Refresh Physical Therapy

Experiencia fantástica: Wouldn't recommend anyone else for PT! Johanna has been an incredible asset to my post-surgery recovery. Apart from being intelligent and having a thoughtful approach, she always has a positive attitude and provides a great experience during each visit.

Experiencia fantástica: Dr. Ryan is wonderful, helped me get through my first marathon. I would highly recommend her to anyone seeking out Physical Therapy in Downtown area

Experiencia fantástica: Dr Johanna is one of the best. She has been helping me recover from a shoulder surgery. She has been very patient with me and a huge aid in getting my motion and strength back. I would highly recommend getting at PT needs done by her!

Experiencia fantástica: I can't recommend Refresh Physical Therapy enough!! Johanna and her staff are so kind, organized and great to work with. Johanna helped me come back from multiple running injuries and got me through my first marathon!!! :) I can't thank her enough for all of her help and for making PT so enjoyable!

Experiencia fantástica: I have seen Johanna for multiple issues over many years and cannot recommend her enough! She is kind, patient, passionate about her work, and incredibly knowledgeable. I have referred family and friends to her and would encourage anyone needing PT to seek her out!

Experiencia fantástica: Johanna is amazing! She gives clear instructions and is super encouraging. I am so happy to be back to running and feeling stronger.

Experiencia fantástica: I have been working with Johanna for about 3 years. Her insights, care and teaching have been critical as I dealt with an unclear knee injury. We worked together before, during and after the knee surgery. She takes a holistic approach and her methods and exercises really pay off. I highly recommend her as a outstanding professional and a wonderful person. Also, all people at Refresh are kind and work with you, they are on your team in times when you feel you can use the help.

Experiencia fantástica: I am a very injury-prone runner and Dr. Russel from Refresh PT not only got me back into running with strength training, stretching, and various massage/release techniques, she also taught me how to manage these issues and to catch them early. She explains it and answers all of my questions in a way that I can fully understand. Through working with Dr. Russel, she was able to resolve my IT band issue, a groin strain, various ankle/foot issues. I’ve worked with a few PTs before and Dr. Russel stands out as the best among all of them. If you need a PT in Boston, Refresh PT is the place to go!

Experiencia fantástica: Dr. Russell is incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and friendly. She has been a huge help to me over the past few months, and I appreciate that she takes the time to explain why we are doing things within the recovery process so I understand her method of treatment. 10/10 recommend!

Experiencia fantástica: I have chronic neck & shoulder pains that cause ongoing migraines but have been hesitant to go to PT because I’ve had very mediocre experiences in the past. Dr Russell (formerly Dr Ryan) changed that dramatically! She is an amazing listener and really seeks to understand your experience so that she can address it holistically. She’s super kind and also realistic about the amount of time most of us have to practice exercises at home - so she gives great practical advice on how to fit them in. I’m so glad I found her! I recommend her to anyone who will listen & she had helped many of my friends and family.

Experiencia fantástica: Dr Russell is a terrific physical therapist. I think of her as a life coach for my body! She has assisted me with both acute injuries and chronic pain relating to hips and plantar facia. She is kind, listens well, is great at communicating movements/instructions, and really grounds her work in making sure you are physically "functionally sound." Highly recommend.

Experiencia fantástica: Johanna is an amazing Physical Therapist. Listens, evaluates and understands root cause of whatever the issue is. Provides great hands on therapy if needed and/or the right exercise regime to recover and maintain health. Huge fan!

Experiencia fantástica: Dr. Russell is absolutely phenomenal. I cannot recommend her highly enough. I had never been to PT before seeing her, and was really intimidated. I was experiencing significant back pain - and didn't think there was a way out of it. Couldn't have been more wrong! Dr. Russell is incredible and really takes time to get to know you as a patient. She meets you where you're at. I saw her for several years - including during the "zoom" therapy of COVID era. She was always there for me! Making sure my problems were resolved. Again, she is fantastic! You won't get better PT in or around Boston!

Experiencia fantástica: I’ve seen Dr. Ryan for a number of issues, including chronic shoulder pain and occasional neck tightness and hip discomfort. She’s incredibly thorough and always works to get to the root issue, rather than solving for symptoms, and she takes the time to explain what she’s doing and why. Every time I’ve come to her with an injury, I’ve left with a treatment plan that’s designed to help fix the problem (rather than just help me survive it). She’s also INCREDIBLY easy to talk to and it’s so clear she’s personally invested in her patients’ success. I can’t say enough about Johanna and she’s the only PT I’ll see!

