Testimonials

Personalized attention different from others

My experience at Advance Physical Therapy was not only healthy but very pleasant. The personalized attention that I received helped me greatly to recover in the timeframes set. This personalized attention makes a difference from other places where I received therapy and medical care. Professionalism, knowledge and human sensitivity are the most conspicuous attributes that identify Nancy Toole. Nancy not only is limited to fulfill routines of physical movements; but gives a personalized attention to patients. During my therapy sessions, Nancy taught me to breathe properly and correct postures for a recuperation of my health. Nancy reflects clearly what it means “love to others”. She seeks that her patients recover their health in a disciplined manner, helping us to understand how to address areas for recovery.

Nancy Toole is an exceptional physical therapist.

I had my hip replaced at the end of the year, and after a month with Nancy my hip was stronger than it has been in years. Every session with Nancy challenged me to work harder and smarter as she targeted all the core muscles surrounding my repaired hip.

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.

Shortness of Breath

I contacted Advance Physical Therapy, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in April of 2015 because I was experiencing shortness of breath during normal activities and also during the night. The receptionist, Deana, arranged for me to meet with Dr. Jean Massé later that month for an evaluation and recommendations.

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 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.

67 year old female with a 52 degree lumbar curve due to scoliosis…

I have a smaller thoracic curve and kyphosis as well. I have tried different physical therapists, acupuncture, massage and exercise but nothing worked for the pain I was experiencing or the progression of my curve. I felt helpless knowing that a very extensive surgery might be the only possible way to deal with this issue.

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 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 had lower back pain on and off for over a year…

when my doctor recommended that I go to see Susan Henning at Advance Physical Therapy in Chapel Hill. First Susan watched me walk and did certain movements with me to find exactly where my problem was located. Susan gave me a couple of exercises to strengthen specific muscles. These really helped and I was feeling better after several sessions. Each time, Susan would check me out and “tweek” the exercises, if needed. Now, doing 10 minutes worth of exercises, twice a day, I am pain free after about 15 sessions. Susan always explained everything and was a pleasure to work with. I will miss going there!

3 years of jaw locking…

I have had a locked jaw due to a severely inflamed TMJ for the last three years. I have seen dental specialists, surgeons, a biofeedback specialist, an acupuncturist and two other physical therapists for this condition. After minor improvements that never stuck, I got a referral to Advance Physical Therapy from my dental specialist. I expected another round of PT that would help me, for sure, but after such a long period of time, my expectation that I would ever be “lock-free” was starting to evaporate. Then I met Jean! (Masse) She started me on a Postural Restoration program and, after a couple of months, I am finally lock-free! APT takes a much more holistic approach to therapy and I can see improvement not only in my jaw, but in other postural issues I never knew existed! In addition to working with Jean, I also worked with Joe and took Pilates and Chi Running with Beth Elder. Everyone at APT is top notch and it has been a great experience all around. I’m kind of sad to now not need to go there every week! At least I still have Pilates!

After 3 sessions I grew an inch!

I’ve tried so many therapies and treatments for my scoliosis and this is the first time that I feel I’m in expert hands. I hope others – especially those newly diagnosed, find their way here. Having such thorough, precise and thoughtful attention and help is incredible. After only 3 sessions I grew an inch!

Fighting back against scoliosis

Working on postural restoration with Susan Henning is allowing me to fight the progression of my scoliosis and to defer (and hopefully avoid) very invasive surgery. It is also helping to reduce pain and improve mobility. I wish I had made the connection to Susan and Advance ears ago. Highly recommended!

I fell and injured my back

My MD could only offer pharmaceuticals (which weren’t working) for my vertigo. But just one vestibular session with Shella (LoBianco) and the problem was eliminated. I know this post-menopausal problem may return from time to time, but now I know what to do about it!

I fell and injured my back

Both therapists, Matthew Harwood and Shella Lobianco chose exercises from their wealth of knowledge and experience that most greatly assist the client to return to good fitness. Matthew helped eliminate pain and gain more strength. Shella helped significantly to improve balance. In my case I feel that both Matthew and Shella were extremely successful in assisting in moving toward these goals. I initially walked with the assistance of a cane and when completing the therapy was back to walking unassisted.

