Still Running Through Pain and Getting Nowhere?
You've tried rest, foam rolling, and generic PT — but the same pain keeps coming back. When the root cause of your movement problem goes unaddressed, recovery stalls and injuries return.
The Pain Comes Back Every Time
You treat the flare-up, feel better for a few weeks, then the same knee, shin, or hip pain returns the moment you ramp up training again.
Nobody Has Found the Real Cause
Generic protocols treat where it hurts, not why it hurts. Without a full movement and gait assessment, you're managing symptoms — not solving them.
You're Losing Time You Can't Get Back
Every week off the road or out of the gym is a setback. Cookie-cutter PT wastes your time with exercises that don't match your body or your goals.
Why Astoria Runners Choose The Manual Shop
At The Manual Shop, every session is one-on-one with a Doctor of Physical Therapy — no assistants, no double-booking, no generic programs. Our running gait analysis pairs a detailed stride assessment with a full-body movement screen to uncover what's really driving your overuse injury, then pairs targeted manual therapy with progressive strength training so the fix actually sticks.
✓ One-on-one care every session — always led by a DPT, never passed to an assistant
✓ Root-cause assessment identifies the movement fault behind your pain, not just the location of it
✓ Hands-on manual therapy + progressive strength training for resilient, lasting results
"Nick is the only one who has successfully resolved my issues within just a few sessions. His deep knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics, and posture is exceptional. Highly recommend avoiding generic, cookie-cutter physical therapy."
— Varvara K., Professional Ballet Dancer & Pilates Teacher
Getting Back to Running Is Simpler Than You Think
Step 1: Start With a Free Discovery Call
Tell us about your pain, your training, and your goals. We'll confirm we're the right fit and explain exactly how we'd approach your assessment — before you book a single session.
Step 2: Get a Complete Gait & Movement Assessment
Your initial evaluation includes a detailed running gait analysis, full-body movement screen, strength and flexibility testing, and an in-depth conversation about your history. We find what's actually driving your injury.
Step 3: Follow Your Personalized Plan of Care
Every session combines hands-on manual therapy with targeted strength and movement work. You leave each visit with a clear home program so progress continues between appointments — and you get back to running with confidence.
Conditions We Treat with Running Gait Analysis
Most running injuries share a common thread — a movement pattern or strength imbalance that never gets addressed. Our gait analysis identifies the underlying mechanics behind your pain so we can treat the cause, not just the complaint.
• Runner's Knee, IT Band Syndrome & Shin Splints
• Achilles Tendinopathy & Plantar Fasciitis
• Hip Pain, Hip Impingement & Hamstring Strains
Meet the Hands-On Experts Behind Your Recovery
Expert physical therapists. One-on-one care. Zero cookie-cutter treatment.
Dr. Nick Torres, PT, DPT
Founder & Physical Therapist | "The Manual Man"
Dr. Nick Torres searches beyond traditional physical therapy for a deeper way to heal. His cornerstone beliefs—Learn, Teach, Love, Heal—guide every aspect of his practice. Nick's journey began when he met the Godfather of Manual Therapy and founder of Institute of Physical Art, Dr. Gregg Johnson. For the greater part of a year, Nick watched their every move, learning how to heal with precision and intention. He also worked side by side with Dr. Saltas, exploring and imbuing the full potential of breath and its impact on posture and pain in the human body. Dr. Torres believes that behind every intention, behind every manual technique, behind every exercise cue, there must be compassion and love to hold it up strong and true. He absolutely loves what he does, and it is because of that love that he has excelled in this field.
Dr. Antonio, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Dr. Antonio is an incredibly knowledgeable and professional physical therapist at The Manual Shop who specializes in personalized, effective treatment. He takes the time to explain everything clearly and tailors treatment to what each patient needs most. Known for his attention to detail and patient-centered approach, Dr. Antonio helps clients address concerns with their back, lower extremities, and overall functional movement. His expertise in manual therapy combined with his commitment to patient education ensures that clients not only recover but also learn valuable lessons they can apply in daily life for lasting improvement.
"First he fixed my knee, by having me work my right abs and breathe. Then he fixed my left shoulder, same right abs paired with basically discovering a muscle knot and activating proper muscles. He is currently fixing my left hip and my right shoulder. I just sat with my arms crossed in an airplane for the first time in years without pain. What Nick prescribes works, if you put in the work on your end. Let them heal you."
— Chris DiLorenzo
"I've been working with Dr. Nick Torres for the last few months on my left shoulder with goals of improving overhead strength & stability in order to send higher/harder grades in rock climbing. I've been able to climb/train pain-free which has resulted in me pushing towards my original goals. His treatment style is incredibly thorough, and he has honed his craft utilizing techniques/assessment from the Postural Restoration Institute (PRI) and Institute of Physical Art (IPA) for a whole-body approach."
— Brandon Kovalev
"I came to the Manual Shop and Dr. Antonio Colletti with ailments that were all on my left side—replaced knee, hip bursitis and arthritis, shoulder and back pain. I visited orthopedists who would only consider one issue at a time with little regard to how these problems may be connected. I am grateful for Dr. Antonio, who has helped me tremendously working in a holistic way to treat each ailment individually as well as my body's function as a whole connected unit."
— Mark Weiss
Visit Us on Steinway Street
Address
Phone: +1 347-724-4120
Office: 21-75 Steinway St, Astoria, NY 11105
Located on Steinway Street in the heart of Astoria, Queens, just minutes from Long Island City, Sunnyside, and Jackson Heights. Easily accessible by the N, W, or R trains to Astoria Boulevard. Serving patients across Queens and the greater New York City area.
Common Questions
Do you accept insurance?
The Manual Shop operates as a cash-pay, out-of-network practice. This means you receive one-on-one, DPT-led care for the full session — no double-booking, no assistants, no rushed visits. We can provide a superbill for you to submit to your insurance for potential out-of-network reimbursement.
What happens at my first appointment?
Your initial evaluation is a comprehensive 60–90 minute session. We'll have an in-depth conversation about your pain, training history, and goals — then walk through a full movement analysis, strength and flexibility testing, and specialized orthopedic assessment. You'll leave with a clear understanding of what's driving your symptoms and a personalized plan of care.
How is The Manual Shop different from other PT clinics in Astoria?
Every session is one-on-one with a Doctor of Physical Therapy — you never share your appointment time or get handed off to a tech or aide. We use detailed running gait analysis and functional movement assessments to find the root cause of your injury, then combine advanced manual therapy with progressive strength training so results last. No cookie-cutter protocols. No rushing.
Still have questions?
We'd love to talk before you commit to anything. | Book a Free 30-Minute Discovery Call