Physical Therapy Clinics in Richmond, VA

Physical Therapy Clinics in Richmond, VA

What Does a Physical Therapist Treat?

Physical therapists examine, diagnose and treat people of all ages, from newborns to people at the end of life.⁠¹ They help people maximize mobility, manage pain and chronic conditions, prevent future problems, and improve physical function and fitness.⁠¹ For children, pediatric physical therapy facilitates motor development and function, improves strength and endurance, and eases challenges with daily caregiving.⁠² Physical therapists work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, people's homes, schools, sports and fitness facilities, workplaces and nursing homes.⁠¹

Conditions Physical Therapy Can Help With

Pediatric clinics on this page list torticollis, developmental delay, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, spina bifida, autism, gait and balance, and neuromuscular, orthopedic and vestibular conditions among the needs they treat. Adult clinics on this page list manual therapy, vestibular and concussion rehabilitation, TMJ treatment and return to high-level activity.

How to Choose a Physical Therapist in Richmond

The right physical therapist depends on who needs therapy, the reason for it, and your preferences. Here's what to weigh:

Physical Therapy Resources in Richmond

What Virginia rules and programs affect PT?

Do you need a referral for PT in Virginia?

Not always. A physical therapist who completed an accredited doctor of physical therapy program, or who holds a certificate of authorization, may evaluate and treat without a referral.⁠⁴ If a doctor, an advanced practice registered nurse or a physician assistant is already treating you for the same symptoms, you name that practitioner and give written consent to share your records.⁠⁴ The therapist then notifies that practitioner no later than 14 days after treatment begins.⁠⁴

A physical therapist with neither credential may do a one-time evaluation without a referral, but not treatment.⁠⁴ No referral is needed for therapy under a Part C plan from birth to age three, or under a student's education plan or Section 504.⁠⁴ Virginia Medicaid requires a physician or other licensed practitioner, such as a nurse practitioner or physician assistant, to prescribe outpatient therapy.⁠⁵

What is the Infant & Toddler Connection?

The Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia is the Commonwealth's early intervention system for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities.⁠⁷ The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services is its lead agency, and its services are available to all eligible children regardless of a family's ability to pay.⁠⁷ A family can refer a child to one of its forty local systems, or a physician or hospital can make the referral.⁠⁸

Does Virginia Medicaid cover PT?

For children under 21, EPSDT requires Virginia Medicaid to cover medically necessary services that correct or ameliorate a condition, even when the same service is optional or limited for adults.⁠¹¹ A child under 21 who is first denied a Medicaid or FAMIS Plus service gets a secondary review under EPSDT.⁠¹¹

For members of any age, Virginia Medicaid's rehabilitation manual limits outpatient physical therapy to five visits a year, July 1 through June 30, without service authorization, and the initial evaluation counts toward the five.⁠¹¹ For a member in a managed care plan, authorization requests go through the plan.⁠¹¹