I have taken a lot of Pilates classes, but none have been as effective as Beth’s

She describes how to do the exercise and where you should be feeling your muscles working. It is the best Pilates class I have ever taken. Beth also evaluates individuals during the class to make sure they are doing the exercises correctly. She shows different levels of effort for each exercise, so people can pick what they feel most comfortable with.

Lisa, the awesome physical therapist, figured out that our son’s foot pain was related to his posture and gave him various rounds of unique physical therapy exercises to do…

Our son had been having foot pain for over a year (coinciding with a major growth spurt), especially after running or walking. It was interfering with gym class, tae kwon do, vacations, and other family activities. Seeing a podiatrist/orthopedist, he had multiple diagnoses and multiple rounds of physical therapy over the course of a year, but the pain was not resolved. We even bought multiple special sneakers, inserts, and even custom orthotics. Another podiatrist told us to give it 6 months and then consider surgery – cutting up bones, etc. if the pain did not clear. Yikes! Instead, we went to Advance Physical Therapy. (We had delayed going to APT earlier because they were not in our insurance network.) Lisa was wonderful in her bedside manner, friendliness, and her patience in explaining everything to us and to Andy. Whereas he had tired of the PT from the other therapists that did not work, Lisa earned his trust so that he was willing to do new exercises without too much complaining.

Since this (the postural exercises) took time to work, she also showed how us how to apply Kinesio tape to his feet and calf to mitigate or eliminate pain associated with his physical activities. The tape was an inconvenience for a month or two but we were glad to have him back to participating in tae kwon do and gym class. The PT exercises were very strange and seemed very unrelated to his feet, and some even to his posture, but IT WORKED. It all worked! Our son can now do his tae kwon do AND run a mile on pavement with no pain. The only non-A in my ratings is because, APT is on the expensive side and not in the United HealthCare network.

Orthopedic specialist was very surprised to see such an improvement (in x-rays) in a very short period of time…

Ms. Susan Henning at Advance Physical Therapy (Chapel Hill) is an outstanding professional. It is very rare these days to find such a dedicated health care provider who truly cares about well being of the patient. She is very knowledgeable in physical therapy, understands the important aspects of health issues and finds the way to successfully apply correct exercise based on patient’s individual needs. The results after Mrs. 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.

I suffered from intermittent dizziness for about eight months…

The sensation was quite unpleasant and its origin hard to diagnose. My neurologist recommended vestibular restoration. I began therapy with Shella (LoBianco) in August. Soon after I started doing the exercises that she taught me, I noticed a decrease in the frequency and severity of my dizzy spells. As of today, I consider myself almost fully recovered. I am very grateful to Shella for her exceptional work.

I have had chronic back pain for 30 years…

I have tried chiropractic, acupuncture, etc. etc. Joe Belding, using Postural Restoration Techniques, has helped me tremendously. He’s also given me exercises to do at home that are very helpful. He’s taught me how to “release” my own tight muscles. I would highly recommend Joe to anyone with chronic back pain.

Joe Belding is an exceptional physical therapist…

as I learned when he helped me regain function after total knee replacement surgery. Joe has a wealth of knowledge and practical experience, which enables him to be flexible in helping a client to reach goals. For example, if I found a particular exercise to be especially difficult or unpleasant, he would suggest a different (but functionally equivalent) exercise as a substitute. Joe is also a good communicator. He asked good questions, listened carefully to the answers, provided much useful information, and gave advice that was helpful in my recovery. My physical therapy lasted two months, at the end of which my knee is functioning normally.

Beth Elder is the best informed trainer available…

I have been working with Beth Elder for about six months. I bought a training package that included one session with my primary Postural Restoration (PR) therapist. Beth has worked with me on my schedule which averages out to once per month. I also took a ChiWalking class from her.

