Compare 1182 physical therapists in Philadelphia, PA. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
1,182
Physical Therapists
100%
Accepting patients
49%
Most common: DPT
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Philadelphia is a medical city in its bones. Five medical schools, more than 30 hospitals, and CHOP (the oldest children's hospital in the nation) give Philly a density of medical talent that rivals New York and Boston. The Penn and Jefferson systems anchor most of the city's care, but Temple and Einstein (now Jefferson North) serve the neighborhoods that the academic flagships sometimes overlook.
Philadelphia has 1,182 physical therapists. The most common credential is DPT (49%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
Center City is the medical epicenter, with Jefferson, Penn, and multiple specialty offices all within a few blocks. University City, across the Schuylkill River, is home to HUP, CHOP, and Penn Presbyterian. SEPTA's Broad Street Line and Market-Frankford Line connect most neighborhoods to one of these hubs within 30 minutes. North Philly relies on Temple University Hospital, while Germantown and Chestnut Hill are served by Jefferson-affiliated community hospitals.
Providers practice throughout Philadelphia. Center City is the heart of Philadelphia's medical corridor, with Jefferson, Hahnemann, and Penn campuses all within reach. Rittenhouse Square is an upscale neighborhood with specialty practices and proximity to Jefferson and Penn hospitals. Old City is a historic neighborhood near Jefferson Hospital and several walk-in clinics along Market Street. University City is home to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, CHOP, and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.
Nearby hospitals include Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Local training programs run through University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and Thomas Jefferson University (Sidney Kimmel Medical College). Philadelphia has five medical schools and more than 30 hospitals, making it one of the most medically dense cities in the US.
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.
Philadelphia has a strong physical therapy market, with practices clustered near the hospital campuses. Moss Rehabilitation (part of Einstein/Jefferson) is a regional leader in inpatient rehab. Most outpatient PT practices accept referrals from any hospital system.
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.
Session copay: $20-75 · Session (out-of-pocket): $75-200 · Initial evaluation: $100-250
The city's walkability and public transit use mean Philadelphia residents experience different injury patterns than car-dependent suburbs. Foot, knee, and hip problems from walking on uneven sidewalks and climbing row house stairs are common complaints in PT practices.
After joint replacement, ACL repair, rotator cuff surgery, or other procedures, physical therapy is essential for regaining strength, range of motion, and function.
Physical therapists design sport-specific rehabilitation programs that get you back to your activity safely and help you prevent the same injury from recurring.
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 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.
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.
Philadelphia, PA has 1,182 licensed physical therapists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of physical therapists in Philadelphia, PA are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Independence Blue Cross (IBX) is the dominant carrier in the Philadelphia region for employer plans. On the ACA marketplace, Ambetter, Oscar, and IBX compete. Medicaid in Philadelphia is administered through managed care organizations including Keystone First, Health Partners Plans, and Aetna Better Health.
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 Philadelphia, PA 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.
Philadelphia healthcare is dominated by Penn Medicine (HUP, Penn Presbyterian, Lancaster General) and Jefferson Health (Thomas Jefferson, Einstein, Abington). Temple Health serves North Philadelphia, and Main Line Health covers the western suburbs. Most physicians are affiliated with one system. Picking a PCP inside the system with the hospital closest to you simplifies specialist referrals.
DPT stands for Doctor of Physical Therapy and PT stands for Physical Therapist. Both are equivalent qualifications. In Philadelphia, PA, 49% hold the DPT credential and 19% hold PT. The difference is in training pathway, not quality of care.
28% of physical therapists in Philadelphia, PA 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.
Hahnemann University Hospital in Center City closed in 2019 after its owner filed for bankruptcy. Its closure reduced inpatient capacity in the city and shifted patients to nearby Jefferson, Temple, and Penn hospitals. Drexel University College of Medicine, which used Hahnemann for clinical training, has since partnered with Tower Health and other systems.
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) primarily serves patients from birth through age 21. Some specialty programs continue care into young adulthood for conditions diagnosed in childhood. CHOP has its main campus in University City and satellite locations throughout the region.
Top accepted carriers in Philadelphia, PA include medicare, centene, unitedhealthcare, qhp-17091, and qhp-44228.
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.