What patients are saying
Overall rating
5.00
Average wait time
5.00
Bedside manner
5.00
“Heather was great! She really took the time to listen and understand what was bothering me instead of just rushing through the appointment. She explained what she was looking for as we went and gave me exercises that actually felt specific to what I needed. I left feeling a lot more confident about what was going on and what I could do about it. Definitely recommend her!”
Initials hiddenLess than 1 month ago
“I booked with Heather after dealing with shoulder pain for a few weeks and honestly wasn’t sure if PT would help. She figured out pretty quickly which movements were setting it off and showed me a few simple things to work on. Nothing complicated or overwhelming. My shoulder has been feeling much better and I finally feel comfortable getting back to the gym.”
Initials hiddenLess than 1 month ago
About Dr. Heather Chao
Dr. Heather Chao is a physical therapist who sees patients in person at Reef Physical Therapy in Long Island City, NY. She works with individuals managing orthopedic and sports-related conditions, helping them stay active, move confidently, and return safely to activities they enjoy.
Dr. Chao earned a doctorate in physical therapy from the University of Southern California. Her approach combines individualized exercise, manual therapy, and movement training to help patients reduce pain, build strength, and improve physical function. She speaks English and Mandarin.
An active volleyball player herself, Dr. Chao understands the importance of returning to sport, exercise, and everyday movement. Her care supports patients as they work toward mobility, strength, and activity goals.
**At Reef Physical Therapy, we are committed to providing high-quality, one-on-one sessions tailored to your specific needs. To achieve this, we negotiate session fees with insurance companies on a claim-by-claim basis. We also ensure affordability through our Flexible Payment Plan. Once you book with us, we will verify your coverage and provide a clear estimate of your session costs, so you have nothing to worry about.
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In-network insurances
Aetna
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Office location
Education and background
Practice names
Education and training
- University of Southern California, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Languages spoken
- Chinese (Mandarin)
- English
Provider's gender
Female
NPI number
1407724370
Patient reviews
All reviews have been submitted by patients after interacting with the practice.
Overall rating
5.00
Wait time
5.00
Bedside manner
5.00
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7 reviews
Most relevant
Heather was great! She really took the time to listen and understand what was bothering me instead of just rushing through the appointment. She explained what she was looking for as we went and gave me exercises that actually felt specific to what I needed. I left feeling a lot more confident about what was going on and what I could do about it. Definitely recommend her!
Less than 1 month agoInitials hidden
I booked with Heather after dealing with shoulder pain for a few weeks and honestly wasn’t sure if PT would help. She figured out pretty quickly which movements were setting it off and showed me a few simple things to work on. Nothing complicated or overwhelming. My shoulder has been feeling much better and I finally feel comfortable getting back to the gym.
Less than 1 month agoInitials hidden
Came in because my knee had been bothering me every time I ran. Heather watched me move around for a bit and picked up on something with my hip that I never would’ve connected to my knee. Tried a couple things during the session and it already felt different. Been doing the exercises she gave me at home and so far so good. Really happy I went.
Less than 1 month agoInitials hidden
Had a really good first visit with Heather. I’ve been to PT before and sometimes it feels like you’re just being handed a list of exercises. This was different. She was very hands on and kept adjusting things based on how I was responding. I left feeling like we actually accomplished something during the session. Will definitely be coming back.
Less than 1 month agoInitials hidden
I came in because my knee had been bothering me whenever I ran, and I honestly thought I just needed to rest it. Heather watched me do a few movements and picked up on something I never would have noticed myself. We worked on it during the session and she gave me a couple things to try at home. Really good experience and I’m looking forward to seeing how it feels on my next run.
Less than 1 month agoInitials hidden
Heather was great! Super friendly and easy to talk to. I came in for some knee pain from running and she was very thorough without making the appointment feel overly clinical. She explained what she thought was causing it and showed me a few things I could work on at home. The office is also really nice and convenient if you live or work in LIC. Would definitely come back.
Less than 1 month agoJihee C.Verified patient
Had a great experience with Dr. Heather! I’ve been dealing with some pain that was starting to affect my workouts, and she really took the time to listen and figure out what was going on. She explained everything clearly and gave me exercises that actually felt relevant to what I’m trying to get back to. The session never felt rushed, and I felt noticeably better afterward. Really glad to have found a good PT here in LIC. Highly recommend!
Less than 1 month agoInitials hidden
How soon can I make an appointment with Dr. Heather Chao?
Generally, Dr. Heather Chao has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Dr. Chao's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Dr. Heather Chao accepting new patients?
Dr. Heather Chao generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Dr. Chao's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Dr. Heather Chao accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Dr. Chao is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Dr. Heather Chao online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Dr. Chao using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
What practice does Dr. Heather Chao work with?
Dr. Heather Chao works with Reef Physical Therapy.
Where is Dr. Heather Chao's office located?
Dr. Heather Chao's office is located at 11-43 47th Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101.
What are common reasons for patients to see Dr. Heather Chao?
Dr. Heather Chao frequently sees patients for Arthritis, Hand Problems, New Patient Visit, Physical Therapy Consultation, and Sports Injury. You can see other visit reasons for Dr. Heather Chao on their profile.
What languages does Dr. Heather Chao speak?
Dr. Heather Chao speaks Chinese (Mandarin) and English.
How do patients rate Dr. Heather Chao in reviews?
7 patients have reviewed Dr. Heather Chao. The overall rating for this doctor is 5/5. They have a 5/5 rating for bedside manner and a 5/5 rating for wait time. You can read individual reviews and ratings on their profile.