She has superb listening skills and consistently checks for what you need from her now and what your current goals are. What has impressed me the most is how much my training with her has improved what my therapist is helping me with. Even if I am doing PR exercises daily, for my pattern, it is not enough to achieve the more balanced pattern I am working towards.

Beth’s background in PR helps her fine tune the individual program for that person’s PR needs and goals. I struggle with being lined up, standing on the middle of my foot, hip and shoulder lined up with my ankle and ear lined up over a shoulder. We have been working with standing breath work using arm extension with free weights. WOW! I now have a body sense of how to hold myself lined up, without a mirror. I am building strength in a manner that works with my PR goals instead of reverting to my un-centered pattern. Our training sessions work with mirrors and I have accepted that I have to use mirrors at home as I am developing a new sense of my position in space.

If you are inclined to do some training work that supports your therapeutic goals, Beth Elder is the best informed trainer available. Thank you, Beth!!

Torn rotator cuff that probably needed surgery…

I had been diagnosed by an orthopaedic surgeon as having a torn rotator cuff that probably needed surgery. I suggested trying PT first and he agreed. I saw Joe Belding at Advance Physical Therapy for a few months. He recommended exercises and worked on my shoulder. My orthopaedist no longer believes I need surgery. I am very grateful to Joe for helping me heal without that surgery.

Could not walk without severe pain…

I could not walk without severe pain radiating from my hip into severe knee pain when I started at Advance Physical Therapy. I was accurately diagnosed and started on a progressive treatment plan which resolved my pain. More important, my therapist (Jean Masse) took the time to help me develop and ongoing plan to maintain my newly found pain-free lifestyle. In the past, other physical therapists have helped me resolve my pain, but they did not assist me in developing a strategy to stay pain free. Advance Physical Therapy was an amazing experience for me.

Scoliosis and Schroth Method of Exercises

C (13 yr old female) had a scoliosis upper curve of 51 degrees and lower one of 45 degrees in Jan 2013. Two top Ortho surgeons in Raleigh both recommended surgery ASAP. We felt that surgery for our 13 yr old should be the last resort. After much research, and a trip to the Northeast with a schroth trained therapist, we decided to try intensive PT for C. We were excited that 2 therapists at Advance Physical Therapy in Chapel Hill became certified in the Schroth Method. C has been seeing Susan Henning since last May. Susan is knowledgeable, enthusiastic, encouraging, supportive, compassionate, dedicated to helping in many ways and always positive in guiding patients. C loves to go to see her for therapy! The fantastic news is that her recent x-ray – Aug ’13 showed the upper curve improved by decreasing down to 40 degrees and her lower curve to 35 degrees . C will continue to go and anticipates her scoliosis curves decreasing even more in the next few months! We are extremely pleased with the professional and caring treatment C has received each time at Advanced Physical Therapy. We highly recommend this practice and the schroth based method of PT that they offer.

61 Year Old Female with Scoliosis

I have been working with Susan Henning since the autumn of 2010. I am a 61 year old female whose scoliosis was diagnosed at the age of ten during a pediatric check up. I was most fortunate to avoid back surgery since my spinal growth stopped at about twelve years old. I was left with an “S” curve, left lumbar and right thoracic in good balance. Throughout my life, I have been inconsistently active, especially with regard to exercise because of my repetitive crash and burn pattern. Just as I would achieve some level of tone, strength, and cardiovascular conditioning, my back or a leg, or hip would start hurting, become inflamed and I would stop all activity in order to heal. My healing processes required months, despite whatever relief modalities I used. These included anti-inflammatory, over the counter and some prescription medicatins, icing, bandaging, bracing, physical therapy, deep tissue massage, energy work. Ultimately I spent more time not doing anything than doing.

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.

Personal Training Benefits Pre-Operatively…

Describing her experiences with Beth Elder (Personal Trainer):
“I am home as of yesterday and doing well! Those quads are so strong
everyone is impressed………… you are a wonder!”

Totally Impressed…

I am totally impressed with Joe and Postural Restoration. It sounded to good to be true when Joe asked after the first visit if my pain had gone away. It hadn’t, but it wasn’t too many days after when I experienced true relief. The methodology is very intricate but makes sense and is effective. I am now able to partake in all of the physical activities I thought were gone from my lifestyle.

