Prasanna Kommu, PT

• Licensed Physical Therapist in the Commonwealth of Virginia
• Internationally educated physical therapist with professional education evaluated for U.S. equivalency
• Practicing physical therapist in the United States since 2017
• Virginia Direct Access–qualified physical therapist
• Clinic Director and Director of Therapy Services at 1st Americare Physical Therapy
• Former Director of Rehabilitation in a continuum-of-care senior living community

• Virginia Direct Access training, including differential diagnosis and medical screening
• Ongoing professional education in orthopedic rehabilitation, balance, fall prevention, functional mobility, therapeutic exercise, and care of older adults
• Additional advanced clinical education pursued as part of Prasanna’s commitment to evidence-informed care

Prasanna works with adults experiencing a wide range of orthopedic, balance, mobility, and age-related concerns, including:

• Osteoarthritis and joint pain
• Knee, hip, shoulder, neck, and lower-back conditions
• Preoperative and postoperative rehabilitation
• Joint replacement recovery
• Balance impairments and fall-risk reduction
• Generalized weakness and deconditioning
• Gait and mobility limitations
• Difficulty returning to walking, exercise, recreation, or community activities
• Neurological and age-related functional changes
• Chronic pain and reduced physical confidence
• Rehabilitation for adults who want to maintain an active lifestyle as they age

She has a particular interest in working with adults aged 50 and older who want to improve their strength, mobility, balance, longevity, and independence—not simply recover from an injury.

“My goal is not only to reduce pain. I want to understand what the patient has stopped doing, what they are afraid of doing, and what they want to return to. Treatment should help people feel stronger, more confident, and more in control of their lives.”

Prasanna believes physical therapy should never feel like an assembly line. Every patient brings a different medical history, lifestyle, personality, and set of goals. Her approach begins with careful listening and a comprehensive evaluation, followed by a personalized treatment plan based on the patient’s individual needs and priorities.

Treatment may include therapeutic exercise, functional strengthening, hands-on techniques, balance and gait training, neuromuscular re-education, patient education, and a practical home program. When examination findings suggest that further medical evaluation may be necessary, Prasanna collaborates with the patient’s healthcare providers to help ensure safe and appropriate care.

Prasanna’s influence extends beyond the treatment room. As Clinic Director, she oversees clinical standards, patient experience, team collaboration, and the continued development of 1st Americare Physical Therapy.

She is committed to building a clinic where:

• Patients receive individualized attention and never feel overlooked
• Therapists have sufficient time to evaluate, educate, and treat each patient thoroughly
• Clinical decisions are guided by safety, evidence, and the patient’s personal goals
• Team members communicate and collaborate throughout the course of care
• Older adults are encouraged to pursue strength, wellness, and active living—not accept unnecessary decline as a normal part of aging
• Every person is treated with patience, dignity, and respect

Prasanna remains directly involved in patient care and the day-to-day clinic experience. Her leadership is visible, accessible, and grounded in the same high standards she expects throughout the practice.

Prasanna has practiced physical therapy in the United States since 2017. Much of her career has focused on geriatric rehabilitation and the complex needs of older adults across multiple levels of care.

Before leading 1st Americare Physical Therapy, she served as a Director of Rehabilitation and physical therapist within a continuum-of-care retirement community. In that role, she supported individuals living independently as well as those receiving assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing services.

This experience gave her a deep understanding of how orthopedic conditions, neurological changes, hospitalization, surgery, chronic disease, balance deficits, and loss of confidence can affect a person’s independence. It also strengthened her ability to coordinate care, lead interdisciplinary teams, and help patients transition safely through different stages of recovery.

Today, she brings that experience into outpatient physical therapy—helping patients address their current symptoms while also considering long-term mobility, wellness, independence, and quality of life.

Prasanna is committed to lifelong learning and regularly expands her knowledge in areas relevant to her patients and the evolving needs of the community.

Her continuing education interests include:

• Differential diagnosis and medical screening
• Orthopedic rehabilitation
• Balance and fall prevention
• Healthy aging and longevity
• Functional strengthening
• Neurological rehabilitation
• Vestibular rehabilitation
• Pelvic health
• Dry needling
• Evidence-informed pain management

• English
• Telugu
• Hindi

“I want every patient who enters our clinic to feel that they have come to the right place. People deserve to be listened to, properly evaluated, and treated as individuals—not as a diagnosis or an appointment on the schedule. My vision for 1st Americare is to create a clinic known not only for excellent physical therapy, but also for kindness, honesty, collaboration, and the quality of the relationships we build with our patients. Whether someone wants to recover from surgery, walk without fear, return to exercise, or simply remain independent, our team is here to help them move forward.”

Prasanna understands how important it is for physical therapy to fit into real life. As a wife, mother, healthcare leader, and active member of the Northern Virginia community, she appreciates the responsibilities patients balance every day.

Her approachable personality and genuine interest in each patient help people feel comfortable asking questions, expressing concerns, and actively participating in their recovery.