Meet Alex Klurfeld

In the ever-evolving world of physical therapy, where doctors and patients alike often chase after the latest "revolutionary technique," Alex Klurfeld is a beacon of stability and success. Too often, good physical therapy is equated with fads and pseudo-science pushed by armchair coaches and self-help gurus. While these stars fade as fast as they rise, Alex Klurfeld is a top-rated, peer-respected physical therapist after more than two decades. The modalities he developed have helped thousands achieve their health and fitness goals. 

Dr. Klurfeld has trained the doctors and staff working at all of his clinic locations to have this same practical approach to physical therapy. When patients choose to pursue their therapy goals at a Klurfeld clinic, they will always receive the same award-winning, industry standard-setting level of care.

Dr. Klurfeld owns and operates five top-notch clinics within New York. He has earned his reputation as one of the top physical therapists within the city.

"The trap that most athletes, young and old, fall into is believing what they read. There are a lot of pseudo-sciences out there that focus on more of everything. From protein powder, which, by the way, no one needs, to "burn out training" and "progressive overload" and "reverse pyramid" training, the patient is convinced that they need these things to improve their health and well-being. This is nonsense concocted by the health industry and personal trainers out for profit. You don't need any of this for either performance enhancement or muscle building, and certainly not for recovery. The patient is being sold a bag of magic beans. But not only are the beans not magical, but they are also potentially harmful and can lead to injury."

~ Alex Klurfeld

Alex has built his career using a series of time-proven methodologies, good old-fashioned common sense, and deep-seated compassion for his patients. He doesn't promise overnight results or sells "miracle" supplements. Instead, he creates specialized therapeutic plans to build the patient's strength and endurance without further damaging their bodies. Whether a top-level athlete looking to improve their time or a living room recliner referee recovering from surgery, Dr. Klurfeld's modalities have a proven record of success that spans decades. 

We have all heard adages like "No Pain. No Gain." Or "Push yourself to your limit and then push harder!" More often than not, this mindset causes injury instead of helping patients achieve their fitness goals. Alex teaches his patients to work "smarter, not harder."

Alex has had a life-long passion for physical fitness and strengthening the body. A former tournament-winning star athlete, he has spent a lifetime honing his own body with resistance training, swimming, and weight-lifting. He has used the knowledge he gleaned as an athlete and his education and decades of experience to create a truly unique physical therapy program.  He is a respected provider for professional athletes and everyday Americans alike..

 "Physical therapy is a part of my off-season that has helped me greatly." 

~ Jamie Moyer

According to the Oxford Dictionary, physical therapy treats disease, injury, or deformity by using physical methods such as massage, heat treatment, and exercise rather than drugs or surgery. 

Per Henrik Ling, known as the "father of Swedish gymnastics," is credited with creating the discipline known as physical therapy. In 1813 he established the Royal Central Institute for Gymnastics. Here he employed techniques such as massage, limb manipulation, and exercise. The word "Physiotherapie" was first coined in an article written by Dr. Lorenz Gleich in 1851. He was a Bavarian military doctor. Over time the word "physiotherapie" morphed into physical therapy, as we now call it.

During the polio epidemic of the early 1900s, nurses discovered that they could manually move the limbs of patients paralyzed by the disease. When they did this manual manipulation, the patients would sometimes regain some use of their limbs. This discovery was the first recorded instance of physical therapy being used to treat the effects of a disease.

World Wars I and II saw the expansion and growth of physical therapy used to rehabilitate wounded soldiers. Many advances were made in the field as physical therapist technicians (as they were then known) found ways to treat complicated war wounds. It was during this time that electronic stimulation was established as a form of PT. They found that applying small amounts of electric current could strengthen muscles and increase the speed at which they healed. This was the earliest version of what we now call transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).

In 1954, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) created seven hour-long licensing tests for physical therapists. In 1955 they began their association o licensed physical therapists, starting the physical therapy profession as we know it today.

Since 1954, the science of physical therapy has continued to expand and grow. There are now over 100,000 licensed and certified physical therapists within the United States. They provide quality care and improve the lives of thousands of Americans every year.

Alex Klurfeld has made his patients the center of his practice. In the highly competitive field of physical therapy, the voice of the patients is too often drowned out by over-booked schedules and stressed-out therapists. Dr. Klurfeld and his team of highly trained therapists take the time to listen to and get to know each patient they see. A comprehensive therapeutic plan is created for each patient. No two people are the same. Therefore, it makes sense that no two therapy plans are alike. When patients visit his clinic, they will always know that they are a person to Alex Klurfeld, not just a number.

