Reviews

"In the course of the last decade I have had to seek PT for a dislocated shoulder and elbow fracture - Function 1st rescued me on both occasions from start to finish. Last fall when my lower back ache suddenly became unbearable I knew where to turn. My therapist for my treatment was Karin. Our first visit included a thorough exam, with conversation and then a program was developed, which she updated each visit. Throughout the last 6 months I've made inroads learning about degenerative lower back issues; through Karin's prescribed exercise program and my at home program I'm learning my boundaries, and am grateful to say I'm pain free and STRONG. I want emphasis that Function 1st is not a factory - the personal care, professionalism and results offered an atmosphere for healing. Thank you Joe (owner); Karin; and Sandy (Office Administrator)."

"I've had the benefit of working with Joe at Function First with impressive results in addressing pain when walking. Highly reccomend."

"Function First is an absolute gem of a physical therapy practice. From the moment I walked through their doors and met Joe and Karin, I knew I was in good hands. After struggling with unbearable pain and frustration and seeing numerous PTs without any relief, I was extremely relieved to have had a wonderful experience at Function First. Over the past year, Joe and Karin have been unwavering in their dedication to improving my quality of life. Their personalized approach, extensive knowledge, and tireless efforts have not only alleviated my pain but also empowered me with the tools and education to continue healing at home. Joe and Karin make an extraordinary team, and I cannot recommend them highly enough. If you're searching for exceptional physical therapists who truly care about their patients, look no further than Function First"

"Joe is a superb PT therapist. While PT isn’t fun, he approaches his work in a way that gets results for his clients in an efficient and safe way. He is a total professional with a compassionate manner so you actually want to very much work with him and will get great results. Sandy runs the facility as his not so secret weapon. She takes care of everything to make sure all is operating smoothly. And she is even charming while she keeps the very busy immaculately clean facility like a well oiled machine."

"Joe is a superb PT therapist. While PT isn't fun, he approaches his work in a way that gets results for his clients in an efficient and safe way. He is a total professional with a compassionate manner so you actually want to very much work with him and will get great results. Sandy runs the facility as his not so secret weapon. She takes care of everything to make sure all is operating smoothly. And she is even charming while she keeps the very busy immaculately clean facility like a well oiled machine."

"Outstanding therapy. Best of the best, thank you."

"First rate!"

"Excellent PT and very friendly knowledgeable staff"

"Best ever physical therapist. I arrived with a cane after breaking a hip - thanks to Joe I left with no cane, walking normally and able to live a "normal" NYC life - including subway stairs. Totally wonderful experience."

"Best physical therapist ever! I came in with a cane after a hip fracture- Joe got me walking again without it! Back to "normal" NYC life, subway stairs included. Can't recommend them highly enough."

"FF has been helping me with various issues for five years. I actually enjoy the sessions and I learn a lot."

"Ryan motivates me and every week he always challenges me with different exercises. The receptionist is exceptional!"

"Wish all healthcare providers were this good and easy to work with! Started going to Function First to deal with chronic back pain and alternated among Joe, Ryan and Karin. All of them were fantastic and helped me not only reduce the pain, but also correct my posture for long term benefits. Sandy was also great to schedule my appointments, she is super efficient and always patiently did her best to accommodate my work travel schedule. The whole team made going to PT a pleasure!"

"Joe and the staff of Function First are knowledgable, friendly and dedicated professionals who have truly made a difference in my quality of life. They have taught me so much about the way my body works and how to keep myself healthy. And unlike many other physical therapy centers, when I work with Joe and staff they are totally focused on me as they don’t see multiple patients at once. I highly recommend Function First."

"Joe and the staff of Function First are knowledgable, friendly and dedicated professionals who have truly made a difference in my quality of life. They have taught me so much about the way my body works and how to keep myself healthy. And unlike many other physical therapy centers, when I work with Joe and staff they are totally focused on me as they don't see multiple patients at once. I highly recommend Function First."

"Took my back pain and eliminated it. Excellent clear instructions and care. Good vibes , great music choices are a bonus."

