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
Allison Berger, PT, DPT
Allison grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland, and graduated from Mount Holyoke College with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry with a minor in Anthropology in 2014. A phenomenal patient experience led her to pursue a Doctorate in Physical Therapy, which she earned from the University of Maryland, Baltimore in 2021. Allison’s primary childhood movement practice was martial arts, where she began formally teaching both adults and children at age 11. She earned her black belt at age 14 after eight years of study and continued to teach for many years. While she entered PT school with the intention of becoming a pediatric physical therapist, Allison had the opportunity to practice in outpatient geriatrics, neurological inpatient rehabilitation, school-based physical therapy, and outpatient orthopedics. Through the course of her clinical education, Allison developed a passion for optimizing independence in older adults and assisting patients of all ages with reducing and managing chronic pain.
In treating patients, Dr. Berger formulates an individualized plan of care incorporating therapeutic exercises, neuromuscular reeducation, manual therapy, pain-relieving modalities, and patient education aimed at assisting patients in meeting their goals and learning how to best manage their conditions independently. She has a special interest in treating patients with chronic pain, balance deficits, and hypermobility syndrome. Her position as a physical therapist at Arthritis and Rehabilitation Therapy Services allows her to apply her ever-expanding base of knowledge and skills to the specialized treatment of patients with various arthritic and rheumatological conditions. She also enjoys the opportunity to develop her French and Spanish language skills when working with patients.
Alicia Skibinski, PT, DPT
Alicia grew up in Massachusetts. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation Science from Northeastern University in Boston, MA. She then went on to receive her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Northeastern University.
Alicia has practiced physical therapy in Florida and Massachusetts, gaining experience in the acute care and outpatient settings. Prior to returning to the east coast and joining Arthritis and Rehabilitation Therapy Services in 2021, she practiced for over six years in Chicago, Illinois, where she worked at a Level One Trauma Center that also served as a Certified Burn and Stroke Center. Alicia primarily worked in the outpatient clinic, but also served in the acute care hospital on weekends and during the COVID-19 pandemic. While working in Chicago, Alicia further developed and honed her Spanish language skills, which she continues to cultivate and utilize in her current practice.
In her current practice, Alicia enjoys working with a wide variety of patient populations, including general orthopedics, geriatrics, and medically complex patients. She also has a special interest in working with patients with vestibular and balance disorders. Alicia strives to design individualized plans of care, utilizing manual therapy techniques, therapeutic exercise, and neuromuscular reeducation to assist patients in achieving their functional goals. Patient education remains at the forefront of her practice, as she assists and guides patients in understanding their conditions, as well as the tools and strategies needed to manage their symptoms independently. Alicia is a proponent of improving postural awareness, ergonomics, and body mechanics with each of her patients to prevent future exacerbation of symptoms and complications.
As a certified clinical instructor, Alicia enjoys mentoring physical therapy students eager to learn and foster skills for their future profession.
A true New England girl, Alicia has a love for all New England sports, summer beach days, and yummy seafood. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the DMV area and finding good eats and wine with her fiancé.