Personalized Physical Therapy in Chicago, IL

Patient Testimonials

I was told there was nothing more they could do for me. It felt like a hopeless situation.They also gave me great tools so I can progress at home. I have achieved goals that I thought were not possible.

Gail B.
Grateful for the all the attention I received from Al (my physical therapist) and Maggie (receptionist). Al takes your recovery very serious and his attention to detail helped me recover from a torn Patella tendon.

Jose M.
I can't recommend this clinic enough! PTs and supportive staff are knowledgeable, supportive, kind, and timely. If you find yourself needing physical therapy, I urge you to choose Function 1st!

Kornelia F.

Why You Should Consider Us Over
Corporate Clinics Or Hospitals:

Function 1st Physical Therapy

Corporate

Hospital

Same-Day Appointments Possible
Family-Friendly Clinic Serving the Area Since 2011
One-on-One Treatment with Your Therapist
McKenzie Experts
FCE/Work Hardening Experts
Deep Tissue Laser Therapy
Multilingual - English,Spanish, Polish
Free Screenings
Most Affordable

No
No
No
Maybe
Maybe
No
Maybe
No
No

No
No
Maybe
Maybe
Maybe
No
Maybe
No
No

Function 1st Physical Therapy
Same-Day Appointments Possible	Yes
Family-Friendly Clinic Serving the Area Since 2011	Yes
One-on-One Treatment with Your Therapist	Yes
McKenzie Experts	Yes
FCE/Work Hardening Experts	Yes
Deep Tissue Laser Therapy	Yes
Multilingual - English,Spanish, Polish	Yes
Free Screenings	Yes
Most Affordable	Yes

Corporate
Same-Day Appointments Possible	No
Family-Friendly Clinic Serving the Area Since 2011	No
One-on-One Treatment with Your Therapist	No
McKenzie Experts	Maybe
FCE/Work Hardening Experts	Maybe
Deep Tissue Laser Therapy	No
Multilingual - English,Spanish, Polish	Maybe
Free Screenings	No
Most Affordable	No

Hospital
Same-Day Appointments Possible	No
Family-Friendly Clinic Serving the Area Since 2011	No
One-on-One Treatment with Your Therapist	Maybe
McKenzie Experts	Maybe
FCE/Work Hardening Experts	Maybe
Deep Tissue Laser Therapy	No
Multilingual - English,Spanish, Polish	Maybe
Free Screenings	No
Most Affordable	No

The Recovery Process

Click on a step to learn more.

- Pain Relief
  
  Reducing pain, swelling, and inflammation are common goals in this phase of recovery. Injury protection, elevation, appropriate medications, compression, and patient education are important.
- Introduce Movement
  
  Pain-free passive, manual therapy, active range of motion, and cardiorespiratory exercises, are indicated here. Education about pain and a positive attitude may help.
- Strengthening
  
  Progressive loading of healing soft tissues, the reintroduction of low-stress neuromuscular reeducation, balance training, and basic functional activities are part of this rehabilitation phase.
- Functional Retraining
  
  Progressing strengthening exercises, improving flexibility, and advanced balance exercises are part of phase 4. Resuming functional movement (e.g. sports movements) occurs in this phase.
- Recovery & Prevention
  
  Functional movements are progressed, a controlled re-introduction to sports or challenging environments is initiated. Continued strengthening, flexibility, balance, endurance, and goal-specific training occurs during this phase. Education and future injury prevention are discussed.

Blog

March 20, 2024

Meditation: A Powerful Ally in Managing Pain

Pain, especially chronic pain, affects millions of people worldwide, significantly impacting their quality of life. Traditional medical treatments often focus on medication and physical interventions. However, an increasing body of research highlights the

Read More
March 13, 2024

Different Strategies for Peak Performance and Injury Prevention

As physical therapists, we often help patients transition from a sports injury back to competitive participation. We’re often asked about warming up to prevent injuries. Traditionally, dynamic warm-ups, as the latest research suggests, significantly enhan

Read More
March 6, 2024

Radiating Headaches From The Neck: How Physical Therapy Can Help

Headaches can be more than just a nuisance; for many, they are a debilitating part of daily life. However, there's good news for those suffering from cervicogenic headaches, a type of headache originating from the neck. Recent studies have shown that phys

