Restore PT

Derek Metzler, MPT and staff are courteous, professional as well as having the most warm and inviting environment. I have the best team working for my recovery.

Derek's work is therapy beyond therapy.
Possibly, his work may be best appreciated by those suffering from chronic conditions who have experienced the entire range of conventional options offered by skilled medical professionals, but are still unable to achieve recovery.
I suffered from severe sciatica for nine months before seeing Derek, having sought treatment from a range of top-notch professionals, including chiropractor, physician, acupuncturist, physical therapist and massage therapist--and despaired when all of them admitted their inability to help me fully recover from my condition.
As a massage therapist in my 60s in excellent health with no history of previous health issues or injuries, I appreciated the importance of taking care of my body. I understood the importance of following the directions of professionals in order to achieve recovery. But I was suddenly and completely debilitated by excruciating pain and unable to do anything about it.
Now after almost a year working with Derek, I am very, very close to 100% recovery. While in his care, I have never, ever felt that such a recovery would be unthinkable.
By training, Derek is a physical therapist, but his post-graduate training and 20 years of experience have moved him far, far beyond that. His understanding of the complexity of injury and the process of recovery in the human body, coupled with his extraordinary ability to translate what he knows into a hands-on treatment of skill, gentleness, and compassion is nothing short of remarkable. If one is ready, willing, and able, his treatments will be life-changing. Walk into his office with respect. His work deserves nothing less.

I have been a runner for many years and have acquired quite a few injuries along the way. I have seen a few physical therapists during my running career and there seemed to be a cookie cutter approach to the diagnosis and treatment of my problems. Derek, however, really listens and I feel takes a holistic, individual approach to treating my complaint, resulting in more positive outcomes for me - and I am sure, his other patients.

I suffered Carbon Monoxide Poisoning from a Rental Home in LA. After going to Salt Lake City and going through hyperbaric treatment I returned to Richmond a mess. Derek saved me. He has been treating me and targeted the area of my distress to the "Circle of Willis". After months of treatment I am clearer and my cognition is much better. Derek has been treating my son who has Epilepsy for 5 years and we have seen amazing results. I am so thankful that Derek was a part of our health care team so in my time of need I knew who to go to instead of taking the opioids that two doctors offered me. Becky and Dustin are also amazing! Thank you Restore PT!!!

Derek takes the time to listen and stay up to date on technique. Tremendous patience.
Becky's nursing background adds credentials to the practice as well as to her organized front desk. I've been so thankful for their flexibility of schedule too. Facilities are always very clean & welcoming.

I have been seeing Derek Metzler for almost five years. He lowered my seizures from 3 a month to 3 or 4 a year. My life completely changed and I was asked to write about it this past Fall. We unfortunately rented a house in LA and we were exposed to CO. I have had 27 seizures since my CO exposure in September - October. My immune system was shot. We came back to Richmond and the first call we made was to Becky and Derek. There are no words to express how much they have helped me and my mother. We both suffered PTSD and I have had seizures but Derek has turned our health around. Derek, Becky and Dustin really care, have checked on us and go the extra mile for all of their patients. We are so grateful for Restore PT!!

Professional, personalized therapy that has made a major improvement in my physical health. My chronic shoulder pain has resolved after years of not finding relief with other therapists and modalities. The entire practice is dedicated to healing and supporting their patients. Highly recommend them!

I had knee replacement 11 months ago. Over the past year Derek Metzler and Dustin Toth provided pre and post op therapy that I credit with my quick recovery, pain reduction and the significant range of motion I have in my new knee. Their caring, personalized approach to treatment is unique in todays homogenized health care environment. I also recently came in for treatment of lower back issues. After more than a years worth of experience with this practice I would recommend them without reservation.

I'm a therapist myself and therapists need to be treated by great therapists. I travel 2 hours from DC to Richmond for Myofascial Release treatments with Derek Metzler because he is one of the best therapists in the country! Derek, Becky, and Dustin are top notch.

I am a new patient at Restore and it has been life changing. I went in for a few sore muscles, but after discussing issues with Derek and his holistic approach I literally feel like a new person. I am simply amazed at the difference the sessions have made to my overall well being.

As a patient of Restore PT for the last four years, I've experienced amazing relief from chronic pain with this form of treatment. This is hands-on, one-on-one therapy. No one gives you weights or puts you on a bicycle, gives you instructions and walks away. It's personal, collaborative and hugely effective. I have friends and family who are now patients and are so pleased with their outcomes. Highly recommend this group.

I really appreciate the work that Derek and Dustin did, which helped me recover from my shoulder injury . Myofascial release technique is definitely not your usual physical therapy,; it’s far superior, but with consistently improving results after each session.

The 100% one on one, personalized, highly skilled approach at restore physical therapy is outstanding. Derek and Dustin are two of the best, if not the best, therapists I have worked with in 30 years in the field.

Derek is an amazing therapist. He’s helped me greatly to overcome my pain and mobility issues. The office is very pleasant and has a lovely relaxing atmosphere.

I have used Restore PT intermittently over the last 2 years. This is an amazing practice. The staff are accommodating and the services are fairly priced. I had significant improvement in neck stiffness, back stiffness etc. I would highly recommend

The work is amazing, Derek worked on my shoulder, hip, neck and mid-section. I am always surprised that the results are so significant and release the area to reduce pain and open movement. Will always refer my friends.

Very accommodating to my schedule. Improved chronic back in many areas: back, legs and neck. If dealing with chronic pain, be patient and allow time to improve health.

Please be careful!! Derek is mesmerizing he can convince you of anything. He is nice and so is his staff. His skill set is questionable. As a physician I can't understand what he was trying to do. I did one session I got worse. Next time I told him that and he was even more aggressive- he manipulated my vagus nerve which I didn't ask him to. I felt so weird when I got home I wasn't sure if I would have to go to the ER. I asked my Neurologist friend who is familiar with these techniques and she said it could certainly make me feel funny. Now I'm versed in the fact that sometimes you get worse then better. But Derek set me back 4 months! Back to my palpitations and sweating at work. And to boot I was actually pretty pain free the day I started with him. I've struggled for months and still am not back to where I was when I started with him. This make work for some but if you have something more intricate please be careful. I did contact Derek and he was polite and asked me to continue treatment but this was more than a minor set back- I couldn't risk going back. I think perhaps they are overconfident in the service they provide. The reality is mfr and dry needling or so in vogue now people think it's the holy grail.

I work in healthcare and just have to submit a warning. I am 8 months pregnant and called to schedule a massage therapist; the receptionist indicated that there was an appointment available for Saturday, for which I was grateful. She wanted to schedule me another two weeks out (before giving me a chance to discuss price or insurance) and kept pushing; eventually I said, rather jokingly "Well I have to see if you guys are any good". She became very defensive, told me I was "setting them up for failure" and suggested that I find a different practice. She then indicated that she was unwilling to give me the initial appointment even after I reinforced that I would like it and explained that my situation (as an 8 months pregnant person with a lot of hardware in my back) was specific. This is a new experience for me with a PT service and I wanted to share. From the other reviews, I imagine that the therapist himself is terrific, but that was a very unpleasant interaction. (Please note that the person I spoke to has since texted me on my cell, with a post-hoc policies-based explanation of her behavior, which she had not communicated to me at the time of our actual interaction and which doesn't explain her overall decorum).

BAD experience. Very judgemental and closed minded practice and extremely expensive.