Preferred Physical Therapy

Preferred Physical Therapy Helping folks 40+ overcome pain and stiffness naturally so they can move better and live stronger.

We help people aged 40+ in Northwest Phoenix stay active and independent, live free from pain killers, and avoid surgery, …even if they have had pain for years. Preferred Physical Therapy is a clinic owned and operated by Nick Hunter, PT, DPT and his wife, Jessika. Preferred Physical Therapy is located in the convenient Arrowhead area of Glendale, Arizona. We are a small practice which gives us the opportunity to connect with each patient on a deeper level. Our staff is a compassionate team of specialists that devotes our time to leading the way for our patients to become healthy, stable, and pain free. We strive to accommodate our patients with a personalized plan of care that’s most effective to their pain levels or medical conditions. Everyday we open our doors, we make it our focus to create an environment that demonstrates our mission through superior care and friendly service.

12/09/2025

If you’ve ever felt that pinch or pull in your low back when bending forward, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common limitations we see, especially in active people who want to keep doing the things they love.

This high-school basketball athlete came in with pain every time he bent forward. He tried to avoid the movement, hoping it would “go away,” but all that disappeared was his ability to move with confidence.

During his visit, we walked him through our progression-based approach to find the root cause of his pain and help his body move the way it was meant to. Now he can bend forward without pain, lift weight, and is getting closer to returning to the court.

Here’s the truth: avoiding painful movements doesn’t solve the problem. Strength and smart progressions do. When you rebuild the ability to bend, lift, and move well, your body becomes more resilient — not more fragile.

If you’ve been waiting for pain to fade on its own, it might be time to take a different approach.

Schedule a Free Discovery Visit and let’s talk about what’s really causing your back pain — and how we can help you get back to the activities you love.

11/26/2025

📱 Virtual care doesn’t mean less — this patient is proof.

This gentleman lives up in Utah and has been struggling with chronic low back pain for nearly 10 years after a microdiscectomy.
Over the past year, things got even worse — sitting hurt, bending hurt, walking hurt, hiking hurt.

When he found us online, he didn’t think virtual PT could help…
but he knew he needed to try something different.

So we started working together virtually —
and the progress has been incredible.

🔹 When he started, he could only reach his kneecaps
🔹 Now he can reach his ankles

🔹 He used to tolerate 10–15 minutes of sitting
🔹 Now he can sit for almost 2 hours before symptoms show up

That’s not luck.
That’s what happens when you solve the root cause instead of chasing symptoms.

His hamstrings weren’t just “tight.”
His body was protecting a sensitized nerve and a guarded low back — and once we restored mobility, strength, and confidence, everything changed.

You don’t have to live in Arizona for us to help you.
You just need a plan that works.

If you’re dealing with chronic low back pain and want real progress — no matter where you live — message me “BACK” and we’ll talk about virtual options that actually work.

11/25/2025

Rotator cuff tear on MRI does NOT automatically mean surgery.

Sandra is a perfect example. She had months of shoulder pain, an MRI showing tears, and surgery was recommended with a long recovery timeline. Instead, we took the conservative route first. Eight weeks later, she was back to tennis and pickleball with minimal pain.
Let’s bust a few common myths:

Myth #1: “If the MRI says tear, I need surgery.”

Truth: Lots of people walk around with rotator cuff tears and have little to no pain. A scan is a picture, not a plan. Symptoms, strength, movement, and your goals matter more than the word “tear.”

Myth #2: “It will never heal without surgery.”

Truth: Many rotator cuff tears can be managed really well with the right rehab. Even when tissue does not “go back to normal” on imaging, your shoulder can still get strong, stable, and pain free.

Myth #3: “Conservative treatment is just delaying the inevitable.”

Truth: For many people, conservative care is the solution. And if surgery ends up being the right move later, you go into it stronger and recover better.
If shoulder pain is keeping you from golf, tennis, pickleball, workouts, or just sleeping comfortably, you have options. You do not have to jump straight to the most invasive one.

Want a clear plan before you choose a scalpel?
Book a free discovery visit. We will see what is really going on, talk through your goals, and map out the smartest next step.

Comment “SHOULDER” or send us a message and we will get you scheduled.

Disclaimer: Every case is different. This is educational, not personal medical advice.

11/21/2025

This patient has been working on his balance, stability, and confidence — because staying active and independent matters at every age. Lateral step-overs like you see in this video may look simple, but they’re powerful for:
✔ fall prevention
✔ strengthening the hips and legs
✔ improving reaction time
✔ rebuilding trust in their body

For so many older adults, the fear of falling is what takes away freedom — not age.
But with the right program, guidance, and encouragement, strength and stability can always improve.

We’re proud of him, we’re rooting for him, and we’re honored to walk this journey with him — just like he walked with the people he raised and cared for his whole life.

