Welcome to Free Body PT

a Physical Therapy Clinic in Chicago

Physical Therapy Clinic in Chicago

Your Health Is Our Passion

Free Body Physical Therapy, a physical therapy clinic in Chicago, was established in 2015 with the intention of breaking the mold of standard physical therapy practices. At Free Body Physical Therapy, your body is treated with individuality and care. No two bodies respond the same way to an injury, and that’s why no two therapy programs should be the same. Free Body Physical Therapy was founded to get you back to your best self. Let’s work together to reach your goals!

Meet Your Doctor 

Physical Therapy Clinic in Chicago

Dr. Marc Gregory Guillen

PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT

Free Body Physical Therapy, a physical therapy clinic in Chicago, is owned and operated by Dr. Marc Gregory Guillen, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT. After receiving a doctorate in physical therapy and working at several PT clinics along the west coast, Dr. Guillen completed a physical therapy fellowship program in Manual Therapy that less than 1% of physical therapists in the U.S. have completed. This expertise in Manual Therapy provides hands-on knowledge to help patients reach their physical therapy goals. Dr. Guillen offers a close one-on-one relationship with patients where his goal is to educate, empower and maximize recovery in as few visits as possible.

Common conditions that Dr. Guillen treats include back pain, neck and shoulder pain, knee and ankle injuries, post-surgery rehabilitation, arthritis, chronic pain conditions, sports injuries, and much more. Free Body Physical Therapy accepts most insurance, Medicare, worker’s comp and self-pay patients. Dr. Guillen is fluent in both English and Spanish.

Services Offered At Our Physical Therapy Clinic In Chicago 

Physical Therapy Clinic in Chicago
At our physical therapy clinic in Chicago we work with the whole body. A holistic approach to evaluating your pain, injury, or post-surgical care starts by understanding that your body does not work in isolated segments. Each area of specialty services allows us to target your treatment, but your entire body will feel the benefits.
Neck and Back Pain
Trying to complete tasks when dealing with neck and back pain can quickly prove to be an impossible task. At Free Body Physical Therapy, we understand the importance of providing patients with effective treatment options. We are well versed in this area of medicine and will work diligently to get you back to being pain-free. No matter the reason for your discomfort, we have the physical therapy treatment services available for you.

Common Causes Of Neck And Back Pain  

Your back acts as a pillar of support for the rest of your body. When this structure becomes compromised, your quality of life can quickly deteriorate. That is why it’s so imperative that you work with a qualified team of physical therapists if you start to experience neck and back pain. Our professionals will properly diagnose the issue at hand before crafting the perfect treatment solution for your particular injury. Some of the most common problems our team can help with include the following:

  • Sports injuries.
  • Car accident-related pain.
  • Chronic neck and back pain.
  • Scoliosis.
  • Muscle strains and tears.
  • Herniated discs.
  • Spinal stenosis.
  • Pre- and post-operative care.
  • Degenerative disc disease.

How A Physical Therapy Clinic in Chicago Can Help

When you’re dealing with neck and back pain, it’s easy to think that remaining immobile until the pain subsides is your only option. While rest is an important part of the recovery process, physical movements play a key role in reducing pain. That is why physical therapy is so critical for your treatment. This form of treatment utilizes therapeutic stretches and strengthening exercises that work to promote healing from within an affected area. By working with our team, your ailments can be treated while potentially achieving the below results:

  • Regaining strength.
  • Improving flexibility.
  • Increasing your range of motion.
  • Eliminating pain.
  • Reducing the need to undergo potentially dangerous surgery.
Joint Pain
Arthritis is a debilitating disease for over 50 million Americans. The Centers for Disease Control has shown that 1 in 2 people will have knee arthritis by the time they are 85, and 1 in 4 will develop painful hip arthritis in their life. The good news is that you don’t have to live with arthritis pain or take constant medication. The right physical therapy can make all the difference.

Arthritis affects the cartilage of joints and most pain is due to wear and tear. However, the uneven wear and tear causes cartilage debris to shave off into the joint causing painful inflammation. This condition is made worse by a tightening of the tissue of the joint, loss of muscle strength supporting the joint and altered movement because of range of motion problems.

Physical therapy is one of the most important treatments for arthritis and makes a significant impact in your joint health. While arthritis can slow you, it doesn’t have to. If you are suffering with arthritis, PT can change your life.

In physical therapy we focus on the following:
  • Restoring natural pain free range of motion in your joints
  • Improving muscular support and strength around your joints
  • Enhancing joint balance and function
  • Teaching you what to do to protect your joints from further damage

While we cannot repair your cartilage, our unique treatments can reduce or completely alleviate your pain, swelling and improve your ability to walk, run, bend or reach.

