Written and medically reviewed by Paul Norio Morton, MD, FAAOS, FAAHKS · Board-certified orthopedic surgeon · Last reviewedSeptember 2026Pain & inflammation
Mobility & strength
Movement patterns
Re-injury
Locations
Where do we offer physical therapy?
PB&J Physical Therapy is offered at our two Oahu clinics. On the Big Island, rehabilitation after surgery is coordinated with trusted local partners and planned with your surgeon, so your program follows the same protocol close to home.
What Our Therapists Do
One team, a whole toolkit for recovery
From the operating room to the finish line, our licensed therapists tailor every plan to your goals.
Post-surgical rehabilitation
Joint replacement, arthroscopy, and fracture care — a structured plan from day one after surgery, following your surgeon’s protocol.
Injury treatment
Care for knee, hip, shoulder, and spine musculoskeletal injuries — acute and overuse.
Manual therapy
Hands-on techniques to relieve pain, restore motion, and improve tissue mobility.
Therapeutic exercise
Guided, progressive programs to rebuild strength, endurance, and control.
Return-to-activity & performance
Sport- and job-specific progressions so you come back ready, not just healed.
Balance, gait & fall prevention
Analyzing and correcting movement patterns to walk confidently, prevent falls, and avoid re-injury.
MLS laser therapy
Non-invasive light therapy that may reduce pain in selected conditions when used alongside rehabilitation.
Bracing & DME
Custom knee braces, slings, boots, and supports to protect healing structures.
Wellness & prevention
Supervised programs that bridge rehab and long-term fitness to keep you active.
What We Treat
What conditions do we treat?
- Knee arthritis and post-injection recovery
- ACL, meniscus, and cartilage injuries
- Rotator cuff, frozen shoulder, and elbow tendinopathy
- Hip and gluteal tendinopathy
- Ankle sprains and foot & ankle injuries
- Hand and wrist therapy after release, fracture, or tendon repair
- Balance, gait, and fall prevention
- Osteoporosis-safe strengthening
- Back and SI joint pain
- Work-related injuries (Workers’ Compensation)
Post-Surgical Programs
Which surgeries do we rehab?
Each program follows the protocol your surgeon set — and different procedures get different protocols.
- Total & partial knee replacement
- Total hip replacement
- Revision joint replacement
- ACL reconstruction & BEAR® repair (separate protocols)
- Meniscus repair vs. meniscectomy (different protocols)
- Cartilage restoration (staged loading over 9–12 months)
- Fracture fixation
- Hand & wrist procedures
- Limb lengthening & deformity correction
Getting Started
How do I start physical therapy at PB&J?
Tell us what’s going on
Message us on Klara or call (808) 439-6201. Current Pacific Bone & Joint patients can also ask at any visit, and post-surgical patients are scheduled directly from the surgeon’s plan.
No referral needed
Hawai‘i allows unrestricted direct access to physical therapy, so you can be evaluated and treated by a licensed physical therapist without a doctor’s referral or prescription. Our team verifies your therapy benefits before your first visit; if your insurance plan requires a referral or prior authorization to pay for therapy, we will tell you exactly what is needed.
You’re evaluated and started
A licensed physical therapist evaluates you and builds your plan. If you are recovering from surgery, that plan follows your surgeon’s protocol — no waiting for records to transfer.
What happens at your first visit?
Your first visit starts with an evaluation, not a workout. Your therapist reviews your history, your surgery or injury, and your goals, then assesses strength, motion, balance, gait, and the specific activities that are limiting you. You leave with two things: a plan for your in-clinic sessions and a home program you can actually do. If you're a post-op patient, that plan follows the protocol your surgeon set.
What to bring
- Photo ID and insurance card
- A list of current medications
- Any imaging, operative reports, or referral paperwork you have
- Clothing you can move comfortably in
Insurance: we accept most Hawai‘i plans and verify your therapy benefits before you come in. See plans we accept →
Your Therapy Team
Who will I work with?
Licensed physical therapists and assistants who work alongside Dr. Morton — with a coordinator keeping your schedule and plan on track.
Bryson Naito, PT
Physical TherapistBS Kinesiology (UNLV), Doctor of Physical Therapy (Touro University Nevada). Pain science, therapeutic exercise, and manual therapy.
Riana Esmena-Faria, PT
Physical TherapistSpecial interest in manual therapy and geriatric rehabilitation. Sees patients in English or Filipino.
Rylie Pfledderer, PT
Physical TherapistIndividualized rehab plans from post-surgical recovery to return to sport.
Chelsea Miller, PTA
Physical Therapy AssistantGuides patients safely through each stage of recovery alongside the PT team.
Jan Carlo Novio, PTA
Physical Therapy AssistantKeeps every session encouraging and on track.
Kelcie
Physical Therapy CoordinatorSchedules your visits and keeps your plan moving between appointments.
Bracing & support
We provide durable medical equipment to protect healing tissue and support your return to activity:
Wellness & performance programs
Recovery doesn't end when formal therapy does. Our programs bridge rehab and long-term fitness:
- Supervised exercise & strength/conditioning
- Movement optimization
- Injury-prevention strategies
PrescribeFIT coaching extends care between visits, and MLS laser therapy may help selected conditions alongside rehab.
2-Minute Check
Am I a candidate for physical therapy?
Answer a few quick questions. This is educational and is not a diagnosis — only an evaluation can tell for sure.
Are you recovering from surgery, an injury, or a painful flare-up?
Is stiffness, weakness, or pain limiting your daily activities or sport?
Would a guided, progressive plan help you get back to full activity?