Once, an older patient approached Alex and asked what they could do to build their strength and muscle mass without risking injury. This question led Dr. Klurfeld to develop Lift-Chi ™. Lift-Chi TM combines QiGong and Tai Chi elements and Dr. Klurfeld's own modalities to increase muscle gains by 40% over traditional weight lifting. This is just one example of Dr. Klurfeld's patient-first philosophy.

• Do What You Love--For a patient to have completed their therapeutic program successfully, the exercises we teach them must become a part of their daily life and routines. Otherwise, they will be back with their injury flaring once again. The most successful patients work with us to find exercises that they love and will continue to do on their own. It is our job to teach you how to continue your healing and fitness journey on your own.
• Make It Fun--Whether you are a life-long athlete or new to the fitness world, exercise should be fun. Make it a sport, add a little competition by trying to beat your personal record (safely), and be able to laugh at yourself when things don't go quite as planned. You don't have to act serious to take PT seriously.
• Consistency Wins--We have all heard the fable of the Tortoise and the Hare. The Hare had tons of natural talent, but he didn't have consistency. He relied on his ability and was lazy about keeping his eye on the prize. The Tortoise had no natural ability, but he was consistent. He kept racing at his slow and steady pace, even when the Hare ran past him and winning seemed hopeless. But it was the Tortoise who won the race because he was consistent. Consistency always wins. 

 One of the most common questions that people ask is how they can find a qualified therapist. Dr. Klurfeld has developed a foolproof plan for finding a good therapist.

First, ask your primary doctor or surgeon for a recommendation. They know you and your health needs, and they know the physical therapists in the area. They will know who will work well for you and your needs.

Second, make sure the therapist you find has a degree from a college or university with a reputable physical therapy program and is licensed.  Not all people who claim to be physical therapists have passed the state licensing exam. If your therapist can't pass that exam, you don't want them working on your body.

Physical therapists must pass the National Physical Therapy Exam, overseen by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. The Commission accredits physical therapists on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). The U.S. Department of Education recognizes CAPTE.  Dr. Klurfeld has his licensure and is certified through CAPTE.

The American Physical Therapy Association is a group with over 100,00 licensed and certified physical therapists. Dr. Alex Klurfeld is an APTA member in good standing. 

Finally, remember that trainers, yoga and pilates instructors, and Youtube gurus are NOT trained and licensed physical therapists. These unregulated and unlicensed professions have their place in the gym. But they are not a replacement for a knowledgeable physical therapist for creating a therapeutic plan to work towards healing the body while promoting healthy fitness goals.

Many clients come into the clinic looking to build muscle mass. There is nothing wrong with having large muscles. In fact, people with larger muscles age better, according to many studies. According to a research study by the University of Michigan, people with more muscle mass live longer. The study found that people with less muscle mass were 50% more likely to die earlier than those individuals with more muscle mass. That being said, too often, clients want to focus only on building large muscles, and they forget that muscles are just one part of your entire body system. Being able to bench press 200 pounds does you little good if your cardiac and pulmonary systems are not healthy. Dr. Klurfeld takes a holistic approach to building muscles. He will develop a program for the client that helps them reach their muscle-building goals without ignoring their overall health.

"Build Health Before Building Muscles." 

~ Alex Klurfeld

There are many ways that physical therapy can improve your overall health, Alex is fast to point out. Here are just some examples.

• People with stronger muscles heal faster because exercise increases cardiovascular strength. If you have a healthy heart, your injuries will receive white blood cells more quickly.
• Physical therapy increases flexibility. People with good flexibility are less likely to injure themselves doing normal, everyday activities.
• Physical therapy can slow the progress of some chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. This is because the more you use your joints while exercising, the more mobility you will retain. In the case of chronic illnesses, too often, the phrase "use it or lose it" is quite literal.
• Physical therapy increases your quality of life as you age. A trained physical therapist knows how to safely build muscle and flexibility in patients over sixty years old. Dr. Klurfeld's Lift-Chi, TM, is a program specifically designed for this purpose.
• Physical Therapy has been proven to help children with many different special needs, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder and Down's Syndrome, have an improved quality of life. 
• Physical Therapy helps to develop good health habits that can carry over to other areas of your life. Because physical therapy is done weekly or more, you create good health habits. Once a pattern is formed, it is much easier to continue with that activity.
• Physical Therapy can help you avoid surgery. If a qualified physical therapist catches and treats an injury, many patients can altogether prevent surgery.

