Local Guide — Park Ridge, IL
PHYSICAL REHABILITATION IN PARK RIDGE
Hands-on rehab with a McKenzie Method-certified provider. BCBS PPO accepted, no referral needed. The goal is to return you better than before -- not just pain-free.
WHO PHYSICAL REHAB IS FOR
Whether you're recovering from an injury, dealing with chronic pain, or trying to perform at a higher level -- this is built for people who want to get back to full capacity, not just manage symptoms.
Post-Injury Recovery
You tweaked your back, strained a shoulder, rolled an ankle, or had surgery. The acute pain is settling but you're not back to normal. You need structured rehab that rebuilds strength and movement quality -- not just rest and painkillers.
Common cases: Post-surgical rehab, sports injuries, auto accident recovery, work-related injuries, sprains and strains that aren't resolving.
Chronic Pain
You've had neck pain, low back pain, or shoulder issues for months or years. You've tried chiropractors, massage, maybe even injections. Nothing has stuck because nobody addressed the underlying movement dysfunction driving the pain cycle.
Common cases: Persistent low back pain, recurring neck and shoulder tension, chronic headaches, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, tendinopathies that won't resolve.
Performance Optimization
You're not injured -- you're trying to move better, lift heavier, run faster, or stay resilient as you age. You want someone who understands biomechanics and can identify the weak links before they become injuries.
Common cases: CrossFit athletes, runners, weekend warriors, aging adults who want to stay strong and mobile, anyone hitting a performance plateau.
THE 4-STEP PROCESS
Every patient follows the same framework. The specifics are individualized, but the structure ensures nothing gets skipped and progress is measurable.
Assess
Comprehensive movement assessment. Not a 5-minute screen -- a thorough evaluation of how you move, where you're restricted, what's weak, and what's compensating. Dr. Gontarek uses the McKenzie Method (MDT) classification system to identify the mechanical pattern driving your symptoms. This determines whether your issue is derangement, dysfunction, or postural -- and dictates the treatment direction from day one.
Treat
Manual therapy, dry needling, shockwave therapy, IASTM, and trigger point work -- whatever the assessment indicates. The goal is to reduce pain, restore range of motion, and reset dysfunctional tissue so you can actually do the rehab exercises properly. Treatment without exercise is a band-aid. Exercise without treatment is often limited by pain and restriction.
Rebuild
Progressive exercise prescription. Once pain is controlled and range of motion is restored, we load the tissue. Controlled, progressive strengthening that rebuilds capacity in the areas that broke down. This is where most rehab programs fall short -- they stop at "pain-free" instead of building you back to full strength. You get a personalized home exercise program that evolves as you progress.
Return
Sport-specific and activity-specific training. Whether you need to get back to deadlifting, running, playing with your kids, or just living without pain -- the final phase bridges the gap between "rehabbed" and "ready." You return to your life better than before the injury, with the strength, mobility, and movement quality to stay that way.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Every Visit
- One-on-one care -- every session is with Dr. Gontarek, not a tech or assistant
- Movement assessment -- re-evaluated each visit to track progress
- Manual therapy -- hands-on joint mobilization and soft tissue work
- Exercise prescription -- personalized, progressive, updated as you improve
- Progress tracking -- objective measurements so you can see the change
Tools Available
- Dry needling -- resets dysfunctional trigger points and myofascial restriction
- Shockwave therapy -- accelerates healing in tendons, fascia, and chronic tissue
- IASTM -- instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization for scar tissue and adhesions
- Trigger point therapy -- targeted manual and needling techniques for referred pain
- McKenzie Method (MDT) -- classification-based approach for spine and extremity conditions
The difference: Most rehab clinics see 3-4 patients at a time and rely on assistants and machines. At Moonshot, every minute of your session is one-on-one with Dr. Gontarek. The tools above aren't a menu you pick from -- they're applied based on what your assessment indicates. Most patients improve within 6-8 visits because the care is focused, not diluted.
INSURANCE & ACCESS
In-Network
BCBS PPO
Accepted for rehab services
Cash Pay
Transparent
Clear pricing, no surprises
Out-of-Network
Superbills
Provided for reimbursement
No referral needed in Illinois. No contracts. HSA/FSA eligible. Book directly online.
LOCATION & HOURS
Moonshot Medical and Performance
542 Busse Hwy
Park Ridge, IL 60068
- Provider: Dr. Michael Gontarek, DC, MSc, DACBN
- Credentials: McKenzie Method (MDT) certified
- Reviews: 5-star Google rating, 70+ reviews
- No referral needed -- book directly online
Hours
- Tuesday: 8:00am - 1:00pm, 3:00pm - 6:00pm
- Wednesday: 8:00am - 1:00pm, 3:00pm - 6:00pm
- Thursday: 8:00am - 1:00pm
- Friday: 8:00am - 1:00pm, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Serving the Northwest Suburbs
Patients come to Moonshot for physical rehabilitation from across the northwest Chicago suburbs:
- Park Ridge, Des Plaines, Niles
- Edison Park, Norwood Park, Rosemont
- Morton Grove, Glenview, Skokie
- Mount Prospect, Arlington Heights
Conveniently located near I-90 and the Park Ridge Metra station. Free parking on-site.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Do I need a referral for physical rehab at Moonshot?
No. Illinois allows direct access to rehabilitation services without a physician referral. You can book your first appointment directly through our website. We'll perform a comprehensive movement assessment at your first visit and build a plan from there.
Does Moonshot accept insurance for physical rehab?
Yes. We accept BCBS PPO insurance for rehabilitation services. For patients with other insurance plans, we offer transparent cash pricing and provide superbills for out-of-network reimbursement. Many patients also use HSA or FSA funds.
How many visits will I need?
Most patients see meaningful improvement within 6-8 visits. The exact timeline depends on the nature and severity of your condition, how long it's been present, and how consistently you follow your home exercise program. Our goal is to build your independence -- not create long-term dependency on treatment.
How is this different from a typical physical therapy clinic?
Most PT clinics see 3-4 patients simultaneously, use techs and assistants for the majority of your visit, and rely heavily on passive modalities and generic exercise sheets. At Moonshot, every minute of your session is one-on-one with Dr. Gontarek. Treatment is hands-on, exercise is individualized and progressive, and outcomes are tracked objectively. You're not a number in a rotation.
What should I expect at my first visit?
Your first visit includes a comprehensive movement assessment using the McKenzie Method classification system, a review of your history and goals, and hands-on treatment. You'll leave with a clear understanding of what's driving your symptoms, a treatment plan with a realistic timeline, and initial exercises to begin at home.
What conditions do you treat?
Low back pain, neck pain, shoulder injuries, knee pain, post-surgical rehab, sciatica, headaches, plantar fasciitis, tendinopathies, sports injuries, and chronic musculoskeletal conditions. If it involves pain, movement, or performance -- we likely treat it. See our full rehab services.
References
- 1. Clare HA, Adams R, Maher CG. "A systematic review of efficacy of McKenzie therapy for spinal pain." Aust J Physiother. 2004;50(4):209-216.
- 2. Chou R, et al. "Nonpharmacologic Therapies for Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review for an American College of Physicians Clinical Practice Guideline." Ann Intern Med. 2017;166(7):493-505.
- 3. Blanpied PR, et al. "Neck Pain: Revision 2017. Clinical Practice Guidelines Linked to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health." J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2017;47(7):A1-A83.
READY TO GET BACK TO FULL CAPACITY?
One-on-one physical rehab with a McKenzie Method-certified provider. BCBS PPO accepted. No referral needed. Park Ridge, IL.
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