Erie
3425 Peach Street, Erie, PA 16508
Phone: (814) 864-4100
Email: office@activecareerie.com
FAX: (814) 866-1811
Physical Therapy in Erie
Pain That Hasn’t Gone Away? We Listen First, Then Guide You On The Path To Better.
Tell us what hurts. We’ll handle the referral and insurance questions, and you’ll spend a full 45 minutes one-on-one with a licensed physical therapist.
Most patients can start without a referral · 45 minutes 1-on-1 with a licensed PT every visit · Medicare and many major plans accepted
"My therapist spent time with me asking about my history and what my goals were in the future."Robert L.
Why patients choose us
5 Reasons Erie Patients Choose Activecare
We asked our reviews. Here's what 360+ five-star Google reviewers say matters most.
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You're heard first, then treated one-on-one
Every visit is a full 45 minutes with a licensed physical therapist. No aides, no techs, no rushing.
"They truly listen to help you properly which is rare these days."B. M., Google review
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Experience that keeps looking for a way forward
Our founder has been a physical therapist for nearly 30 years. We look for the cause and use proven hands-on methods, including Regenerative Dry Needling, that may help when other care hasn't.
"Night and day difference from my other physical therapy experiences."Jesse D., Google review
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A plan built for you, and you'll understand it
We explain what we find in plain language and give you a short home plan, so you know what to do between visits and why.
"My plan was tailored to what I needed and wasn't a cookie cutter plan."Google reviewer
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A team that makes you feel welcome
From your first text to your last visit, our front desk and therapists treat you like a neighbor, not a number.
"The entire staff was welcoming and friendly, creating a positive atmosphere from the moment I walked in."Valerie C., Google review
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Getting started is easy
Most patients can start without a referral. We check your insurance first, accept Medicare, work with many plans, and fit your schedule.
"Easy scheduling, good reminders, and close parking!"Sue P., Google review
Individual results vary. Quotes are from public Google reviews. Samantha is an AI assistant, not a licensed clinician, and can't give medical advice.
Getting Started Is Easy
Request or call
Send a quick request online or call (814) 864-4100. Most people can start without a doctor's referral.
We check your benefits
Before your first visit, we check your insurance and any referral rules for your plan, so you know what to expect.
Your 45-minute first visit
One-on-one with a licensed physical therapist. You'll get a clear explanation of what's going on and 1 or 2 exercises to start at home.
Not sure physical therapy is right for you? Email office@activecareerie.com with a quick question and we'll point you in the right direction. (Please don't include medical details.)
"Appointments are never rushed but are always on time."Sue W.
5-Star Google Rating
Rated 5.0 stars on Google from 369 reviews (as of October 2026).
Top Rated Local® Award Winner
Recognized by Top Rated Local® as one of Pennsylvania’s top physical therapy practices, based on verified patient reviews (top three in 2019; #2 statewide in 2024).
2024 Neighborhood Faves – Nextdoor
Voted a 2024 Neighborhood Fave on Nextdoor. We’re proud to be trusted by our local community.
Best Pros in Town – Recommended
Recommended by Best Pros in Town for outstanding service and expertise. We’re honored to be recognized by trusted professionals.
Facebook 5-Star Rating
With more than 30 five-star ratings, we are very humbled by all the positive feedback from our community. Thank you for the support!
Top Rated Physical Therapy in Erie
Whether you’re dealing with spine issues, TMJ, headaches, or recovering from a knee or shoulder procedure, we build your plan in real time and walk with you every step. You’ll feel heard, understood, and supported—and you’ll leave each visit feeling stronger, more confident, and closer to full recovery.
Trusted by patients and local physicians across Erie, we are committed to delivering high-quality physical therapy care. Our focus is simple: helping you move better and feel your best—so every visit becomes a positive part of your week.
Regenerative Dry Needling: More Than Trigger-Point Dry Needling
Standard dry needling mostly targets tight muscle knots. Ehren Trost’s Regenerative Dry Needling program goes further. It also treats tendons, scar tissue, fascia and tissue around irritated nerves, with the aim of supporting your body’s own healing response. It is hands-on physical therapy, not injections.
Who it may help: people with tendon pain, stiff or painful scars, or problems that have stalled, including ones that have lasted for years.
What a visit looks like: a 45-minute 1-on-1 visit with Ehren combining dry needling, Astym, Graston and precise exercise.
Works with your current care: it can be added alongside your current PT, chiropractic or other care, and we coordinate with your providers.
How long it takes: it depends on the tissue and your goals. Some people need a short course, some need longer-term care. We reassess at every visit.
“My therapist is very good at listening, and explaining the way things work.”Patsy B.
The Healing Journey at Activecare
Success Stories & Testimonials
Meet Our Team
We are not just a healthcare provider; we are a family, a support system, and a beacon of hope for the Erie community. Our dedication extends beyond the boundaries of our facility, reaching into the hearts and lives of each staff member, every patient, and the entire community we proudly serve.
G. Ehren Trost, MPT
Physical Therapist / Owner
Dr. Jeremy Baronner, DPT
Physical Therapist
What Brings You In?
Pick what sounds like you. Every visit is 45 minutes, one-on-one, with a licensed physical therapist.
Jaw pain, clicking or clenching?
What we do
We treat your jaw, neck and posture together with hands-on care, exercise and, when it fits, dry needling.
Your first visit
We check how your jaw opens and closes, your neck and your jaw habits, then start a simple home plan.
