Physical Therapy
Pilates-Informed, Doctor-Led Physical Therapy in Miami
Physical Therapy at Pandora Pilates in Coral Gables is unlike a standard PT clinic. Our doctors of physical therapy hold dual certifications in both PT and Pilates, allowing them to integrate hands-on manual therapy with precise, apparatus-based therapeutic movement — addressing the root cause of your pain or dysfunction, not just managing symptoms. Whether you are recovering from surgery, managing chronic pain, returning to sport, or navigating a new injury, our Physical Therapy program is built entirely around you.
Conditions We Commonly Treat
Our physical therapy team treats a wide range of orthopedic, neurological, and movement-based conditions:
Lower back pain and lumbar disc issues — herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, stenosis
Neck pain and cervical spine dysfunction
Shoulder injuries — rotator cuff tears, impingement, labral issues, frozen shoulder
Hip pain — labral tears, hip impingement, bursitis, hip replacement recovery
Knee injuries — ACL and meniscus rehabilitation, patellofemoral pain, knee replacement recovery
Post-surgical rehabilitation — orthopedic, spinal, and general surgical recovery
Pelvic floor dysfunction — incontinence, prolapse, pain, pre- and postnatal pelvic care
Prenatal and postnatal physical therapy
Scoliosis and spinal alignment issues
Chronic pain management
Sports injuries and return-to-sport readiness
Balance and fall prevention
Why Combine Physical Therapy and Pilates?
At Pandora Pilates, physical therapy is not practiced in isolation. Every PT session integrates hands-on manual therapy with therapeutic movement — specifically using the Pilates apparatus, including the Reformer, Tower (Cadillac), and Chair — to restore function through intelligent, progressive exercise. Our doctors of physical therapy are also certified Pilates teachers, which means they can prescribe movement as medicine with a level of precision unavailable at most PT clinics. The result is a more effective, more engaging, and more lasting recovery.
What Happens in a Physical Therapy Session?
Your first PT session at Pandora begins with a comprehensive evaluation — movement assessment, strength and range-of-motion testing, postural analysis, and a detailed conversation about your history, symptoms, and goals. From there, your therapist creates a customized treatment plan that may include:
Manual therapy — hands-on soft tissue mobilization using the McKenzie technique, strain/counter-strain, trigger point release, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF), and GRASTON-instrumented soft tissue mobilization
Joint mobilization — targeted bone mobilizations to restore joint mechanics and reduce pain
Pilates apparatus work — therapeutic exercise on the Reformer, Tower, Chair, and Ladder Barrel, prescribed with clinical precision by therapists who are also certified Pilates teachers
Neuromuscular re-education — restoring movement patterns and motor control after injury or surgery
Home movement program — progressive exercises designed to extend the benefit of your sessions between appointments
Sessions are 55 minutes of dedicated 1:1 time with your therapist, significantly more than the standard PT clinic model.
PT vs. Pilates Rehab vs. Private Pilates
Physical Therapy — most clinical option: evaluation, diagnosis-level assessment, hands-on manual therapy, and insurance superbills available. Best for acute injury, post-surgical recovery, and conditions requiring clinical management.
Pilates Rehab — movement-based recovery: guided Pilates on the full apparatus led by a PT-trained specialist. Bridges PT and regular Pilates practice. Best for those who need ongoing therapeutic movement after an acute phase.
Private Pilates — personalized Pilates practice: custom programming for goals, performance, or maintenance. May include rehab elements, but is not a clinical service. Best for those with no active injury or in late-stage recovery
Insurance & Payment
Pandora Pilates & Physical Therapy is a cash-based physical therapy practice. We do not bill insurance directly, but we accept FSA, HSA, and HRA accounts. We provide detailed superbills for patients with out-of-network physical therapy benefits — many patients find that out-of-network, cash-pay PT allows more time per session, more personalized care, and faster recovery than insurance-driven clinic models.
Recommended Physical Therapy Treatments - usually 5 or 10 Sessions
Physical Therapy Sessions
Our Physical Therapy program at Pandora Pilates is structured around three session types, each serving a different point in your care journey.
All sessions are led by physical therapy doctors and integrate hands-on manual therapy with Pilates-informed therapeutic movement.
Physical Therapy Evaluation
Your first PT appointment is a comprehensive evaluation session. Your therapist will conduct a full movement assessment, including strength testing, range-of-motion analysis, and postural evaluation, followed by a detailed discussion of your history, symptoms, and goals. From this evaluation, your therapist builds a customized treatment plan that may include manual therapy, Pilates apparatus work, and a home movement program. Manual therapy is incorporated during the evaluation session when clinically appropriate.
Physical Therapy Sessions
Treatment sessions target the specific tissue restrictions, movement limitations, and pain patterns identified during your evaluation, following your personalized rehab plan. More than half of each session is dedicated to hands-on manual therapy, which may include the McKenzie technique, strain/counter-strain, trigger point release, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, joint mobilization, and GRASTON-instrumented soft tissue mobilization, with the remainder focused on therapeutic Pilates apparatus work and progressive home exercise programming. Treatment sessions are designed for clients managing pain, limited mobility, post-surgical recovery, or any condition that is interrupting daily life, sport, or movement practice.
Physical Therapy Massages
An intense, hands-on session combining deep therapeutic massage with clinical manual therapy techniques, trigger point release, myofascial release, strain/counter-strain, and soft tissue mobilization, to address chronic pain, soft tissue restriction, and muscular dysfunction. This is not a relaxation massage. It is a rigorous, clinically directed session delivered by a doctor of physical therapy. Designed for established PT clients who have previously been evaluated and diagnosed for their current condition. If you have not been previously evaluated by a physical therapist for your presenting condition, please book a Physical Therapy Evaluation first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need a referral to see a physical therapist at Pandora Pilates?
No. Florida is a direct-access state, which means you can schedule a physical therapy evaluation at Pandora without a physician referral.
Q: How is your physical therapy different from a standard PT clinic?
Our PTs are also certified Pilates teachers, so every session can combine manual therapy with precise, apparatus-based therapeutic movement. You receive 55 minutes of dedicated 1:1 time — not shared time with other patients — and your treatment is built entirely around your specific goals and condition.
Q: Do you treat pelvic floor dysfunction?
Yes, private sessions are one of the safest formats for those managing an injury. Our instructors are trained in both Pilates and physical therapy principles and can appropriately modify every exercise. For more significant injuries or post-surgical recovery, we may recommend starting with a Pilates Rehab evaluation.