Physical Therapy Clinics in Norfolk, VA
Physical Therapy Clinics Serving Norfolk, VA
- 601 Children's Lane, Norfolk, VA 23507 (plus outpatient sites across Hampton Roads; aquatic therapy available regionally)
- (757) 668-7083
- chkd.org
- Gross motor development, gait and balance, strength, and torticollis/developmental care; supported by Pediatric Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation physicians
- What they're known for: Headquartered in Norfolk, CHKD is the primary pediatric PT resource in the city and the anchor of Hampton Roads pediatric care. With physician-supported rehab, regional aquatic therapy, and outpatient sites across the area, it is the natural choice for children with complex, neurological, or co-occurring medical needs.
- 5621 Tidewater Dr, Suite B, Norfolk, VA 23509
- (757) 351-4244
- ivyrehab.com
- Pediatric physical therapy from birth through adulthood; speech and occupational therapy available at the same site
- Accepts most major insurance plans, including TRICARE
- What they're known for: The leading dedicated pediatric PT clinic option in Norfolk, on Tidewater Drive, combining PT with speech and OT and offering telehealth. Its TRICARE acceptance makes it especially convenient for the region's many military families.
- Norfolk, VA — in-home service across the area (mobile only)
- (617) 463-9342
- joincoralcare.com
- Pediatric physical therapy delivered in the home
- In-network with Anthem BCBS of Virginia and Sentara Health Plans; families typically pay $20–40 per visit
- What they're known for: A mobile, in-home PT model that brings the therapist to your home — convenient for infants with torticollis or motor delays, and for busy or military families who need flexibility around deployments and moves. Transparent low per-visit costs for in-network families.
- Pediatric therapy center in Virginia Beach serving Norfolk; in-home services for children birth to three
- sentara.com
- Cerebral palsy, developmental physical therapy, and sensory-related motor support
- What they're known for: The pediatric therapy arm of Sentara Health, a major Hampton Roads system. Its clinic is in Virginia Beach, but it serves Norfolk and offers in-home PT for the birth-to-three population — a fit for families who want a large, integrated health system that also comes to the home. (Contact via Sentara scheduling.)
- 637 Kingsborough Square, Unit A, Chesapeake, VA 23320 — serves Norfolk via in-home Early Intervention
- (757) 698-4681
- helpinghandstherapyservices.com
- Pediatric physical therapy and early intervention (speech and occupational therapy also available)
- What they're known for: Norfolk-founded and now clinic-based in nearby Chesapeake, Helping Hands delivers in-home Early Intervention PT to Norfolk families — a good option for very young children whose motor goals are best addressed in everyday home routines.
- City of Norfolk Community Services Board, Norfolk, VA 23510 — services delivered in the child's natural environment
- (757) 441-1186
- norfolk.gov
- Developmental physical therapy for children birth to three, delivered in the home (public Early Intervention program)
- Services available regardless of a family's ability to pay (Part C / IDEA)
- What they're known for: Norfolk's public Early Intervention program — the front door, not a private clinic, for families concerned about a child under three. Administered through the City of Norfolk Community Services Board, it provides developmental PT and other services in natural settings and is the best first call for very young children with possible motor delays.
What Does a Physical Therapist Treat?
Pediatric physical therapists work on how a child moves — rolling, sitting, crawling, walking, running, stairs, balance and coordination — and on the strength, range of motion and motor planning underneath those skills. Much of the work looks like play, because a child practices a movement willingly when it gets them something they want. For adults, outpatient physical therapy covers orthopedic injury and post-surgical rehabilitation, back and neck pain, balance and vestibular difficulty, and movement after a neurological event.
Conditions Physical Therapy Can Help With
Common reasons for a pediatric referral include torticollis and plagiocephaly in infants, gross-motor delay, toe walking, low or high muscle tone, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, hypermobility, and returning to sport after an injury. Adult clinics commonly treat back and neck pain, joint and sports injury, post-operative rehabilitation, and balance or dizziness.
How to Choose a Physical Therapist in Norfolk
The right PT depends on your child's age, diagnosis, and your family's preferences. Here's what to weigh:
- Check credentials. Look for a licensed physical therapist (PT or DPT) in Virginia. For specialized needs, ask about relevant experience and certifications such as a Pediatric Clinical Specialist (PCS).
- Match the specialty to the need. Infant torticollis, developmental delay, neurological conditions, and aquatic therapy are distinct areas. Ask how often the therapist treats your child's specific concern — and note that CHKD anchors the most complex cases.
- Confirm coverage up front. Verify in-network status, copays, and visit limits for your commercial plan, TRICARE, or Virginia Medicaid (Cardinal Care). Virginia allows direct access to PT, though insurers may still require a referral.
