Summit Physical Therapy

06/17/2026

I started this journey in February of 2025. Had back pain and knee pain. I went to fantastic orthopedic doctors at Alabama Orthopedic in Birmingham. I was told I needed two knee replacements and a back surgery. Doctors suggested physical therapy before knee surgery and went to a nearby therapy place where I was just given some exercises and told to do them with no instructions. I only went two times because I could follow a piece of paper and do the exercises at home. I travel a lot and had a big trip planned in October of 2025. Since I was age 59 at this time the doctor warned me of complications with surgery and recommended EnRoute surgical drinks which I gladly bought to help my body be in the best shape for surgery and recovery. These drinks are amazing and I recommend them because it made my recovery so much easier. I had my first knee surgery July 8, 2025 and started physical therapy at Summit Physical therapy on July 10. Josh was my therapist that day. I have always been a strong person but was feeling very whimpy going into therapy that day. Josh was amazing. He made me feel so much better about my recovery and gave me the boost of confidence I needed! From the first day I went to Summit I knew this was no ordinary physical therapy place! They are all amazing. I finished my therapy for my left knee and went on my 45 day European trip and did great. I returned and had right knee surgery December 2, 2025. My first therapy appointment was December 3, 2025. I must say since I had previously been taking physical therapy for my left knee, the right knee was stronger and I feel like I had a faster recovery. Again everyone at Summit was so encouraging! During my therapy on right knee I was talking to Josh and told him well next will be my back surgery. He said wait, What? I said I have back pain and they told me I need back surgery. He asked what was wrong? I showed him my CT scans and my MRI. Josh immediately started telling me I would love for you to try some physical therapy before committing to a surgery. I immediately said well I don’t want surgery but don’t want to be in pain. Josh put me on the table and started pinpointing my pain, which no doctor has ever touched my back they just did scans and said this is what is wrong, surgery is your answer. So towards the end of my knee therapy I got a prescription for back physical therapy and Josh started me on some back strengthening exercises. He told me it would be a slow process and to bear with the program. I had been in pain for so many years that I was hesitant and doubtful but hopeful! For so many years when I cruised I couldn’t walk the length of the ship because my back would hurt so bad. I was always looking for a place to sit next. Also shopping in a store, I needed the buggy to lean over and ease my back pain. I sat on a stool while cooking, trust me I did it all trying to relieve my pain. The first day Josh put me on the treadmill I was like ohhh my this isn’t going to be good I was trying to bargain with him 1/2 treadmill and 1/2 bike lol.
I trusted them all and I kept up with all the exercises Josh wanted and after a hard workout they massaged my back and iced it and did the electrical stimulation. It was a slow process but I was feeling better slowly so I was taking any little help at all. After knee surgeries I figured out walking with a cane helped my back as well so used it on long walks traveling. So to sum all this up. It’s been less than a year since my first physical therapy visit and I took a trip with my 4 grand kids May 17, 2026 for a week. This was one of the mega cruise ships and I was able to walk all over the ship without stopping, without the use of a cane, and do steps going up and down from the water slides with the kids!! I have felt better than I have in about 10 years! Now my back got sore a few times. But nothing near the pain I had. I have bought all the equipment to continue my exercises at home and Josh has made me a routine to follow at home. It’s easy things I can accomplish at home. Since we have custody of these 4 beautiful kids MiMi (me) has even bought a bicycle and we have started going on bicycle rides together. Again something I would never have attempted before physical therapy!!!!
From what started as a very scary orthopedic visit knowing I needed three major surgeries to only having two surgeries I feel amazing and am so thankful a man at my church recommended Summit Physical therapy to me!!! I cannot say enough positive things about them they are amazing and I’m very thankful God put them in my path!
Physical therapy is a commitment and a process but if your like me and want to improve your life and health Summit Physical therapy is the BEST!

06/09/2026

My story…

I had a traumatic injury to my foot in August of 2025. I was non-weight bearing for 7 months. That injury caused me to lose my heel. When I first started at Summit PT Braxton gave me a twinkle of hope but, if I’m honest, I didn’t really believe I’d ever walk normally again. After 3 months of therapy, I can absolutely say without the people from Summit PT, I would have never been able to walk on my foot normally again. They pushed me on days I didn’t think I could do it, encouraged me through an ankle injury and now I can honestly say I am grateful to God I got to Summit! Thank you all for giving me back a normal life!! I am so incredibly grateful to everyone there for helping me get to where I am now! Everyone there always has a great attitude, smiling and laughing making it a joy to come to do the work at Summit PT! Thank you so much!


-Edna Jackson

06/03/2026

Great people to work with. Easy scheduling. Works with your level of strength. Seem to be caring people. Hope I never have to use PT again but if I do I would ask to use Summit Physical Therapy .
David Poole

05/29/2026

This one truly breaks our hearts! We loved Mr. Gene so very much and have no doubt that we were loved in return! I hate that we won’t be able to attend his celebration of life, but we are so thankful to have known such a wonderful and loving man! Please pray for his precious wife and family!

