Can't say enough good things about Outback. My doctor wrote me a referral when I was dealing with foot pain, which appeared to be repetitive stress/strain from running. I had wanted to do a gait analysis and looked at private companies, which charge a few hundred dollars for this (and likely then try to sell you on a gym membership, which I didn't want/need). Instead, I did maybe 10 or 12 sessions at Outback, and we first looked at what was causing my foot issues: tight and weak hips, tight calves and poor ankle stability, and I got functional exercises (mostly with a resistance band) to work on those. Toward the end of my treatment, my therapist did record me running on a treadmill at the office in slow motion (on my phone so I could keep the videos) and broke down a few mechanics I could be mindful of. It's been about 18 months since i wrapped up there, and I could be better about continuing the exercises, but I know I can always go back to them if my foot starts to flare up. I super appreciated the holistic approach to my care, and also how we could modify, change, or discard exercises that I was having trouble with or not seeing benefits from. A steal to do this for my insurance copay each time! read more

Love them here! Here is why... the evaluation was very thorough, treatment was individualized, and what I love most is that the physical therapists are very knowledgeable, are happy to share lots of information about injury and why the pain is happening, and provided great recommendations. The second injury I came here for was influenced by my pregnancy, and the physical therapist (Cara) was very knowledgeable about that aspect of treatment as well. Again, way better than other places I had been to before. read more

My orthopedic doctor gave me a long list of Physical Therapy organizations and I was fortunate enough to find a small "hidden gem" with Outback Physical Therapy. Their motto is: "When injury knocks you out, we'll get you back" and that is exactly what Naomi accomplished!!!! She created a specific therapy/exercise and massage program for my severe torn rotator cuff/shoulder which was exacerbated after a bad fall. Naomi is knowledgeable, kind, extremely competent and was able to intelligently address my specific needs, literally down to the bone. I am seventy-two. After years of therapeutic massages, whether at a spa or addressing back, neck and shoulder pain, I have never had such a thorough, injury specific massage in my life. Thank You, Naomi, Ithamar and Cindy (at the front desk) for Staying Open to Help people like me during these tough times. I highly recommend Outback Physical Therapy, especially during this time when we need healing.... read more

I have gone to Outback on 3 separate occasions (blame bad knees!) and had 3 separate physical therapists, each were great- treated me with professionalism and made it easy by printing and/or emailing exercises with pictures and descriptions...also everyone is very kind and pleasant to work with! Additionally appreciate they they are on time, I have never had to wait for my slotted appointment, which is especially important as a working professional with PT twice a week! I also love the flexibility with hours, (depending on the therapist) ranging from morning to evening hours, and Saturday mornings. read more

My experience at Outback has by far exceeded my expectations. As a small business, the institution has incredibly warm and inclusive energy. Dennis, who works at the front desk, is very easy to talk to and has remembered my name and who I am since I first met him. I've been working with Kayla for chronic neck pain and she is extremely compassionate, knowledgeable, and respectful. She always takes time to make sure I understand what muscles I'm strengthening and how to do it. She has incredible bed-side manner and I would highly recommend Outback for physical therapy to any friends and family! read more

Naomi at Outback PT has truly helped me to get back to feeling strong and confident in my body. I now have a healthy, sustainable workout routine that I am able to maintain and start improving upon. Naomi's thoughtfulness in her care is commendable and I look forward to every visit to the welcoming office. read more

Going to Outback Physical Therapy and meeting Ithamar Jotkowitz was one of the best things I've accomplished this year! I fell and broke my kneecap two years ago this month, and while the PT place I went to helped me, the therapists often worked with groups of us at a time. Starting this year, I had heard good things about Outback PT, and from the first meeting with Ithamar (who completely explained why my knee was stiff, sore, weak etc. with words and three D images) I felt he would help me get better, and he did. He would work with me one on one, he gave me specific exercises to do (as opposed to 20 different ones to work through) and my knee is much stronger; I feel so much better. The facility is so bright and clean, setting up appointments with Stephanie is so easy, and I highly recommend Outback for any PT needs. read more

I started working with Naomi from Outback Physical Therapy this spring, after living with chronic back pain for the last 20 years. She is easily the best physical therapist I have ever worked with. The program she created was so tailored to my specific needs, and really helped me shift my mindset of how to care for my body. I feel stronger than I ever have, have less regular pain, and now feel more educated and better equipped to manage pain if it does happen. I can't recommend Naomi enough. Plus, scheduling with Cindy was so easy. She went above and beyond to help me navigate my insurance coverage, especially as things were shifting early in the pandemic. I did most of my appointments via telehealth, but when I did go into the office, I felt very comfortable with the health and safety protocols being followed. read more