"Great experience with my PT, Karin. At first I was a bit unsure that PT would help but Karin’s focused and targeted exercises have resolved my problem. I immediately felt comfortable knowing she knew what I needed. Sandy in the office was always helpful and friendly."

"The personal attention, and thorough explanation of the procedures makes this a great health-improvement institution."

"Best PT in the city, hands down. Joe and his team work magic and has kept me out of surgery for years!"

"I’ve needed PT several times in my life. My recent experience with Function First, and with Karin, my PT, was the best. I needed PT to help regain my strength and flexibility after having a knee replacement. Karin was professional, diligent, encouraging, and listened carefully to my concerns. She developed a plan that helped me make steady progress and would adjust it as I progressed. I highly recommend Karin, and Function First!!"

"Joe help me walk (and run) again! Im a fit 31 year old male who had a skiing accident at the beginning of 2022. Ruptured my right patella tendon, severing the vertical tendon from the kneecap. Started seeing Joe a week post-op. He slowly and steadily challenged me to rebuild muscle mass. Working on regaining motor skills, including the ability to bend my knee (10-15 more degrees per week). After a couple months he had me walking without crutches and only my knee brace. After 4-5 months, I was able to run and short intervals again. And after 6 full months of working with Joe I could run for sustained periods on a treadmill. Genuinely grateful for Function First and the flexibility they offered with my travel schedule too. Cannot recommend this place enough."

"Ryan White is an intuitive and compassionate physical therapist who not only helped my correct my issue, but equipped me to be more physically sound going forward. Exceptional experience. Joe runs a great practice. Good tunes too."

"Professional, empathetic, efficient and kind"

"PT was something I thought I'd never do, ever. Most people from what I've heard, never enjoyed it. It was a chore. People were told do this, do that and walk away. My experience at Function First was so different from what I imagined. I had the pleasure of working with Ryan, who is gentle, explains everything, so attentive and worked amazingly on my bones. He never left me hanging, always there till the last minute. I felt so much better that I actually looked forward to my appointments. I would go back in a minute, if I need to. You won't regret the attention and knowledge of Function First."

"Function First provides excellent physical therapy services in a pleasant loft setting in Manhattan's Chelsea district. Over a four year period I have received excellent treatment there from Ryan White, Joe Spallone, and Diane Richmond who are highly professional, optimum practitioners. My most recent pre surgical therapy with Ryan White prior to total left knee replacement contributed in no small part to increased muscular strength and range of motion that enabled me to resume my daily activities with renewed confidence and minimal pain. The office staff is pleasant, professional and very accommodating, making each visit there a positive experience."

"The best physical therspists who give the best home exercises which prevented me from having surgery. I hsve sent many friends hete and they all have thanked me."

"Address problem with senitivity and intelligence"

"After 2 years of pain and then surgery function first has has helped me to regain some of the confidence I’ve lost when I lost the ability to get around as much anymore and for that and I’m very appreciative they’re professional and great in every way I feel better when I leave there and Four days after each visit I feel like I can move mountains I know I’m not supposed to try but I feel like I can plus are all very nice"

"FFPT is terrific! Scheduling and billing are seamless, Joe gives a full 30 minutes of hands on attention followed up by teaching rehab exercises and will keep a watchful eye to make any necessary adjustments thereafter with plenty of take home value. The facility is centrally located, never crowded and is an open loft setting with general and private treatment rooms. It is kept very clean along with the equipment which is new and varied."

"I was lucky enough to find this place after having surgery on my ruptured achilles, and they were even in-network with my insurance. Joe, the owner, was fantastic, and I was able to return to sport right on schedule. He worked with my surgeon at NYU to provide up-to-date notes before my surgical follow ups, and really listened to my goals about what kind of physical activity I hoped to return to. The front desk staff was always so friendly and helpful as well!"

"Top notch service. My therapist, Ryan, is a gifted and experienced professional, with a profound sense of the mind-body connection."

