If you’ve ever split your care between a chiropractor’s office and a separate physical therapy clinic, you know how easily the pieces drift apart. At Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation of NY & CT (PMR), the physical therapy Brewster NY patients receive can be planned together with chiropractic care, in one office at 1620 Brewster Town Center. Our Brewster office sees patients from around Putnam County, including Carmel, Southeast and Patterson.
Why a chiropractor with physical therapy under one roof helps
Chiropractic care and physical therapy use different tools toward the same goal: helping you move and function with less pain.
- Chiropractic care centers on joint motion, using adjustments and soft-tissue techniques to help stiff areas of the spine and other joints move more freely.
- Physical therapy centers on strength, control and movement habits, using exercise, hands-on therapy and gym training so your body can handle everyday demands.
When both happen in one office, your providers work from the same exam findings, decide which care comes first and time visits so they support each other. If something isn’t working, the plan can change in one conversation instead of across two practices.
Your Brewster care team
The physical therapist evaluates you and writes your plan of care.
Both Brewster chiropractors bring a sports and rehab background. Paul Ciatto, DC, is especially interested in rehabilitation and strength training for athletes, while Chris Shay, DC, concentrates on sports injuries and fitness and takes a “whole person” approach that looks for the underlying cause of pain.
What physical therapy in Brewster, NY looks like
Your first visit is an evaluation: a review of your history, then tests of motion, strength, balance and the movements that bother you. Follow-up sessions often include:
- A quick check on how you’ve felt since your last visit
- Hands-on therapy, such as joint and soft-tissue mobilization, to ease stiffness
- Guided exercise aimed at the weak links your evaluation found
- Time in the on-site gym building strength and practicing real-life movements
- Updates to your home exercise program
As you get stronger, sessions shift from hands-on care toward active exercise you can keep doing on your own. Read more about PMR’s physical therapy services.
Conditions we treat in Brewster
- Back and neck pain, including stiffness from long commutes or desk work
- Sports injuries such as ankle sprains, runner’s knee and shoulder strains
- Recovery after surgery, from joint replacements to ligament repairs
- Car accident and work injuries, such as whiplash and lifting strains
- Arthritis, joint pain and balance problems
Results vary from person to person, and when symptoms hint at something other than a muscle or joint problem, the Brewster team will refer you to an appropriate physician.
Do you need a referral for physical therapy in New York?
New York lets a licensed physical therapist with at least three years of full-time practice treat you without a referral for 10 visits or 30 days, whichever comes first (New York Education Law section 6731). The therapist must also give you written notice about insurance coverage, and you’ll need a referral to continue after that point.
Two exceptions matter. No-fault car accident care and New York workers’ compensation claims still require a referral for physical therapy. Some health plans require a referral or prior authorization too.
When to get urgent care
Get emergency care (call 911 or go to the ER) for:
- A severe headache, confusion, repeated vomiting or fainting after a car crash or fall
- Neck pain after a crash with numbness, tingling or weakness in your arms or legs
- New bladder or bowel control problems, or numbness between your legs
- Back pain with a high fever
- Chest pain or signs of stroke
Frequently asked questions
Will I work with a physical therapist or an assistant?
Often both. A licensed physical therapist performs your evaluation, writes your plan, sets your goals and rechecks your progress. A physical therapist assistant (PTA) can then lead many of your sessions under that therapist’s direction, guiding exercises and hands-on care and reporting how you respond. If your plan needs to change, the physical therapist makes that call.
What insurance do you accept for physical therapy in Brewster?
PMR accepts many plans used in New York, including NYSHIP Empire Plan, CDPHP, Crystal Run, Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Oxford, UnitedHealthcare, UMR and Harvard Pilgrim. PMR does not accept Medicare, Medicaid, Fidelis or Affinity. We also handle no-fault, workers’ compensation and personal injury claims. Check your coverage on our insurance and billing page.
Is it normal to feel sore after physical therapy?
Mild soreness for a day or so is common, especially when you start new exercises, much like after a new workout. It should ease rather than build. Tell your therapist if pain lasts more than a couple of days, gets worse after each visit or comes with new numbness or weakness, so your plan can be adjusted.
Schedule physical therapy in Brewster
PMR of Brewster, NY is at 1620 Brewster Town Center, Brewster, NY 10509. Call (845) 279-1135 or request an appointment online. Hours are 8:00am to 7:00pm Monday through Thursday, 8:00am to 5:00pm on Friday and 8:00am to 11:30am on Saturday.
You can learn more about the team and services on the Brewster office page. Please call at least 24 hours ahead if you need to cancel or move a visit.