If you have a parent or grandparent who’s slowing down, unsteady, or losing confidence… there’s hope.

📲 Send us a message and we’ll help them get their strength and independence back.

11/17/2025

Before ➜ After in the SAME session.

This 17-year-old basketball player came in with radicular pain shooting down his leg from a back injury — the kind of pain that makes sprinting, jumping, and even standing uncomfortable.

During his evaluation, his nerve mobility was severely limited, and his “before” measure showed exactly how irritated the nerve was.

After targeted treatment to reduce pressure on the nerve and improve nerve glide, his “after” measure improved dramatically — in just minutes.

👉 Why this matters:
When a nerve is irritated or compressed, no amount of stretching, resting, or “working through it” will fix the problem.
The body needs:
• decreased compression
• improved nerve mobility
• restored movement patterns

This is how real progress happens.
This is how pain calms down.
And this is how young athletes safely return to their sport — without making the injury worse.

He still has work to do, but now he has a clear path back to the basketball court 💪🏀

📲 If your athlete has leg pain, back pain, or nerve symptoms that aren’t improving, message us “ATHLETE” — early treatment makes all the difference.

11/14/2025

When I started Preferred Physical Therapy 10 years ago, these four were little boys running around the clinic, raiding the snack drawer, asking if they could use the treatment tables as trampolines, and growing up right alongside this business.

A lot has changed since then.

The boys got taller.
The clinic got bigger.
And somewhere along the way I realized running a clinic and raising kids have a lot in common. Mostly that you are never actually caught up and there is always someone looking for a snack.

What has not changed is why we do this. We help folks over 50 stay active, independent, and living life on their terms. That part has held steady through every messy, busy, unforgettable year.

If you see this and want to stop by today, we would love it.

10-Year Anniversary and Patient Appreciation Party
🗓️ Today at 4 pm
📍 Preferred Physical Therapy

Come say hi, grab a treat, and celebrate with us. I’d love to see you.




11/14/2025

⚠️ Youth athlete injuries are NOT “normal.” And they are NOT something your kid will just grow out of.
That’s why it’s so important that parents stop believing the 3 myths in this post — because these beliefs keep kids in pain longer, reduce performance, and increase the risk of future injuries.

Here’s what every sports parent needs to know 👇

1. Injuries don’t always heal on their own.

Overuse injuries are the #1 reason kids miss sports — and most don’t resolve without correcting movement faults or weakness.
📚 Research shows more than 50% of youth sports injuries are overuse injuries. (JOSPT)

2. Pain-free does NOT mean fully healed.

Kids often feel better before they’re strong enough to return to full intensity.
That’s why re-injury rates in young athletes can reach 30–40% when they return too early. (Sports Health)

3. Ice and rest alone don’t fix the problem.

Ice temporarily helps symptoms… but symptoms aren’t the cause.
If we don’t fix strength, mobility, and mechanics, the pain always returns once they start competing again.

⸻

Why does this matter so much?

Because the decisions made right now don’t just affect this season —
they affect their entire future.

I can’t tell you how many adults in their 30s and 40s tell me:
“I hurt this in high school and never got it treated. Do you think I could have avoided this now?”

Often… the answer is yes.
And that’s why early, proper care is crucial.

⸻

You’re not just protecting their sport. You’re protecting their future.

Strong, healthy movement now = fewer chronic issues later, better performance, and a happier athlete.



📲 If your athlete keeps having pain, limping after practice, or missing games, message me “ATHLETE” and I’ll help you figure out what’s really going on.

11/12/2025

🎖️ Happy Veterans Day — and meet one of our heroes in action.

At 94 years young, this veteran isn’t done fighting — he’s just training for a different kind of mission: regaining control, coordination, and independence after a stroke.

In this video, we’re working on his walking coordination by kicking a Swiss ball — alternating right and left to retrain timing and rhythm between his legs.

In slow motion, you can see the challenge clearly:
⚙️ His involved side moves slower and with more effort than his strong side.
But every repetition helps his brain and body reconnect, improving the balance and timing needed to walk safely and confidently again.

These kinds of exercises may look simple, but they’re powerful.
They rebuild the communication between the brain and muscles — one movement, one connection, one victory at a time.

At 94, he’s showing us all what it means to keep pushing forward — to fight for independence, to work for every step, and to never give up on living your best life.

💪 Here’s to all our veterans who’ve served with strength and courage — and continue to inspire us every day.
Happy Veterans Day. 🇺🇸

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18301 N 79th Avenue, Ste B122
Glendale, AZ
85308

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 7pm
Tuesday 7am - 7pm
Wednesday 7am - 7pm
Thursday 7am - 7pm
Friday 7am - 4pm

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