"Function First is amazing. I came here after 5 months of PT for a broken, then frozen, frozen shoulder. The first PT I worked with is at a major NYC hospital and, while she was encouraging, unfortunately her work did very very little to help my situation. After one session with Joe I started to be able to move again. He is highly knowledgeable, incredibly skilled, patient and kind. It will still take time for full range of movement to return but the improvement is astounding. He has saved me from needing surgery! The staff is also wonderful. They helped me get set up and are supportive every step of the way. "

"Doctors have prescribed PT for several different problems I had and Function First took care of them each time. I have recommended it to several friends and they do came away entirely happy."

"This is the place! I’ve been to PT before but these fine folks (my guide is Ryan) are so intuitive, kind; and actually really listen and help you. Forget the rest this is the best!"

"I couldn't lift my arm up to my shoulder, and now I can reach to the sky. Everyone is amazing, caring, and so knowledgeable. I highly recommend Function First for any type of PT. I have used them for several conditions, both post pre- and post- operations."

"Function First is a first class outfit. I've been working with Joe Spallone, who is a highly skilled practitioner dedicated to his clients. I highly recommend Joe and First Function."

"Great people great music and Ryan and Joe are the tops"

"Joe is the best!!! He truly lives up to the name of this place “Function First”! He’s worked on my knee after knee replacement, my hip after hip replacement, snd now my back. He’s a true expert about your body snd what to do to make it function better. I’ve been going to him off snd on for years, and I’m walking and moving better now than I was 20 years ago!! I’m so happy I found him years ago. And the staff are lovely here as well."

"I couldn't be happier with Function First PHysical Therapy and my trainer Joe Spallone. I broke my fibula and perone and Joe helped me improve substantially. He and everyone there are really nice and helpful, it is a very nice environment. I am very grateful."

"FFPT has been a life saver. Joe has done a phenomenal job repairing an injury that has nagged me for almost thirty years. He was the first therapist I spoke with that actually understood the nature of my back problems. He did a great job of explaining the causes while providing a useful new stretching and exercise regimen that has helped not only my recovery but has also minimized any chance of a relapse."

"Joe is the BEST physical therapist! He's very hands-on and excellent!"

"I had total knee replacement last year and now is when i can start PT . I am very determined to get my knee to bend . It’s been 2 weeks so far and I have faith Alex my therapist can help me . Function first is close by to me and a relaxed atmosphere . 🙏🏻🙏🏻"

"Since my PT moved and due to Covid-19 their space closed so I was looking for a new spot. She highly recommended Function First. I checked out others and when I walked into their space I immediately knew it was for me!"

"Joe Spallone and Function First Physical Therapy are simply the BEST. I had seen various doctors and a different therapist for an ankle injury that was just not improving. I was in pain constantly and had very limited mobility and I honestly thought I would never heal. After going to another orthopedic surgeon, he recommended more PT and I chose Joe because he was the top rated therapist by patients. Joe was so knowledgeable, explained for the first time what was causing my condition, and worked on me with exercises and approaches that helped me heal and greatly improved my quality of life. He was literally a life-saver. THANK YOU Joe!"

"I’m a physical therapist for over 30 years-and when I had my own injury that needed attention-I knew I would get the best treatment at Function First even though I have plenty of PT contacts closer to where I live. Excellent, precise and careful evaluation and treatment. COVID-related procedures include constant wiping down of all equipment and surfaces as well as mask and hand washing enforcement. Recommend with 100% assurance."

"I am so thankful for Joe Spallone - my pain doctor said it was my back but Joe disagreed and said it was my hip..I had a hip replacement and feel like a whole new person!! I would pretty much trust him with all my aches and pains."

"Function First & Alejandro genuinely transformed my life when I thought I'd never get an even gait and strength back after Achilles surgery. They really truly care about your recovery and entire wellbeing, even offering extended sessions when I needed it most. They are also amazing at helping you navigate insurance. Do not make my mistake & trust a different place where the therapist is seeing three other people at the same time! Go to Function First instead."

"A hands-on physical therapist(s) with full attention and skill, and cordial, caring staff. The best I’ve ever been to! The best!"

"Phenomenal professionals who listen, pay attention and work with you to try overcome problems and always look to get you the best you can be. A mini gym; extremely clean place, clean changing rooms, spacious lockers, great equipment and lighting including natural lighting, everyone is friendly, the reception desk staff is amazing & friendly and professional. They look out for their patients. 5 star without hesitation. "

"Kerry helped with my stiff neck and headaches. Thank you so much! The place itself is greatly located and staff is great! Highly recommend!"

