FAQs

Do you accept my insurance?

Fuel Sports PT is an Out-of-Network Provider, meaning we don’t directly work with insurance. This was done with the patient in mind - so that we can focus solely on YOU and get you better, faster.

In many ways, insurance companies dictate or strongly influence the treatment that patients receive at “in-network” clinics, and we refuse to allow that to be the case at Fuel Sports PT. Our model allows us to spend more time delivering high-quality, 1-on-1 care tailored to your specific needs—often resulting in faster recovery and fewer visits.

While we do not bill your insurance company directly, you can still submit an “Out-of-Network Claim” to your provider. We can provide you with the forms needed to do so. We can also accept HSA/FSA.

Which nearby cities do you serve?

We help patients from all over the Northshore Area, including (but not limited to) Northbrook, Deerfield, Northfield, Glenview, Deerfield, Highland Park, Glencoe, Winnetka, Wilmette, Lake Forest, Lincolnshire, and Arlington Heights.

Do I need a referral for physical therapy? / Do I need to see a doctor before starting?

You do not need to see a physician or get a referral before starting physical therapy in Illinois. This is great because that means we can get started with treatment right away - saving time, money, and most importantly, getting you better faster.

Do I need to have an injury to be seen?

No! Doctors of Physical Therapy are musculoskeletal experts who specialize in identifying and addressing movement, dysfunctions, and imbalances that lead to or may cause an injury. Beyond rehabbing injuries, we offer performance therapy that helps take your performance to the next level while feeling your best.

How can Fuel Sports PT get me better, faster?

After an injury, most people will schedule an appointment with their general practitioner or an orthopedic specialist. If the injury is non-surgical, the most common plans of care involve rest, anti-inflammatories, and then a referral to Physical Therapy.

While there is certainly a place and time for these medications, it is important to know that they are treating the symptoms and secondary results of the injury, NOT the cause of the symptoms.

In traditional Physical Therapy, there is a large emphasis on modalities and passive treatments (ultrasound, electrical stimulation, heat/cold packs etc) and basic, low-level exercises to help with the healing process. But many of these treatments only scratch the surface of managing pain and injury, and often just mask symptoms without truly solving the issue.

At Fuel Sports PT our focus is to identify exactly what the root cause of pain and injury is, and build our treatment plan around specifically addressing those issues. We spend all of our 1-hour sessions diving into the specifics of your injury which typically allows our patients to require fewer total visits to get back to what they love.

How soon after an injury should I start?

Typically, the longer you wait to get treatment for pain and injury, the longer it will take to fix the injury and get you back to 100%. This means more time, energy, and effort needs to be put into the recovery process compared to addressing an injury early on.

So it’s to your benefit to get treatment as soon as possible after injury if you want to get better with the fewest possible sessions. With all that said, we have had many patients at Fuel Sports PT who have been dealing with their pain for years, and we are still able to help them get the results they are looking for.

Will I have to stop participating in my sport/exercise routine while I am getting treatment?

Complete rest from your sport/activity is rarely the answer. More often than not, we are able to help you modify your participation so that you can maximize healing and recovery while still staying active in a way that doesn’t slow down your progress.

The degree of your participation depends on a number of factors, which could include type of injury, time to competition, and your specific goals, for example.

We pride ourselves on getting our patients back to the activities they love as soon as possible, and though full rest is occasionally necessary, we usually have them performing these activities throughout their care. After all, we can’t say that you’re “fixed” until you can do the things you want without pain, right?

“Dr. Frank's expertise and compassionate support proved invaluable. His comprehensive treatment plan was instrumental in my son's swift recovery.”

“Dr. Larry isn’t just a physical therapist - he’s a sports therapist. The difference is that his focus is not just on basic recovery, but most importantly strengthening the injured area to significantly reduce the risk of injury going forward.”

“I can’t say enough great things about Dr. Larry at Fuel Sports. He’s hands down the best physical therapist I could have asked for.”

How It Works

Your Path to Recovery and Performance

Getting started with Fuel PT is simple—follow these three steps to overcome pain and return to your active Northbrook lifestyle.

Schedule Your Consultation

Share your goals and challenges during a comprehensive initial assessment

Receive Your Custom Plan

Get a tailored treatment strategy designed specifically for your body and activity needs

Return to What You Love

Recover, strengthen, and get back to running, lifting, and all your favorite activities

Schedule a Free Consultation

What Our Northbrook Patients Say

Real reviews from active individuals like you

"I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for the exceptional care my son received from Dr. Frank following a recent leg and ankle surgery after basketball injury. Dr. Frank's expertise and compassionate support proved invaluable. His comprehensive treatment plan was instrumental in my son's swift recovery. His professionalism, skill, and genuine concern for his patients are truly remarkable. He is an amazing listener, super responsive, and addressed all of my questions and concerns quickly and with patience.

If you’re looking for an exemplary therapist, who works with athletes, look no further! Many thanks for a fantastic job!”

Aneta Kueling

"Dr. Larry isn’t just a physical therapist - he’s a sports therapist. The difference is that his focus is not just on basic recovery, but most importantly strengthening the injured area to significantly reduce the risk of injury going forward. Unbeknownst to us, two of my daughter’s friends (basketball player & cross country/track teammates) also used Dr. Larry for injury recovery which underscores the high quality expertise he provides. His price for services are very reasonable and that we found to be much cheaper than a traditional recovery therapist. I can’t recommend Dr. Larry enough. He’s the best in the business in the area!!"

Steve Klokkenga

"I can’t say enough great things about Dr. Larry at Fuel Sports. He’s hands down the best physical therapist I could have asked for. I came to him with ankle pain while training for the Chicago Marathon, and his expertise made all the difference. Larry worked with me on one-leg exercises that significantly improved my running form, making it much more efficient. Thanks to his guidance and the tailored exercises he provided, I was able to finish my marathon!"

Julissa Sweeny

"I was sure that I needed surgery, until meeting with Dr. Larry. My shoulder had been bothering me for about 10 years, but had been getting progressively worse. I was to the point that even driving and holding the steering wheel for a while was causing discomfort. Dr. Larry was able to assess the problem the first day we met. He said that there was nothing structurally wrong, so I did not need surgery. I had lost mobility and strength in my left shoulder, which was significantly worse than my right. After a few months of therapy; massage, stretching, and strength training, my shoulder is nearly 100% recovered. It’s amazing to be able to be able to workout again without any pain or discomfort. I strongly recommend Dr. Larry Frank Jr”

Eric Hoffman