Benchmark Physical Therapy's Online Review Report Card

I highly recommend Benchmark in Sale creek! The staff there is so sweet and amazing! Jeanine specifically is THE BEST!! During a time I thought I wouldn’t be able to do much anymore because of my back injury, she completely turned me around and I can do literally anything again. She is super knowledgeable, professional, and an all around amazing person. If I ever need any physical therapy again I will go back!

Benchmark is great!! They’re friendly and personal and listen to you and your needs and give you a program specifically for you!! Whether it’s an injury or surgery rehab they can definitely help you get back to your old self! Highly recommended!

This is a great place to go. The staff is knowledgeable and thorough. Their professional staff helped me to heal more quickly than I expected!!

I am disappointed in Benchmark physical therapy. I session there I felt like I ready to end my sessions. I was asked if there any further things I’d like the work on. In opinion the therapist should have made that call. I feel like I need more assistance.

Bottomline for TLDR people: Yes. Unequivocally yes. Choose them. Go there. The first time I crutched into the BenchMark by Food Lion in downtown Dawsonville, it was pouring rain, like torrentially. I was already pretty bummed about being 100% non-weight bearing on my right leg for an estimated six weeks, so the rain felt appropriate. As an outdoor runner, this was pretty much the worst thing I could be facing. Well, maybe not the worst thing. There are worse things. If my leg had fallen off, that would’ve been worse. (Still, the open proximal hamstring repair I’d had on June 17th was pretty limiting. Google that one.) Anyhow, that monsoon day was June 24th. The other day, on Thursday, December 19th, I completed my fortieth and final session, and while I am ecstatic to have been able to return to running (I could kiss the sidewalks), I was somewhat sad for a different reason: I will miss them, the people of the BenchMark by Food Lion. I will miss the whole team - Sheryl, who scheduled me, Amy, who made me laugh as she assisted in various aspects of various exercises, Josh, whose interpretation of my recovery plan safely guided me along strengthening the appropriate muscles when I wasn’t laughing at his antics (and there were many antics), and Emily, whose intense and non-stop leg exercises made me wonder if her return from maternity leave had left her ruthless. Fortunately, I had only three sessions with her after she returned. Prior to her leave, she had been a bit more gentle in her approach. Of course, that had been before the day Josh let me take my first wobbly steps towards Amy, whose outstretched hands as she awaited me like eight feet away brought to mind a mom who is encouraging her baby to take first steps. Because that’s where I was even by late-July - wobbling along like a fawn. I love a lot about the BenchMark by Food Lion. The first time I went in, I did wonder at the number of Jesuses around the office - He was everywhere, keeping watch and ensuring merely by His presence that I complete the full thirty-counts of sets. There are quite a number of these miniature Jesuses about the office (they’re little figures, about an inch tall - I’ve seen them in other places around Dawsonville), but don’t worry as I did that this BenchMark is a cover for a cult - it’s not. They don’t evangelize when you’re doing the therapy. The variety of clients I encountered over my six months of attendance assures me that all people of all faiths are welcomed and treated with care and dignity. But just be ready to spot Jesus - one time, I was staring at a picture on the wall and noticed Him peeking out from behind the frame. I then straightened my exercise posture. The music is also choice picks, ranging from rock to country to Christian to 90's hits, but none of the sad or slow stuff in any of those genres. The songs are upbeat enough to keep you in the mindset of recovery without being so upbeat that you're frenetically doing pistol squats. Obviously, music can only get you so far. That’s where the personalities of the employees and the atmosphere of the Benchmark by Food Lion come into play. The friendliness pervades the room - I’m sure they had bad days on a personal level every now and then, but not from what I could tell while there in attendance over the course of forty sessions. Not once did I think, “Oh, dang - that person has had a day” (except for Emily when she brutalized me with her take-no-prisoners approach in finishing out my final sessions strong - but I did ask for it, just to be clear. Like literally. I said, “Bring it.” And she did.) I can honestly say I never left a session wishing I hadn’t gone. Even when I was tired or feeling down about my shriveled-up right leg with its squishy hamstring, I would sometimes just think about who would be there (as in Sheryl and Amy and Josh and Emily), and I’d feel lifted. And that is the legit truth, which is leveling up from the simple truth. I laughed every single time I went - the camaraderie extended from between the four to all those who walked (or crutched or rolled) through the door. Sometimes, as each client was working on his/her various things, we’d all kind of chat about plans or the Question of the Week, which dove into such weighty topics as favorite fourth of July cook-out food or holiday tradition, or what to name the pumpkin, or what one’s favorite color or breakfast food is, and so on. But it all felt so natural and casual, and that’s not by intentional design but by a beautiful accident. (Or maybe it is by divine design, if that’s your perspective. After all that I’ve experienced in the past year, it’s definitely divine design.) Probably I ought to touch on the cleanliness of the place and the expertise of the employees, since that’s typically the kind of stuff that people reading through reviews of PT places care about. Well, the BenchMark by Food Lion will not disappoint. It is very clean, and they absolutely sanitize after each individual’s use of any equipment. I witnessed those behaviors across the span of forty days over six months. Their office is neatly organized and has clear labeling and signage. The door is labeled, as are the walls and stock photos on the wall. The water cooler is labeled; the coat rack is labeled. You will never wonder if that’s a clock. In fact, it is Clock #2. Truly, though - I never felt cramped or got in the way or was gotten in the way of by anyone or anything. Josh and Emily, who are the primary physical therapists at this location, clearly know what they are doing. I never felt worried or concerned that I was either being pushed beyond my limits or not being pushed enough. My plan was followed to the letter, my surgeon at my post-op appointments saw their notes, they read his notes - I really cannot say anything negative about what I was asked to do or about whether they communicated appropriately with the appropriate people. I showed up as scheduled and over the course of several months became a solid example of what it ought to look like as one heals and recovers from an open proximal hamstring repair. And on the maybe three times where illness caused me to miss an appointment, I called the morning of with no hassle and was able to reschedule with ease when well again. I guess all of this is to say that, if for some reason, you are in need of physical therapy, you cannot go wrong with the BenchMark by Food Lion. It has become part of all that I love about Dawsonville.