Headaches that keep coming back?
What we do
We look for neck and muscle tension that may be feeding your headaches and treat it with hands-on care and targeted exercise.
Your first visit
We test your neck, posture and movement and explain what we find in plain language.
Back pain or sciatica that won't settle?
What we do
We use McKenzie-based movement testing and hands-on care to find the movements and positions that may ease your pain.
Your first visit
We test how your back responds to specific movements and send you home with 1 or 2 exercises to try.
Stiff, sore neck?
What we do
Hands-on treatment and specific exercise may help ease pain, reduce related headaches and restore motion.
Your first visit
We check how your neck moves, test strength and nerve function, and start a short home program.
Pain with every step?
What we do
We treat foot and ankle pain, including plantar fasciitis and stiffness after an injury or surgery, with hands-on care and targeted exercise.
Your first visit
We check your strength, motion, balance and how you walk, and talk through your footwear.
Muscle or tendon pain that won't let go?
What we do
A licensed physical therapist uses a thin, solid needle on the tight muscle, tendon or scar found in your exam, always alongside hands-on care and exercise.
Your first visit
If it's right for you and you'd like it, dry needling can often start at your first visit. It's never required.
Stuck for years? Ask about Regenerative Dry Needling, Ehren's focused, hands-on program in development since 2022. Not injections.
Dizzy, spinning or unsteady?
What we do
Vestibular therapy uses repositioning maneuvers such as the Epley for BPPV, plus balance and gaze exercises.
Your first visit
We check your balance, eye movements and the positions that trigger your dizziness, and can start a repositioning maneuver the same day if BPPV is found.
Sudden dizziness with trouble speaking, facial droop or one-sided weakness? Call 911.
Numb, tingling feet, or worried about falling?
What we do
Physical therapy can't cure neuropathy, but balance, strength and walking training may help you feel steadier and stay active.
Your first visit
We check sensation, strength, balance and walking, and screen your fall risk.
How We Treat
These are some of the hands-on methods your physical therapist may use in your plan.
McKenzie Method®
A structured, movement-based assessment for back, neck and joint pain. We find the movements and positions that may ease your symptoms and teach you how to manage them on your own.
Graston Technique®
Instrument-assisted soft-tissue work for scar tissue and restrictions, followed by exercise so the gains carry into how you move.
Astym®
A soft-tissue therapy that targets tendons and fascia, paired with targeted exercise in the same visit.
45 Minutes, One-on-One, With a Licensed Physical Therapist
At Activecare, every visit is a full 45 minutes with a licensed physical therapist. No aides, no techs. The same person who examines you is the one treating you, start to finish.
We listen first, test how you move, and explain what we find in plain language. Then we build a plan around your goals: hands-on treatment to calm pain, targeted exercise to rebuild strength and movement, and a short home program with exactly the exercises you need, no more and no less. As you improve, we adjust the plan and help you stay active.
“My therapist goes out of his way to make you feel comfortable, welcome and secure.”Amy M.
Move Easier and Get Back to What You Love
“They took the time to thoroughly understand my injury and designed a personalized treatment plan that really helped me regain my mobility.”Dzeina B.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a doctor's referral for physical therapy or dry needling?
Usually not. Activecare’s physical therapists provide Direct Access care, so you can be evaluated and treated, including with dry needling, without a referral for up to 30 calendar days from your first treatment. To continue care after 30 days, a referral is required. Your insurance plan may still require a referral or prior authorization, so call (814) 864-4100 and we will check your benefits before your first visit.
What happens at my first visit?
Your first visit is a full 45-minute, 1-on-1 evaluation with a licensed physical therapist. We ask about your history, test how you move, assess muscles and soft tissue by hand, explain the findings in plain language, and start you with one or two targeted home movements. If dry needling is appropriate for you, it can often start at your first visit.
How long is each visit?
Every visit is a full 45 minutes of 1-on-1 care with a licensed physical therapist, including visits where dry needling is part of your treatment. No aides, no techs.
Will insurance cover my physical therapy?
Usually, yes. We accept Medicare and many other plans, including UPMC for Life, workers’ compensation and auto accident claims. Text or call (814) 864-4100 and we’ll check your plan before your first visit. Plans and networks change often, so the best step is to text or call (814) 864-4100 before your first visit. Self-pay options are also available. We do not accept Medicaid plans, including UPMC for You, AmeriHealth Caritas, Geisinger Health Plan and Jefferson Health Plans EverWell. We are unable to see patients who have Medicaid, even as secondary coverage to workers’ comp, auto or liability.
What is dry needling, and does it hurt?
Dry needling is a technique in which a physical therapist inserts a thin, solid needle into a tight band of muscle or a trigger point to help reduce pain and muscle tension and improve movement. Most people feel little or no prick, then a deep ache or pressure. Mild soreness afterward is common and usually fades within 24 to 48 hours. At Activecare it is always part of a full plan of care with hands-on treatment and exercise.
How long will it take to see results?
It depends on your condition. We aim to give you some relief on your first day whenever possible, and most people notice improvement within about three visits. Everyone is different, so results vary and are not guaranteed. Your physical therapist reassesses your progress regularly and adjusts your plan.
Ready When You Are
Call (814) 864-4100 or send a quick request. Most patients can start without a referral, and we'll check your insurance before your first visit.
Mon & Wed 7:00 AM–6:15 PM · Thu 7:00 AM–5:30 PM · Tue & Fri 7:00 AM–1:00 PM · Closed weekends