Testimonials

This has had an amazing impact on my quality of life that I cannot even begin to quantify. Multiple people in my life have noticed the improvement and can’t believe what an incredible impact this physical therapy has had. Finally, Molly was able to work with me to identify safe and regular forms of exercise to try, which I will be working up to. But in the meantime, I was able to do a 5 mile hike and a 10 mile bike ride without any headache or extra fatigue, which is an amazing improvement from before treatment. The tools Molly used for treatment were great. I loved that during sessions, she helped me find positions so that I could feel how my body should be positioned, so that I could implement the changes in my life after the sessions. I loved not having specific exercises to do, but rather mindfulness integrated into daily life which helped me make actual changes in my body. She even gave me the tools to prevent pain when/if it comes back so that I can take charge of my own health. I found every part of my experience of treatment with Molly enjoyable, and my life is much better for having gone to therapy. Thank you all at Advance Physical Therapy for helping me so much! I appreciate all that you have done for me. Thank you so much.

My initial appointment with Dr. Massé resulted in a thorough evaluation, a discussion of my concerns and a treatment plan. Because of the distance from my home to Chapel Hill, it was agreed that I would meet with Dr. Massé on a monthly basis for two hour visits.

I found Dr. Massé to be sensitive to my physical therapy needs and skillful in her approach. She seemed to know just when to encourage me as I learned the various exercises she had recommended and when to suggest specific areas where I might improve. She was professional and knowledgeable in her approach. As a result, a relaxed and productive learning experience was established from the start.

I also appreciated receiving timely and helpful emails from Deana, reminding me of dates and times of upcoming appointments.

My physical therapy lasted nine months. During that period my breathing became more efficient during normal daily activities. The nighttime shortness of breath (breathing problems) disappeared altogether.

I am well pleased with my experience at Advance Physical Therapy. I would highly recommend Dr. Massé to anyone in need of competent, professional, compassionate physical therapy services.

When I met Susan Henning, she assessed my situation and we began a journey that truly has changed my life. I learned I was hypermobile (hypermobility), had pelvic instability, and posturally had pretty much fallen apart. Through Postural Restoration, I learned exercises that would immediately help my pain and enable me to move better. Sometimes I did my exercises wrong and that would exacerbate my pain, but Susan always worked with me to explain what I should do or find an appropriate exercise to address the issue that I could do. There were days I arrived in pain and she would do whatever she could to help me. She kindly referred to me as sensitive, which is an understatement.

Slowly I improved, got stronger and eventually discontinued all pain medication. Although I still have small setbacks from time to time because I do too much, where I started and where I am now is like night and day. Postural Restoration is truly unique and has worked for me when everything else failed. I’ve learned so much and have many tools to help me going forward.

I cannot say enough, or recommend more highly, Advance Physical Therapy. Deana, in the office, is an absolute pleasure, she is always helpful with scheduling and anything else that may arise.

I will be forever grateful to Susan Henning. She is kind, patient, and incredibly knowledgeable. She helped me when it seemed no one else could and anyone would be lucky to have her as their physical therapist.

She can accurately assess and diagnose using Teletherapy just as in person. Teletherapy is so easy and convenient – no driving to appointment parking, waiting for your appointment time. Teletherapy is great – try it, you’ll like it!

Her positive, pleasant demeanor contributed to y looking forward to our sessions. When I left the sessions, I was given a new, specifically targeted set of exercises that helped me continue to improve both my strength and my flexibility.

I did not trust just any random gym instructor to show me how to properly lift weights. I knew from past experience that it was critical for me to know exactly how to align myself and engage the correct muscles so as to build up strength safely. Otherwise I’d get injured while attempting to make myself stronger. Most fitness/gym/yoga teachers just do not understand the risks that hypermobility and postural issues can pose. Where could I turn for help?

Enter Phil! I was so relieved to have someone who understood my structural challenges, and who could also coordinate with Molly to create a seamless transition from basic PT into strength training. I have gained a lot of functional strength from working with Phil, and it’s clear he really knows what he is doing. With a good sense of humor, he makes the process fun. I highly recommend Phil to anyone looking to build upon their physical therapy gains from APT or elsewhere, or anyone just wanting to have strength training in an effective, fun, and supportive atmosphere.