Here are some of the different conditions we help:
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Psoriatic arthritis
  • Joint pain
  • Post-surgery recovery
  • Joint replacement recovery
Preventative Assesment
Physical therapists engage in an examination process that includes taking the individual’s history, conducting a standardized systems review, and performing selected tests and measures to identify potential and existing movement-related disorders. The data gathered during history taking, including answers to review of systems questions, enables the physical therapist to generate diagnostic hypotheses and select specific tests and measures to identify and characterize signs, symptoms, and risk of movement dysfunctions. To establish the individual’s specific diagnosis, prognosis, and plan of care through the evaluation process, physical therapists synthesize the collected examination data and determine whether the potential or existing disorders to be managed are within the scope of physical therapist practice.

Based on their subsequent judgments about diagnoses and prognoses, and considering an individual’s goals, physical therapists manage an individual by making referrals, providing interventions, conducting reexaminations, and, as necessary, modifying interventions to achieve the individual’s goals and outcomes and to determine a conclusion to the plan of care. The detailed physical therapist examination and evaluation process is similar in structure across individuals, but will vary in specific content based on the individual’s needs.

Pre & Post Surgery Rehabilitation
Hip and knee replacement surgeries are some of the most common operations performed in the U.S., with about 1 million completed each year. And each one of these patients share one thing in common: their desire to get back to the level of work, play and function they enjoyed before first experiencing joint pain. The physical therapy team at Free Body Physical Therapy can get them there. 

Working with a physical therapist  at our Physical Therapy Clinic in Chicago before these and other surgeries can vastly improve your strength, education, and confidence going into such a major procedure. In turn, these “prehabilitation” efforts can improve the speed, success, and cost of your rehabilitation experience post-surgery, getting you back to doing the things you love – free of pain. 

Common Surgeries 

  • Total and partial joint replacements 
  • Knee surgeries 
  • Back or neck procedures 
  • Shoulder/rotator cuff surgeries 
  • Hip surgeries 
  • Ligament or tendon reconstructions 

If you face the possibility of surgery and wish to learn more about what physical therapy can do (pre- and post-surgery) to make you stronger, heal faster and get you back to life quickly, call us to schedule an evaluation. We’ll work with your physician to chart a path that’s right for you.  

Sports Rehabilitation
As an athlete, few things can be more devastating than having to spend time on the sidelines while rehabbing an injury. However, for many athletes each year, this is an unfortunate reality. At Free Body Physical Therapy, we know how eager you may be to get back to competing with your teammates and coaches. That is why we offer treatment for all of the most common sports injuries an athlete can find themselves suffering from.

Sports Injuries Treated

Every sport can tax an athlete’s body in unique ways. That is why there are so many sports injuries an athlete can potentially endure. Fortunately, no matter what the injury may be, our team will be there to help. We’ll be able to diagnose the severity of your injury before moving forward with creating the treatment plan that is right for you. Examples of some of the most common sports injuries treated here at our facility include the following:

  • Sprains and strains.
  • Overuse injuries.
  • Dislocations and fractures.
  • Tendonitis.
  • Back and neck injuries.
  • Joint problems.

Preventing Injuries

There are numerous ways a person can work towards avoiding sports injuries. By playing an active role in this process, you can stay with your team longer and continue working towards the goals you’ve spent countless hours engaging in training and preparation. The best part is that prevention methods can be done by any athlete competing in any sport. To avoid injuries, we recommend doing the below:

  • Cross-train your body so no one singular muscle group becomes overused.
  • Maintain a healthy diet and body weight.
  • Always take time to warm-up before a game or practice.
  • Stay hydrated.
  • Wear proper equipment such as cleats, helmets, and joint pads.
  • Utilize the proper mechanics for your sport.

The Benefits Of Our Physical Therapy Clinc in Chicago For Sports Rehab

When prevention methods are not enough to stop a sports injury, physical therapy is the next step to take. By scheduling sessions with our team, you’ll increase the chances of making a full recovery in a short amount of time. Our staff is composed of experts that will teach you to perform the therapeutic stretches and exercises needed to get you back in the game. The benefits of utilizing this form of sports rehab include:

  • Improved athletic output.
  • Regained strength.
  • Elimination of pain.
  • Quick recovery time.
  • Reduced likelihood of surgery is required for treatment.
  • Increased flexibility and range of motion.
Foot and Ankle Pain
The foot and ankle are amazingly complex structures that take a huge amount of force with every step that you take. Following injuries or with age, ligaments and other structures in the foot can change, resulting in improper or aggravated forces on the foot and ankle. With ill-fitted shoes and residual effects from prior injuries, pain can occur from poor stability, lack of mobility or lack of strength in the stabilizing muscles.

