Business Details
24 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Physical Therapy Solutions
Johnson Physical Therapy was founded in 2002 with a mission to deliver high-quality, individualized care to residents of Cortez, CO, and surrounding areas. Our team of certified professionals brings over 100 years of combined experience in physical and occupational therapy, specializing in orthopedics, manual therapy, lymphedema management, and neurological rehabilitation. We collaborate closely with local physicians and healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive treatment plans tailored to each patient's unique needs. Our commitment to community health is reflected in our personalized approach, advanced certifications, and focus on restoring patients' quality of life through evidence-based practices.With a team of experienced therapists and support staff, we prioritize patient education, functional recovery, and long-term wellness. Our clinic's reputation for excellence is built on decades of clinical expertise, compassionate care, and active involvement in the Southwest Colorado community. We continuously invest in professional development to stay at the forefront of rehabilitation techniques, ensuring optimal outcomes for every individual we serve.
Services
Physical Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Manual Therapy
Lymphatic Drainage
Dry Needling
Custom Splinting
Hand Therapy
Lymphedema Treatment
Neurological Rehabilitation
Post-Surgical Rehab
Details
- Year established: 2002
Highlights and features
- We offer over 100 years of combined experience in physical and occupational therapy.
- Our team includes certified specialists in manual therapy and dry needling.
- We provide individualized treatment plans tailored to each patient's specific needs.
- Our therapists maintain active involvement in continuing education and community health initiatives.
- We collaborate with local healthcare providers for comprehensive patient care.
What people say
Wonderful job
Successful recovery
Pain-free
Targeted treatment
Improved function
Services
Physical Therapy
Our physical therapy services focus on restoring mobility and reducing pain through evidence-based techniques. We treat musculoskeletal injuries, neurological conditions, and chronic pain using customized treatment plans. With over 100 years of combined clinical expertise, our therapists employ manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, and advanced rehabilitation techniques to help patients regain functional independence and improve quality of life.
Occupational Therapy
Specialized occupational therapy services help patients recover daily living skills after injury or illness. Our certified therapists address upper extremity conditions, neurological disorders, and lymphedema management. Through customized intervention plans, we focus on improving patients' ability to perform everyday activities while addressing psychological and environmental factors that impact functional recovery.
Dry Needling
Certified dry needling treatments target musculoskeletal pain through precise needle insertion techniques. This evidence-based approach reduces muscle tension, improves mobility, and accelerates healing. Our therapists use sterile acupuncture needles to stimulate specific points, following strict safety protocols to ensure effective pain management for conditions like chronic back pain and sports injuries.
Lymphedema Treatment
Specialized lymphedema management addresses chronic swelling through manual lymphatic drainage and compression therapy. Our certified therapists treat post-surgical swelling and chronic lymphatic conditions using gentle massage techniques followed by compression to reduce fluid buildup. This comprehensive approach helps patients manage symptoms and prevent complications associated with lymphatic system blockages.
Hand Therapy
Expert hand therapy services address conditions from shoulder to fingertip, including carpal tunnel syndrome, tendon injuries, and post-surgical rehabilitation. Our certified hand therapists combine splinting, therapeutic exercises, and manual techniques to restore function. With over 25 years of combined experience, our occupational therapists specialize in treating complex upper extremity conditions and designing customized rehabilitation programs.
People
Najib Johnson
Co-Owner, Founder
Najib Johnson, PT MTC, has over 30 years of experience in orthopedic and manual therapy. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1992 and holds certifications in Manual Therapy and Dry Needling. He actively participates in community events and continues to provide hands-on patient care.
Julie Carpenter
Co-Owner, Founder
Julie Carpenter, OTR, has over 30 years of occupational therapy experience, specializing in upper extremity orthopedics and lymphedema treatment. She graduated from St. Catherines University in 1992 and brings extensive expertise in neurological disorder rehabilitation and community health initiatives.
Maeselle La Paz
Physical Therapist
Dr. Maeselle La Paz, PT, DPT, specializes in orthopedic injuries and neurological conditions. A Cortez native, she earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Washington and is certified in Functional Dry Needling, providing comprehensive care for patients of all ages.
Kari Cockrill
Occupational Therapist
Kari Cockrill, OTR/L CHT, has over 25 years of experience in hand therapy. Certified since 2014, she specializes in treating hand and upper extremity conditions across diverse clinical settings, bringing valuable expertise to our occupational therapy services.
Julia Liska
Occupational Therapist
Julia Liska, MS OTR CMLDT, specializes in upper extremity orthopedics, lymphedema treatment, and neurological rehabilitation. A Telluride native with a Masters degree from the University of Wisconsin, she combines specialized therapy techniques with multilingual communication skills to serve diverse patient needs.
Questions
What types of conditions do you treat?
We treat musculoskeletal injuries, neurological disorders, chronic pain conditions, lymphedema, and post-surgical rehabilitation needs across all age groups.
Do you accept insurance?
We accept most major insurance plans including Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, and Workers Compensation. Contact us to verify your specific coverage.
What should I expect during my first visit?
Your initial evaluation will include a comprehensive assessment of your condition, medical history review, and development of a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
How long are therapy sessions?
Treatment sessions typically last 45-60 minutes, with initial evaluations requiring additional time for comprehensive assessment and planning.
Are your therapists certified specialists?
Our team includes certified specialists in manual therapy, dry needling, hand therapy, and lymphedema management with over 100 years of combined clinical experience.
What areas do you serve?
We serve patients throughout Southwest Colorado, including Cortez, Durango, and surrounding communities with comprehensive rehabilitation services.