I had done some extensive research and found Schroth Therapy. I traveled from North Carolina to New York City to work with a therapist at the Hospital for Special Surgery Spine Clinic. After continued research I discovered Advance Physical Therapy in Chapel Hill , NC. Although I live two and a half hours away from this facility, Advance Physical Therapy had the only certified Schroth Therapists in the state of North Carolina.

Meeting Susan Henning PT, PRC was a life changer for me. She is not only certified in Schroth but also in Postural Restoration. I found that I required extensive work on my overall posture as well as the Schroth exercises to help with my problems. With her gentle manner, guidance, support and expertise, Susan taught me the exercises I required to gain control over my curve progression (kyphosis and scoliosis) and pain. Only having performed the exercise for four months, this is the first year that my curve did not progress.

I am forever indebted to Susan Henning for what she taught me. She is so passionate about what she does, is very thorough and cares deeply about you as her patient. I finally have a more positive outlook on my condition and plan to keep my scoliosis in check with the continued skilled help and guidance of Susan Henning.

I took Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction classes trying to accept pain with… well, mindfulness. No good. None of it any good.

I was not particularly hopeful about postural restoration.

My daughter, who lives on the other side of the country, told me about this fairly new thing and suggested I find someone locally. I really dragged my heels. I was recovering from heart surgery and had never fully recovered from back surgery. The exercises prescribed for strengthening my heart were playing merry hell with my sciatica. My life was revolving around pain day and night and I wasn’t having any fun, nope, none at all.

On top of the pain, I had come out of heart surgery with a partially paralyzed diaphragm. Exercise not only was painful but I could barely breathe.

I tried Google, searching ‘postural restoration’ and found a place in nearby Chapel Hill. I put off calling. My daughter nagged. She had heard more good things. Okay, okay, I finally made an appointment.

Then I met the therapist of Advance Physical Therapy. She listened patiently as I listed all my ailments and explained to her why she couldn’t possibly help me. “Let’s just try this.” she said. As she measured and evaluated the movement of my limbs, she explained how Postural Restoration works. I was not fully convinced but made two more appointments to come back.

It has been about six months now. I walk without a limp. I climb stairs upright instead of hauling myself up hand over hand using the railing. I walk down stairs casually and without fear of falling. I go for long spells without thinking of pain every minute instead if pain constantly pushing all other thoughts away. I still have sciatica, but it is no longer the most controlling factor in my life. Now I can sit at a table and enjoy meals with my friends and family or watch an entire movie without having to get up and walk around the lobby to ease pain in my leg and back. I’ve come a long way from spending days in bed because it was too painful to sit or stand or walk.

Postural Restoration is working for me. I’ve learned a different way of standing and sitting and do a few simple exercises each day. A great depth of thought and understanding of the body and how all its parts work together are behind this. Not everything we’ve tried has worked, it’s true. But every body is different and every time something does not work it gives the therapist new information and we are able to go on. I’ve come to appointments saying I was in too much pain to do anything and she listens carefully and says, “Let’s just try this.” And usually by the time I leave the clinic I am in much less pain – even feeling pretty darn good. After 30 years, ‘good’ is something I never thought I’d ever feel again. 

Through Postural Restoration I have truly received a “lifeline”. As a result of the very personalized program designed to address my specific and changing needs, I have achieved a level of physical comfort and stability that I couldn’t have imagined was possible. Through this therapy I have been taught an awareness of what has created the problems, why a particular approach should be taken and how to be an active participant in resolving my pain. Through Advance Physical Therapy and Holistic Health, I have been provided with pain resolution, maintenance of issues and a program for strengthening and gaining back the active lifestyle I had.

I am so thankful that I am now able to resume activities which I would not have considered undertaking just a short time ago. I cannot speak highly enough about the results I have achieved, and am very grateful for, through Postural Restoration.

Jean Masse was able to observe and coach me to overcome all my errors in form and push me through the steadily more difficult exercises I was taught over several weeks.  Although I am about half way to my graduation, I already see a much more straight posture and have much less stiffness and pain in my lower back.  I cannot thank Jean enough for  coaching me through this transformative process.

After working with Danielle, not only did my joint pain lessen but I felt a renewed sense of hope and was much more motivated to continue my exercise program.