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

1. American Physical Therapy Association. Becoming a Physical Therapist. Checked November 1, 2026.
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   “Physical therapists examine, diagnose, and treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to people at the end of life. Physical therapists work with patients who have injuries, disabilities, or other health conditions that need treatment. They help patients avoid surgery and prescription drugs, maximize mobility, manage pain and chronic conditions, prevent future problems, and improve physical function and fitness. ... Physical therapists practice in a wide range of settings, including but not limited to hospitals, outpatient clinics, people's homes, schools, sports and fitness facilities, workplaces, and nursing homes.”
2. APTA Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy. Family Resources in Pediatric Physical Therapy. “Pediatric physical therapy promotes independence, increases participation, facilitates motor development and function, improves strength and endurance, enhances learning opportunities, and eases challenges with daily care giving.” Checked November 1, 2026.
3. American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (APTA Specialist Certification). Become a Board-Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist. “The pediatric specialty area within the physical therapy profession includes treatment of traumatic, developmental, and systemic disorders that relate specifically to children. ... As of July 2026, ABPTS has certified 3,219 pediatric specialists.” Checked November 1, 2026.
4. Virginia General Assembly, Legislative Information System (Code of Virginia). Code of Virginia § 54.1-3482. Practice of physical therapy; certain experience and referrals required; physical therapist assistants. Checked November 1, 2026.
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   “B. A physical therapist who has completed a doctor of physical therapy program approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education or who has obtained a certificate of authorization pursuant to § 54.1-3482.1 may evaluate and treat a patient without a referral under the following conditions: ... (a) the patient identifies a licensed doctor of medicine, osteopathy, chiropractic, podiatry, or dental surgery, a licensed advanced practice registered nurse practicing in accordance with the provisions of § 54.1-2957, or a licensed physician assistant acting under the supervision of a licensed physician from whom he is currently receiving care; (b) the patient gives written consent for the physical therapist to release all personal health information and treatment records to the identified practitioner; and (c) the physical therapist notifies the practitioner identified by the patient no later than 14 days after treatment commences and provides the practitioner with a copy of the initial evaluation along with a copy of the patient history obtained by the physical therapist. C. A physical therapist who has not completed a doctor of physical therapy program approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education or who has not obtained a certificate of authorization pursuant to § 54.1-3482.1 may conduct a one-time evaluation that does not include treatment of a patient without the referral and direction of a licensed doctor of medicine, osteopathy, chiropractic, podiatry, or dental surgery, a licensed advanced practice registered nurse practicing in accordance with the provisions of § 54.1-2957, or a licensed physician assistant acting under the supervision of a licensed physician; if appropriate, the physical therapist shall immediately refer such patient to the appropriate practitioner. ... G. However, a licensed physical therapist may provide, without referral or supervision, physical therapy services to ... (iii) infants and toddlers, from birth to age three, who require physical therapy services to fulfill the provisions of their individualized services plan under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1431 et seq.) and students with disabilities who require physical therapy services to fulfill the provisions of their individualized education plan or physical therapy services provided under § 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973”
5. Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services. Rehabilitation Manual, Chapter IV: Covered Services and Limitations (revision date December 29, 2023). Checked November 1, 2026.
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   “COVERED SERVICES Inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services are covered services available to the entire Medicaid population. ... A physician or other licensed practitioner of the ... healing arts, such as a nurse practitioner or a physician assistant, within the scope of his/her practice under State law, must prescribe these services.”
6. American Physical Therapy Association, ChoosePT. Physical Therapy Guide to Torticollis. “Having a flat head (plagiocephaly) and torticollis often occur together. Infant torticollis responds very well to physical therapy. The earlier treatment begins, the more quickly and completely it can be resolved.” Checked November 1, 2026.
7. Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia (Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services). Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia. Checked November 1, 2026.
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   “Welcome to the Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia, the Commonwealth’s early intervention system for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities and their families. ... The Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia’s supports and services are available to all eligible children and their families regardless of a family’s ability to pay. The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) has proudly served as the Lead Agency for Virginia’s implementation of Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) since 1987.”
8. Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia (Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services). Getting Started in Early Intervention. Checked November 1, 2026.
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   “Your family’s journey within Virginia’s early intervention system begins with a referral to one of the forty local systems that together form the Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia. Some families make their own referral to the local system. For other families, the referral is made by a physician or a hospital.”
9. Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU. Physical therapy. Checked November 1, 2026.
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   “The goal of physical therapy is to help your child move better and enjoy being a kid! ... We offer therapy at six convenient locations throughout the region and specialize in: Orthopaedic or sports-related injuries Return to sports and school post-concussion Neurodevelopmental conditions (cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, etc.) Infant development and early intervention (developmental delay, torticollis, etc.) Post-surgery or trauma recovery Muscular and pain issues”
10. Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services. Cardinal Care. Checked November 1, 2026.
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    “All managed care and fee-for-service Medicaid members are part of the Cardinal Care program. ... As of July 1, 2025, Virginia Medicaid will have 5 Managed Care Plans: Aetna Better Health of Virginia: Aetna Medicaid Virginia Anthem HealthKeepers Plus: Anthem NEW Humana Healthy Horizons of Virginia: Humana Healthy Horizons Sentara Health Plans: Sentara Health Plans United Healthcare of the Mid-Atlantic, Inc: UnitedHealthcare Community Plan”
11. Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services. Rehabilitation Manual, Appendix D: Service Authorization (revision date September 24, 2026). Checked November 1, 2026.
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    “Please contact the individual’s Medicaid MCO for information on submitting service authorization requests for individuals enrolled in managed care. ... Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology services shall be limited to five (5) visits per rehabilitative discipline annually without service authorization. Initial therapy evaluations are included in the 5 visits. ... "Annually" is defined as July 1 through June 30. ... EPSDT also compels state Medicaid agencies to cover other services, products, or procedures for children, if those items are determined to be medically necessary to “correct or ameliorate” [make better] a defect, physical or mental illness, or condition ... regardless of whether coverage for the same service/support is an optional or limited service for adults under the state plan. ... All Medicaid and FAMIS Plus services that are currently service authorized by the Srv Auth contractor are services that can potentially be accessed by children under the age of 21. However, in addition to the traditional review, children who are initially denied services under Medicaid and FAMIS Plus require a secondary review due to the EPSDT provision.”
12. U.S. Department of Education, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Sec. 300.34 Related services. Checked November 1, 2026.
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    “(a) General. Related services means transportation and such developmental, corrective, and other supportive services as are required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education, and includes speech-language pathology and audiology services, interpreting services, psychological services, physical and occupational therapy,”