The ankle is made up of the bones of the lower leg (tibia and fibula) forming an arch over the talus bone in the foot. This is actually a flexible arch that opens slightly when bending the ankle and closes when extending it. If this does not occur properly or the mechanics of the joint are not in good alignment, increased painful pressure occurs.

Just like the complexities of the hand, the foot and ankle is a very complex structure that can affect the functioning of your knee, hip, back and even posture. With ankle pain and foot pain, there is a lot that needs to be evaluated first before deciding on the appropriate treatment.

At Free Body Physical Therapy, our expert physical therapists have years of training in evaluating the movement of your foot, ankle and legs. We perform an analysis of your foot and ankle joints as well as the muscles in your legs. Furthermore, we analyze your walking and running patterns to determine the root cause of your foot pain or ankle pain so it can be treated quickly and effectively.

Trust us to help you relieve your pain quickly and restore your normal walking / running activities. Call us today to learn more about our ankle and foot pain program!

Some of the Common Conditions Treated At Our Physical Therapy Clinic in Chicago: 
  • Post-surgical foot and ankle
  • Ankle sprains
  • Foot pain
  • Ankle pain
  • Collapsed arches
  • Achilles tendonitis
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Arthritis
  • Sports injuries
  • Difficulty walking / poor balance

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What insurance providers does your Physical Therapy Clinic in Chicago accept? We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO/EPO, Cigna HMO/PPO, Aetna, MedRisk, Corvel, Medicare, Worker’s Comp, Auto. Please contact us if your health insurance is not listed here or to inquire about your benefits. We also accept self-pay patients via cash/credit card.
  2. Do you speak Spanish? Dr. Guillen is fluent in both English and Spanish.
  3. What is the avergae length of an appointment? 45-60 minutes.
  4. What should I wear to my first appointment? For low back, hip, knee, ankle injuries please bring shorts. For neck or shoulder injuries wear clothing that allows the shoulder blades to be visible.
  5. Are there any new patient forms I need to complete prior to my first appointment? Yes, forms can be downloaded from our website here.
  6. How often will I have to complete my exercises at home? Each exercise program is custom tailored to your injury. The goal is to make your home program fit your busy life.
  7. How is Free Body Physical Therapy Clinic in Chicago different from your standard chain physical therapy practice? We provide one-on-one care without the use of rehab aides or Physical Therapy Assistants. We try to empower you to understand your injury so you don’t need to come 2-3x/week for months. We do not use modalities such as Ultrasound & Electrical Stimulation as research shows this doesn’t accomplish much.

Recent posts from our Physical Therapy Clinic in Chicago 

Physical Therapy Clinic in Chicago

Physical Therapy Clinic in Chicago – Treatment for Achilles Tendonitis 

Are you someone who has just started to take up running and is now suffering from constant aches and pains in the back of your legs? Has pain developed as a result of a sudden increase in activity? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you may be dealing with Achilles tendonitis. At Free Body Physical Therapy, a physical therapy clinic in Chicago, we’ve helped many patients overcome this injury. Through the use of physical therapy, our team can help you get back to full strength with a comprehensive and personalized treatment plan.

What Is Achilles Tendonitis? 

Your Achilles tendon is a band of tissues that connects your calf muscle to your heel. When this tendon becomes irritated or inflamed, typically from overuse, Achilles tendonitis can develop. It commonly takes place in avid runners or athletes, and the symptoms can worsen as more activities are performed. Examples of these symptoms include the following:

  • Pain.
  • Stiffness.
  • Swelling.
  • Tenderness.

Common Causes/Risk Factors

As previously stated, the most common cause of Achilles tendonitis is overuse. This overuse tends to come from athletic activity and the constant pounding that comes along with running. However, our team warns that there are also risk factors that can be at play. Knowing these risk factors may help you avoid Achilles tendonitis and the need for sessions of physical therapy for treatment. The following are some of the risk factors that can result from this complication:

  • Gender (being male).
  • Aging.
  • Having flat feet or tight calf muscles.
  • Obesity.
  • Training in worn-out shoes.
  • Psoriasis.
  • High blood pressure.

Why Choose Physical Therapy?

As Achilles tendonitis is an overuse injury, it’s easy to assume that staying completely immobile is your best course of action. However, this is not the case. Physical therapy utilizes both therapeutic stretches and strengthening exercises that promote healing from within an affected area. It can be used to treat many ailments, including Achilles tendonitis. During your first sessions, our staff will perform a full evaluation to help determine the levels of physical output your body can handle. Once this is done, they will begin teaching you how to perform the activities needed to get your tendon back to full strength. 