You may be a strong candidate.
Your answers suggest physical therapy could be a good fit. The next step is a simple evaluation, where we'll confirm with an exam and imaging and review every option with you — surgical and non-surgical.
This tool is educational and not a diagnosis. Not everyone is a candidate; only a clinical evaluation can determine what's right for you.
You might be a candidate — let's talk.
Some of your answers point toward physical therapy, but the right path depends on the details. A short evaluation will give you a clear, honest answer and a plan.
This tool is educational and not a diagnosis. Not everyone is a candidate; only a clinical evaluation can determine what's right for you.
Let's take a closer look.
Your answers don't point clearly to physical therapy yet — but that doesn't mean we can't help. We'll evaluate what's going on and point you to the care that fits, often starting with non-surgical options.
This tool is educational and not a diagnosis. Not everyone is a candidate; only a clinical evaluation can determine what's right for you.
Answer all 3 questions to see your result.
Questions, Answered
Physical therapy FAQ
Where does Pacific Bone & Joint offer physical therapy?+
PB&J Physical Therapy is offered at Pacific Bone & Joint’s two Oahu clinics: Honolulu (Ala Moana Medical Building, 1441 Kapi‘olani Blvd., Suite 2020) and Waipahu (Kunia Shopping Center, 94-673 Kupuohi St). On the Big Island, rehabilitation after surgery with Dr. Morton is coordinated with trusted local partners and planned with your surgeon, so your program follows the same protocol close to home.
Do I need a referral to start physical therapy in Hawai‘i?+
No. Hawai‘i has unrestricted direct access to physical therapy, which means you can see a licensed physical therapist at PB&J Physical Therapy for an evaluation and treatment without a doctor’s referral or prescription. Message us on Klara or call (808) 439-6201 to start. One caveat: some insurance plans still require a referral or prior authorization to cover therapy, so Pacific Bone & Joint verifies your benefits before your first visit and tells you if your plan needs one.
Do I need surgery to be seen by physical therapy?+
No. PB&J Physical Therapy at Pacific Bone & Joint treats people who have not had surgery — including knee and hip arthritis, shoulder and elbow tendinopathy, ankle sprains, back and SI joint pain, balance problems, and work injuries — as well as post-surgical patients. Physical therapy is often a first-line, non-surgical treatment, and many patients improve without ever needing an operation.
What happens at my first physical therapy visit?+
Your first visit at PB&J Physical Therapy starts with an evaluation, not a workout. Your therapist reviews your history, your surgery or injury, and your goals, then assesses strength, motion, balance, gait, and the specific activities that are limiting you. You leave with a plan for your in-clinic sessions and a home program you can actually do. If you are a post-operative patient, that plan follows the protocol your surgeon set.
How soon after surgery does physical therapy start?+
For most orthopedic surgeries at Pacific Bone & Joint, rehabilitation begins almost immediately — often within the first day or two after joint replacement — following your surgeon’s protocol. Because PB&J Physical Therapy is in-house on Oahu, your first therapy visit is scheduled before you leave the practice, so there is no gap between the operating room and rehab.
Is your physical therapy in-house?+
Yes. PB&J Physical Therapy is part of Pacific Bone & Joint, so your therapists work in the same practice as your surgeon and physician assistant. Your surgeon and therapist share one plan and one record, which means protocol changes, imaging, and progress notes move between them without delay.
Does PB&J Physical Therapy accept my insurance?+
Pacific Bone & Joint accepts most Hawai‘i insurance plans, and physical therapy benefits are verified before your first visit. Some plans require a referral or prior authorization for therapy; our team confirms what your plan needs. Workers’ Compensation and self-pay are also accepted. See the insurance page for the current plan list.
Do you accept Workers’ Compensation for physical therapy?+
Yes. PB&J Physical Therapy treats Workers’ Compensation cases at Pacific Bone & Joint’s Oahu clinics, including post-injury rehabilitation and return-to-work conditioning. Bring your claim information to your first visit. Call (808) 439-6201 or message us on Klara to get started.
What is MLS laser therapy?+
MLS laser therapy is a form of photobiomodulation offered at PB&J Physical Therapy. Research suggests it may provide short-term pain relief for selected musculoskeletal conditions, but results vary by diagnosis and treatment protocol. When appropriate, we use it alongside an active rehabilitation plan rather than as a replacement for exercise and functional recovery.
Learn More About Your Recovery
Physical therapy guides from our team
Explore Related Care
Related care
Robotic Joint Replacement
Prehab, then rapid-recovery rehab from the day after surgery.
Explore →Sports Medicine
Return-to-play care for active injuries.
Explore →Bone Health & Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis-safe strengthening and fall prevention.
Explore →Insurance & Payment
Plans we accept, authorization notes, self-pay and CareCredit.
Explore →Patient Reviews
What patients say
“I had left hip surgery on Tuesday and went to physical therapy at his office the next day. I am doing awesome — I have minimal pain! Dr. Morton and the office staff, Bryson and Chelsea the PTs, Carol the scheduler... this is where you want to have surgery!”
— Jodie S.· Google review
“Dr. Morton did a revision knee surgery on my right knee. He and the staff worked hard to get me into the hospital and rehab. He is realistic and encouraging, and I have been ahead of schedule.”
— Paula N.· Google review
Review excerpts reflect individual patient experiences and may be lightly condensed. Results vary.
Let's get you moving again
Whether you're recovering from surgery or an injury — or want to prevent the next one — our therapists in Honolulu and Waipahu are ready to help.
This page is educational and is not a substitute for medical advice. Individual results and recovery vary.