In addition to my positive experience working with Danielle, I would be remiss not to mention the remarkable support staff at Advance Physical Therapy. Deana McCollum and Robin Sharp are two of the most competent, kind, and incredibly efficient office managers I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with. Their competence and concern made my visits even more positive.

The teletherapy sessions are fantastic. They are just as organized and clear and useful as in-person appointments; also, through these teletherapy sessions I am learning more about my daughter’s condition as I am eagerly listening and facilitating the sessions. Doing the exercises and working with Lisa in our own home exercise space has helped our daughter do her exercises much better and more efficiently, since there is no need to change/adjust an exercise from the office setting to our own. Lisa has also been able to use our home space (and even our stairs!) in order to add new exercises that fit it. All in all, we are very thankful that we were able to continue our daughter’s physical therapy during this time. With the multitude of decisions that we now have to make every time we have to go out, I am extremely thankful that teletherapy sessions eliminate this stress while continuing to provide the same amount of great care and treatment that we always receive at Advance Physical Therapy in Chapel Hill!

I find Molly’s concern with holistic health and wellness, where physical health directly affects emotional well-being, incredibly refreshing and unique among therapists. I have worked with several physical therapists over the years and Molly stands alone as the most attentive, responsive, and capable PT to date. My interaction with Molly has convinced me that telehealth can produce results. I still have work to do, but I haven’t had foot pain in almost three months!

In June of 2018, Reese was seen for her well visit and her pediatrician suggested we x-ray her back due to some unevenness observed when she bent over. I remember sneaking a peak as she was getting her x-ray a week later and my heart sank. There it was, clear as day. Scoliosis. The visible curve was large enough that my mind was racing as we walked back to the car. How could this curve be this big without me noticing it? How did I not attribute that to being a possible cause of her chronic shoulder pain?

Immediately I started googling and diving into Orthopedic and Physical Therapy Journals, using my own credentials to gain access. All that research pointed me to two conservative treatment options with promising results: Schroth Physical Therapy and Rigo Cheneau bracing. There was hope.

In Charlotte at that time there were no Physical Therapists certified in Schroth PT. The closest was Advance Physical Therapy in Chapel Hill, NC (www.advance-physicaltherapy.com) and I made an appointment with Lisa Mangino PT, DPT, PCS,C/NDT,PRC, SBC-2. Reese and I spent 3 days in June of 2018 learning Schroth and PRI (Postural Restoration Institute) exercises. It was a lot to take in. Four months prior Reese was playing competitive tennis pain free, and she was ranked 15 th in the nation for her age group. Now we were doing breathing exercises and discussing the need for full time scoliosis bracing. I wondered how my daughter could play a sport at such a high level with Scoliosis?

When Reese arrived for her first appointment with Lisa, she was in chronic shoulder pain and had not picked up a racket since April. When we left Lisa three days later, Reese was reporting it no longer hurt to put her hair up or wash her hair in the shower. We texted her coach on the way home, and he suggested we meet the next morning to see if she can play. She has been playing tennis pain free ever since.

The next part of the equation was to schedule an appointment with Luke Stikeleather, the Chief Orthotist and founder of National Scoliosis Center (www.nationalscoliosiscenter.com). The former president of SOSORT (Society on Scoliosis Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Treatment), Luke has been specializing in scoliosis and making the Rigo Cheneau brace for almost 30 years. I knew I was lucky enough to have him within driving distance. The experience was welcoming and positive. He allows the kids to have input on so much of the process, even offering different patterns for their brace. I suggested to Reese the pink heart print, but she settled in on what I am calling the “tattoo graffiti” print. I am hoping this is not a foreshadow into her future tattoos!

Luke emphasized that compliance with wearing the brace, in conjunction with Schroth Physical Therapy, would give her the best chance of stopping curve progression and maximizing the potential for the curve to permanently reduce. He suggested wearing the brace for 18-22 hours a day. Reese was 11 years old, Risser 0 (skeletally immature with a lot of growth left) with curves of 25/25. Her potential for curve progression was high, nearly 100%, with no intervention. Due to the lightness of this brace Reese weaned into it the first week and built up to full time wear within a few weeks. Today, she reports it no longer feels like she is even wearing a brace. She has no issues wearing it for 20 hours a day, removing it only for tennis and showering (and an occasional pool day). We talk about this brace not being forever, just a moment in time to prevent surgery.

