Rockville, MD
Arthritis & Rehabilitation Therapy Services (ARTS) is an established physical therapy practice with special expertise in the treatment of rheumatic and neurologic disorders, along with orthopedic conditions and syndromes. Our licensed therapists believe in a hands-on approach to therapy that assists patients in minimizing pain and achieving their fullest physical capabilities. Our personalized approach to treatment, delivered in a caring environment, attracts patients with a wide range of therapeutic needs.
Physical Therapy Office Hours: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM Monday – Thursday
Our Rockville office is beautifully renovated, featuring wider hallways, natural light, noise reduction finishes, and ergonomic comforts, to create a healing environment and improve the patient experience.
Free parking is offered behind the building. Use the entrance behind the building off Blackwell Road.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/ DIRECTOR OF REHABILITATION Rockville Office
Joshua P. Costa, PT, DPT, CMTPT
Joshua Costa started with Arthritis and Rehabilitation Therapy Services in 2006 as the Director of the Rockville clinic and became an Executive Director of the rehabilitation department in 2020. He received his B.A. degree in 2002 from Stony Brook University in Long Island, NY, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Golden Key and Sigma Beta honor societies and graduated with Magnum Cum Laude honors. He earned his Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree at Stony Brook University School of Health Technology and Management in 2005. He received the community service award from the physical therapy department at Stony Brook University and has been the recipient of the excellence in teaching Adaptive Aquatics and community service awards from the aquatics program. He has over 5 years’ experience in the area of Adaptive Aquatics.
Dr. Costa’s experience as a physical therapist includes the treatment of individuals with arthritis, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, herniated discs, rotator cuff injuries, total joint replacements, carpal tunnel syndrome, and a variety of other musculoskeletal and neurological disorders, as well as geriatrics. He earned his Dry Needling certification from the highly reputable Myopain Seminars. He utilizes a variety of treatment modalities in the care of his patients, such as manual therapy techniques, therapeutic exercise, dry needling, and patient education, and integrates appropriate strategies into an individualized plan of care for each patient. He is committed to providing excellence in patient care with goals of relieving pain, maximizing function, and improving patient safety and independence.
When not working as a physical therapist, he enjoys skiing, hiking, biking, swing and ballroom dancing, and spending time with his family.
Josh is a very fine physical therapist. He is professional, knowledgeable and a good listener, and is encouraging. I worked with him about 18 months ago, to work on my core and posture. I knew when this new problem with my shoulder occurred that I wanted to work with him again. It has helped and it is easier to get dressed
Gail (Patient)
For the past year, my balance (in walking and standing) has become worse. Working with Josh with use of a cane, weights and other balance exercises has improved my balance. I anticipate doing the prescribed exercises at home. My balance has improved, as well as my stiffness and bone discomfort.
Patricia (Patient)
Severe knee problem with improvement. Josh is one of the BEST medical professionals I have ever met in my 79 years of life! He gives me – HOPE, COURAGE, & CONFIDENCE! The entire staff is EXCELLENT!
P.G. (Patient)
I am a music teacher who besides working with teaching the piano, works with toddlers in a music program that requires a lot of moving around and kneeling on the floor to be at the kids level. The walking on my knees caused stress on the knee joints and acute pain at times. Through ARA’s PT program I have learned to do stretching exercises and using weights to do leg movement, which have helped increase my mobility and strengthen the muscles. This is an awesome team of therapists!
Regina A. (Patient)
After 10 sessions with Josh and Rebecca, I have greatly increased my mobility. They are the best therapists I have ever worked with in my years of having psoriatic arthritis. Everyone was kind and considerate while pushing me to my limits.
Sam T. (Patient)
Our Staff
Katie Mills, PT, DPT, CMTPT
Katie Mills graduated from the University of Maryland College Park with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology and Elementary Education. After graduation, she served as a substitute teacher in Montgomery County and enjoyed working with children of different ages. She soon realized that her true passion was helping people and decided to return to school to obtain her Doctorate of Physical Therapy. She entered a DPT program at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. During graduate studies, she gained physical therapy experience in a variety of clinical settings, including orthopedics, in-patient, and school-based therapy.
After achieving her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2017, Katie moved back to the area to be close to her family and pursue a full-time physical therapy career. In her practice, she strives to be a comprehensive diagnostician and clinician and to provide her patients with the best care, utilizing an individualized plan of care for every patient. She uses a variety of treatments, including manual techniques, patient education, neuromuscular re-education, and therapeutic exercises, to achieve optimal outcomes for patients.
