Charles O'Malley PT, DPT

CLINICAL EXPERTISE
-Extensive experience in manual therapy and orthopedic rehabilitation, including the Institute of Physical Art (IPA) and Institute of Clinical Excellence (ICE)
-Foot and ankle conditions, including plantar fasciitis and footwear education
-Vertigo, dizziness, and balance dysfunction
-Biking & Running-related injuries and athletic performance
-Strength training, exercise science, and movement retraining
-Neurological rehabilitation, including stroke, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, and traumatic brain injury
-Differential diagnosis and individualized injury prevention
-Bicycle fitting and activity-specific movement assessment

MEET CHARLIE
Charlie O’Malley is a dynamic and highly experienced senior physical therapist at Prana Functional Manual Therapy, known for his broad clinical knowledge, thoughtful problem-solving, and commitment to helping patients return to the activities they love. With more than 15 years of experience as a physical therapist and over a decade at Prana, Charlie combines a diverse clinical background with advanced manual therapy skills, exercise science, and a keen interest in understanding the underlying causes of pain and movement dysfunction.
Charlie takes an individualized approach to patient care, integrating hands-on treatment, targeted exercise, and movement retraining to help patients improve mobility, strength, balance, and overall function. His background in both neurological rehabilitation and outpatient orthopedics gives him a distinctive perspective on how the nervous system, balance, strength, and musculoskeletal system work together to influence movement. He continually expands his clinical skills in manual therapy, differential diagnosis, and exercise-based rehabilitation to help patients achieve meaningful, lasting improvements.
Charlie has developed particular expertise in the assessment, treatment, and prevention of foot and ankle conditions, including plantar fasciitis, as well as vertigo, dizziness, and balance disorders. He also has a strong interest in running-related injuries, strength training, bicycle fitting, and athletic performance. Whether helping someone overcome persistent foot pain, regain confidence after an episode of dizziness, or return to running and other outdoor pursuits, Charlie works to identify the factors contributing to the problem and develop a treatment plan tailored to the individual’s goals.
His approach reflects the philosophy at Prana: look beyond the immediate symptoms, understand how the body is functioning as a whole, and combine skilled hands-on care with active rehabilitation to restore efficient movement and help prevent recurring problems.

CHARLIE’S JOURNEY
Charlie grew up in West Chester, Pennsylvania, before heading to the Philadelphia area to study biology at Drexel University, graduating in 2006. He went on to earn his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Arcadia University in 2009 and began his career at MossRehab, where he treated patients with complex neurological conditions, including stroke, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury. He also served as the lead inpatient therapist for amputee rehabilitation, gaining valuable experience helping patients rebuild mobility, independence, and confidence after life-changing injuries.
In 2011, Charlie married Amanda Funk, a fellow Arcadia physical therapy graduate and Ephrata native. Together, they embarked on a two-year adventure as traveling physical therapists, working in underserved communities across the Midwest, the Pacific Northwest, and as far north as Alaska. It was in Alaska that Charlie discovered outpatient manual therapy, sparking a deeper interest in the hands-on assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal dysfunction.
After returning to Pennsylvania in 2014, Charlie managed an outpatient physical therapy clinic in Bloomsburg while continuing to develop his manual therapy skills and integrate them with his neurological rehabilitation experience. During this chapter, he and Amanda welcomed their first daughter, Claire, in 2015. The opportunity to join Prana brought Charlie to Lancaster County, where he could work alongside a team of skilled manual therapists while moving closer to family. Their second daughter, Maia, arrived in 2017.
Charlie has now spent more than a decade at Prana, continually expanding his clinical expertise and contributing to the practice’s commitment to individualized, high-quality physical therapy. His combination of experience, curiosity, and enthusiasm for helping people stay active makes him a valued member of the team.

BEYOND THE CLINIC
Charlie’s love of the outdoors is no surprise to anyone who hears about his travels, especially his time in Alaska. He and Amanda enjoy sharing adventures with their daughters, family, and friends, whether hiking, biking, camping, fishing, running, kayaking, snowshoeing, or scuba diving.
Charlie has visited 24 national parks and hopes to visit them all someday. He enjoys discovering new places and is always happy to hear recommendations for a great outdoor adventure, whether close to home or somewhere far away. His enthusiasm for an active lifestyle reflects what he encourages in his patients: building the strength, confidence, and physical capacity to keep exploring and doing the things that make life rewarding.

EDUCATION
-Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Arcadia University, 2009
-Bachelor of Science in Biology, Drexel University, 2006