Sports Specific Physical Therapy at MOTION
If you are an athlete, consider enrolling at one of our services for sports specific physical therapy in Lynbrook. Since you will be anxious to return to the field as soon as possible, our sports physical therapy regimens zone in on how we can treat your injury and potentially return you to your full strength. You will be guided through various strengthening and movement techniques to allow the elbow to become reacclimated to the harsh movements associated with your sport. We also provide educational training for athletes by means of positional correcting and suggesting more efficient techniques for play to prevent future wear and tear.
Contacting MOTION Sports Medicine & MOTION PT Group
At MOTION Sports Medicine, our team of dedicated physical therapists are always ready to help. If you are in need of a physical therapist near Lynbrook to help treat tennis elbow, contact us today and get started on your treatment plan.
Physical Therapy for Scoliosis
What is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis is defined as an unnatural curvature of the spine. The vertebrae in your spine can sometimes develop incomplete or fused together at wrong angles. This can be seen in the form of unusual bends or angles. The bend can become visible in their appearance, creating uneven shoulders or hips. Additionally, it can affect the lungs’ ability to function making it much harder to breathe.
Causes and Symptoms
80% of Scoliosis cases are idiopathic with no reasonable cause. However, there exist three additional designations that stem from other causes. Functional scoliosis is a condition in which the spine appears to be the status quo, but abnormalities develop as a result of other underlying issues in the body. This may be caused by one leg being shorter naturally, carrying heavy unequal loads, or by any form of muscle spasms located in the back. Neuromuscular scoliosis is where the bones of the spine encounter problems during formation. Usually, the bones of the spine fail to separate during fetal development or fail to form completely. Finally, Degenerative scoliosis is caused by age and changes in the spine due to spondylosis (a type of arthritis). Weakened tissue and ligaments within the spine can lead to an inevitable curvature and other health risks. Osteoporosis, disc degeneration, and compression can all lead to this type of scoliosis.
What can MOTION do for you?
Here at Motion Sports Medicine, our team of professionals will help you to designate your scoliosis for better treatment and work with you to figure out what your next course of action should be. Our physical therapy in Lynbrook and the Long Island area can help manage any scoliosis symptoms of any type before they grow worse.
What are the Development and Risks Involved?
Scoliosis can develop in early childhood, but may still get worse with growth or age to the possible point of permanent disablement. If you think your child may be developing a curvature within their spine, it may be time to contact Motion Sports Medicine to learn about your options for pediatric physical therapy in Lynbrook. Children who have been diagnosed at a young age are taught to wear a brace, which can be a helpful preventative measure to prevent the spine from becoming too curved as they grow older. When you visit our physical therapy in Lynbrook, Motion Sports Medicine will discuss with you some of the potential causes of the condition, which include:
- Severe infections in the spine.
- Congenital disabilities.
- Birth defects.
- Age (Puberty or Old Age).
- Genetic predisposition.
- Sex Predisposition (Women are at higher risk).
- Injuries to the spine.
- Tumors.
- Marfan syndrome.
- Down syndrome.
Since scoliosis usually begins in early infancy, it’s essential for parents or caretakers to identify some of the symptoms for early detection. The key to early treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is the prompt early identification of the condition. Adolescent symptoms that parents and caretakers can be on the lookout for may include the following:
- The child leans to one side.
- Their head appears slightly off center.
- A bulge appears on one side of their chest.
- One-shoulder blade appears to be higher than the other.
- Their clothes do not fit properly in the shoulder.
- Their legs are uneven in length but not size.
- They suffer from chest pain or breathlessness due to pressure on the heart and lungs.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s health, please contact your family doctor for diagnosis and our physical therapy in Lynbrook for treatment options.
Treatment for Scoliosis
Physical therapy is the key to scoliosis treatment. In severe cases, invasive surgery might be required to correct the issue. Given that scoliosis is a degenerative disease that worsens with time, early detection and treatment can save you from an expensive surgical procedure. The pain that accompanies your scoliosis can also be treated and managed. Physical therapy in Lynbrook is a great option to manage scoliosis symptoms in all sorts of individuals regardless of age or other complications.
An examination with your doctor will help to analyze things like muscle strength, reflexes, and any areas of numbness. You may be subject to imaging tests and diagnostic image tests to rule out any other problems that could be causing the spinal curvature. This will help to determine if your scoliosis is caused by age or by an external factor. There is no cure for scoliosis, only preventative measures, and reactive measures can assist the condition. From there, your diagnosis will help our team for physical therapy in Lynbrook to determine the right care routine for you.