While working with Arthritis and Rehabilitation Therapy Services, Katie has further expanded her knowledge and treatment skills through continuing education, including in the use of manual trigger point release and other manual treatment techniques, which are integral components of her practice. Additionally, she achieved certification in Dry Needling from Myopain Seminars and utilizes this practice in her treatment of patients with a variety of neuromuscular, myofascial, and sensitization conditions.
I had a really bad fall in 2006 resulting in permanent disability. Katie has helped me improve my quality of life. P.T. from Katie helped me a lot and I am able to do more things for longer periods of time. One of the most valuable aspects of treatment was learning ways to control the pain. One thing that sets you apart from others is the attention to my specific issues and the attention to a holistic treatment.
Beatriz F. (Patient)
Katelyn was great to work with while I learned how to expand my range of motion with neck and shoulders. She took the time needed to explain the exercises. She also provided very useful information and materials to assist me now that I have been diagnosed with osteoporosis.
Anne T. (Patient)
I came to ARTS on the recommendation of my rheumatologist for my arthritis; in particular my right hip pain. As I moved from eval to treatment and home exercises, Katelyn always met me where I was. As I noted my progress, and learned about my body, she was “with me” all the way. Together, we saw progress and what needed more work. I was always supported and encouraged in my P.T. She and all the staff are warm and friendly. I received very useful instructions also from Darcy, Kwesi and Brendan. And I heard realistic info and nothing ‘sugar-coated’. Thank you all!
Sara H. (Patient)
Jasmine Scarborough, PT, DPT, CMTPT
Dr. Jasmine Scarborough grew up in Northern New Jersey. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy, in 2017, from Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ. During her graduate studies, Jasmine completed clinical internships in various settings, including acute care rehabilitation, skilled nursing, school-based therapy, neurorehabilitation, and outpatient orthopedics.
Before joining Arthritis and Rehabilitation Therapy Services, Jasmine gained significant experience practicing in various arenas of physical therapy, including sports medicine, outpatient orthopedics, and home health physical therapy. She has effectively treated patients throughout the lifespan, from 7 to over 100 years of age. Her clinical expertise includes managing acute injuries, chronic pain and degenerative conditions, vestibular disorders, post-operative recovery, joint diseases, and neurological issues.
Jasmine has obtained several advanced physical therapy certifications, including LSVT BIG for treatment of patients with Parkinson’s Disease and neurological disorders and Myofascial Trigger Point Dry Needling from Myopain Seminars for treatment of neuromuscular and chronic pain conditions, and has expanded her manual therapy expertise for all body regions through the Great Lakes Seminars manual therapy course series. She utilizes up-to-date, evidence-based practices to address her patients’ specific goals and educates them on pain and symptom management strategies to empower patients.
Using thorough analysis of dysfunctional movement patterns, Jasmine develops individualized treatment plans for her patients, incorporating manual therapy, neuromuscular re-education, therapeutic exercise, and activity training, designed to enhance functional mobility and performance of activities of daily living.
In her free time, Jasmine enjoys spending time with her family, exploring new restaurants, roller skating, and traveling.
Alex Thompson, PT, DPT
Dr. Alex Thompson received a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Salisbury University in 2016. After completing undergraduate studies, he returned home to Gaithersburg, MD and joined Arthritis and Rheumatism Associates’ physical therapy team in the Rockville location, where he worked as a physical therapist aide for 3 years, gaining invaluable physical therapy experience prior to pursuing graduate studies. He then went on to earn his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from University of Maryland, Baltimore in 2022.
Alex rejoined Arthritis and Rheumatism Associates’ physical therapy team, returning to the Rockville office, where he now applies his experience and expertise in biomechanics as a physical therapist. In his physical therapy practice, in the outpatient rehabilitative setting, Alex has cared for patients of diverse populations with a variety of acute and chronic disorders, mechanisms of injury, and pain conditions. He utilizes manual therapy techniques, neuromuscular re-education, therapeutic exercise prescription, and other evidence-informed treatment strategies, as well as education of patients on their conditions and treatment strategies, to effectively treat patients with a wide range of conditions spanning the degrees of chronicity, from acute injury to degenerative joint disease, arthritic conditions, and chronic pain diagnoses. He employs thorough movement analysis and evaluation techniques to identify the root causes of his patient’s pain and dysfunction and creates specialized plans of care and therapeutic exercise programs that are individualized to his patient and tailored to address the patient’s specific physical impairments, with goals of relieving pain, empowering his patient with the tools to independently manage their condition, and helping his patient to achieve functional independence and improve performance in activities of daily living, leisure activities, or sport.
Outside of work, Alex enjoys playing golf, spending time with family, and trying as many types of exotic foods as possible.