"My orthopedist referred me to Joe at Function First. The staff are great, my pain is going away and my function is coming back. Joe has given me tools to manage both my current and long-term issues. A cut above!"

"I limped into Function First after knee surgery. I'm not great at learning exercises or practicing routines. Joe Spallone patiently worked with me for four months. With is hands, with his booming voice, with his attentive eye, with ever more challenging exercises. I'm very grateful to him and his staff for their kindness and professionalism. The great music he plays while you're struggling through PT is a bonus."

"Really great, professional, friendly, and effective physical therapy. Kerry diagnosed a few issues that were at the root of my pain and over a couple of months taught me exercises that alleviated and strengthened my back. She worked with me to change the way I moved to avoid future pain. After 2 months of hard work I am now pain free. I learned so much from her that I have to highly recommend Kerry Ojeda and the team at Function First if you need a great physical therapist."

"I can’t thank Joe enough for all he has done for me. Every week I got new exercises and progress was quickly made. Also, forget massages, he can work out any problem you have. I found knots I never knew existed. Finally, besides being incredible at his job, him and all of his staff are friendly and accommodating. He holds up great conversation and keeps the atmosphere relaxing with great music of all genres. I would recommend him to anyone of any age. Thank you again Joe!"

"I've experienced myriad issues because of my genetic joint disability, and Joe at Function First was instrumental in helping me achieve greater mobility and less pain. All of the therapists there are fantastic, and I've never been to another PT office with such expert and personalized attention. Most places I tried before were juggling multiple appointments on top of each other and didn't tailor their exercises to my specific needs. If you're looking for help with a pain or functionality issue and want to gain a nuanced, long-term understanding of how to improve that situation and avoid future problems, there's no place better than Function First."

"kerry is the best she was my PT from november to february and my knee is feeling the best that it has ever felt Thank You Function First"

"Kerry Ojeda is awesome! Quick diagnosis and focused attention on my problem area. She made adjustments, not only to my lower back, but also to my walk and sleeping habits. Problem solved. She also provided stretching and strengthening exercises to continue my workout at home. This is the place to go."

"Joe's and Kerry's use of Functional Manual Therapy, combined with Pilates reformer and other stretching exercises to heal my plantar fasciitis, made me look forward to PT sessions. I've gone to FFPT over the years with success in healing what ails me, and highly recommend the practice. As an extra, having intelligent and enjoyable conversations and interesting music made for a more enjoyable experience!"

"In a rapidly shrinking PT world accepting most insurance plans, Function First rises to the top. Individualized care with proven techniques as well as optional alternative therapies available under one roof make this such a great place to go and get better. Diane is one of the best PTs I have worked with (and I have worked with several). She has an intuition to find and fix where it hurts and knows her stuff. The office staff is friendly and courteous. Joe, the owner, is also a breath of fresh air. Bonuses include transit convenience located feet away and nice music playing in a big loft. There are individual treatment rooms if you need privacy with your therapist as well. Can't recommend them enough!"

"Although my time at Function First PT was short, my experience there was great. All the staff, from the reception desk to the therapists, are professional and friendly. During the initial session my physical therapist was able to rapidly assess and diagnose the source of my pain, and quickly set out a therapeutic plan. The treatment sessions were similarly excellent. I have, and will continue to recommend Function First PT to friends and family."

"Joe Spallone is a brilliant physical therapist. Have gone to him for years when I have any PT needs. He's creative, strong, caring... and knows what he's doing. He's brought me back from shoulder replacement, ruptured tendon in my ankle and broken kneecap. Recently when Joe was unavailable, I worked with Kerry, one of his associates, who turns out also to be terrific and knowledgeable. Highly recommend this practice."

"I originally was just looking for a physical therapy location that was convenient to me, and ended up finding this fantastic location. Kerry helped me improve my shoulder and get back into top volleyball form, and now I'm back playing and armed with the stretches and exercises necessary to keep me going. I highly recommend this place, very relaxed, fun, and personal."