The most common practice for treating a child suffering from scoliosis is to implement a brace for support. Juvenile idiopathic scoliosis has the highest risk of complications over time. By far, bracing might be the best option for long term treatment in order to minimize future issues. The significance of wearing a brace is that it can potentially prevent further progression and development of the spinal curve. The most common type of brace is made of contoured body-confirming plastic. Consult with your provider, but oftentimes, braces can fit discreetly underneath your clothing.
Sleep Positioning – Important for Scoliosis Management
Sleep positioning is an efficient method to decrease your discomfort. Whether in a brace or not, a curved spine or stiff brace can cause you to toss and turn at night, unable to get comfortable. That is why special sleeping positions or techniques might be useful for alleviating that worry. You will want to invest in a firm mattress with a fair amount of pillow support. A sagging or soft bed will not provide you with the necessary support for your back. Your main objective is to close any gap that exists between your body and the mattress. Sleeping on your side can keep the spine straight and neutral, which can minimize strain on the spine’s nerves while sleeping on your back distributes your weight evenly across your body’s widest surface. Using pillows to fill in the gaps in these positions can cause instant relief. For guidance on proper sleep positioning techniques, contact our physical therapists in Lynbrook for more information.
At-Home Treatment for Scoliosis
When managing scoliosis, our physical therapists in Lynbrook will manipulate your spine into a comfortable range of motion. By performing careful bends on key pressure points, your physical therapist can more properly align the spine to manage pain and discomfort associated with scoliosis. Chiropractic manipulations and exercise therapy can help to straighten and strengthen your back muscles that surround the spine to increase stability. Lower back pain is commonly treated with the assistance of physical therapy. Our spinal services include massages, stretches, and exercises carefully curated to help your spine move without pain. By undergoing these treatment methods, your pain could subside and you may feel more comfortable.
Here are some exercises that you can do at home that might be included in your physical therapy regiment:
- Step down and one-arm reach
- Split stance with arm reach
- Upward and downward dog
Contacting a Local Clinic near you!
For more information on our spinal services, we encourage to follow this link to learn about what MOTION Sports Medicine can offer! Please also visit our request an appointment page to learn about local caregivers in your area. MOTION Sports Medicine thanks you for your patronage and we look forward to hearing from you.
What is Pediatric Physical Therapy?
At Motion Physical Therapy in Brooklyn Williamsburg, we provide services that specialize in treating babies, toddlers, teenagers, and young adults with conditions related to genetic, neurological, and orthopedic disorders. Our top therapists work with children and their families to provide the best medical care in order to aid the children in reaching their utmost potential to function independently and gain the strength to move through their environment effortlessly and effectively. Pediatric Physical Therapy ranges in a variety of different services that treat many different conditions.
Benefits of Pediatric Physical Therapy
Children’s bones, muscles, and joints require special and personalized medical care. Growth plates in children that are responsible for making new bone tissue are open and without proper diagnosis and treatment, these injuries could cause permanent damage. Motion Physical Therapy in Brooklyn Williamsburg specializes in working with children one and one and have expertise in treating pediatric injuries. We understand that children need individualized attention and the importance of specifically learning about every child to provide a tailored rehabilitation program that prevents long-term future injuries. Pediatric Physical Therapists at Motion Physical Therapy in Brooklyn Williamsburg do more than just diagnose and treat injuries, they have a passion for working with kids and provide a fun, kid-friendly atmosphere that makes kids more comfortable and at ease during their treatments.
Who is prone to injuries?
Though injuries could occur daily, playing sports exposes children to getting injuries more readily. Being a young athlete is great, but since the body is still growing, young athletes are prone to getting injuries which leaves them with daily aches and pains. Injuries that could occur include muscle strains and tears or even injuries as serious as a concussion. Injuries as such require immediate medical attention for your young athlete to get proper treatment. At Motion Physical Therapy we will work with your young athlete one on one to provide them with the best treatment to get them back on their feet and onto the field feeling better than ever.
Type of Pediatric Therapies?
A variety of therapy options such as Physical therapy, Occupational therapy, and Speech therapy offered at Motion Physical Therapy in Brooklyn Williamsburg are used to ensure that your child is getting the best type of physical therapy attention tailored to their needs.
