In Greater Cincinnati, a much-needed physical therapy training center is helping residents raise the bar on their recovery with state-of-the-art equipment and Olympic-level expertise.
Alan Howell, owner of the FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Center on Red Bank Road, served as a training team member for the Commonwealth Games, which was held in New Zealand in 1990. He was also a member of the training team for the Pan American Games in 1991, and was selected to be on the National Olympic Committee in 1992 and 1996 due to his knowledge and experience treating athletes.
It was after experiencing that Olympic-level notoriety that Howell opened Howell Rehabilitation in 1999. In 2019, he and his wife, Chris, purchased their FYZICAL franchise. Howell has called the Queen City home for 47 years and has been a physical therapist for 46 of those years.
According to Howell, providing cutting-edge physical therapy services allows him to serve neighbors, making a positive impact on the community and helping others to make the most of their lives, no matter their age or personal goals.
“Everyone wants to be able to live a full, active life,” he explains. Often, however, those recovering from an injury or surgery require the assistance of a skilled physical therapist—one who “knows the body and knows how to restore your body to good health and the full active life you desire,” Howell says.
FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers offers a wide range of services, including orthopedic rehabilitation, pediatrics, balance therapy, fitness and wellness, vestibular therapy, and other specialty services tailored to individual needs. The center is staffed by experienced professionals and filled with specialized equipment.
Howell’s personal expertise is one of the biggest advantages it can offer clients.
At FYZICAL, other specialists lend their abilities as well. “We love the fact that we have the very best balance and vestibular instructor at Fyzical HQ,” Howell says. “Brian Werner been a great source of information for location owners like myself, who have added balance and vestibular training to our own FYZICAL location.”
FYZICAL Therapy & Balance assists individuals of all backgrounds, Howell clarifies, citing individuals recovering from a stroke, vehicle accident survivors, and even one patient who survived being trampled by a buffalo as examples.
Regardless of the reason treatment is sought, one thing tends to unite clients: “We see our patients come in for their first visits and, as you can imagine, most of the time they are in pain,” Howell says. “But we really enjoy seeing them come in for subsequent visits, smiling and feeling much better. It’s wonderful to see them ‘graduate’ to a full and active life.”
Howell also points out that, despite what many people believe, therapy is an important part of the physical recovery process. “If you break a foot, that foot will never be the same again,” he acknowledges. “But without physical therapy, you may never be able to walk on that foot the same way again. Physical therapy is as important as surgery,” he advises.
Serving the community and helping neighbors improve their physical capabilities one step at a time is central to the mission that FYZICAL Therapy & Balance sets out to accomplish each and every day.
“It’s a privilege to be trusted by someone to take care of their physical therapy needs,” Howell says. “We truly enjoy our patients and they become like family to us.”
Ready to get started? You’re not alone in wanting to make the most of the cold-weather season.
“There are many winter sports out there to be played,” Howell eagerly points out. “Just look at the Olympics!”
Additionally, he adds, there is good reason to maintain tip-top conditioning, no matter the time of year. “You really should stay in good physical shape year-round,” Howell says, explaining that it reduces your chances of sustaining an injury. “You can also recover from an injury quicker,” he explains, “if you are in good physical shape.”
To learn more, visit http://www.fyzical.com.
FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Center on Red Bank Road brings a rare blend of advanced technology and elite athletic insight to Cincinnati’s rehabilitation landscape. Led by longtime physical therapist and former Olympic training team member Alan Howell, the center delivers evidence‑based care designed to restore strength, mobility, and confidence. Howell’s decades of experience—spanning international competition, private practice, and community-focused service—inform a comprehensive approach that supports patients recovering from injury, surgery, or balance-related conditions. With specialized equipment, a skilled clinical team, and a commitment to individualized treatment, FYZICAL provides a high‑caliber environment where patients can progress safely and return to the active lives they value.