Knee pain & arthritis physical therapy
In-Home Physical Therapy for Knee Pain & Arthritis
One-on-one care from a Doctor of Physical Therapy for knee arthritis and the stiffness, swelling, and pain that make stairs, chairs, and long walks harder—at home, at work, or in another private setting.
Prefer to talk? Call or text (574) 686-7313 (South Bend & Michiana) or (239) 399-5023 (Naples & Southwest Florida).
Serving South Bend & Michiana, Southwest Michigan, and Naples & Southwest Florida. Private-pay physical therapy.
Knee arthritis care
Arthritis Doesn't Mean You Have to Stop Moving
Knee osteoarthritis often shows up as pain on the stairs, stiffness after sitting, and an ache after a long walk. Exercise is one of the most strongly recommended treatments for knee osteoarthritis in the American College of Rheumatology and Arthritis Foundation guideline, and it tends to work better when it's supervised, often by a physical therapist.
Find What Is Driving Your Pain
Your evaluation looks at how your knee, hip, and ankle work together, the strength around them, and what makes your symptoms better or worse.
Practice Where It's Hard
Your stairs, your chairs, your car, and your walking routes, so your plan fits your real day instead of a clinic gym.
No Driving or Waiting Rooms
When getting in and out of the car is part of the problem, your Doctor of Physical Therapy comes to you: at home, at work, or in another private setting.
What we treat
Knee Problems We Commonly Treat
You don't need a diagnosis before contacting us. Your evaluation helps determine whether physical therapy is appropriate and what may be contributing.
Knee Arthritis
- Pain on the stairs, especially going down
- Stiffness first thing in the morning or after sitting
- Aching after walking or standing
- Swelling, or a knee that feels weak or unsteady
Everyday Moves That Have Gotten Harder
- Getting up from a low chair, the couch, or the car
- Kneeling, squatting, or getting up from the floor
- Walking farther or on uneven ground
- Keeping up with travel, the dog, or the grandkids
Other Knee Pain
- Pain around or behind the kneecap
- Tendon pain just below the kneecap
- Knee sprains and meniscus irritation treated without surgery
- Knee pain from running, pickleball, tennis, or golf
Before or After Knee Surgery
- Getting stronger before a knee replacement
- Recovering after a knee replacement
- After ACL reconstruction or meniscus surgery
- See post-surgical rehabilitation
When to get medical care first
Physical therapy is a good starting point for most knee pain. Get prompt medical care instead if your knee is hot, red, and very swollen or you have a fever, if you can't put weight on the leg after a fall or injury, or if your knee locks and won't straighten. Calf pain with swelling and warmth, especially after surgery or a long trip, can be a blood clot and needs same-day medical attention.
Your first visit
What to Expect From Your Knee Evaluation
Your first visit is a 60-minute, one-on-one evaluation and treatment session with a Doctor of Physical Therapy. Your therapist brings a treatment table and the supplies the visit needs. Before it ends, you'll understand what we found, what we recommend, and what to do next.
- Your full story. When the pain started, what makes it better or worse, and how it affects stairs, walking, sleep, and the activities you've cut back on.
- A focused knee exam. Knee motion and swelling, strength in the thigh and hip, balance, and how you walk, climb stairs, and get up from a chair.
- Treatment starts with what we find. When appropriate, care begins the same visit, and you leave with a plan for between visits.
- If something needs a physician's evaluation or imaging, we'll explain why and help guide you to the right next step.
Have X-ray or MRI reports, notes from your doctor, and your health history handy if you have them.
Treatment
Treatment Built Around What We Find
Your plan is chosen from your examination and your goals, and it changes as you respond.
Strength for the Knee & Hip
Progressive thigh and hip strengthening, chosen from your findings and adjusted to what your knee tolerates.
Hands-On Care
Joint and soft-tissue techniques for the knee, hip, and surrounding muscles when appropriate.
Dry Needling, Included
Used when clinically appropriate as one part of your plan, with no separate fee. Currently offered in South Bend & Michiana and Southwest Michigan.
Stairs, Chairs & Walking
Practiced on your own stairs and furniture, with practical changes that make them easier and safer.
Balance & Confidence
Steadier footing for curbs, uneven ground, and walking outdoors, so a sore knee doesn't keep you home.
A Home Plan You'll Use
A short routine that fits your day and is updated as you progress.