I knew I had to bring Schroth PT to Charlotte. Brittany Hunt is the Director of PT at UBYLEE Healthcare Group (www.ubylee.com) where we both work. Brittany agreed this was a program we needed to bring to Charlotte. In December of 2018 Brittany become certified in Schroth PT as a C1 therapist. A year later she was certified as a C2 Schroth PT, and she has been helping many kids in our area prevent further progression of their curves. She has been working with Reese for over a year and a half now and is a major part of her success.

Reese was diagnosed at 4’11” and has been on this protocol for 2 years. She is now 5’6” with curves of 20/15. Seven inches of growth with only improvements! I remember back to the day she was first diagnosed and how my heart sank, for a multitude of reasons. Many healthcare professionals will say Scoliosis is a “wait and see” diagnosis. Their approach is to simply wait to see if surgery will be necessary. That is not always the case. We used a “try and see” approach, and Reese’s results have been amazing. Her journey with Scoliosis is not over, maybe it never will be. I know for today her body is healthier, stronger and pain free. I know this is a result of the Schroth PT, Postural Restoration Institute Methodology and her Rigo Cheneau brace.

Molly deeply listens and problem solves with a fresh and open mind at each session. Using techniques from multiple systems, she peels back layers of compensation patterns to locate the root cause of symptoms. It is not a fast approach, but the results have been hugely transformative and lasting.

When COVID hit right in the middle of my treatment plan, I panicked, thinking “How can you possibly do Telehealth PT?”. Surprisingly, we made even more progress! Because Molly could observe exercises and movement in my natural environment, with the props and equipment I actually used, she was able to troubleshoot, adjust exercises and offer better suggestions for my daily ergonomics (chairs, computer usage, stroller, bicycle, stairs, etc.) It was the perfect integration.

Thanks to Molly, pain is no longer an unavoidable daily companion. Not only has my physical health improved, so has my outlook on life. I very highly recommend her!!

Molly has been able to see me do the exercises in my home environment and tailor them to fit my space as needed. After each Telehealth appointment, she sends an email with detailed notes of what we covered and how to do each new exercise or modification of current exercises, which is very helpful!

Molly has taken the time to get to know and understand my physical needs and concerns. She thoroughly understands how the human body works and how to improve and strengthen weaknesses. She welcomes feedback on the exercises she has suggested and works with me to make them more effective. After seeing x-rays of the curve of my spine, Molly modified my exercises to address unevenness I have between the right and left sides of my back to help reduce pain and improve my symptoms.

I heartily recommend Molly Miller as an excellent physical therapist with great people skills! Because of Molly’s proficiency as a physical therapist, I have increased lower back and pelvic strength along with the skills to help me become stronger and more able to stand upright as I age. As a result of her people skills, I have someone I can work with to move forward with my treatment.

When I first met with Molly, I was weary after 8 years of navigating neurologists, rheumatologists, and hospitals, going through endless cycles of diagnosis, then un-diagnosis, and ultimately dismissal. Out of exhaustion and repeated defeat of trying to find someone who would listen and believe me and symptoms, I had resigned myself to live my life on the sidelines as best as I could. My primary doctor offered to refer me to the Mayo Clinic for answers, but I was done with specialists. My fragile wounded soul could take no more.

My first appointment with Molly, I was met with kindness, validation, and the best listening I had experienced in 8 years. Years of specialists had taught me to compartmentalize my complex medical history and only present the pieces that were relevant to that clinician’s specialty. Attempts to try and present the whole picture always led to a referral to an additional specialist. So I was surprised to find that Molly wanted to hear the whole story, and even better, she was not intimidated or overwhelmed by the whole story. I kept expecting her to try and wrap me up and move me out the door, but one of the greatest gifts APT gives their clients is unhurried time to tell their stories and the time needed to accomplish their goals.