"The Function First team was first recommended to me by an MD who specializes in foot injuries. I was very pleased with my experience working with Kerry Ojeda. The depth of her knowledge is clear, but she can speak in terms that a layperson understands. I knew I was in good hands. The whole team at FF is welcoming and easy to work with. I returned months later for a wrist injury and was just as happy with the attentiveness and focused therapy that helped me regain strength and mobility quickly. I would recommend FF to anyone committed to working toward a full recovery."

"I had a wonderful experience at Function First PT. The staff were all welcoming and knowledgable in their field. I had gone to a prior physical therapist who did to understand my injury. It was relieving to find Function First as they provided the care that I needed. I'll be booking more appointments in the future and recommend this place to anyone. All the therapists are great!"

"Initially I contacted Function First because it was close to my home. On the phone, the receptionist was very friendly and emailed me all the paperwork which greatly simplified the onboarding process. I had an issue with my right shoulder where an inflamed tendon was reducing my mobility and my ability to play sports. I started working with Kerry Ojeda and she quickly got me to work on focused exercises that helped me recover. A year later I developed patellar tendonitis in my right knee and I came back to Function First. Kerry is a great Physical Therapist. She understands sports injuries and helped me visualize the importance of core muscles and posture on the functioning of shoulder and knee joints. She is very professional but also fun to work with and her positive attitude helps with the progress and recovery. She really cares for her patients and I definitely would recommend her. I haven’t worked with the other PTs, but from what I have seen they seem all friendly and competent. The facility is a wide open space in a loft space and everybody there works in a relaxed atmosphere."

"Function First is a seriously helpful place. It is professional and up-to-date, and yet it is very pleasant and relaxing to be a patient there. I never dreaded going there - I actually looked forward to my appointments. I worked with Diane Richmond who is competent (understatement) and dedicated. I felt like I was in good hands and she really cared about my progress."

"The first phone call to Function First was very enlightening. The secretary was patient and thorough when answering my questions. She immediately faxed forms to my home with instructions. I met the staff in June 2016. I became a part of a professional and friendly group, until my final session on December 29, 2016."

"I had had pain in my sitz bones for years when I sat and acute pain in my spine at the waist when I lay down to sleep at night. The pain when sitting was the result of a reaction to a medication which had persisted for years after I stopped taking it. There was tightness in my shoulders caused by tension in the muscles. I am happy to report that I no longer have pain when sitting nor is there pain in my back at night. I had overnight flights in coach to Santiago, Chile and back without pain from all those hours of sitting. Previously, I had gone to Function First after torn meniscus surgery and shoulder surgery for a frayed rotator cuff. Both areas were restored to full function. I highly recommend this office for anyone who needs physical therapy."

"My experience at Function First was terrific. It is a very low-key but efficient facility, well-equipped and east to get in/out. Kerry O did a perfect job getting my messed up knee back in order in just a couple months, and I'm now back to cycling, running and skiing. The other therapists I observed were also very professional and patient with all flavors of customers. Kerry is top notch!"

"After attending a well-known hospital's physical therapy facility and making little progress, I was fortunate to start my current round of treatment at Function First with Kerry Ojeda. I received incredible treatment and training, which I can also do at home. This resulted in a marked improvement in my mobility and reversed a potential knee replacement surgery. Thank you!"

"This place is the best place to get help when you need PT. The front desk staff is so professional and helpful in any way they can. Kerry is amazing and will give you such personal treatment and will help you in any way she can . I recommend this place to any one who needs a good PT."

"I can't say enough good things about this place . The receptionists are so warm and caring and will try to help and accommodate your schedule and needs. Kerry is really an asset to this facility and she has an enormous amount of patient and I can not thank her enough for everything she helped me with."

"Function First is a quiet, relaxing facility conducive to focusing on your health. And Kerry Ojeda is a dedicated, conscientious and knowledgeable therapist who targeted my ailments correctly and made sure I had a good understanding of the exercise routines prescribed. She has been a great help in restoring my well-being, and I wholeheartedly recommend her as a therapist."

