Refresh PT is open for in person and virtual visits! Please email frontdesk@refreshpt.com or call 857-285-2955 to book an appointment or for more information.

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Refresh Physical Therapy


Refresh. Retrain. Return to Pain Free Motion.
[Downtown Boston]

Meet Our Team


Dr. Johanna (Ryan) Russell, DPT


Dr. Johanna Russell, PT, DPT is a licensed physical therapist and owner of Refresh Physical Therapy. Dr. Russell graduated from St. Lawrence University in 2009 with a degree in Biology. She then graduated from Sacred Heart University with a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree in 2013. Dr. Russell has held past positions as clinic director, collegiate student athletic trainer and has expanded her credentials as a certified mat-based Pilates Physical Therapy instructor by the Australian Physiotherapy & Pilates Institute, certified Functional Movement Technique RockTape professional, and through specialty courses in running form and analysis.

Dr. Russell’s interest in patient treatment originated from her own rehabilitation experience. As a junior in high school, Johanna suffered a traumatic elbow fracture while playing softball, resulting in two reconstructive surgeries and a year of physical therapy. Dr. Russell’s rehabilitation led her to a career helping others prevent, heal and recover from their injuries. Her experience shaped her empathetic and individualized treatment approach.

Dr. Russell specializes in the treatment of orthopedic and sports related injuries ranging all abilities, ages and degrees of injury, from preventative treatment to postoperative care to chronic injuries. Refresh PT provides specialized recovery programs for neck pain, ACL reconstruction rehabilitation, rotator cuff tendinopathy, hip pain, plantar fasciitis, low back pain, IT Band Syndrome, Runner’s knee, and all other orthopedic conditions. With eight years of experience, Dr. Russell has worked as a clinic director and physical therapist for patients ages 8 to 87. She works with each patient to set personalized, specific and attainable rehabilitation goals.

A fitness enthusiast, Dr. Russell enjoys drawing from her own workout routine, working in a mix of spin, boxing, Pilates, cross-training, dance and yoga classes. She is an avid Peloton user and loves to utilize many methods of strengthening and cardio to stay active. Dr. Russell’s personal routine provides expanded insight on necessary functional movement and proper form. As the owner of Refresh Physical Therapy, Dr. Russell hopes to help her patients understand injury causes and prevention through multiple teaching techniques and the use of functional exercise to aid in healing and prevention of future injuries. She believes in treating the patient as a whole, with a significant focus on movement and posture to create good habits with proper retraining.


Dr Evan Kappler, PT, DPT


Dr Evan Kappler PT, DPT is a licensed physical therapist and graduated from The MGH Institute of Health Professions with a Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2020. Dr. Kappler has additional certifications as a Tactical Athlete Strength & Conditioning Coach by the National Strength & Conditioning Association as well as specialty courses in the Clinical Management of the Fitness Athlete.

Dr. Kappler's interest in patient treatment originates from his own experience as a patient himself. As a junior in high school, Evan suffered a navicular stress fracture in his left foot that required surgery and months of physical therapy. His journey to get back to the basketball court inspired him to help others achieve their goals.

Dr. Kappler specializes in the treatment of orthopedic and sports related injuries and sees patients of all ages and activity levels.

Outside of treating patients, Dr. Kappler stays physically active through training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and working with Kettlebells from his living room. He also enjoys trying new restaurants with his girlfriend and rooting for Boston sports teams.



Dr. Kelly Murphy, PT, DPT


Dr. Kelly Murphy, PT, DPT is a licensed physical therapist who grew up in the Boston area. She graduated from Quinnipiac University in 2017 with her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Dr. Murphy's interest, and now love, of physical therapy stemmed after her own high school sports related injuries and rehabilitation. Her goal is to provide patient-centered care with focus on optimizing function to facilitate return to activities, work, and activities of daily living. 

Our Method

Our Method


Welcome to Refresh Physical Therapy, Boston’s patient focused PT clinic that specializes in functional movement, posture and muscular retraining. Our treatment is designed to help patients heal and return to normal function, all while having fun with a structured whole body approach. We pride ourselves on our ability to educate patients on their injury enabling them to connect each exercise with its purpose. Patients gain overall knowledge to prevent further injury. We look forward to treating you!

Specialties & Treatments

Specialties


Neck

Neck pain & postural re-education

Knee

ACL tears, MCL & LCL sprains, meniscus tears, preventative treatment and post surgical rehab, Runner's Knee, IT Band Syndrome, Patellofemoral pain syndrome

Back

Lower and middle back pain, poor posture, Degenerative Disc Disease, Disc Herniations

Shoulder

AC joint sprains, Rotator cuff tears & tendinopathy, Labral tears, Postural syndrome treatment

Hip

Hip impingement, hip pain, hip replacement strengthening and recovery, glute tendinopathy, hamstring strains/tears

Ankle

Ankle sprains, fractures, Trimalleolar fractures, Achilles' tendinitis/tears, poor mobility, calf strains

Foot

Plantar Fasciitis, Bunionectomy post op, 5th metatarsal stress fracture rehab

Posture

Slumped shoulders, rounded spine contributing to neck, shoulder and low back pain





Treatment Techniques


Manual therapy

Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization

Therapeutic exercise

Functional movement & training

Postural retraining

Pilates based strengthening

Self soft tissue release and mobility

Patient education

Accepted Insurances

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care

Tufts Health Plan

United Health Care

Allways Health Partners

Aetna



Out of Network

We can still treat you! You have the option of a cash pay visit or check with your insurer before your visit!

Cigna

Contact, Hours & Location


Hours

Tuesday to Friday: 8:00AM–5:00PM

Contact

Please call or email to setup an appointment

Location

45 School Street Ground Floor
Boston, MA 02108

(Inside Old City Hall / Wellness in Motion)

Taking the T - Close to four T stops including:
Government Center (Green line, Blue line)
State Street (Orange line)
Downtown Crossing (Red line, Orange Line)
Park Street (Green line)

Entrances (2 entrances Front & Rear):
Front Entrance:
Door is open at 7:00am - 5:30pm.
Go straight and take the stairs down on your right, then turn right at the bottom of the stairs.
Door will be on your left (inside Wellness in Motion Boston)

Rear Entrance:
Enter through the Court Square (go around the building via City Hall Ave & turn left) entrances before/after the above times & on Saturdays.
Rear entrance is Handicap accessible!
Directions: Come in straight through 2 sets of double doors and enter through the door on the left (inside Wellness in Motion)