Read More
February 28, 2024

Back to Basics: Understanding and Tackling Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain is like that uninvited guest at a party—it shows up unexpectedly and can be a real pain to deal with! But did you know that not all back pains are the same? They come in different types, each with its own level of "ouch" and ways to get be

Read More
February 21, 2024

Muscle Strengthening with Physical Therapist Guidance

Physical therapist-directed resistance training (RT) isn't just about building muscles. RT, as a muscle-strengthening exercise, has been proven to not only improve your ability to perform daily activities with greater ease, it can also si

Read More
February 14, 2024

Understanding Knee Meniscus Tears: A Guide to Healing and Strength

Your knee is a complex part of your body that helps you walk, run, and jump. Inside the knee, there are two special cartilage cushions called the menisci (singular is meniscus). Sometimes, as we get older or when we put too much pressure on our knees, one

Read More
February 7, 2024

The Power of Physical Therapy, Exercise, and Manual Therapy

Shoulder pain can come from a variety of soft tissue structures, often making everyday activities challenging. Whether it's due to an injury, overuse, or a condition like arthritis, finding relief is crucial for maintaining an active, pain-free lifestyle

Read More
January 24, 2024

Understanding Fall Prevention: The Role of Physical Therapy

Falls are not just simple accidents. They're a major health concern, especially for older adults. Falls can lead to serious injuries like hip fractures and can even be life-threatening. In fact, data shows that falls resulted in about 3 million emergency

Read More
January 17, 2024

How Physical Therapy Can Help Fix Your Posture and Ease Your Pain

Have you ever felt like your shoulders are slouching or your neck is always strained? That might be because of something called Upper Cross Syndrome. It's a fancy term for when our muscles get out of balance because of bad posture. But do

Read More
January 10, 2024

Beating Achilles Tendinopathy: The Power of Eccentric Exercise

Achilles Tendinopathy is a common and painful condition affecting our Achilles tendon, the tough band connecting the calf muscles to the heel. It can strike anyone, especially those active in sports. The pain and stiffness in the heel can really put a dam

Read More

Expert Physical Therapy For Pain Relief & Functional Recovery

Welcome to
Function 1st Physical Therapy in Chicago, IL

Are You Having Trouble with Daily Activities?

We Will Help You Get Your Life Back

Getting Started is Fast & Easy

Conditions We Treat

Orthopedic Physical Therapy

Manual Therapy

Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCE)

Work Conditioning / Hardening

Laser
Therapy

McKenzie Technique For Low Back & Neck Pain

Therapeutic Exercise

Joint
Mobilization / Manipulation

Cervical
Traction

Balance
Programs

Flexion / Distraction Table

Heat / Ice / Electrical Stimulation

Patient Testimonials

We are In-Network with Most Insurance Plans

NOTE: No Prescription No Problem - We Can See Patients Without a Physician’s Referral

We also offer affordable cash based options.

If you don’t see your plan listed, please give us a call.
We make every effort to verify your insurance benefits before your first visit with us.

Why You Should Consider Us Over
Corporate Clinics Or Hospitals:

The Recovery Process

Expert Physical Therapy For Pain Relief & Functional Recovery

Welcome toFunction 1st Physical Therapy in Chicago, IL

Are You Having Trouble with Daily Activities?

We Will Help You Get Your Life Back

Getting Started is Fast & Easy

Conditions We Treat

Orthopedic Physical Therapy

Manual Therapy

Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCE)

Work Conditioning / Hardening

Laser Therapy

McKenzie Technique For Low Back & Neck Pain

Therapeutic Exercise

Joint Mobilization / Manipulation

Cervical Traction

Balance Programs

Flexion / Distraction Table

Heat / Ice / Electrical Stimulation

Patient Testimonials

We are In-Network with Most Insurance Plans

NOTE: No Prescription No Problem - We Can See Patients Without a Physician’s Referral

We also offer affordable cash based options.

If you don’t see your plan listed, please give us a call. We make every effort to verify your insurance benefits before your first visit with us.

Why You Should Consider Us Over Corporate Clinics Or Hospitals:

The Recovery Process

Welcome to
Function 1st Physical Therapy in Chicago, IL

Laser
Therapy

Joint
Mobilization / Manipulation

Cervical
Traction

Balance
Programs

If you don’t see your plan listed, please give us a call.
We make every effort to verify your insurance benefits before your first visit with us.

Why You Should Consider Us Over
Corporate Clinics Or Hospitals: