Dr Rivi Har-El, PhD is a physical therapist and a dance/ movement therapist in New York, NY. Patients may develop body pain and discomfort for a variety of reasons. When they seek help from a physical therapist, they expect to receive traditional physical modalities such as massage and therapeutic exercises. However, after Dr. Har-El observed her patients' movement pattern and posture, it became clear to her that she should also consider their movement behavior and general well being as part of their treatment. Therefore, she developed the RiVision Method. This method uniquely combines physical therapy, dance/movement therapy (DMT) and guided imagery. When used together, these techniques are more effective when treating chronic pain.
In her practice she uses dance/movement therapy (DMT) as well as various physical therapy modalities that form the basis of the RiVision® method. RiVision® offers the client an innovative, multidimensional way of evaluating and treating chronic pain and musculoskeletal disorders. Unlike other physical therapy treatments that deal with chronic physical pain and musculoskeletal disorders, RiVision® simultaneously relates to a large array of physical and emotional manifestations of pain. Patients and therapists practicing this method are encouraged to develop a greater awareness of their body-mind weaknesses from an early stage of the treatment by identifying the “Repetitive Stress Pattern” that may have led to their chronic pain.
RiVision® consists of elements within physical therapy, DMT, and guided imagery practice. In physical therapy, it relates to a patient’s range of motion, pain level, posture and function levels. In DMT, it relates to a patient’s usage of the vertical, horizontal and sagittal planes of motion as well as the general typical pattern of movement. In guided imagery, RiVision® relates to the images the person describes inside and outside her body in relationship to daily encounters with other people and events.
Years In Practice41
Primary Specialty
Physical Therapist
GenderFemale
EducationPhD, New York University (1991-2000)
TrainingBen-Gurion University (1983) BPT Hunter College (1991) MS
AffiliationsClinical Assistant Professor at Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn , NY (2008-present)
ServicesDr. Rivi Har-El's method includes the following services :
Physical Therapy includes manual/hands-on techniques : Joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization, myofascial release, body tuning,.
Therapeutic physical exercises
Functional approaches such as Alexander and Feldenkrais techniques
Dance/ movement therapy to music
Guided imagery and relaxation techniques
Body-mind techniques/approach
When appropriate, Dr. Har-El uses hands-on techniques. Unlike conventional physical therapy and gym practice, where exercises and machines are commonly used, she emphasizes thorough and sensitive joint and tissue mobilization, individually tailored to the patient
RiVision healing center is designed to treat musculoskeletal injuries and chronic pain such as back and neck pain, tendinitis, bursitis, stress and tension related disorders, poor posture, repetitive injuries and more. Additional ServicesChronic pain, Dance/Movement Therapy, body-mind physical therapy approach
Dr Rivi is the right person to take care of your body and soul, a rare sensitive professional with exceptional multidisciplinary knowledge and innovation. Recommending her is only natural !
Dr. Rivi Har-El is an extraordinary physical therapist. I have been seeing her whenever I have had a problem in the past 22 years. She gives special attention to my needs and excels at all aspects of PT. She has a healing touch and has helped me with a broken ankle, a sprained ankle and back and neck issues. She has a background in dance and movement therapy and recommends exercises that are great for rehab and healing. I have also attended her movement therapy classes, which are very helpful and also very enjoyable. I think she is quite amazing!