How we assess, treat, and build lasting function.

Every method below is specific, named, and researchable. We use these because they address the underlying causes of pain, not just the symptoms.

South Jersey Physical Therapy services overview

Specialists in complex, multi-point pain.

Our clinicians are specialists in treating complex multi-point pain. That means people who hurt in more than one place, who have not gotten lasting results elsewhere, and whose problem has not fit neatly into a standard diagnosis or protocol.

The clinical model is built on a single premise: treat the root cause, not the location of the symptom. Pain in your knee may be originating in your hip, your lower back, or the mechanics of how you breathe. Shoulder pain may be driven by tension in the liver or the way your nervous system stabilizes your spine.

Every initial evaluation includes full-body movement screening. It also includes assessment of organ tension, breathing mechanics, nerve pathways, and relevant lifestyle factors. You are evaluated as a whole system, not as a set of separate parts. Every session is 1-on-1 with your provider. No aides, no rotation, no handoffs.

Dr. Ken Cheng performing hands-on manual therapy at South Jersey Physical Therapy

How we find the source of the problem.

These are the frameworks and screening systems used to identify where mechanics have broken down and why the problem keeps returning.

Assessment

Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA)

A whole-body movement screen that evaluates how your body moves across every major pattern. Identifies where mechanics have broken down and traces the real source of pain, which is often not where you feel it.

Assessment

Functional Movement Screen (FMS)

Screens baseline movement quality across seven fundamental patterns. Catches compensations and asymmetries before they develop into pain or injury.

Assessment

Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS)

Retrains core stabilization based on the developmental movement patterns your nervous system was built on. Addresses root-level motor control, not just muscle weakness or tightness.

Framework

I3 Methodology

Incomplete mechanics lead to repeated Incidents, which cause Injury. This framework explains why pain keeps returning after treatment that only addresses the symptom. Understanding the incomplete mechanics is the starting point for lasting resolution.

Assessment

Visceral Assessment

Evaluates tension in your organs: heart, lungs, liver, pancreas, and digestive system. Organ restriction can directly cause or perpetuate musculoskeletal pain. Most providers never check this.

Assessment

Neuro-Lymphatic Reset

Identifies disrupted lymphatic flow patterns that affect tissue health and recovery. Restores normal drainage pathways through targeted assessment and manual techniques.

What we use and what each one does.

Treatment and training facility at South Jersey Physical Therapy
Treatment

Functional Dry Needling

Uses thin acupuncture needles to release trigger points and break the tension cycle in soft tissue. Reaches deep or chronic muscle restriction faster than manual release alone.

Treatment

Lightforce Class IV Laser

Penetrates deep tissue to reduce inflammation and stimulate cellular repair. Reaches structures that surface-level modalities cannot access effectively.

Treatment

Stimpod NMS460

Pulsed electromagnetic nerve stimulation for neuropathy and nerve pathway dysfunction. Retrains damaged nerve pathways rather than masking nerve pain with medication.

Treatment

PEMF Therapy

Pulsed electromagnetic fields restore cellular energy, improve circulation, and accelerate tissue regeneration. Works at the cellular level, where healing actually happens.

Treatment

Shockwave Therapy (Radial and Focused)

Delivers acoustic pressure waves to break down scar tissue and stimulate collagen regeneration. Effective for chronic tendinopathy, calcifications, and connective tissue that has not responded to other treatment.

Treatment

Red Light Therapy Bed

Full-body red and near-infrared light exposure to support cellular energy production, reduce inflammation, and accelerate tissue recovery. Delivered as a full-body session, not a targeted spot treatment.

Treatment

Blood Flow Restriction (Smart Cuffs)

Applies controlled pressure to limbs during exercise to build muscle strength and endurance at significantly lower loads. Used when standard loading is not yet appropriate due to pain, injury, or post-surgical restrictions.

Treatment

IASTM / Graston Technique

Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization that breaks up fascial restriction and scar tissue. Allows more precise and deeper work than hands alone in chronic or fibrotic tissue.

Treatment

Joint Mobilization and Manipulation

Manual techniques to restore joint range of motion and reduce pain caused by restricted or hypomobile joints. Applied to the spine, extremities, and surrounding soft tissue.

Treatment

Normatec Compression

Sequential pneumatic compression for the legs and hips. Accelerates lymphatic and venous circulation to reduce swelling and support recovery between sessions.

Treatment

Lymphatic Optimization

Manual lymphatic drainage techniques to restore normal flow patterns. Used where sluggish lymphatic function is contributing to inflammation, swelling, or impaired tissue healing.

Training equipment at South Jersey Physical Therapy

Structured programs for specific goals.

Beyond individual treatment sessions, these programs are designed for people at different stages: recovering, maintaining, or building.

Training Program

Elevated Movement Program

1-on-1 and small group training for strength, resilience, and functional movement. Led by Collin Dittmar. Designed for adults 40 and older who want to stay independent and physically capable. Sessions are built around your actual movement patterns, not generic gym programming.

Who it is for: Adults 40+ looking to build or maintain strength, function, and independence.

Free Online Course

Forever Young Program

A free online course covering Zone 2 cardio training, joint-saving strength approaches, and real-life functional movement patterns. Built to help people prevent decline, not just recover from it.

Who it is for: Anyone who wants practical, evidence-grounded guidance on staying functional long-term.

Golf Performance

TPI (Titleist Performance Institute)

Golf-specific movement assessment using the Titleist Performance Institute screening system. Identifies physical limitations that affect your swing mechanics and builds a return-to-play or performance program around your specific movement profile.

Who it is for: Golfers dealing with pain during play, returning from injury, or working to improve performance through better physical function.

Conditions we treat.

Each condition page explains what typically causes it, why standard treatment often falls short, and how we approach it.

Back Pain

Lower, mid, and thoracic back pain.

Neck Pain

Cervical spine, stiffness, and headaches.

Shoulder Pain

Rotator cuff, labrum, and impingement.

Knee Pain

Arthritis, meniscus, and chronic knee pain.

Neuropathy

Nerve pain, tingling, and peripheral neuropathy.

Foot and Ankle Pain

Plantar fasciitis, Achilles, and ankle instability.

See if the way we work makes sense for your situation.

20 minutes, 1-on-1 with a doctor, to see if the way we work makes sense for your situation.

Book a Free Consultation

Or call (609) 845-3585