Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Youstina Gerges.
Hi Dr. Youstina, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Rise Above Physical Therapy was born from a simple belief: People deserve more than temporary relief. They deserve to understand why they’re experiencing symptoms in the first place.
Throughout my career as a physical therapist, I met so many people who had spent years searching for answers. Some were told their symptoms were normal, others had tried treatment after treatment without lasting improvement, and many had simply learned to live with discomfort because they didn’t know another option existed.
I kept hearing the same words: “I wish I had known about this sooner.”
Those words stayed with me. Because behind every symptom is a person whose life is being impacted. A mother who can’t jump with her children without leaking. A child struggling with constipation or bedwetting. A man dealing with persistent pelvic pain. These aren’t just symptoms on a chart. They’re experiences that affect people’s confidence, relationships, and everyday lives.
I wanted to create a place where we didn’t just chase symptoms but took the time to understand what was causing them.
That’s how Rise Above Physical Therapy began in Wyckoff, New Jersey.
Our approach is rooted in looking at the whole body, recognizing that everything is connected. We believe in taking the time to listen, asking the right questions, and using skilled, hands-on treatment to address the underlying factors contributing to someone’s pain or dysfunction. Our goal isn’t to provide a quick fix. It’s to help people experience meaningful, lasting relief and give them the tools to maintain their progress long after they leave our care.
I also wanted to bring back something I felt was missing in healthcare: the human connection. The ability to spend a full hour with a patient, to listen without rushing, to educate, and to create a treatment plan that is truly individualized.
What started as my vision has grown into a team of passionate clinicians who share that same philosophy, providing specialized care for children, women, and men at every stage of life.
But our mission doesn’t stop within the walls of our clinic. We believe that education is one of the most powerful ways to create change. That’s why we’re so committed to offering free community workshops, collaborating with other healthcare professionals, and creating opportunities for conversations about pelvic health that too often go unspoken.
Looking back, what makes me most proud isn’t simply how much Rise Above has grown. It’s seeing someone who has struggled for years finally feel heard, find answers, and get back to doing the things they love.
That’s our why. We don’t want people to simply manage their symptoms. We want to help them understand their bodies, address the root causes of their challenges, and find lasting relief.
And ultimately, I hope we can change the words we hear in our office from “I wish I had known sooner” to “I’m so glad I asked.”
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I think one of our biggest challenges has been going against a traditional healthcare model that doesn’t always put the patient at the center of care.
As a physical therapist, I entered this profession because I wanted to help people. But over time, I saw how the healthcare system could make it difficult to provide the kind of care I truly believed patients deserved. Appointments were often limited by time, treatment decisions could be influenced by insurance restrictions, and the focus could shift toward managing symptoms rather than taking the time to understand why they were happening in the first place.
I knew there had to be a better way.
When I started Rise Above, I wanted to build a practice where clinical decisions were guided by what patients actually needed, not by how many people we could fit into a schedule or what an insurance company would allow.
But choosing a different path came with challenges. We had to build trust, educate our community about why our approach was different, and help people understand the value of individualized, one-on-one, hands-on care. It meant staying committed to our philosophy even when following a more conventional practice model might have been easier.
And as we’ve grown, another challenge has been making sure we never lose sight of that original mission. Growth means nothing to me if it comes at the expense of the patient experience or the quality of care we provide.
I’ve learned that doing things differently requires patience, resilience, and the courage to stand behind what you believe in.
But every time a patient tells us that they finally feel heard, that someone took the time to connect the dots, or that they’re experiencing relief after years of searching for answers, I’m reminded why we chose this path.
We didn’t start Rise Above because we wanted to fit into the existing healthcare model. We started it because we believed patients deserved something better.
And that’s a belief we will never compromise on.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Rise Above PT?
At Rise Above Physical Therapy, we’re redefining what pelvic health care can look and feel like.
Located in Wyckoff, New Jersey, we are a specialized pelvic health and wellness practice serving children, women, and men. Our expertise spans pregnancy and postpartum recovery, pelvic pain, bladder and bowel dysfunction, painful intimacy, perimenopause and menopause, and pediatric conditions such as constipation and bedwetting.
But what makes Rise Above different isn’t just what we treat. It’s the depth of care we bring to every patient.
Pelvic health is complex, and the answer isn’t always found where the symptoms appear. Our clinicians are trained to look beyond the obvious, connecting the dots between the pelvic floor, movement, posture, breathing, and the rest of the body. Through specialized hands-on treatment, individualized movement strategies, and education, we work to uncover the factors contributing to each patient’s symptoms and help them achieve lasting results.
We intentionally structure our care around dedicated, one-on-one, 60-minute sessions because exceptional treatment requires time, clinical reasoning, and attention to detail.
What I’m most proud of, however, is the team we’re building.
Our vision has always been bigger than one clinician or one treatment room. We’ve created a culture where learning is expected, collaboration is encouraged, and clinical excellence is something we actively invest in. Through ongoing education, hands-on training, and shared problem-solving, our clinicians continue to challenge themselves to deliver the highest standard of care.
And our impact extends beyond the clinic.
We’ve made community education a central part of our identity, partnering with local businesses, healthcare professionals, fitness studios, and birth workers to bring pelvic health conversations into everyday spaces. Through free workshops and educational events, we’re helping people recognize symptoms, ask better questions, and understand what options may be available to them.
One of the things I want Rise Above to be known for is making specialized pelvic health care both exceptional and approachable. You shouldn’t have to feel embarrassed to ask a question, intimidated by a diagnosis, or unsure where to turn for help.
When people hear the name Rise Above, I want them to think of a team they can trust, clinicians who are deeply invested in their craft, and a place where they can find answers they may have been searching for for years.
Because ultimately, our success is measured by the difference we make in their lives and the knowledge we bring to the community.
That’s the reputation we’re building, one patient, one conversation, and one community at a time.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Two books that have really influenced me are Dare to Lead by Brené Brown and Atomic Habits by James Clear.
Dare to Lead has shaped how I think about leadership, especially the importance of courage, vulnerability, and creating a culture where people feel valued and empowered. As a business owner, I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being willing to have difficult conversations, lead with integrity, and create an environment where your team can thrive.
Atomic Habits reminds me that meaningful growth doesn’t happen overnight. It’s the small, intentional actions we take consistently that create lasting change. That philosophy carries into everything we do at Rise Above, from investing in our team’s development to continuously improving the experience we provide our patients.
Both books reinforce something I strongly believe: The best leaders never stop growing, and the strongest organizations are built through intentional actions, strong values, and the people behind them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://riseabovept.com
- Instagram: riseaboveptnj
- Facebook: riseaboveptnj
- LinkedIn: Rise Above Physical Therapy
