Where Rehabilitation
Meets Performance
RPE Physical Therapy was built for people who don't just want to feel better — they want to get back to doing what they love at a high level.
We specialize in sports rehabilitation and performance, working with youth athletes, competitive athletes, and active adults who want to stay strong, healthy, and capable of the activities they enjoy. Whether you're recovering from surgery, returning from an injury, dealing with a nagging problem, or simply feel like you've hit a plateau in your recovery, our goal is to help you bridge the gap between "I'm healed" and "I'm ready."
You may have been to PT before and been told "you're good to go" — yet you still don't feel confident, strong, or capable.
That's where RPE is different.
In a traditional insurance-based model, your time with the therapist may be limited and much of you session can be spent working independently or alongside other patients. At RPE, every session is 60+ minutes of one-on-one care with a doctor of physical therapy. That means your therapist is actively involved in your rehab from start to finish, not just for a few minutes at the beginning of your session.
More importantly, we don't stop rehab simply because you have reached a basic clinic milestone. We test. We train. We retest.
We use objective data and sport-specific testing to identify the areas that are holding you back and develop a plan to address them.
Our therapists have extensive experience working with athletes at every level, from youth sports to collegiate and professional athletics. We have created a true sports medicine environment where rehabilitation and training exist under the same roof:
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A full weight room for strength, power, and speed rehab/training
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100+ yards of outdoor turf for sprinting, agility, and sport-specific drills
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Force Plates and other objective technology to measure true limitations
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Blood Flow Restriction and advanced recovery tools for all phases of rehab
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The space, knowledge, and equipment to progress from early rehabilitation all the way through high-level athletic performance
You don't have to choose between physical therapy and performance training. At RPE, the two work together.
We operate inside a gym built by athletes, for athletes — because the finish line of rehabilitation isn't just "pain free."
It's getting you back to the field, ice, turf, court, mat, or gym and helping you perform with confidence.
NO INSURANCE LIMITS. NO COOKIE-CUTTER CARE.
JUST PERSONALIZED, ATHLETE FOCUSED TREATMENT DESIGNED FOR YOUR GOALS.
At RPE Physical Therapy, we treat you as a whole athlete, customizing every plan to match your unique needs, goals, and lifestyle. Because we’re cash-based, we’re not bound by insurance restrictions. This means you get the freedom to receive as much care as necessary, without limits or compromises. Whether you’re chasing competitive sports excellence or staying active on weekends, our personalized approach focuses on what matters most to you, helping you perform at your absolute best.
HOW DOES OUR MODEL WORK?
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Complete your in-person evaluation.
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Develop and execute your plan.
3
Excel better than before.
4
DR. CHRIS SERRAO, PT, DPT, OCS
Co-Founder & Co-Owner, RPE Physical Therapy
Dr. Chris Serrao is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist dedicated to helping active individuals of all ages recover, perform, and excel. A native of Pittsburgh’s South Hills, Chris earned both his undergraduate degree in Health and Physical Activity and his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Pittsburgh.
After graduation, Chris practiced at a high-level sports orthopedic clinic, where he earned board certification as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) and served as Clinic Director. His background in strength and conditioning spans over five years in the private sector, complemented by hands-on experience with NCAA Division I and Division III athletic programs through internships with the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University.
As a competitive powerlifter, Chris helped found the University of Pittsburgh’s club powerlifting team and competed for four years before transitioning into Brazilian jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts—sports that continue to fuel his passion for athletic performance and rehabilitation.
Chris specializes in working with competitive athletes, combat sport athletes, and active individuals seeking to move and perform at their best. His clinical interests include orthopedic and sports rehabilitation, concussion management, and strength-based return-to-sport programming.
Chris is proud to bring his expertise and enthusiasm to RPE, where his mission is simple: help you recover, perform, and excel.
Co-Founder & Co-Owner, RPE Physical Therapy
DR. PAULA SERRAO, PT, DPT, OCS
Dr. Paula Serrao graduated from the University of Pittsburgh’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program in 2019. Since then, she has earned her Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) certification and is certified in Trigger Point Dry Needling.
As a former collegiate volleyball athlete and three-sport high school competitor, Paula’s athletic background is expansive. She also competed in powerlifting for over five years after retiring from collegiate volleyball. While Paula no longer competes in powerlifting, she remains passionate about blending her athletic foundation with her advanced strength knowledge to deliver exceptional, athlete-focused care.
Paula is also deeply committed to education. She has served as a co-lecturer for the R2P Academy Blueprints course and has traveled nationally to teach clinicians, both new and experienced, about rehabilitation principles and the strength and conditioning continuum. She also co-founded the R2P Concussion Blueprints course and serves as a guest lecturer for the Built 2 Last mentorship cohort.
Paula’s dedication to advancing both patient outcomes and clinician expertise is one of the core values of RPE Physical Therapy.