Rooted in the Valley. Focused on You.
For over two decades, our clinics have served the Rio Grande Valley with compassionate, hands-on physical therapy care, helping patients recover, rebuild, and return to the lives they love.
Our Story
Puig Rehabilitation was founded by Bertha Puig, the first female physical therapist in the Rio Grande Valley, with a simple belief: every patient in the Rio Grande Valley deserves access to high-quality, personalized physical therapy regardless of their insurance or background. What began as a single clinic has grown into a trusted network of four locations across the Valley.
Orthopedic Physical Therapy was established to extend that same standard of care to more communities throughout the region. Together, our clinics share a unified commitment to treating every patient with the attention, respect, and clinical expertise they deserve.
Today, our clinicians treat thousands of patients each year, from post-surgical recoveries and sports injuries to balance disorders and work-related conditions. Our goal has always been the same: to get you back to doing what matters most, as safely and quickly as possible.
To deliver compassionate, evidence-based physical therapy that empowers every patient in the Rio Grande Valley to recover fully, move confidently, and live without limitation.
Our Mission
Our Mission
Patient-First Care
Every treatment plan is built around the individual: your goals, your schedule, your recovery.
Clinical Excellence
Our therapists pursue ongoing education and evidence-based techniques to deliver the best outcomes.
Community Roots
We are proud to be a locally owned practice serving the RGV community we call home.
Accessible to All
We accept Medicare, Medicaid, VA vouchers, Workers' Comp, and most major insurance plans so cost is never a barrier.
The Families Behind the Practice
Puig Rehabilitation and Orthopedic Physical Therapy are built on a foundation of family, service, and an uncompromising commitment to the Rio Grande Valley.
Dr. Robert & Michelle Puig
Dr. Robert Puig completed his undergraduate education at St. Mary's University, then was accepted into the master's program in physical therapy at the UT Health Science Center in San Antonio. He went on to earn his Doctor of Physical Therapy at Widener University in Chester, Pennsylvania, one of only 14 doctoral physical therapy programs in the United States at the time, graduating with highest honors in 2003. That spring, the faculty of Widener's Institute for Physical Therapy Education presented him with the Clinical Excellence Award in recognition of demonstrated excellence in clinical education. He also completed Widener's graduate program in Health and Medical Services Administration, earning a Certificate in Health Care Management.
Dr. Puig went on to pursue advanced training through a post-doctoral program with the International Academy of Orthopedic Medicine, U.S. at Texas Tech in Lubbock. Over six years he completed the full course of study and earned his Certification in Orthopedic Manual Therapy (COMT) of the Spine in 2011, following written and oral examinations and 135 contact hours of didactic and hands-on coursework covering the cervical spine, cervicothoracic junction, thoracic spine and ribs, lumbar spine, and sacroiliac joint.
Few therapists in the Valley have practiced across as many settings. Dr. Puig has worked in several Valley hospitals treating orthopedic, neurological, and medical patients both pre-surgical and post-surgical. He spent six years working with complex pediatric patients, the cases that require the most patience and the most precision, and twelve years practicing alongside an outstanding upper extremity orthopedic surgeon, a partnership that sharpened his approach to complex post-surgical rehabilitation. That range is the reason a patient walking into a Puig clinic gets a therapist who has seen their condition before, and knows what recovery actually looks like.
Alongside Dr. Puig is Michelle Puig, J.D., who brings more than two decades of distinguished public service to her role in the practice. She earned her Juris Doctor from Widener University School of Law in 2004 and was licensed to practice law that same year. She went on to serve for over 21 years as an Assistant District Attorney for Hidalgo County, retiring in 2025. During that time, she spent over 16 years assigned to the felony division, where she tried serious criminal cases before juries and judges in district court. Her career in law was defined by integrity, precision, and an unwavering commitment to the community she served. Those same values guide her work alongside Dr. Puig in building and sustaining a practice the Rio Grande Valley can trust.
Kevin & Lori Abers
Kevin and Lori Abers met at The University of Texas at San Antonio, where they were both members of the Physical Therapy Society on campus. They went on to earn their Master's Degrees in Physical Therapy from The University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio in 2001. After graduating, they moved to the Rio Grande Valley to begin their careers and start a family, and the Valley has been home ever since. Kevin became board certified in orthopedic clinical specialties by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties in 2007, earned his Certification in Manual Therapy for the Spine in 2011, and went on to complete his Doctorate of Science in Physical Therapy from Texas Tech University Health Science Center in 2013. At the heart of everything they do is a deep commitment to patient-centered care. They believe every person who walks through the door deserves to feel heard, respected, valued, and genuinely cared for throughout their recovery. They work to build meaningful relationships with each patient, listening carefully to individual needs and concerns. Their goal has never been simply to treat a condition; it is to care for the whole person. The patients they treat are part of their community, and part of the family that surrounds them.
Ready to Start Your Recovery?
Our team is accepting new patients at all four Rio Grande Valley locations. Request an appointment today and we will verify your insurance before your first visit.