Cupping, Also Included
Static and dynamic cupping for tight, restricted tissue around the thigh, hip, and knee, used when clinically appropriate as one part of your plan, with no separate fee. More about cupping →
Some people improve in a few visits; others need a longer plan. Your recommendations are based on your findings and how you respond—not on a set number of visits. If you're preparing for or recovering from knee surgery, see post-surgical rehabilitation.
The goal
Back to Walking, Stairs & Everyday Life
Your plan is built around the activities that matter to you, such as:
- Taking the stairs without bracing on the rail
- Getting up from a chair, the couch, or the car more easily
- Walking farther: around the neighborhood, through the airport, or on the course
- Getting back to golf, pickleball, the gym, or playing with the grandkids
“Matt has been an amazing physical therapist! He helped me with my knee issue and consistently checked in to see how I was doing. He asked all the right questions to pinpoint the source of the pain, and through a combination of techniques like dry needling and a personalized exercise routine, the pain is now completely gone. Im so thankful I found him!”
“My experience with Elliott Concierge Therapy was great! I would highly recommend for your Physical Therapy needs. After my knee replacement Dr. Elliott was knowledgeable, kind, and reliable.”
Payment
Private Pay, Explained Up Front
ECPT is a private-pay practice, and payment is due at the time of service. We'll go over cost with you before your first visit, so there are no surprises.
Commercial Insurance
We provide an itemized invoice (often called a superbill) for patients with commercial insurance who wish to seek reimbursement through out-of-network benefits.
Medicare
ECPT is a private-pay practice and does not bill Medicare.
HSA and FSA
HSA and FSA cards can't be used for ECPT visits.
Questions
Questions About Knee Physical Therapy
Do I need an X-ray or MRI first?
Usually not. Knee osteoarthritis is often diagnosed from your symptoms and an exam, and many people can start physical therapy without imaging. If your exam suggests something that needs a physician's evaluation or imaging, we'll explain why. If you already have reports, have them handy for your first visit.
Is exercise safe with knee arthritis?
For most people, yes. Exercise is one of the most strongly recommended treatments for knee osteoarthritis. Your program starts at a level your knee tolerates and builds from there, and if an exercise makes your knee worse, we change it.
Can physical therapy help me put off a knee replacement?
For some people, a structured exercise program improves pain and function enough to put off surgery. For others, a knee replacement is the right step. That decision is yours and your surgeon's, and physical therapy before surgery can help you go into it stronger.
Is dry needling included?
Yes. When it's clinically appropriate, dry needling is part of your visit, with no separate fee. It's one tool within your plan, not a standalone treatment. Dry needling is currently offered in South Bend & Michiana and Southwest Michigan.
How long are visits?
Your first visit is a full 60 minutes, one-on-one with a Doctor of Physical Therapy. After that, visits run 45, 60, or 90 minutes, depending on your plan, goals, and availability.
Do I need a referral or prescription?
In many cases, you can begin physical therapy without a physician referral. However, depending on your medical history, surgery, diagnosis, insurance situation, or state-specific requirements, we may recommend or require coordination with your physician.
Do you bill insurance or Medicare?
ECPT is a private-pay practice and does not bill Medicare. For patients with commercial insurance, we provide an itemized invoice (often called a superbill) to submit for out-of-network reimbursement. Reimbursement depends on your plan.
Where do visits take place?
Your therapist comes to you—your home, office, private gym, senior living residence, or another appropriate private space—in South Bend & Michiana, Southwest Michigan, and Naples & Southwest Florida.
Where we provide this care
Ready to Find Out What’s Behind Your Knee Pain?
Tell us what you’re feeling and where you’re located. Knee physical therapy is available in all three regions.
South Bend & Michiana
South Bend, Granger, Mishawaka, Notre Dame, Osceola, Elkhart, and nearby communities.
Call or text(574) 686-7313In-home PT in South Bend →Southwest Michigan
Niles, Edwardsburg, Cassopolis, and nearby communities.
Call or text(574) 686-7313In-home PT in Southwest Michigan →Naples & Southwest Florida
Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers, and nearby communities.
Call or text(239) 399-5023In-home PT in Naples →Prefer to write? Use the form below, and a Doctor of Physical Therapy will personally follow up within 24 hours.
Start with a conversation.
This brief request helps us understand your needs before connecting. We’ll review your goals, confirm your location, and follow up to discuss next steps for private, in-home care.
Prefer to speak directly?
Call or text us at (574) 686-7313 for South Bend / Michiana or (239) 399-5023 for Naples / Southwest Florida.