The Benefits Of Our Physical Therapy Clinic in Chicago 

One of the main benefits of physical therapy is the abundance of injuries that can be treated by undergoing sessions invoking this type of care. That is why physical therapy is often recommended to patients dealing with Achilles tendonitis. However, there are other benefits to be had as well. Below are just a few examples of the ones you can reap when working with our team at Free Body Physical Therapy for help:

  • Avoid the need for surgery.
  • Reduces the time you spend injured.
  • Mitigates the likelihood of Achilles tendonitis recurring.
  • Improves strength, flexibility, and range of motion.
  • Allows you to play an active role in the recovery process.  

Expected Recovery Time

It’s important to remember that one session of physical therapy with our team will likely not be enough to help you make a full recovery. You must allow your body to properly heal before trying to return to physical activities. Rushing back too soon can lead to extended recovery time and may even cause your tendon to rupture. While each patient is different, most can expect it to take around 12 weeks to fully recover from Achilles tendonitis.

Free Body Physical Therapy Clinic in Chicago 

At Free Body Physical Therapy, our team is committed to helping patients get back to full strength, no matter the issue. Our physical therapists are well versed in Achilles tendonitis and can craft the treatment plan that brings you the optimal results. For more information on how sessions of physical therapy can help you, please contact our team today.

Physical Therapy Clinic in Chicago

PT Successful in Removing Weight-Loss Barriers

Weight loss is one of the top New Year’s Resolutions made by Americans each year, according to multiple sources. Yet, studies conclude that only 8 percent of people actually achieve their annual goals, including those who seek to live healthier, more active lives. 

While some may point to their busy lives and the lack of personal willpower as the reasons behind this bleak statistic, physical therapist Dr. Marc Gregory Guillen, from a physical therapy clinic in Chicago, said that sometimes, functional limitations are to blame for making weight loss difficult, or even unsafe for certain people. 

“While doctors and other health care professionals often recommend exercise as a way to promote weight loss, it’s been estimated that nearly one in three of those who get this recommendation have functional limitations,” said Dr. Guillen, owner of Free Body Physical Therapy & Wellness in East Humboldt Park / Wicker Park. “These limitations can make it feel difficult, or even impossible, to follow through with a regular exercise regimen.” 

Such difficulties, according to the 2018 study published in Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, include a general struggle with basic movement or activities (due to pain, strength and other limitations) as well as conditions or diseases like diabetes, hypertension, arthritis and multiple cardiovascular issues. 

“Weight loss and weight management are absolutely critical for people suffering from many of these issues,” Dr. Guillen said. “Yet, for these populations, it’s often not safe or effective to just prescribe exercise. Many of these patients need more individualized and managed programs that take their medical histories, physical limitations and general safely into consideration.” 

Physical therapists, according to the study’s authors, offer the ideal solution for those with such limitations. 

“Physical therapists are well-suited to manage the [physical activity] and exercise programs of individuals with functional limitations given their education, expertise and documented self-efficacy in primary, secondary and tertiary prevention with exercise testing, prescription and implementation,” they wrote. 

In other words, physical therapists can benefit those who seek to improve their long-term health through exercise and weight loss by: 

Assessing the Patient’s Limitations: Through a thorough examination, along with guidance and input from one’s personal care physician or specialist, physical therapists are experts at assessing and identifying individual limitations that must be addressed before and during one’s weight-loss program. 

Customizing a Plan: Based on personal conditions and limitations that may make movement and exercise difficult, painful or unsafe, physical therapists will establish, implement and monitor an individualized exercise regimen that’s safe and effective in achieving the patient’s wellness goal(s). 

Reducing Pain: “No pain, no gain” isn’t a phrase used by physical therapists. A PT will establish and/or modify exercises that allow one to safely perform activities while experiencing the least amount of pain.  

Improve Cardio Fitness: Physical therapists will help establish a heart-healthy exercise program that improves one’s aerobic fitness while elevating the body’s metabolism. 

Improve Strength & Flexibility: A PT will identify, then address weaknesses and imbalances in the body. The goal: improve movement, form and posture while minimizing stress on the body. 

“The goal of a physical therapist is to help you move better and more comfortably so you can live a more active and healthful life, regardless of what limitations you have,” Dr. Guillen said. “The first step, though, is to get that initial assessment, during which we can identify and discuss your limitations and goals.” 

Contact Free Body Physical Therapy

A Physical Therapy Clinic in Chicago 

2618 W Division ST Ste B
Chicago, IL 60622
Phone:  773-599-3393
Fax: 773-227-3309