What a Great place! My very 1st visit Nick the Physical Therapist really helped me with my sciatic pain. Brian is great too! I actually look forward to coming there.. the receptionist is Great too. A nice place to help you heal for sure.. Thank You Nick and Brian!

It's tough to say specifically who everyone is because most often i am in pain and the thought of trying to remember names is impossible. But, that being said the "spine manipulator" is very honest, and actually listens. Has some humor, is nice to be around someone who actually cares. The "Workout stretch... gives me pain" guy, is nice, also numerous they work great together. Yes it hurts but I can certainly say these visits will hopefully help in the long run. Also if you kiss or your late your not bombarded with hate from their receptionist. She's understanding.

Everyone was so kind and friendly Erin and Tammy at the front desk. They were so sweet and so helpful with my insurance and appointments.. Nick and Bryan were great therapist, and also a lot of fun which helped my mindset during therapy. They helped me with my Balance and Vertigo therapy and also helped me to strengthen my knees for complete total knee replacement The Pre-Op therapy I received strengthen my knee and made all the difference in the surgery itself and how I walked so well for the first time I got up after surgey and at home. I was walking without a walker and with out my cane three weeks Post-OP surgery. My doctor said I did better than any one has. Pre-Op Therapy prepared me and I was strong and I did so well. Thank You to the Bench Mark staff each and every one.

I have to say BenchMark is great place to go to. With only one appointment Nick got me set up and feeling better after 2 yrs of pain. Also Erin at front desk is sweet by all means at getting those appointments for you… Love this place and it’s only my first visit… I would recommend anyone to go..

They’re great at what they do people here fantastic job