Physical Therapists in Durham, NC
Compare 650 physical therapists in Durham, NC. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
650
Physical Therapists
100%
Accepting patients
42%
Most common: DPT
Top-Rated Physical Therapists in Durham, NC
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Specialty: physical-therapistState: NCCity: Durham
About physical therapists in Durham, NC
Durham is a Duke town when it comes to healthcare. Duke University Hospital is a top-10 nationally ranked medical center, and the Duke Health system is by far the dominant provider in the city. For residents who need something beyond what Duke offers locally, UNC Chapel Hill is only 15 minutes west. The concentration of biotech and pharmaceutical companies in Research Triangle Park means the area attracts physicians who want to be near research.
Durham has 650 physical therapists. The most common credential is DPT (42%). 100% are currently accepting new patients. Practitioners see patients in neighborhoods including Downtown Durham, Brightleaf District, Ninth Street, and Trinity Park.
Durham is compact compared to Raleigh and Charlotte. Duke University Hospital and Duke Regional Hospital are both within a few miles of downtown. Most medical offices cluster along Erwin Road near the Duke campus or along NC-147 (Durham Freeway). Getting to UNC Chapel Hill is a straight shot west on I-40. The area is small enough that most drives to medical appointments are under 15 minutes.
Nearby hospitals include Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, and Durham VA Health Care System. Local training programs run through Duke University School of Medicine and North Carolina Central University. Duke University Hospital is consistently ranked among the top 10 hospitals in the nation.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is the dominant carrier, with strong Duke Health network coverage. UnitedHealthcare and Aetna are common through large employers and the biotech sector. NC Medicaid through WellCare and AmeriHealth Caritas covers Duke Regional and community health centers. Duke's employee health plan is one of the largest in the Triangle. 28% accept Medicare.
What to expect at your first physical therapist visit in Durham, NC
The first visit (about 45 to 60 minutes) includes a thorough evaluation of your movement, strength, flexibility, and pain. Your PT will ask about your daily activities and goals. They will put together a treatment plan with exercises and hands-on techniques, and teach you what to do at home between visits. Follow-up sessions are typically two to three times per week.
Tips for Durham, NC patients
Duke's rehabilitation and physical therapy network is extensive. For non-Duke options, there are independent PT clinics near the American Tobacco District and along US-15/501.
When to see a physical therapist
See a physical therapist for back or neck pain, joint pain, recovery after surgery (knee replacement, ACL repair, rotator cuff), sports injuries, balance problems or fall prevention, chronic pain, reduced mobility, or any musculoskeletal condition your doctor recommends therapy for. In most states, you can see a PT directly without a doctor's referral.
Typical costs
Session copay: $20-75 · Session (out-of-pocket): $75-200 · Initial evaluation: $100-250
Common reasons to see a physical therapist in Durham, NC
Durham's relatively mild winters allow for consistent outdoor rehab programming. The American Tobacco Trail and Duke Forest trails are commonly used for walking-based physical therapy.
Post-surgical rehabilitation
After joint replacement, ACL repair, rotator cuff surgery, or other procedures, physical therapy is essential for regaining strength, range of motion, and function.
Sports injury recovery
Physical therapists design sport-specific rehabilitation programs that get you back to your activity safely and help you prevent the same injury from recurring.
Chronic back and neck pain
Physical therapists use manual therapy, targeted exercises, and movement education to treat back and neck pain at its root cause rather than masking symptoms.
Balance and fall prevention
Balance training reduces fall risk in older adults and people with neurological conditions. Physical therapists assess your balance, identify deficits, and build a program to improve stability.
Shoulder, knee, and hip pain
Joint pain often responds to targeted exercise and manual therapy before surgery becomes necessary. Physical therapists strengthen the muscles that support the joint and improve how it moves.
Browse physical therapists by neighborhood in Durham
Frequently asked questions about physical therapists in Durham, NC
Durham, NC has 650 licensed physical therapists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of physical therapists in Durham, NC are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina has the broadest network and covers most Duke providers. Some Duke specialists may require prior authorization. NC Medicaid is accepted at Duke Regional and Lincoln CHC.
Session copays range from $20 to $75. Out-of-pocket sessions cost $75 to $200 each. An initial evaluation runs $100 to $250. Actual costs in Durham, NC depend on the provider and your insurance plan. Many plans cap the number of covered sessions per year, commonly 20 to 60. Ask your PT's office to verify your specific benefit limits and any authorization requirements before starting.
Duke Health is the primary system in Durham. Duke University Hospital handles complex and specialty care, while Duke Regional Hospital provides community-level services. For non-Duke options, Lincoln Community Health Center and UNC Health (in nearby Chapel Hill) are alternatives.
DPT stands for Doctor of Physical Therapy and PT stands for Physical Therapist. Both are equivalent qualifications. In Durham, NC, 42% hold the DPT credential and 22% hold PT. The difference is in training pathway, not quality of care.
28% of physical therapists in Durham, NC accept Medicare. Medicare covers physical therapy when medically necessary. There is no hard annual cap, but a threshold amount triggers additional documentation requirements. Your therapist will handle the paperwork. You can filter for Medicare-accepting providers on FindClarity.
No. Duke provides primary care, routine specialist visits, and urgent care alongside its nationally ranked specialty programs. Duke Primary Care has offices throughout Durham for everyday medical needs.
Durham's Lincoln Community Health Center accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and offers sliding-scale fees. UNC Health facilities in Chapel Hill (a 15-minute drive) may also be in your network. Duke Regional Hospital accepts a broader range of plans than the main Duke campus.
Nearby Cities
Other specialties in Durham
Insurance & Physical Therapist coverage
Top accepted carriers in Durham, NC include qhp-11512, unitedhealthcare, medicare, centene, and cigna.
Most health insurance plans cover physical therapy with a copay per session, typically $20 to $75. Many plans limit the number of covered sessions per year (commonly 20 to 60). Some require prior authorization or a doctor's referral for coverage. Ask your PT's office to verify your benefits before starting, including any visit caps or annual limits.