"Kerry was fantastic! She helped me understand what was going on with my injury and how certain exercises can help to make me stronger and help to relieve the pain. Everyone who works there is friendly and professional and it is a well equipped studio.I highly recommend using them for all your physical therapy needs!"

"Expert therapists in a friendly environment. Recommended by my hospital (Hospital for Special Surgery) with good reason."

"This is a wonderful place from your first experience with the front desk staff, the Physical Therapists, home exercises, and dealing with insurance issues. I had both knees replaced and feel that I have made great strides--literally and physically with their help. I recommend them without reservation. And the space is lovely and filled with light and good vibes. Walk or run (if you can) and get yourself there. You will always leave feeling better than when you arrived."

"Everyone at the facility is awesome. From the moment you walk in, the receptionists make you feel at home. But of course I wouldn't give you a 5-star rating if the physical therapists themselves weren't good at their jobs. Kerry has been great - she's professional, gives you challenging exercises where you can clearly see yourself improving, answers emails promptly and checks in often, and makes the sessions fun. What more can you ask for!"

"Working with Kerry and the Function First team was a great experience. Kerry was extremely knowledgeable and helpful in helping me regain flexibility and strength in my shoulder after I fractured my scapula. The sessions were always enjoyable and beneficial and I was always eager to come back. Before starting PT I was told that it can get boring and repetitive after a few weeks, but that definitely was not the case at Function First. Additionally, Kerry taught me valuable techniques for improving my form while working out that I still use. I was amazed at how quickly my shoulder progressed after starting PT with Kerry. I have already recommended Function First to many of my friends. Thanks again, Kerry!"

"Kerry Ojeda was my PT at Function First and she was terrific. I was recovering from a shoulder operation and she knew exactly what I needed, worked diligently to get my shoulder back to form far quicker than I expected, and left me with the knowledge base I need to keep my shoulder in good shape. Her understanding of muscles and tendons is so complete it's basically intuitive. Other staff at Function First were excellent, too."

"The Function First office is a pleasant place to recover from an injury or surgery. Joe & Kerry administer expert care & treatment. I have recommended them to friends in the NYC area."

"This is a wonderful place from your first experience with the front desk staff, the Physical Therapists, home exercises, and dealing with insurance issues. I had both knees replaced and feel that I have made great strides--literally and physically with their help. I recommend them without reservation. And the space is lovely and filled with light and good vibes. Walk or run (if you can) and get yourself there. You will always leave feeling better than when you arrived."

"Had a fantastic experience with Function First Physical Therapy after having major concerns and worries with relation to a hip and back problem. I found all staff to be extremely helpful and welcoming from day one, especially Kerry who dealt with me the most. She is very knowledgable and gave me practical solutions to my problems and understood how important training and exercise is to my own profession and lifestyle. Function first understand the human body and gave me rehabilitative exercises to compliment my current routine which made the recovery process speedier, less stressful and less tedious. As a fitness and lifestyle professional myself I am careful whom I choose to work with but Function First come highly recommended."

"I had the pleasure of having Kerry Ojeda as my PT. She did a wonderful job and was incredibly thorough. She taught me proper form and function in my exercise technique so that I could prevent another injury in the future. It helped me monumentally and I came back better than ever once she helped heal me! She definitely knows what she's talking about! Thanks Kerry, you rock!"

"Kerry Ojeda is an amazing physical therapist. I have a herniated disc and was experiencing tightness and pain, and she caused me to experience a really significant improvement. I had been to a large PT facility in the past, and let me say, going to Function First and specifically Kerry was a much, much better experience. Worlds apart, really. Night and day. She addressed my situation in a much more nuanced, thoughtful, and individualized way. She personally worked with me, as opposed to the other place that mostly sent me to do self-exercises. I think Kerry was amazing, excellent, and just superb and do not hesitate to recommend her!! Five stars."

"My wife and I have been getting physical therapy at First Function. Our physical therapist is Helen Nam D.P.T. (doctor physical therapy). Helen is carful when she treats us, keeps asking if it hurts and always smiles. The place is airy with wide windows and the staff is very nice. I highly recommend it to anybody who needs physical therapy. "