Our interview with Custom Performance PT, which specializes in Physical Therapy for Runners

(And Why “Just Stop Running” Isn’t the Answer to Getting Better)

Featuring an interview with Cat from Custom Physical Therapy

If you’ve ever been told to “just stop running” because of pain or injury, you’re not alone.

And if you’ve ever tried physical therapy that didn’t quite get you back to what you actually want to do… you’re also not alone.

In this interview, I (Beret Loncar, owner of Body Mechanics Orthopedic Massage) sat down with Kat, Director of Clinical Excellence at Custom Physical Therapy, to talk about what specialized care really means—and why it makes such a difference for runners and active people. Custom Performance is a physical therapy company in Midtown Manhattan that specializes in training and PT for runners and athletes.   Led by RRCA-certified Doctors of Physical Therapy, they provide one-on-one, personalized care focusing on biomechanical analysis, bone stress injury management, and individualized return-to-run programs.

It is such a special place, and they take amazing care of their clients and patients. They are our number one recommendation for runner referrals. I am a runner, and I went there when I had a herniation that just would not quit!

You can watch the whole video here on our YouTube channel, but I will also hit the highlights for you below.

 

What Does “Specialized” Care Actually Mean?

At Body Mechanics Orthopedic Massage, we talk about specialization all the time because we specialize. We also have programs for runners. But what does that actually look like in practice?

Cat explains that at Custom Physical Therapy, their entire model is built around runners and endurance athletes—not just general rehab. And that matters. It matters a lot.

“Success isn’t just getting someone back to daily life—it’s getting them back to their running goals.”

That could mean:

• Running your first mile
• Getting back to 3x/week for fitness
• Training for a marathon or ultra
• Running is ALL levels

Why General PT Often Falls Short for Active People

One of the biggest themes we see from our athletic populations is (and hear from clients all the time):

“I tried PT, but it didn’t really work for me.” PT does work—when it’s the right kind. Many just do not know there are many kinds of Physical therapy out there.

• Many clinics get you back to baseline function
• But runners need performance-level capacity

That means:

• Higher load tolerance
• Stronger tissues (muscle, tendon, bone)
• Better movement under stress

If your rehab stops at basic exercises (hello, endless clamshells anyone?), you’re often underprepared for real activity.

What Makes a Truly Specialized Clinic like Custom Performance Physical Therapy Different?

Custom Physical Therapy goes beyond traditional PT in a few key ways:

1. Goal-Based Care

Everything ties back to your specific activity, with what you want in mind. If you love to run, you should not have to stop doing what you love; you need to train to move the way you want. 

2. Progressive Loading

Not just rehab—preparing you for real-world demands. Sometimes this is called ‘prehab’.

3. Open Gym + Training Integration

When you’re a client, you have access to their gym beyond Physical Therapy:

• Train on-site
• Follow structured programs
• Transition into performance coaching

4. Advanced Testing

They use advanced tools that are available to you all for taking care of your body:

• Force plates
• Dynamometers
• Anti-gravity treadmills
• Cold plunge
• And so much more! I have been to their facility and it’s gorgeous!

5. Ongoing Support – recover with them but also train with them 

Options include:

• Monthly check-ins
• Coaching + programming
• Injury prevention strategy

Final Takeaway

If you’re active—and especially if you’re a runner—you don’t just need care.

You need:
✔ The right level of care
✔ The right progression
✔ The right goals

Because getting out of pain is one thing but getting back to what you love is something else entirely. There is so much more in this interview that is great. If you’re a runner or you’re preparing for an event, take the time to watch. Even as an expariacned practiononer and runner myself I leared a lot in this session. And if you think you want more information like this, let us know! We would love to interface with more professionals and get what I think is very important information out there.

If you want to give them a shout, they can be reached at:

212-682-7860
info@nycustompt.com

We get nothing in return, they are just great, and we hope you think so too!