Everyone at Outback has become almost like a second family to me. I had been feeling very discouraged by my injuries and Dr. Naomi Goodman has put me on the path to healing and helped me find ways to be active along the way (without aggravating my injuries). The results have been incredible. She is respectful, flexible, accommodates her patients' unique needs AND, she's fun to be around. I have read Emily C.'s review and I respectfully have to say- I'm not sure what they're referring to. I have personally never noticed an odor or mold. In my experience, cleanliness is highly revered at Outback! It's seriously a very clean place. As far as equipment goes- they have everything I could hope for: elliptical, stationary bike, treadmill, arm machines, dumbbells, the list goes on. Would recommend this place to anyone! read more

I had heard great things about Outback Physical Therapy and they completely met, if not, exceeded my expectations! I have been to some other physical therapists in the past and Dr. Goodman was the best by far. She was thorough, efficient, and incredibly knowledgable. I had a very quick recovery thanks to her manual work and all of the exercises she taught me. Furthermore, her passion for the job made it a true pleasure to work with her. I never thought I would enjoy going to physical therapy! Beyond my work with Dr. Goodman, the whole staff was a pleasure to work with. Cindy, the patient care manager, was always responsive and on top of everything. Lastly, the office has taken the COVID-19 situation very seriously and made it feel safe to visit. They keep everything sanitized regularly, have multiple air purifiers, and stick to effective policies to prevent close proximity between patients and other staff. I am very grateful for my time at Outback Physical Therapy and would highly recommend the office. read more

What a great experience! I came in battling a shoulder injury that made using a mouse painful, and came out pretty much back to normal in 2 months. Naomi was a knowledgeable, creative, empathic and caring PT, who went above and beyond in aiding my recovery. And Cindy at the front desk made scheduling and billing a breeze. Highly recommended! read more

Its been a pleasure to work with the outback staff. It was quite a rewarding journey to work with Dr. Goodman. We identified triggers that caused aggravation and developed a plan to increase strength and flexibility. She provided hands-on work for my ligaments and joints, as well as a slow build-up of targeted exercises. Having gone through the process, I don't think its possible to this on your own. I'm grateful to the staff at Outback for leading me through all the physical and mental aspects of physical rehabilitation. It has made my life better. read more

Went to Naomi at Outback for PT following my labrum repair surgery and had a great experience! The entire Outback team was awesome throughout my 6 month recovery. They were flexible with my busy schedule, offering virtual appointments that were still effective, and offered an all-around great experience. Naomi got my shoulder back to where I wanted, and I am very happy I chose to work with her to get to this point. Would recommend! read more

I wish the PT was as good as the branding. Here are the reasons I would NOT suggestion Outback. 1) I was often waiting 10 - 15 minutes for a session to start, and Ithamar was often in/out of the room during PT rather than giving feedback about if I was doing the PT correctly or telling me the next exercise. 2) Instructions about the exercises were very vague; basically do them as much/as little as you feel like. 3) They don't have the equipment one would use if you go to a gym, making it difficult to learn and transfer some exercises. 4) They use a LOT of air fresheners. Beware to folks who have chemical sensitivities or are trying to prevent having them. read more

I didn't have high hopes for physical therapy after an experience in my teens left me feeling like PT was just exercises and ice packs. I shared this with Naomi on Day 1 and she committed to providing me a better experience. She has far-surpassed my expectations, supporting me through treating runner's knee, to surgery prep, and post-surgery recovery. Naomi's knowledge of the body and physical therapy methods have allowed her to perform some "PT Magic" - helping me walk out of sessions feeling ten times better than how I felt walking in. Sessions with Naomi have helped me to better take care of myself and continue to push progress on my own with at-home exercises and stretches personalized for my recovery (she has adapted and combined exercises to meet my needs on multiple occasions). Naomi is personable, friendly, and funny, making even the more difficult sessions enjoyable experiences. I couldn't recommend Naomi more highly. read more

I was skeptical on PT until I found Outback... I've tried PT several times & it never seemed to work well for me... until Outback, that is. First, Ithamar along with everyone else I've dealt with at Outback have been first rate. I had some major back pain going on which I'd tried acupuncture, massage & chiro. I tried Outback because it was a walk from home & had good reviews on yelp. Needless to say, the assessment and hands on work were both excellent. Then came the exercises which were targeted and relevant. The best part of the exercises is that they have video demonstrations of them that they email to you (& you can PDF as well). That's a huge difference in doing them correctly at home as writing them down on some scratch paper or some diagram that doesn't make sense doesn't translate when you get home - videos do! Thanks Outback - you were a life saver - hope I don't need to come back soon, but if I do, I'm grateful you guys are in the 'hood! read more

I went here over a two month period, paying for ten sessions in advance out of pocket; my insurance wasn't accepted by them. The sessions seemed to be perfuntory by the owner/lead practitioner, and --despite his many CERTIFICATES OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS on the office wall--I was always feeling short changed. After an initial 15 minutes of explaining what to do, he'd go off an occupy himself in his office. When I attempted to schedule physical massage therapy with a practitioner who worked there, she cancelled twice at the last minute. The one session I did have with her was average. I decided to stop going, never getting balance returned of four sessions, and started going to the BackBay PT in association with the YMCA instead! SO MUCH BETTER!!! read more

The staff and space are fantastic! Everyone is friendly and I have never been treated by more knowledgeable or respectful people. The space is clean and welcoming and more private than most other places I've been. Best PT I've ever been to (and I've been to 6...). You guys are fantastic! read more

This is the best place I've had PT, I highly recommend it! Before coming to Outback, I'd been to several specialists for chronic pain in my hip and back and I had a different diagnosis from each one. Nothing seemed to be working. After working with Ithamar, I can now say I am almost completely free of pain in my hip and back. Because I had such a positive experience, I also asked him to work with me on some tendonitis in my hand that was limiting my guitar playing. As an aspiring singer-songwriter, this was not a small issue. It had been ongoing and resistant to treatment from another physical therapist. He told me exactly what to do, how to re-introduce my guitar playing, and I am now playing totally pain free for several hours a day. So in short, I'm deeply grateful to Ithamar and Outback for changing my life, and I highly recommend them!! read more

Dr Goodman (Naomi) helped me get back to playing volleyball after some severe tendonitis in my foot/ankle. She set me up for success, encouraging and challenging me in just the right ways, and she clearly knows her stuff, leading me through a progressive regimen of exercise, stretching, and massage. I never thought PT could be considered "fun" but she always kept my spirits up and I often laughed as set me to doing some really hard things. Can't recommend Dr Goodman enough! read more

This is a really good place! Adam is a great therapist. He pays a lot of attention to my description and knows exactly what the issue is. And his hunor doesn't hurt. I came in with a year-old shoulder pain to the point that I got out of bed in agony. It took only about three months for him to relieve that pain. Right now I'm a few appointments away from total recovery. I haven't felt the issue for weeks already. Sue at the front desk knows everything about billing and scheduling, even when my insurance company rejected the claim because school did not update my status. The whole office has good exercise facilities and nice clean rooms for individual treatments. Highly recommended. Wish that I came here a year ago! read more

Saw Dr. Naomi Goodman for a torn labrum/shoulder injury that was resistant to 6 months of physical therapy out in CA. After less than 4 months with her, I'm back to my daily activities, which include weight lifting and athletic pursuits and am confident I can build my strength back up. I went in thinking I'd need cortisol shots or surgery, and without either, I am virtually cured of pain. Great for athletic people. Plus, she's super affirming and accepting! Absolutely recommend her. read more

Truly bummed. I had been here a year ago, and while I had issues with the air quality I hung in there bc the owner, Itmar does amazing work. I returned 7 months later for PT after having surgery on my foot. The air freshener plug ins I had complained about were gone but it was now apparent why they were using them. There is mold in this building. This is horrifying for everyone who works there as well as anyone coming for treatment. Mold and health???? What? It confounds me that one can be in the healthcare profession and be so unaware of the dangerous environmental factors of their facility. This review is alarmist for very solid and good reasons. read more

I tried Outback for an initial exam but the owner was 25 minutes late for our appt, asked repetitive questions for the next 15 mins which only left 20 min for the actual exam. He never sent the exercises that he promised me. The office was lots of promises but no actual help. I have never posted a negative review but i just think it would be helpful if people were made aware that there are much better choices . read more

I cannot say enough positive things about Outback Physical Therapy. Everyone in the office is a wonderful person: Sue, Amanda, and Ithamar (I had interactions with these three. Adam is also great). I had lingering knee issues for a while. I went to some hot-shot doctor in Boston (supposed knee specialist) and he was useless. Out of frustration I took to Yelp and found Outback and the rave reviews about Ithamar. My experience was stellar. Ithamar is incredibly meticulous and thorough in his initial questioning and diagnoses. The exercises and work done is incredibly helpful. Possibly the best part is that your time as a client is respected immensely. If you are in the area, and you feel the slightest pain, don't hesitate. read more

I have been very pleased by the advice and recommendations I have gotten from outback physical therapy. I have been very worried about a recent injury and they have been responsive and practical with developing a plan. read more

Ithamar is the absolute best! I have been to so many physical therapy offices in the past. I always felt like they were a waste of time. But when I hurt my bicep tendon and could not lift my arm without pain, I knew as a hairdresser I needed to fix this. In less than a month I had no pain! My favorite part that makes this office stand alone among the rest is the emailing of all your exercises with videos! I am super forgetful and watching as I went along made me actually do the exercises at home. I love that there are private rooms so you are not in the middle of the gym with a bunch of people. I highly highly recommend this office to any and everyone! read more

I feel like all if a sudden the warranty on my body parts expired. I went into Outback with horrible back pain, but alas! Do the exercises and you'll feel better. Ithamar does a great job getting you back to normal. read more

I'm a software engineer with a prolapsed disk injury from 15 years ago that flares up every few years in the form of sciatica in one leg. The pain isn't terribly severe, but I was taking an Alleve 2-3 times a day to take the edge off the pain. Not wanting to repeat this cycle and relunctant to consider surgery, I had a consult w/ Dr Muzin at BIDMC, who referred me to Outback PT in Somerville. Ithamar knows back PT thoroughly, and does a great job of diagnosing and explaining both the causes of the injury, as well the treatment and preventative exercises. If you're techie who wants to understand what's going wrong, this is great. A typical 1-hour session involves diagnosis/review/status, some pain management via manipulation of the vertebrae to relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve, and then a lesson of exercises to be practiced at home between sessions to help strengthen the muscles that support the back. (They can also send out a follow-up email describing the exercises.) I live in the Waltham area, but I've found it well worth the drive to Somerville for the PT sessions. It's only been a couple of sessions, but I've seen a huge improvement in my back: the sciatica is mostly gone, and I'm no longer popping Alleve all day. Based on my experience (this is the first time I've ever done PT), I heartily recommend Outback Physical Therapy. read more

I had been in great pain for some time, finally went to the dr. got an mri - torn labrum, supraspinitus and subscapularis. All in all a very, very painful shoulder. Saw a great ortho guy at MGH, got a cortisone shot and he told me I need to visit PT but will probably need surgery. So, with great reluctance I began a PT search. My chiropractor recommended a couple of places but said the one that would most fit me would be Outback Physical Therapy. Making an appointment for an evaluation was super quick and easy. I initially got voice mail when I called, but Sue called right back and made the appointment (in contrast, I had called a few other places and got phone calls back the next day - ugh!) I grudgingly went to the evaluation, having little expectation that this would work. Ithomar Jotkowitz is great to work with, I am sure he sensed my skepticism, and addressed it sufficiently to help get me on board. Well, ever so slowly we started to make progress. Initially, just the unending pain started to go away, then my shoulder/neck started to feel less tight, soon I was able to use my right arm. Now, after 4.5 months of therapy I am about 75% back. I have stopped therapy on my shoulder, only because I have a grade III ankle sprain that must be addressed and Ithomar is just the one to do it. Outback PT is unlike any other PT I have experienced, it is personal and focused with the focus on your well being, not the bottom line. If you are in need of any kind of PT, I could not recommend Outback Physical Therapy more. read more

Living in the Boston area, I have access to world class medical treatment. Ithamar is the best Physical Therapist I've ever encountered. I have the highest regard for his professional abilities as well as his personal approach to treating patients as members of his family. To begin, I am not a fan of PT. In fact, I could not have been more skeptical given my past experience. To my relief (mentally and physically), my first session provided a sense of calm and confidence. I was not only hopeful that PT would resolve problems with a severely dislocated shoulder, but confident that I found the right practice to do it! While the location and entrance of the practice leaves a bit to be desired, once you get through the front door, you know you're in good hands. The receptionist is pleasant and helpful, the organizational systems to prepare for treatment are very good, and hearing Ithamar's voice and feeling his healing hands on my body were AMAZING! After a few weeks, I graduated from treatment and when I met with my surgeon - he was impressed at how far my shoulder had improved. I avoided surgery! THANK YOU ITHAMAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Glenn from Arlington read more