I left that first appointment with a flicker of hope. Over the following weeks and months, Molly patiently helped restore my faith in medicine, and most importantly, restored my trust in my own body that had seemed to betray me for years. Through Molly’s steadfast guidance, I’m now living the life that I didn’t even dare to dream of, thinking it was not possible for me. For patients stuck in the cycle of medical gaslighting, lack of answers and solutions, I cannot recommend Molly and APT strongly enough! Sometimes I grieve the 8 years I lost, when practical real solutions to my real problems were available, but ultimately I’m overwhelmed with the gratitude for the life I’m now living, which I couldn’t have accessed without Molly as my guide!

He also informed us that 45 degree is a critical degree for a surgery.

After knowing a brace and surgery are all treatments in a hospital, my mother started researching about scoliosis. She wanted to know any treatment for my scoliosis. My mom took me to chiropractic and physical therapy. We chose to keep going with physical therapy because we believed that it would be better to make the muscles stronger, instead of cracking my bones in place. The stronger muscles will finally push my spine and straighten it.

For half of a year I had used a brace while sleeping, and I had done special Postural Restoration exercises taught by my physical therapist. However, in April 2007 my curve turned out 42 degrees. My doctor warned my family and me if the curvature exceeded 45 degrees at the next visit, we would need to seriously consider a surgery. He said he would put metal rods next to my spine to straighten it in an operation.

My mom, my physical therapist, and I discussed about this situation and decided to try hard one more time. Three of us have worked hard together and especially my physical therapist has been wonderful. She has kept encouraging me and has been cautious about my situation. She always helped me.

Finally, I took an x-ray again at my hospital in September 2007, and my curve was 29 degree. It was even better than my first degree (37 degree). The option of the surgery was out of topic. My doctor came to measure the curve of my spine again and again because it was not normal. Usually the curve tends to go worse and worse. He said the measurement of truncation is also better. He finally concluded the brace worked very well. However, we don’t think so. The exercises taught by my physical therapist have worked well for me.

My first contact with a Postural Restoration (PR) therapist was different.  The therapist actually knew how to diagnose what type of scoliosis I had through a simple movement pattern.  All previous therapist nodded their heads, they knew scoliosis, they understood it was quite asymmetrical and then proceeded to have me do activities that were symmetrical.  If each side of the body of a person with scoliosis is different, then the symmetrical exercise will overload one side due to the opposite side’s inability to perform comparably.  All the years of running, using treadmills or elliptical machines, or free weights or home gyms required bilateral activities that inevitably overloaded my “good” side and then the pain would start.

My PR therapists have understood what parts of my body need to be built up.  The process has been quite slow.  I came into this new approach over four years ago with a curve that was progressing to 60 degrees.  I had experienced a pinched nerve, was feeling tingling in my rib hump, left side and have been struggling with right leg pain due to a tilted pelvis.  The pinched nerve has not recurred, the rib tingling is completely gone and gradually I am building to muscle tone to correct the pelvic tilt.  Most importantly, I am able to walk again!  I was always a walker, able to go for and hour or more on weekends.  I stopped walking about five years ago and have been attempting to return to a consistent practice.  I am seeing real hope for the first time in many, many years.

Susan Henning is the finest therapist I have had in my life.  Not only does she listen, she is passionate about my improvement.  What I see in PR is the capacity to troubleshoot effectively.  If I am having pain when I come in to a session, Susan carefully assesses my neutrality and can always figure how I am out of alignment and then get me back into alignment.  When I leave that session, I know exactly what exercise I need to do to either maintain alignment or restore it.

Through Postural Restoration I have received an education about my body, its compensations, weaknesses and am learning little by little how to reconnect and rebuild neurologically and muscularly.  I am learning how to hold myself differently, whether standing, sitting or sleeping.  For the first time, many of my back and belly muscles are starting to move with breathing and regaining some tone.  I have to be diligent.  If I let too many days go by without my core group of exercise, then old pain and scoliotic postures resurface once more.  I would not and could not be where I am today without the PR therapist I have.  At this point in time, I see myself continuing to increase my strength and capability because of the work Susan and I are doing together.

My friend told me I would be amazed at the treatment APT provided and I would feel better in no time. She was right. After about 6 visits and with the therapeutic activities, I was doing great.