Experiencia fantástica: Johanna is the best in the business! I went to her originally with some knee pain as I began to train for the Boston marathon and began seeing her regularly as she got me back on track and pain free quickly. She truly cares for her clients and is a pleasure to visit each and every time. Couldn't recommend her highly enough!

Experiencia fantástica: I've been seeing Johanna off and on for a couple of years for running injuries and she has been amazing! She's incredibly knowledgeable and has been able to easily pivot as one running injury has turned into another, helping me fix each issue as it has cropped up. She's easy to get ahold of, patient, understanding, clearly cares about the outcome of her patients, and always has me laughing through our appointments. Can't recommend her enough!

Experiencia fantástica: Dr Johanna has been a trusted medical partner in my recovery since my injury in 2017. I shattered my ankle talus bone, broke the tibia, and had a compound fracture of the fibula. With four months of immobility, and another year of rebuilding and recovery, Dr Johanna took me step by step. I continue today after subsequent surgeries to build and maintain mobility with her expertise, guidance and kindness.

Experiencia fantástica: 10/10 recommend Refresh Physical Therapy! Dr. Russell is the best. She is patient, kind and SO knowledgeable. She provided me with a variety of manageable exercises to do on my own to speed up my recovery and even reworked my training schedule so that my exercises/recovery were purposeful and aligned with my schedule.

Experiencia fantástica: Dr. Johanna Russell is absolutely amazing to work with! I've seen many physical therapists over the years and haven't felt more comfortable or confident with my recovery plan than with Johanna. She's extremely knowledgeable and friendly, but also provides a personalized plan tailored to you. During our sessions I always know I have Johanna's full attention and if I have any questions in between sessions, she always makes herself available. I have done both virtual and in-person physical therapy sessions and I highly recommended both! Bonus - the staff at Refresh Physical Therapy is amazing and booking appointments is always a breeze.

Experiencia fantástica: I came to Dr. Johanna Ryan with some serious hip flexor pain. I had been working out too hard with some poor form and then pushed myself over the edge with a 6 mile hike that I was not ready for; it got to the point that simply walking up stairs really hurt. Dr. Ryan ended up assessing me and teaching me how to stretch, how to have correct form, and helped me understand why I was even having this pain in the first place. After a few weeks on constant work with her and at home I was feeling good as new. Now whenever I feel any tight muscles or discomfort I have the knowledge to know how to correct my form and stretch properly.

Experiencia fantástica: I've seen Dr. Ryan through a number of injuries (both minor and major), and she's been fantastic. Extremely knowledgeable, kind, easy to talk with, and most of all, the exercises and treatment plans she created have been so effective and helpful. She's also so accommodating and easy to get a hold of. I can't recommend her enough!!

Experiencia fantástica: Dr. Ryan has been fantastic to work with. I started seeing her for post tib tendonitis which had gotten so bad I could hardly walk, let alone run. Dr. Ryan took the time and effort to not just figure out what was going on with the tendon but more importantly what caused it in the first place. We needed to rehab the tendon and we needed to fix the “up the leg” issues that were putting so much stress on the tendon. Step by step we build a routine of care, exercises, process and slow return to running that got me back in the game. Here is the best part, for me, Dr. Ryan knows runners. Let’s be honest, we are different, think differently and respond to treatment differently. She is smart enough to know that you can’t tell me to just stop running. We need a course; we need a way to see the path to running. And we need running. Understanding me as a runner and knowing how to mix rest, PT, exercise, and activity in a way that keeps the runner’s brain happy and allows recovery. Now that’s skill. If you are a runner and you need help, I highly recommend Dr. Ryan. And if you need a really good PT doctor, no matter your avocation, I also recommend Dr. Ryan.

Experiencia fantástica: I cannot recommend Refresh PT and Dr. Johanna Ryan highly enough. Dr. Ryan helped me work through two running injuries in a personal, thorough, and effective manner. She makes patients feel welcome and supported and I regularly encourage friends and family to visit this practice. I am incredibly appreciative of Dr. Ryan and would highly recommend her to anyone. Thank you Refresh PT!!