- Consider the setting. In-home PT is ideal for infants and busy families; clinics and hospital programs offer specialized equipment, aquatic therapy, and physician support. Coral Care, Helping Hands, Sentara, and the Infant & Toddler Connection deliver care in the home or natural environment.
- Act early. For torticollis and motor delays especially, earlier intervention often means faster, gentler results — and Early Intervention can move quickly for children under three.
- Ask about caregiver coaching. Progress accelerates when parents practice between visits. Ask how the therapist will involve you and track milestones.
Questions to ask during a consultation
- What is your experience with my child's diagnosis?
- Do you accept my insurance or TRICARE plan?
- How will you set and measure goals?
- How often are sessions, and for how long?
- How will you coach me at home?
- What outcomes should we expect, and by when?
Physical Therapy Resources in Norfolk
- Infant & Toddler Connection of Norfolk Virginia's publicly funded Early Intervention program for children birth to three; free or sliding-scale developmental evaluations and PT.
- Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters (CHKD) The region's anchor pediatric hospital, headquartered in Norfolk, offering pediatric PT, physiatry, regional aquatic therapy, and outpatient sites across Hampton Roads.
- Virginia Medicaid (Cardinal Care) Covers medically necessary physical therapy for eligible children; check managed-care plan details.
- TRICARE Coverage for eligible military dependents in Hampton Roads; confirm referral and authorization rules by plan.
- Norfolk Public Schools Provide physical therapy support through IEPs for eligible students age three and up.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does pediatric physical therapy cost in Norfolk, VA?
Out-of-pocket pediatric physical therapy in Norfolk typically runs about $100–$200 per session at private practices, while hospital-affiliated programs such as CHKD may bill differently. Many providers accept commercial insurance, TRICARE, and Virginia Medicaid (Cardinal Care), which can reduce your cost to a copay or to $0 for covered, medically necessary services. Coral Care lists in-network rates with families typically paying $20–40 per visit. Confirm details directly with each provider.
Does TRICARE or Virginia Medicaid cover physical therapy?
Both often cover medically necessary pediatric physical therapy. Given Hampton Roads' very large military population, TRICARE coverage is common; Ivy Rehab for Kids in Norfolk lists TRICARE among its accepted plans. Virginia Medicaid (Cardinal Care) covers PT for eligible children, and the Infant & Toddler Connection of Norfolk provides developmental PT for children under three regardless of ability to pay. Coverage rules and authorizations vary by plan, so verify benefits before starting.
What conditions does pediatric physical therapy treat?
Pediatric physical therapists treat gross motor delays, torticollis, gait and balance difficulties, low muscle tone, cerebral palsy, post-injury or post-surgical rehabilitation, and conditions linked to prematurity or chromosomal differences. They help children gain strength, mobility, and confidence in movement so they can keep up with peers.
How long are pediatric physical therapy sessions?
Most pediatric PT sessions in Norfolk last 30 to 60 minutes, with frequency depending on the child's goals — often once or twice a week. Evaluations usually take 60 to 90 minutes. For infants with torticollis or motor delays, sessions are typically shorter and paired with a home program for caregivers.
Do Norfolk pediatric physical therapists offer in-home visits?
Yes. Coral Care provides in-home, mobile pediatric PT across Virginia; Helping Hands delivers in-home Early Intervention PT to Norfolk families; and Sentara offers in-home services for children birth to three. The Infant & Toddler Connection of Norfolk provides developmental PT in the child's natural environment — especially valuable for infants with torticollis and for families who prefer treatment at home.
Why is CHKD central to pediatric physical therapy in Norfolk?
Pediatric PT is a specialized field with relatively few dedicated local clinics, and in Norfolk much of that capacity sits within the Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters. Headquartered in the city, CHKD offers gross motor and developmental PT, gait and balance work, torticollis care, strengthening, regional aquatic therapy, and Pediatric Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation physicians — making it the primary pediatric PT resource in Norfolk, with outpatient sites across Hampton Roads.
How long is the wait for a first appointment?
It varies by practice rather than by city, so it is worth asking when you call — a clinic with a long wait for weekly therapy will often book an evaluation much sooner, and some hold cancellation slots. Because of that, most families contact more than one practice on this page rather than waiting on the first. If your child is under three, your state's early intervention program runs on its own timeline and is worth starting in parallel.
What to do next
If none of them fit, these widen the search.
For clinics
Are you a physical therapy clinic in Norfolk?
List your practice and appear alongside the clinics above when local families search.
Medical disclaimer. This directory is for general informational purposes. A listing is not an endorsement, referral, or recommendation, and inclusion does not mean we have verified a provider’s credentials, licensure, or insurance. Confirm those directly with the provider before booking. DrSensory is not affiliated with the practices listed.