I can “smile” as before…

Coming here is been a “Changing life” for me. I couldn’t bite or open my mouth, was having Pain all over my face, my neck. With all the therapy I been having here I can eat now without Pain, I can “smile” as before. I went to a different place but never been this good since I started coming here. Thank you to my therapy here. My life has changed “living without pain” the best Experience. Appreciate and thanks to Joe and Matthew!

My Experience…

My experience here was very positive. Joe is a joy to work with and his physical therapy with me has been very effective. He has provided good education about my situation and how to care for myself. My pain is greatly reduced to eliminated with greatly improved flexibility and function in everyday life. Advance Physical Therapy has helped me most with reduction and elimination of pain, increased flexibility and a good feeling in my body of physical well-being.

Highly Inflamed hip…

Advance Physical Therapy analyzed my problem and immediately worked with me to relieve my pain. My hip was highly inflamed and in 2 1/2 months my problem is essentially resolved to the point that I can continue my recreational activities with confidence. I was taught how to restore proper posture and lessen my pain when it occurs. The therapists are knowledgeable, patient, and see you often during the acute phase. I am totally pleased with my experiences at Advance Physical Therapy.

Local Runner Gives Feedback

I’ve been struggling with shin splints for years. When they finally began to severely interfere with training, I went to see Matt at Advance Physical Therapy. I could tell his biggest priority was to get me back on my feet and avoid further injury. He helped me pick out some better shoes and gave me advice to improve my form that I think made a big difference. Compared with previous physical trainers I’ve seen, who tended to spot treat the problem, I really liked Matt’s holistic approach to getting at the cause.

Ankle Pain…

I highly recommend Advance Physical Therapy. During this past fall, they helped with acute achilles tendonitis when no one else could or would. I injured my achilles tendon exercising during a “boot camp” and found myself in a lot of pain and limping. It went on for more than 3 weeks when I decided to make an appointment with a local orthopedic doctor. He looked at it and did a few movement tests and then told me “that it was not torn but would take a year to heal”.

I was devastated to hear that and I knew that I could not go a year of not walking and limping, So, with a friend’s advice, I made an appt to visit Advance PT. Things turned around from that point on. Mathew aggressively targeted the swelling and pain and through weekly appts, I saw immediate improvement. In addition, he helped me work on correcting some underlying postural issues. I reviewed exercises with him every time we met and then had handouts to take home with me to refer to. The staff at Advance Physical Therapy are extremely professional and honest. They want to fix your problem.. I am so fortunate to have been directed to them!

ACL Tear Rehab…

I greatly recommend Advance Physical Therapy for any rehab, and especially for an ACL recovery. Their dedicated, personal style was refreshing and it was clear that I wasn’t just another patient. They actually wanted to help in my recovery. I’m very thankful for all that Advance Physical Therapy did for me; they are the major reason for my successful return to an active lifestyle.

I saw the ball in the air. I ran, jumped, landed, and then the opposing player fell into my planted leg. I felt the pop and then pain. It all happened so fast, but those few seconds greatly altered my life for the next year.

After numerous doctor visits, the MRI confirmed my worst fear: that I had torn my ACL. I needed to have surgery, and had a long rehab ahead of me. Luckily, I found Advance Physical Therapy and Matthew Harwood to help me through the process.

Twice a week for a few months, I made the trip to Advance Physical Therapy’s clinic. One of the things I liked best about the clinic was the relaxing atmosphere. I never felt overwhelmed or out of my comfort zone. The entire staff was very welcoming, and their smiles and encouraging words really helped me through the rehab process.