Experiencia fantástica: Refresh PT - I can't endorse highly enough! I've seen a handful of other practitioners, and the difference was night and day. Dr Ryan was exceptionally skilled, helping me stay active as a regular long-distance runner, now a beginner/intermediate marathoner. She's awesome! She walked me through a careful program of learning and strengthening, helping me to understand how my injuries arose (classic runner's knees and achilles tendonitis), how they were inter-connected, and how a combination of strengthening, proper rest and foam-rolling would help keep me healthy. I'd say she's a miracle worker, but that glosses over the more accurate telling: she taught me how to work hard at keeping my own body health. I didn't walk in injured and walk out better. I spent many weeks with dedicated exercises and learning, putting in regular hours of hard work. When I ran my first marathon, I had chronic pain -- now I am able to train regularly with rare issues. She taught me how to get there. It wasn't a quick fix, it was a root-cause, full healing and a growth experience. Thank you, Dr. Ryan!

Experiencia fantástica: Mr. Ryan is amazing! She is incredibly knowledgeable and intuitive about diagnosing and treating injuries, and just a lovely human being. Even on video chats she has been a HUGE help for me - I HIGHLY recommend her!

Experiencia fantástica: Dr. Ryan was great! I appreciated how she didn't simply coach me through exercises and stretches, but explained how they would help me to achieve my longer-term strength and recovery goals. She was clearly invested in my successful recovery, and gave me everything I needed to get back into running after an injury last fall. Highly recommend!

Experiencia fantástica: This review is long overdue! Last year I was lucky enough to get a bib number through team John Hancock for the 2019 Boston Marathon. This would be a first marathon for me. My training was going well until some point in December when I started having pretty bad pain in my left knee. I went to an orthopedist who told me to simply take two months off which meant I would most likely need to drop out. Instead I sent an email to Dr. Ryan who immediately responded and made me an appointment. I visited her every week from that point on and she worked with me to incorporate strength training, stretching and foam rolling. She also had me do low-impact cardio that was in line with the amount of time I would spend running if I followed that particular week's mileage. After a few weeks I was able to slowly start running again. I had fallen behind in my training program but by the end I had caught up and my longest run was 20 miles. I can confidently say that without Dr Ryan not only would I not have been able to finish the Boston Marathon but most likely I would have never made it to the starting line! I finished the marathon with a time of 5:31 and it was indeed one of the most fulfilling days of my life! I am forever grateful for the amazing treatment that I received through Refresh Physical Therapy and Dr. Johanna Ryan!

Experiencia fantástica: Great experience at Refresh PT. Had a full Achilles tear and made full recovery. Thanks! Best PT in Boston!

Experiencia fantástica: I was treated at Refresh Physical Therapy for recurring knee pain and was very pleased with the results! She genuinely cared about helping me and answered all of my questions. Every week she came up with new and creative excercises - would definitely recommend her services to anyone!

Experiencia fantástica: I continued to have some knee pain from my ACL surgery and needed a pick-me-up in training and PT. Refresh PT was so great in understanding my issues and teaching me the exercises to strengthen my knee and get back to my regular activities. So nice, and a very convenient location in the city too! Was so close to my work so I could go before or after work.

Experiencia fantástica: Knowledgeable staff, easy to get an appointment, and great service. Came in for shoulder injury and only took a few sessions to improve. Would highly recommend.

Experiencia fantástica: Thanks for helping me return to sports! Joanna helped me come back from an ACL tear. I’ve been to several PTs in the past and felt like I never had their full attention, but I didnt feel like that at Refresh. Was there for both prehab and rehab and was able to return to ultimate frisbee a month ahead of schedule!

Experiencia fantástica: This is it folks, you've found the physical therapy place for athletes. Johanna is a thoughtful, patient and caring person. Her warmth and kindness are addictive. This isnt your typical rehab/PT, where you will be tossing a ball at a trampoline, by yourself. She identifies all of your weaknesses, starts small and works up. It is also, one on one, she's not juggling three people at once. Every move you make she's there for support and guidance. Most importantly, she tells you the "why". Not just the "what" and "how". Icing on the cake...? She takes insurance!

Experiencia fantástica: As a runner, she has helped me so much. She correctly diagnosed my hip pain and knee pain. The corrective strengthening exercises got me back to marathon training and I am faster than ever! Thank you!

Experiencia fantástica: Best experience with PT I have had yet! I came to Refresh Physical Therapy in order to return to a fitness routine after an injury. The treatment I received was thoughtful, professional, and thorough. Unlike other places, I received one on one attention in a facility where I was not competing for equipment or space. Johanna is responsive to her clients, kind, and understanding. She really listens to people's concerns and takes the time to explain what she is doing. I cannot recommend Refresh Physical Therapy highly enough.

