Inside Performance Physical Therapy: Care Beyond Exercises

Pain that lingers isn’t a life sentence; it’s a puzzle waiting for the right clues. We sit down with Paula Nickel of Performance Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation to unpack what truly drives recovery, why slowing care down can speed healing, and how a small, patient-first clinic thrives after 30 years by refusing to treat people like metrics. From triathlon roots and Olympic training rooms to everyday back pain and post-op rehab, Paula shares how she reads movement like a story—spotting muscle imbalances, compensations, and daily habits that hide beneath symptoms.

We dig into common myths, including the idea that physical therapy is just exercises, and the harmful belief that aging equals decline. Paula explains how targeted mobility, hip dissociation, and stability work can unlock back and sciatic pain when done consistently, and why tiny daily movements often outperform big, flashy workouts. Her philosophy is practical and hopeful: outcomes improve when you combine hands-on assessment, clear coaching, and time to think. She also makes a case for a multidisciplinary team—PTs, chiropractors, massage therapists, acupuncturists—because different perspectives reveal different solutions.

Paula’s most formative story comes from a college English class, not a clinic: a harsh critique, a flawless draft, and a C that sparked a lifelong promise to never do a lazy job. That same standard shows up in her practice’s careful evaluations and individualized plans for athletes, weekend warriors, and active grandparents alike. If you’ve tried PT and felt unseen, don’t stop there—fit matters, and not all physical therapy is the same. Subscribe to discover more neighbor-to-neighbor stories, share this with someone who needs a nudge toward hope, and leave a review to help others find the show.