Then in 2019 before the pandemic I was having lots of leg pain. I was told by an Orthopedic doctor I had lumbar stenosis and I may need surgery. After doing traditional PT with someone the doctor recommended, I was no better. So I came back to APT again to let them help me.  Deb Albrecht was my therapist . She preformed a miracle with me. I am pain free! I was not able to stand for long periods of time without hurting. I could not walk for a long periods of time either. It was a long road getting to where I am now because of of not being able to come some during Covid. Deb was so patient with me and understanding. She is so helpful and was there for me when I needed her.

I can not say enough good things about what I have been able to accomplish with with the PT that I have received from Deb. Anytime I feel like I need to be evaluated or I have issues with that same area, I call Deb.

You can not go wrong and will not be disappointed with APT care. I give Deb and APT 5 stars!

Thank you, P. A. Horton

We focused on that area and I quickly felt better. Molly is incredible. She is extremely knowledgeable and truly cares about how I was feeling. She increased my strength in my left hip and recommended shoes which also helped me walk properly. Molly is patient and takes the time to explain and illustrate the exercises. I fully trusted her and knew she wanted me to feel better. Molly has an incredible understanding of how the body works. Molly’s personality makes you feel comfortable and at ease. I highly recommend Molly because of her attention to detail, her expansive knowledge, and her wonderful and caring personality.

The constant pain I was having is much improved, although it is easy enough to set things off still. Sometimes, if I don’t quite have an exercise down correctly, I can aggravate the problem, but the therapist always seems to figure out what I am doing wrong and helps me correct it.

I never dreamed that it would take this much work and time to deal with this situation, but I am thrilled to be on the path of restoration. I think I would have been running into some big trouble down the road had I not found such a skilled and knowledgeable therapist to help me with this. They have helped me to better understand the mechanics of my problem, which only heightens my consciousness about it and enables me to be more aware of how I move in the world. This is a good thing!

Well, it has been a miracle for me. I have been able to make the same kind of progress as if I were visiting in the office. I have always known that the physical therapist at Advance PT were capable, but it is amazing the over Zoom Molly can assess my progress and teach me new exercises.

After each appointment she send me notes on modifications on exercises that we have discussed during our “visit” and instructions on the new exercises. I am doing much better and never had to drive to Chapel Hill. I could get used to this!

Henning’s therapy sessions showed a significant improvement on the x-rays. Orthopedic specialist was very surprised to see such an improvement in a very short period of time (10 sessions). I am driving 2 hour 45 minute to see Mrs. Henning for therapy and the time spent on the road worth every minute of each session! Besides her professionalism, Mrs. Henning is a very pleasant person, softly spoken, with great communication skills with patients. She spends extra time if needed to make sure that patient understands all the steps of the exercise. I was seeing many therapists before, but I can’t even compare Mrs. Henning’s level of professionalism to others. Staff at Advance Physical Therapy is very welcoming, and sends reminders on time for follow up appointments. Office is very cozy, relaxed and clean. I highly recommend Mrs. Henning to anyone for physical therapy, Schroth method, and postural restoration. She is the best Physical Therapist anyone can wish for.

Even with my background in yoga, I didn’t realize that what I really needed was permission to listen to my own body and move in a way that supported my individual body.  Molly taught me how to modify poses, use breath and alignment intentionally, and most importantly, how to feel what was right for me. I began to unwind long-held movement patterns that were keeping me stuck in pain and fatigue.

Working with Molly has been transformative. I have learned to re-educate my nervous system and shift from a place of pain, control and rigidity into one of curiosity, ease, and freedom.  Our sessions didn’t just change how I practice yoga; it changed how I live in my body.

One day, a friend, whose advice I respect greatly, referred me to Advance Physical Therapy. Because I didn’t want to take time from work and assume the risks associated with surgery, I decided to give it a try. Also, I work hard at my daily fitness program, and was afraid surgery would temporarily, if not permanently, affect my ability to reap the rewards of such a program.

My physical therapist graduated me through many very unusual exercises, which I did twice a day for a year. At first I was still skeptical, as these were very different from exercises I had been given by other physical therapists. However, my pain began to subside quickly, so I continued with the program. Now, not only am I pain free, but x-rays performed by my orthopedist show no progression over the past year.

I highly recommend postural restoration, especially to any one who is considering surgery to correct posture-related discomfort.