Physical Therapy in Columbus, OH

Last updated: April 17, 2026

73 NPI-registered pediatric physical therapy providers serve Columbus, OH. Each listing includes the provider's name, location, specialties, listed credentials, and current new-patient status, with a link to the full profile and to verify the provider's state license through FSBPT. Listings refreshed from the NPPES registry April 2026.

73 providers in Columbus — showing 50 per page (page 1 of 2)

How we vet: Every listing starts from the provider's federal CMS NPI record and is refreshed from the registry on a recurring schedule, with direct links to the certification or state-licensing body for its specialty so you can verify credentials at the source. We do not accept paid placement. Read our full verification methodology.

Physical Therapy in Columbus, OH

Pediatric physical therapy in Columbus helps babies and children build the big-movement skills known as gross-motor skills: head control, rolling, sitting, crawling, walking, running, jumping, and balance. Parents usually arrive here after a little one is late to roll, sit, or walk, after noticing a head tilt or persistent toe-walking, or while a child recovers from an injury or surgery. FindKidTherapy lists NPI-registered pediatric physical therapists across Franklin County, from solo practices in Dublin, Westerville, and Upper Arlington to clinics in Hilliard, Gahanna, and Grove City and the major hospital systems.

If your child is under three, the fastest no-cost path is often Ohio Help Me Grow, the state's birth-to-three early-intervention program, which can deliver physical therapy in your home while you wait on a private list. Hospital-affiliated programs, including Nationwide Children's Hospital, tend to carry longer waits, while solo practices often move fastest.

A typical path is a 60 to 90 minute evaluation followed by weekly play-based sessions. To a child, tummy-time games, obstacle courses, and animal walks feel like fun; underneath, the therapist is building strength, coordination, and motor planning. Parents are part of the team, and the therapist sends home simple activities so progress carries into daily routines. Many Columbus families coordinate PT with occupational therapy when a child needs both gross-motor and fine-motor support.

Pediatric physical therapists in Ohio are licensed by the Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers Board and typically hold a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree; some are board-certified Pediatric Clinical Specialists (PCS), which signals extra experience with infants and children. You can confirm a therapist's license through the board's online verification. Below are the physical therapy providers currently active in Columbus.

What to expect

The first visit is an evaluation, not treatment. Expect a relaxed, play-based assessment of about an hour: a parent interview about pregnancy, birth, and milestones, then the therapist watching your child move and gently checking strength, range of motion, posture, and balance. You leave with a plain-language summary and goals, and treatment starts at the next visit. Bring any pediatrician notes or prior IEP or IFSP paperwork.

Insurance

Ohio Medicaid covers medically necessary physical therapy for children under 21 under the EPSDT benefit. Franklin County Medicaid managed-care plans commonly include CareSource, Buckeye Health Plan, Molina Healthcare, and AmeriHealth Caritas Ohio. Commercial plans (Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna) typically reimburse with a physician referral or prescription and prior authorization after the evaluation, and some cap annual PT visits. Confirm your specific plan before the first visit.

Start sooner if under 3

Ohio Help Me Grow (Part C early intervention) is the statewide birth-to-three system; central intake is 1-800-755-GROW (4769), and Franklin County families are served by a local service coordinator. Services can include PT, are often delivered in your home, and the IFSP is held within 45 days of referral. You can self-refer; no pediatrician referral is required.

PT vs OT for kids

Physical therapy focuses on gross-motor skills like walking, balance, strength, and coordination; occupational therapy focuses on fine-motor and functional daily skills, sensory processing, and self-care. Some Columbus children see both, and the two often work together. If you are unsure which your child needs, a PT or OT evaluation can point you in the right direction.

Frequently asked questions — Physical Therapy in Columbus, OH

At what age can a child start physical therapy in Columbus?

Physical therapy can begin in infancy. Therapists regularly work with newborns and babies on issues like torticollis, tummy-time tolerance, and early motor skills, and they help children of every age through the school years. There is no age that is too early to ask questions. For children under three, Ohio Help Me Grow can begin services, often in your home.

