Hands-On EMG Founders

Dr. Dimitrios Kostopoulos
PT, DPT, MD, PhD, DSc, ECS
Dr. Kostopoulos is a Board Certified Clinical Electrophysiology Specialist with over 35 years of clinical experience and over 28 years experience in electrophysiology testing. He is one of very few Electrophysiology Specialists who have achieved a Doctorate of Science (DSc) in Clinical Electrophysiology Testing.
He is a Clinical Affiliate Assistant Professor at Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University, past member of SACE (Specialization Academy of Content Experts) for the electrophysiology board exam of ABPTS and served as an elected member of the Executive Committee of the Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology (ACEWM) of the APTA. He is also an Adjunct Faculty of Springfield College teaching the Clinical Electrophysiology module.
A world renowned, leading expert and best-selling author in Myofascial Pain and co-founder of the Hands-On Companies (Est. 1992 in New York). Dr. Kostopoulos has extensive training and teaching experience in different areas of manual therapy with an emphasis in Trigger Point, MyoFascial, NeuroFascial Therapy and Manipulation.
He earned his Doctorate (PhD) and Master’s degrees at New York University and his second Doctorate of Science (DSc) degree at Rocky Mountain University (Clinical Electrophysiology). Dr. Kostopoulos has obtained his MD degree from UHSA School of Medicine.
He has numerous publications; he is the Associate Editor of the Diagnostic Section of the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies published by Elsevier and has taught thousands of students worldwide through Hands-On Seminars.
Dr. Kostopoulos is the recipient of a multitude of business and humanitarian awards.
Dr. Kostopoulos & Dr. Rizopoulos are the owners of Hands-On Companies; a consortium of companies that span from the areas of Physical Therapy, Diagnostic Testing and Education.
- Established in 1992
- Treated over 150,000 patients
- Performed over 90,000 diagnostic tests
- Educated over 100,000 healthcare professionals worldwide

Dr. Konstantine Rizopoulos
PT, DPT, RMSK Registered in Musculoskeletal Sonography, APCA, POCUS
Dr. Konstantine Rizopoulos is world renowned, leading expert and best selling author in Myofascial Pain with over 35 years of experience in the field. Co-founder of the Hands-On Companies (Est. 1992 in New York). He is RMSK Board Certified in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound by APCA as well as Certified in POCUS (Point of Care Ultrasound).
He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Athens, Greece and has completed extensive post-graduate courses in manual therapy. He has earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy through Evidence in Motion.
Dr. Rizopoulos has extensive experience in the area of manual therapy, particularly in MyoFascial and Trigger Point Therapies, neuromobilization, strain and counterstrain and muscle energy technique approaches. He is a Master Practitioner of Neurolonguistic Programming and specializes in consulting individuals and businesses to identify and unleash their true potential.
Dr. Rizopoulos is an active member of the APTA, Fellow member of the American Back Society and a member of the Hellenic Medical Society. He lectures internationally in conferences and continuing education courses through Hands-On Seminars and has published numerous studies. He is a Contributing Editor for the Indian Journal of Physical Therapy.
Konstantine Rizopoulos and Dimitrios Kostopoulos are the authors of the Book, the Video and the Posters in “Trigger Point & MyoFascial Therapy” and a Video Series in Manual Therapy.
Dr. Kostopoulos & Dr. Rizopoulos are the owners of Hands-On Companies; a consortium of companies that span from the areas of Physical Therapy, Diagnostic Testing and Education.
- Established in 1992
- Treated over 150,000 patients
- Performed over 90,000 diagnostic tests
- Educated over 100,000 healthcare professionals worldwide
Hands-On EMG Staff Members

Dr. Anoop Chacko
PT, DPT, FEMG, Clinical Director
Anoop Chacko has been with Hands-On EMG for 3 and half years. He has a Masters in Physical therapy and completed his residency and fellowship in clinical electrophysiology and diagnostics. He also has expertise with musculoskeletal ultrasound. He is in the process of becoming board certified in musculoskeletal ultrasonography and Electrophysiology. He primarily works as a Clinical Director of Hands-On EMG.

Thomas Welch
Technical Associate and Deputy CEO
Thomas Welch is the CEO of Hands-On EMG and a senior technician specializing in electro-diagnostic testing. He is certified in Nerve Conduction Studies, Evoked Potential testing and is highly trained in performing joint-specific Musculoskeletal Ultrasound. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Baruch College and has completed all pre-requisites for a pre-DPT program. Since joining the Hands-On companies in September of 2009, Thomas has dedicated his career to helping patients and doctors whether it was as an exercise specialist when he first started or as a lead administrator building a company centered around improving patient management. Over the last 13 years, with the training of Dr. Kostopoulos and Dr. Rizopoulos, Mr. Welch has ascended the ranks of the company to achieve the highest heights for a non- physical therapist, and is now a go to expert on the logistics of managing a diagnostic practice. He is a firm believer in the efficacy of Diagnostics and Physical Therapy as a path to helping people overcome their pain without invasive procedures and over-dependence on prescription medications. He is excited to see the use of these services grow to help as many Doctors, patients, and Physical Therapists as possible.

Dr. Mohini Rawat
DPT, MS, CMP, RMSK, ECS, Senior Professional Associate
Dr. Rawat is a Board Certified Electrophysiology specialist by the ABPTS as well as Board Certified in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound. She is also a Senior Professional Associate for Hands-On EMG Testing and an integral part to the success of our organization. Dr. Rawat has been actively conducting and has published research in the area of Clinical Electrophysiology. Her teaching appointments extend to faculty of Hands-On Seminars, Director of the Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Fellowship program of Hands-On Diagnostics and member of the Medical Advisory Board of HODS as well as guest lecturer for various university programs in the NY metropolitan area.
Dr. Rawat is also a Point of Care certified specialist in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Imaging and an item writer for the MSKUS certification exam.

Dr. Emily Vandervort
DPT, ECS
Dr. Emily Vandervort is a Board certified clinical Electrodiagnostic Specialist by ABPTS.
Emily Vandervort has been with Hands-On EMG for two years. She is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who is board certified in clinical electrophysiology and diagnostics. She also has experience with musculoskeletal ultrasound and is in the process of becoming registered in musculoskeletal ultrasonography. She primarily works in the Hands-On EMG Astoria office and handles all of the EMG/NCS testing for the Astoria office.

Dr. Faizal Hussein
DPT, ECS
Faizal Hussein has been with Hands-On EMG Testing for 3 years. He is a ABPTS Board Certified Clinical Electrophysiologist and Doctor of Physical Therapy who also has experience with musculoskeletal ultrasound and is in the process of becoming registered in musculoskeletal ultrasonography. Faizal primarily works in the field servicing various physician's offices, and also as assistant clinical director part-takes in report review and auditing. In his spare time, he enjoys exercising and spending his time with loved ones.

Dr. Patrick Nichols
DPT, Testing Associate
Patrick Nichols has been with Hands-On EMG for one year. He is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who is a board certified clinical specialist in orthopedic physical therapy. He is in the process of obtaining his board certification in clinical electrophysiology through the IHODS residency program. He holds another specialization in performance. He also has experience with orthopedic manual therapy through the Maitland-Australian training, musculoskeletal, and neuromuscular ultrasound. Patrick currently works in a variety of settings including pain management clinics, podiatry offices, physical therapy clinics, and much more.

Vicky Vasiliou
Billing Manager
Vicky is the Billing Manager of Hands-On EMG Testing and she has vast experience in many areas of billing and especially diagnostic testing billing.