Gaines Eugene “Gene” Gravlee, 86, of Sumiton, departed this life on May 22nd, 2026. He lived a life of faith, love, and devotion to those around him. He will be remembered for his courage, steady presence, kind heart, and quiet strength that made others feel safe and cared for.
Family was at the center of Gene’s life. He is survived by his beloved wife, Linda Ann (Spears) Gravlee, with whom he shared a life of partnership and devotion of almost 65 years. He is also survived by his son, Michael Eugene Gravlee, and Michael’s wife, Laura Frances (Golson) Gravlee; and his daughter, Linda Michelle (Gravlee) Cooke, and her husband, Stanley Kyle Cooke. Gene was a proud grandfather to Michael and Laura’s daughters, Rachel Laura (Gravlee) Lowery and Rebecca Ann (Gravlee) Waycaster, and to Stan and Michelle’s daughters, Heather Michelle (Cooke) Hill and Heidi Loren (Cooke) O’Donnell. Gene and Linda’s great-grandchildren include Owen Elijah Hicks, Jenson Ellis Hicks, Nolan O’Neal Lowery, Dawson Nixon Lowery, Ayla Grace Waycaster, Alexander Michael Waycaster, Etta Elizabeth Hill, Lucas Clifton Hill, and Christopher Cooke O’Donnell.
Gene was born on May 5, 1940 - one of eight children born to Walton Jackson Gravlee and Willie Mae (Roberts) Gravlee. He grew up in a family whose roots run deep in Alabama soil, the grandson of George Strother Gravlee and Ada Elizabeth (Sellers) Gravlee, and George Felon Roberts and Alma (Burton) Roberts, and he carried their stories and values forward throughout his life. One great-grandfather was Harvey Jackson Gravlee, and another great-great-grandfather was William Gravlee, the progenitor of the family in Alabama.
Gene served others throughout his life. He was both an Alabama State Trooper Sergeant and a U.S. Air Force Reserve Master Sergeant. He carried himself in both roles with integrity, fairness, and deep responsibility. Those who knew him saw a man who stayed calm in difficult moments, treated people with respect, and could always be counted on to do what was right.
Gene loved learning, preserving family history, and sharing those stories with others. As a historian and genealogist, he took great joy in honoring his family’s roots and ensuring those memories would endure. He published authoritative works on Alabama cemeteries. Gene was also a fi****ms expert and avid hunter who found peace in the outdoors. He enjoyed doting after Linda, hugging his kids and grands, a good laugh with friends, talking on the phone, a strong cup of coffee, a home cooked meal, baseball games, western movies, country music, southern gospel, time on his tractor, and too much more.
Gene slipped away from this life quietly to meet his Savior and suffer no more. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. His family grieves his absence, but they are grateful for the life he lived, the example he set, the love he gave so freely, and the hope he had in Jesus. The family rests knowing they will see him again.
Services are scheduled for Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the Sumiton Church of God, 50 Hosanna Drive, Sumiton, Alabama. Visitation will begin at noon, and a Homegoing Service is scheduled to begin at 2:00pm. A graveside service will follow at New Horizon Memorial Garden, 5203 Hollis Goodwin Road, Dora, Alabama.
Pastors Lane Sargent, Tim Salors, and Harv Turner will officiate.
Honor Guards will be present from the United States Air Force and Alabama State Troopers to honor Gene’s life of service.
Honorary pallbearers will be the Alabama State Troopers.
Frankie Poston and Bell Funeral Home, Sumiton, is directing.

Online Condolences can be registered at Bellsumiton.com

05/26/2026

I would like to thank Braxton and everyone at Summit Physical Therapy for helping me get back on track. The whole experience, from the first day meeting with Braxton, he sat with me and listened to me. He never made me feel rushed or not listened to, and I am a rambler talking. He and his team were always helping me with my next thing or just a hello and how are you. They made me feel really comfortable, and they all were like one big family in there. This has been the best physical therapy place that I have been to. This was on my second neck surgery. If you ever have the need for physical therapy, I would definitely recommend going to see Braxton and his team at Summit Physical Therapy!

Thanks again,

Mike Leach

05/20/2026

I just wanted to take a few minutes to brag on this group of therapist. After my knee surgery the first 2 weeks I thought I would never walk the same again. This group kept pushing me with the confidence I needed to keep going. Before we knew it I was back on my feet. I truly have to give praise to this group for all they did and the way they treated me like family. Honestly I'm going to miss seeing them. So thank you all for everything you done for me.
Thanks,
Robert

04/29/2026

I wanted to take a moment and express my deepest gratitude for your help over the last few months . Recovering from knee surgery was awful, but you made the process manageable and even enjoyable.  Your encouraging words and expert guidance helped keep me going on days I wanted to give up. Thank you for listening to my concerns and adapting my sessions to ensure that I was making progress without pushing too hard. I couldn’t have achieved these results without you all.  thank you for your kindness and top-notch care.
Thank you,
Clint Stone

04/22/2026

“Summit Physical Therapy in Sumiton is well beyond a place of just physical therapy. It is a place that got me healthy, new friends, and overall a great experience. They pushed me to work hard while also having fun. Thank you for helping with everything from my head to my toe… literally.”
Rhett Cofer

04/17/2026

Best shirt ever!!!😂

04/15/2026

Thankful to be able to watch some great baseball & softball! It’s always great to see friends and former patients! We are so proud of all of the players and especially proud of these 2 beautiful ladies who we have had the pleasure of working with and are now collegiate athletes! ❤️