Experiencia fantástica: As someone with chronic knee problems, I’ve been to my fair share of physical therapists. Johanna Ryan of Refresh Physical Therapy is the best, bar none. Here’s why: 1) She either does or has done everything from barre, Barry’s Boot Camp, boxing, and btone to CrossFit, pilates (she’s a certified instructor!), running, spin, and yoga. Chances are, no matter your preferred exercise, Johanna has personal experience with it and knows exactly what kinds of movements you will need to be able to do to successfully engage in it again without pain. 2) Unlike many other clinics, Johanna has a one-on-one practice. You have her undivided attention for the duration of your appointment. She pays attention to your form all the time to make sure you correctly perform each exercise. In my case, this means that there’s a lot of correction on her part and side eye on my end, which she loves. ;) 3) Every time she gives you an exercise, she explains exactly what it does and how it will help you meet your goals. SOOO much better than some of the other PTs I’ve seen. 4) She’s really creative. If you can’t do an exercise, Johanna figures out something else that works the same muscle groups that you can do. This sometimes means that she’s making them up on the fly, but you feel them working the exact muscles that the original exercise targets. Better yet, keep at it and you’ll be able to do the original exercise. Love being able to see that kind of progress! 5) Johanna is a Graston practitioner. I’m not going to lie; I have a love-hate relationship with the Graston technique. Definitely hate it in the moment because it is not pleasant, but LOVE how much better I feel and can move after she works her magic. 6) She’s very realistic with you about what activities you can and can’t do while you’re rehabbing your injury. 7) For those of you for whom your relationship with your doctor matters: Johanna is super friendly and relatable. I think it might be impossible not to get along with her, regardless of your personality. Also, Refresh’s location in Old City Hall makes it super convenient if you live or work in the city or along the Red, Orange, Green, or Blue lines. I would seriously continue coming here even if I moved out of the city. I’ve been to other PTs in Metro Boston, and they don’t come close to being as effective as Johanna. Honestly, part of me doesn’t want to post this review because I want to make sure I can still get appointments (I’m selfish like that). You won’t be sorry about going to Refresh though; you’ll be on your way back to “normal” in no time and have some fun while doing it.

Experiencia fantástica: Johanna is simply the best PT I have ever seen. I dealt with severe hip issues for three years that remained undiagnosed until I met Johanna. Within our first session, she not only quickly diagnosed the root of my pain, but she took the time to thoroughly explain to me the anatomy and physiology underlying it. Additionally, as a fitness-goer herself, Johanna understood my desire to be able to continue working out while also correcting the compensation patterns I had developed. She was able to help me adjust my current fitness regime to prevent further injury and also gave me targeted exercises to aid in my recovery that were easy to understand and had logical progressions. Johanna would provide encouraging cues while observing me perform these exercises, and she would even lay down on the floor and show me exactly how to do any exercise in which I had trouble engaging the correct muscles during. Ultimately, she's compassionate, has a beaming personality, and really goes above and beyond in structuring her patients' recoveries so that they can "retrain and return to function."

Experiencia fantástica: My friends look at me like I'm crazy when I sincerely say that I look forward to going to PT! I started seeing Johanna for knee pain from marathon training - she worked with me not only to get me across the finish line of this race, but to be a better runner going forward and prevent similar injuries. I wouldn't have finished Boston this year without her help. I also felt that she was personally invested in my success. In our sessions we chat (and giggle) quite a bit, and when I get to the office a little early I hear her giving the same level of attentiveness to her other patients as well. Going to the doctor doesn't just need to be something you have to do, it can be something you look forward to. If you need a PT in Boston, I can't recommend Johanna enough!

Experiencia fantástica: I had some knee pain after a barre class and had the best experience here! She was professional and took the time to truly hear my concerns and thoughts. I received individualized treatment and was back to work out classes in no time. Definitely coming back here and love using the techniques I learned here to prevent injuries in the future!

Experiencia fantástica: I am so fortunate to have found this hidden gem! I got into a somewhat serious Car Accident and had some soreness/stiffness in my neck and back that would just not go away. I went down the traditional Chiropractor route, but nothing seemed to work. As soon as I left the clinic....the pain would return. That is until I started working with Dr. J!! She has an incredible process and will get you get you better the right way. More importantly, she will teach you how to treat yourself! I cannot thank Dr. J enough for taking the time to work with me 1 on 1 - All while saving me a ton of $$ as compared to the alternatives.