What is the difference between physical therapy and occupational therapy for kids?

Physical therapy focuses on gross-motor skills: walking, balance, strength, and coordination. Occupational therapy focuses on fine-motor and functional daily skills, sensory processing, and self-care. Some children see both. If you are unsure which your child needs, a PT or OT evaluation can point you in the right direction, and many Columbus families coordinate the two.

Do I need a doctor's referral for pediatric PT in Ohio?

It depends on your insurance plan and the clinic's policy. Many insurers ask for a physician referral or prescription before they will cover physical therapy, while some clinics offer evaluations without one. For children under three, Ohio Help Me Grow lets families refer their own child, with no referral required. Calling ahead to confirm is the fastest way to know what your plan needs.

Does Ohio Medicaid cover pediatric physical therapy in Columbus?

Yes. Ohio Medicaid covers medically necessary physical therapy for children under 21 through the EPSDT benefit. Common Franklin County managed-care plans include CareSource, Buckeye Health Plan, Molina Healthcare, and AmeriHealth Caritas Ohio. Prior authorization is usually required after the initial evaluation.

Is toe-walking something a physical therapist can help with?

Often, yes. Persistent toe-walking is one of the most common reasons Columbus families seek pediatric PT. A licensed therapist can assess range of motion, strength, and walking patterns, then build a play-based plan. Because toe-walking can have several causes, an evaluation by a clinician is the best way to understand what is going on.

How long will my child need physical therapy?

Every child is different, so a therapist will not promise a set timeline. The plan depends on your child's goals, needs, and progress, which the therapist reviews with you regularly. Some children attend for a short stretch after an injury or to reach a specific milestone; others benefit from longer-term support. Therapy goals are about progress and participation, not a promised result.

Other Therapy Types in Columbus

Speech Therapy Occupational Therapy ABA Therapy Feeding Therapy Sensory Integration

50 PT Therapists in Columbus

Aaron Albrecht, MOT, OTR/L, PTA

Columbus, OH

Physical Therapy in Columbus, OH

Physical Therapy in Columbus, OH

Frequently asked questions — Physical Therapy in Columbus, OH

Other Therapy Types in Columbus

50 PT Therapists in Columbus

Aaron Albrecht, MOT, OTR/L, PTA

Adam Bedell, DPT

Amber Bentley, PT, DPT, MEd

Amelia Carpenter

Andrea Bradley

Andrew Albright

Ashley Callicott

Brent Applebaum, P.T.

Brett Bursley, DPT

Brittany Ballard, MPT

Bryton Carpenter

Carol Albright, PT

Christie Baxter

Cody Ballay, PT, DPT

Courtney Altman, DPT

Dale Bodmer, LMT, PT

Damon Bollin

Debra Bruce, P.T.

Gabrielle Byorth, DPT

Gilda Basnett

Gina Bjelac, PT

Heather Akins

Heidi Bell, PT

Helen Carey, P.T.

Holly Bowman, MPT

Holly Browning

Isabella Anile

James Beadle, PT

Jamie Carlson, PT,DPT

Jennie Amicon, MPT

Jessica Brock, PT, DPT

John Bernal, PT, DPT

John Birtcher, pt

John Brown, DPT

Joseph Alexander, PT, DPT

Joshua Bichsel, DPT

Karen Burns, PT

Karlie Bless

Katherine Berry, PT

Kathleen Bagdorf, DPT

Kayla Borchers, PT, DPT, OCS

Kelly Bell, PT

Kelsey Cafarella, D.P.T.

Kristin Beadle, DPT

Kristin Beckett, MPT

Kristin Bednarz, PT

Lisa Barker, PT

Logan Avalos, PT, DPT

Mackenzie Bruce, PT, DPT

Maggie Abrams, P.T., D.P.T.

Physical Therapy in Nearby Cities

About Physical Therapy for Children in Columbus, OH

What is Physical Therapy?

Finding the Right PT Therapist in Columbus

Signs Your Child May Benefit from Physical Therapy