I offer my highest recommendation for Outback PT! They were recommended to me by my doctor to address a running-related Achilles injury, and they are OUTSTANDING! I noticed their prompt and professional service from the moment I contacted Sue to make an appointment. Ithamar is the physical therapist who worked with me, and he is extremely knowledgeable, patient and kind. At my initial evaluation appointment, he provided a thorough background and assessment of the injury, using computer software to explain the injury to me and provide a plan moving forward. As a runner himself, Ithamar understood both the physical and mental difficulties I faced along my road to recovery. He provided great reassurance and encouragement! Once I was able to run again, he administered a practical running gait assessment to make footwear, exercise and training recommendations to address a chronic hamstring injury I was also experiencing. By implementing these exercises and small changes, I am stronger and running pain free for the first time in over 4 years! Ithamar is committed to his patients until they are improved. I love Outback PT for the level of service and care they provided! They're AWESOME!!! read more

Amazing. I started intensely cycling to prepare for a century ride then I started having knee pain. The pain got so intense the week before the race, I wrote off cycling the century and decided to see a doctor. I was recommended Outback Physical Therapy by my physician and now I know why. Outback instantly diagnosed the cause. They tape wrapped my knee then sent me off to do to century only 4 days later. The Wednesday before the 100 mile ride I couldn't even do 20 miles, but after the knee tape wrap, I was able to ride 100 miles with little pain. I've honestly never seen anything like it. read more

Found these folks somewhat randomly - I developed an unusual kind of tendonitis in the course of training for a marathon and Outback was recommended to me by the people at Marathon Sports where I get my running shoes. I was beyond pleased with the process and end result. Ithamar was thoughtful and pragmatic in coming up with a diagnosis and rehab schedule. Though I started treatment only 6 weeks away from my marathon I was still able to run it and complete it - something I simply didn't think was possible when I walked through the door for my first appt. Scheduling was easy (I work full time and this is no small matter). Ithamar was thoroughly professional but also had a good sense of humor. I also have to say that as a physician I was impressed by Ithamar's ability to generate a reasonable differential diagnosis and work through the symptoms and responses to treatment in a truly empirical manner. Recommend without any reservations read more

I've been to many PT offices over the past few years, and Outback stands out as the best by far. Ithamar's treatment is efficient, effective, professional, and kind, and it's clear he stays informed on the latest research. The office staff are super friendly and competent, and the whole vibe is happy and healthy. I don't ever feel like I'm wasting time at my appointments, and my exercises are always explained well and reinforced with online tutorials. I recommend Outback unreservedly. read more

I've been to mediocre PT and great PT, so I have experience, and Outback is the best. Ithamar Jotkowitz is patient, professional, funny, and a great explainer. I had shoulder surgery, which is extremely painful, and Ithamar is very intuitive at reassuring and encouraging during my recovery (ongoing). He's also very clever at personalizing a treatment that works for my lifestyle, schedule and interests. This is NOT one of those mass-production big-gym places where you work with a junior person. There's privacy when you need it, and the space is clean, colorful, fun and also a pleasant place to wait. Support staff is also great. Couldn't recommend them more highly. read more

Fantastic. I went in with a bum shoulder and a month later I'm (mostly) pain free. Ithamar is friendly, hands-on, and I've never had trouble getting an appointment. It's also easy to get to from Davis, which is so nice. read more

If you're in need of some physical therapy, this is the place to go. I injured my knee last summer and after several months of rest and seeing a chiropractor with limited results I decided to try something new. My orthopedist recommended PT and gave Outback a glowing recommendation so I set up an appointment. Ithamar, physical therapist and Outback founder, is amazing. After a thorough evaluation, Ithamar got to work on my knee and a few months later I am thrilled to be back and enjoying my favorite classes at the gym. But it doesn't stop there. After having a such a good experience with my knee I decided to see if Ithamar could do something about a back injury that has been plaguing me for a few years. I completed a course of physical therapy for my back soon after the injury but it didn't correct the problem. Most physical therapists will treat injuries like my back with deep tissue massage and exercises but that wasn't working on me. Ithamar used a different technique, joint mobilization, which has made a big difference. Not only that, but I had some difficulty getting my insurance to reimburse for this second round of physical therapy and Ithamar was like my very own patient advocate. He collected information that I needed to submit an appeal and checked in regularly with the insurance company to help keep the appeal moving through the system. If I ever need physical therapy again I'm headed straight to Outback. read more