"Life is like riding a bicycle.  To keep your balance, you must keep moving"

~ Albert Einstein

Unfortunately, people often have a misunderstanding of how physical therapy works and avoid going. If there is an excuse to avoid physical therapy, Alex Klurfeld has heard it and has an answer for it.

• I don't have the time.--This is by far the most common excuse people give to avoid physical therapy. Yes, physical therapy will require a small time commitment from you. But having surgery and healing from it requires much more time. And usually, you will still have to have physical therapy as you recover from surgery.
• I can't afford physical therapy.--Most medical insurance companies cover physical therapy. Find a physical therapist within your medical insurance network, and your cost should not be too much. Also, surgery is expensive. Time in the hospital and off of work recovering from surgery is costly. PT can help you avoid those expenses.
• Physical therapy is just a bunch of exercises. I can do that on my own.--Physical therapists are highly trained and educated medical professionals with specialized knowledge of promoting healing and physical fitness. You cannot replicate their knowledge and expertise on your own at home or by watching a Youtube video. 
• Physical therapy is excruciating.--A well-trained physical therapist knows that if an exercise is too painful, it could damage or injure you. Although stretching seized body parts may be uncomfortable, it should not be painful.
• I don't have a referral from my doctor.--Many insurance companies do not require a doctor referral to get physical therapy. Check the details of your plan or call your insurance company for more information. If you need a referral, most primary care physicians will send a referral for physical therapy with little fuss. Physical therapy only improves the health of their patient.

The best thing you can do for your journey towards healing and better fitness is to call and schedule an appointment with a qualified physical therapist. You can't begin the journey without taking the first step.

"First steps are always the hardest, but until they are taken, the notion of progress remains only a notion and not an achievement."

~ Aberjhani

Alex Klurfeld is a highly regarded physical therapist that has spent the last two decades pursuing his passion for bringing health and healing to people through proven physical therapy practices. He is a leader in his field, training other physical therapists in his methodologies.  He has developed Lift-Chi TM as a safe muscle-building program for people over sixty years old.  

Because of his philosophy of putting patients ahead of everything else, Alex has developed individual therapeutic programs for thousands of people, leading to a better quality of life and greater health.

Alex Klurfeld is currently accepting patients at all of his clinic locations in New York. Please call to make an appointment today.

Dr. Alex Klurfeld

Address: 1379 54th St, Brooklyn, NY 1121

Phone Number: (718) 418-3273

Dr. Alex Klurfeld

Address: 3749 91st St, Jackson Heights, NY 11372

Phone Number: (718) 609-1110

Dr. Alex Klurfeld

Address: 705 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222

Phone Number: (718) 609-1110

Dr. Alex Klurfeld

Address: 240 S 3rd St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Phone Number: (718) 302-0456

Dr. Alex Klurfeld

Address: 201 Saint Nicholas Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237

Phone Number:(718) 418-3273

• About capte. Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. (n.d.). Retrieved October 6, 2021, from https://www.capteonline.org/about-capte. 
• Crossman, G. (2017, February 27). 10 reasons why people don't go to physical therapy. Complete Game Physical Therapy. Retrieved October 6, 2021, from https://completegamept.com/blog/10reasons. 
• Improve your overall health with these 6 PT benefits - innovative pt. Innovative Physical Therapy Solutions. (2020, September 28). Retrieved October 6, 2021, from https://innovativeptsolutions.com/improve-your-overall-health-with-these-6-physical-therapy-benefits/. 
• Independent Digital News and Media. (2018, August 28). Strength training could help you live longer, study finds. The Independent. Retrieved October 6, 2021, from https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/strength-training-muscle-stronger-live-longer-life-expectancy-increase-a8511491.html. 
• Licensure. APTA. (n.d.). Retrieved October 6, 2021, from https://www.apta.org/your-practice/licensure. 
• PT, A. K. (n.d.). Training is an art; recovery, a science. Alex Klurfeld. Retrieved October 6, 2021, from https://alexklurfeld.com/about-alex-klurfeld-pt#0722bd3e-f9ff-46b6-90d5-b686bab39f86. 
• Shaik, A. R., & Shemjaz, A. M. (n.d.). The rise of physical therapy: A history in footsteps. Archives of Medicine and Health Sciences. Retrieved October 7, 2021, from https://www.amhsjournal.org/article.asp?issn=2321-4848%3Byear%3D2014%3Bvolume%3D2%3Bissue%3D2%3Bspage%3D257%3Bepage%3D260%3Baulast%3DShaik%3Btype%3D3.