Physical Therapy evaluates the child’s ability to move, stand, and use their body. Physical Therapy can help with delayed milestones, muscle imbalances, poor coordination, and other conditions by assisting with functional training and exercises with the help of medications and diet changes. Physical Therapy prevents, enhances, and restores movement and physical functions damaged by different diseases, injuries, or disabilities.
Occupational Therapy examines how the child performs with their day to day activities. Occupational Therapy assists with challenges your child might have with coordination, fine motor skills, or learning skills. Occupational therapy engages in activities of the child’s everyday life to enable and encourage participation in day to day activities despite having an impairment, physical limitations, or mental functions.
Speech Therapy examines the child’s listening, speaking, and communication skills. Speech Therapy helps with language, social skills, and speech sound errors.
What to expect during your first appointment?Now that you have learned about Pediatric Physical Therapy, if you have any concerns that your child might be suffering from daily pains and aches and might need the attention of pediatric physical therapist call Motion Physical Therapy in Brooklyn Williamsburg to schedule your child’s first appointment. The first appointment will be focused on evaluating the condition and the history of the condition. The first appointment will be educational for you and your child as the therapists go over the condition, progression, a treatment plan.
What is a Hernia?
A sports hernia is a condition in which a soft-tissue injury has developed along the groin area. A traditional hernia is a hole in the peritoneum of the abdomen (the muscular lining that holds all of your organs together). A hernia will produce a lump or bulge in the affected part of the stomach and thus is easy to spot by a medical professional. A sports hernia, however, is caused by torn tendons connecting to the pelvic area. This affliction, medically referred to as athletic pubalgia, is caused by stress to this part of the body during movements, such as sudden impact or constant twisting motions of the pelvis. Most often it occurs in sports involving large amounts of rapid movements, such as football, hurdling, hockey, skiing, and other similar activities. Unfortunately, this injury is a common occurrence for most athletes. According to the National Institutes of Health, 770,000 hernia procedures are being performed each year in the United States alone.
Using medical terminology, two of the most frequent incidences of hernias are inguinal and femoral. Both of these hernias develop when fatty tissues or parts of the intestine poke into the groin at the top of the inner thigh. Customarily, inguinal hernias are much more prevalent in men as opposed to women. Of all hernias that occur, 75-80% of them are either inguinal or femoral.
Identification of a sports hernia is much more complicated than that of a traditional hernia, as it does not offer any visible physical symptoms. The main indicator of a sports hernia will be a sharp and sudden pain during the tearing, that may fade away with time, but will always return when exercise is resumed. You will need to visit a doctor for the diagnosis of a sports hernia. Typically, your physician will perform some physical stretching tests, such as sit-ups, and stretches to check for tenderness or pain in the pelvic area. Depending on the severity, an MRI might be requested in order to check for the presence of a muscle tear. For moderate to severe sports hernias, your doctor may recommend a surgical procedure in order to repair the tear. During this surgery, the surgeon will make one long incision to reattach the torn ligaments back together physically. However, if the damage to the surrounding nerves is severe enough, they may need to perform an inguinal neurectomy. Afterward, your doctor may recommend you to physical therapy for what will be an extensive recovery process.
How Can Physical Therapy Help?
Following a sports hernia, physical therapy will become crucial to regaining control and comfort over your body. If the muscles remain torn or tear again, the damage may continue to the point of irreparability. The healing process will require a personalized plan that keeps your muscles moving without causing any risk of re-tearing while building your flexibility and hip strength back to the level you were at beforehand. Your physical therapist can assist you through all aspects of this process.
Every case will have their personalized progress plan for their physical recovery after surgery, but there are generalized aspects to expect within your therapy. Going to physical therapy after an injury or surgery is helpful for your body, reminding it how it should be operating. All rehabilitation methods suggested by your physical therapist will assist in decreasing pain and increasing mobility as you heal. Stretches will always help to gently begin flexing and strengthening the affected areas at a slower pace.
Your physical therapist’s goal is to help you target and activate the injured muscles in a non-harmful way. A core strengthening routine will assist in getting your muscles back into a physical shape where they are not only healed from surgery in a flexible and natural method but will get their strength back so that you can partake in your favorite sports and activities once again. Sport-specific activities may be integrated into your program for this very reason.
Contacting MOTION
MOTION offers a personalized process for helping to treat your condition after a sports hernia or its related surgeries.
Our extensive sports rehabilitation programs will help get you back on your feet and attain the necessary results you want from your body. For more information, please visit our website for a clinic near you!