The staff was honestly amazing. Matthew Harwood, my physical therapist, went out of his way to ensure I could meet with him. He was willing to stay late, come in early or even meet me at UNC’s campus so that I could rehab. Advance’s accommodating approach really worked well for me and my college schedule.
Those visits also paid off. It was astounding how much I improved from week to week. The exercises Matthew gave me helped to improve my flexibility, and helped me build strength in the injured leg. I went from crutches, to walking in a brace, to walking normally again. Ultimately I was able to return to sports within 8 months of surgery, and have gotten back to the active life style I had hoped for. Matthew, and Advance Physical Therapy’s entire staff, was very knowledgeable and thorough throughout my experience.

Ankle Fracture Rehab…

With Matthew’s help, I have made a wonderful recovery from a very difficult bone fracture, and have improved my body’s overall posture and strength. I’m thrilled.

In October of 2010, I broke both leg bones in my right ankle joint. After being in a cast for three months, I was able to recover a good amount of flexibility within my joint, but began to notice pain in other, seemingly unrelated parts of my body such as knee, hip, and the bottom of my left foot.

I spoke with several different therapists, I realized there were many different approaches to physical therapy. I decided to work with Matthew Harwood at Advance Physical Therapy because I liked his whole body approach to healing. I felt very confident with his broad knowledge and training, his experience working with my kind of injury, and his ability to assess and demonstrate how to effectively strengthen and heal my ankle. During the course of our sessions, Matthew evaluated my improvement, made adjustments to my treatment plan, and kept me motivated about our progress! As well, I came to understand this injury changed my entire body, not simply the “broken” part.

Postural Restoration is a thorough, personalized, and exciting approach to healing the body!

Postural Restoration Exercises…

I have to say that I think Advance Physical Therapy, with the Postural Restoration approach, is fabulous. I have had many body workers over the years, but at Advance Physical Therapy they have the tools to help me get to the fundamental problems unlike Rolfing or Yoga or continuum or chiropractic ever did. The exercises are hard, but I do them every day – even weekends! – because I can feel that they are helping so much.

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!

Knee Pain…

My experience at Advance Physical Therapy has been excellent. The decision to consult there was one of the best I’ve ever made for myself. The therapist listened to me and evaluated my walk in ways no other health professional ever has. While the work to correct my gait is very hard work, I have much less pain when walking, a better appreciation for how my body works, and greater ease in the activities of daily life.

Chronic Pain and Postural Restoration…

Thirty plus years of chronic pain. Surgeries that made things worse. Fibromyalgia. Physical therapists either helped very little or exacerbated two things while trying to fix a third thing. I spent a year with a hypnotherapist trying to achieve pain control with no success. 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.

Knee Pain…

Today I walked for 45 minutes, at a brisk pace, over a challenging course with some steep hills, and never thought about my knee! Since I hurt it in an aerobics class about 5 years ago it had gotten progressively worse and I always thought about it when I walked. I thought the time had finally come for a replacement. Then I found Advance Physical Therapy and Postural Restoration. From May until August of 2010 they worked with me on Postural Restoration Exercises and now I can move normally. The dreaded knee replacement is not on my radar. Not only did they teach me some very effective and simple exercises, they explained why they work and how my posture was having such a negative effect. They went beyond working on my knee to include the entire body. This is amazing stuff and I consider the folks at Advance Physical Therapy to be miracle workers!”

Tin Man…

After the first few days of practicing the Postural Restoration exercises given to me at Advance Physical Therapy, I realized to my astonishment that I could move like the newly oiled Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz. I hadn’t realized how much stiffness and effort was required to get to the floor or up to a high cabinet until it suddenly felt effortless. What a joy just to move!

Car Accident…

My daughter was involved in a very serious car accident when she was 4 years-old. She broke numerous bones in the accident including two cervical vertebrae. After wearing a neck brace for eight weeks following the accident, she had a severe side bend with her head tilted toward her right side, and her chin was elevated and turned toward her left side. It was very painful for her to turn her head to the right.

For about a year, it seems like we tried every treatment imaginable and unfortunately did not have very much success. No one that we talked with seemed to really understand what was causing her condition. However, in August of 2005, my daughter’s orthopedist referred us to Advance Physical Therapy and Holistic Health.

