Baltimore and Central Maryland · Columbia
Pelvic floor physical therapy in Columbia, by video.
Columbia patients in every village, from Wilde Lake and Oakland Mills to River Hill, get specialist pelvic health care from Dr. Elana Shalem without leaving home.
- CareFirst, Aetna and Medicare in-network
- No referral needed in Maryland
- Usually seen within a week
Columbia
Why Columbia patients choose video.
Columbia was planned in the 1960s around villages, lakes and miles of paved paths, and it still works that way: a loop around Lake Kittamaqundi, the neighborhood pool on summer evenings, a concert at Merriweather Post Pavilion. Commuters split between Baltimore and Washington, so weekday time is tight, and Route 29 or I-95 decides how the day goes. Postpartum recovery, diastasis recti, bladder urgency and low back pain are common reasons people across Columbia's villages book.
One-on-one with Dr. Elana Shalem, PT, DPT (CAPP-OB), licensed in Maryland: a 60-minute evaluation, then 45-minute follow-ups.
What we treat in Columbia
Common reasons Columbia patients book.
All services: Women's pelvic floor physical therapy · Men's pelvic floor physical therapy · Orthopedic physical therapy
Coverage
Insurance in Columbia
In-network: CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Aetna and traditional Medicare. Other plans are private pay with a superbill for out-of-network reimbursement; HSA and FSA cards are accepted. We confirm the physical therapy benefit before the first visit.
Referrals: Maryland allows you to see a physical therapist for evaluation and treatment without a physician referral, with no visit limit. Some insurance plans still ask for one, and we check that for you.
Neighborhoods
Serving all of Columbia
ZIP codes 21044, 21045, 21046. Any home with an internet connection works.
- Wilde Lake
- Harper's Choice
- Oakland Mills
- Long Reach
- Owen Brown
- Hickory Ridge
- Kings Contrivance
- River Hill
- Dorsey's Search
Nearby: Ellicott City, Clarksville and Glenelg · Bowie and Upper Marlboro · Silver Spring and Takoma Park · All of Baltimore and Central Maryland
Questions
Questions from Columbia
What does the first visit look like for a Columbia patient?
It starts with a free 15-minute discovery call, then a 60-minute evaluation by secure video covering history, movement and goals, with a home program to start. Follow-ups are 45 minutes, usually every one to two weeks.
How quickly can a new patient in Columbia get in?
Most new patients are seen within a week. Early morning, evening and weekend times make it easier to schedule around a commute in either direction.
How soon can I be seen?
Usually within a week. Early morning, evening and weekend video visits are available.
Prefer to write? Send a message.
Questions about insurance, pricing, or whether physical therapy is the right next step? We reply within one business day.
Start with a free 15-minute call.
Tell us what is going on, hear how Dr. Shalem would approach it, and decide from there.