The improvement in my daughter’s condition has been absolutely amazing! Her range of motion while turning her head is now normal and she no longer experiences pain while doing so. The alignment of her head with her spine is symmetric such that her side bend is very rarely noticeable. Postural restoration techniques, which treat the body as interconnected and not on a joint by joint basis, have been largely responsible for this change. My daughter is almost 9 now and we still have monthly physical therapy appointments so that we can address issues that are arising as her body grows. Although I’ll never really know what would have happened if we hadn’t pursued this mode of physical therapy, I believe that the consequences of addressing these issues in a different way would have been much more invasive and likely less effective. We feel so fortunate to have found Advance Physical Therapy!

Knee pain and Hip pain…

In August, 2007, I begin to have trouble with my right knee. I tried a number of cures; acupuncture, steriod shots, etc. The doctor I went to did not prescribe physical therapy, but said that he would do an MRI if I continued to have pain. I had gone to you in the past for my back and decided to give physical therapy a try again.

You started me, slowly, on a regime called postural restoration. At first, I was a little skeptical, but I faithfully did my couple of excercises every day and within a very short time, I noticed that my knee was markedly improved and that I was having fewer back aches. Now I rarely have either knee or back pain. Another wonderful side feature is the reshaping of my hip area. I probably have lost a couple of inches and have had to have all my pants taken in.

Should you begin postural restoration classes, I would be very interested in expanding my knowledge. I am a convert. What a revelation. Thanks so much.

Shoulder Pain…

I’m writing this note to express my sincere gratitude for the excellent service I’ve received from Advance Physical Therapy in the treatment of pinched nerves in the neck and shoulders.

I arrived for my first appointment in excruciating pain, wearing a wrist splint, and a sling on my arm. After the very first treatment, my pain was relieved and after several treatments, I no longer had to take any pain medications and I was able to go without the splint/sling.

The therapist was extremely knowledgeable, positive and comforting with her professional and calm attitude. Each physical therapy appointment greatly eased my pain. She very thoroughly explained and demonstrated the various exercises that I need to do in order to relieve the pain as well as to live in a manner that would help prevent my reaching this level of injury again. (including providing pictures and written directions). I cannot thank you enough for your important service. I am now back to work and enjoying life once again.

Scoliosis…

I must admit, that I was more than a little skeptical of postural restoration when I first heard about it. I had heard claims of non-surgical ways of arresting the progress of scoliosis, but frankly didn’t believe these claims. My orthopedist had only told me about very invasive surgical correction for my progressing scoliosis. He believed the condition of my spine was responsible for the shoulder, hip, and back pain that had visited me intermittently for many years.

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.

Jaw Pain…

I was aware that my spine curved in various ways that caused my posture to be less than straight and my shoulders rounded. But when I started getting lower back pain and neck stiffness over the years, I went to chiropractors first and eventually orthopedists and then physical therapists.

None of these practitioners offered postural restoration: an integrative way of looking at the body, and how my recent jaw pain stemmed from areas that were out of alignment in the rest of my body. With the help of Advance Physical Therapy, I am in the process of restoring my posture to where it needs to be for optimal functioning. My back, neck and jaw pain has significantly decreased and I have a tremendous amount of hope for continued improvement over the rest of my life.

Volunteered after only one visit…

The lame walk. I came in a week ago, limping badly and in pain. For the last week, I have been walking normally and almost free of pain.

Scoliosis…

When I was 14 years old in 2006 my family and I found out that I had scoliosis. It means my spine is curved. It is sure that all spines have curves, however when there are abnormal side-to-side curves in the spine, it is called scoliosis. I learned that a curve is considered bad if it is greater than 25 to 30 degrees. My doctor said my curve was 37 degrees and recommended using a brace while sleeping. 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.

Neck Pain, Back Pain, and Hip Pain…

After over 25 years of chronic neck, back and hip pain, I had not considered the possibility that there was a therapeutic course left that could address any of these issues. My quality of life had been significantly altered as my symptoms worsened through the years. I had been to both traditional and non- traditional practitioners in many cities that could only provide a temporary fix – and not to all aspects simultaneously.

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.