Each month, we will highlight the continuing education courses completed by our E & A Therapists.
Marsha Berger Grant was a Lab Instructor for: “Differential Diagnosis and Manual Therapy for Lumbo-pelvic and Lower Extremity Movement Impairments”. Marsha is the Director of our Chalfont Clinic.
Christy VanderWyden and Caitlin Higgins completed Mulligan Lower Quadrant: Spinal and Peripheral Manual Therapy Mobilization with Movement Techniques. Christy and Caitlin are Physical Therapists in our Glen Mills Clinic.
Emily Baith attended McKenzie Part C Advanced Lumbar Spine and Lower Extremities. Emily is a Physical Therapist at our Villanova Clinic.
Brandi Feinberg finished Active Release Technique for Upper Extremity. Brandi is a Physical Therapist at our Society Hill Clinic.
Antonio Greco finished McKenzie Part A Lumbar Spine. Attended The Philadelphia Hand Meeting: Focus on Best Practices. Antonio is a Physical Therapist at our Society Hill Clinic.
Rob Epting Maitlandcompleted Stabilization Training and Functional Rehabilitation. Rob is the Clinical Director at our Royersford Clinic.
Claire Wiedmannattended Current Manual Therapy & Neuromuscular Stabilization Concepts of Lumbar Spine and Sacroiliac Joints. Attended the Women’s Health Summit: Conquering Pain. Claire is a Physical Therapist at our Royersford Clinic.
Chrissy Biele completed Differential Diagnosis Module 1: Introduction to Screening. The differential diagnosis course includes introduction to screening for referral in physical therapy, pain types and viscerogenic pain patterns as well as physical assessment as a screening tool. Chrissy is a Physical Therapist at Rothman Institute in King of Prussia.
Jason Bink attended Maitland III-Intermediate Spine. Jason is a Physical Therapist at our Cherry Hill Clinic.
Meryl Goldstein completed the General Peripheral Joint Mobilization Course. Meryl is the Clinical Director at our Cherry Hill Clinic.
Elizabeth Wantz attended “When the Feet Hit the Ground: Everything Changes.” Foot and Ankle Pathologies, Gait Assessment, and the Effects of the Kinetic Chain Beginning When the Foot Hits the Ground. Elizabeth is a Physical Therapist at our Lafayette Hill and Blue Bell Clinics.
On Saturday morning, February 25, Cam McCormack, PT, MSPT provided a specialized in-service training to over 40 E & A Therapists on the Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA). The SFMA offers a new approach to the treatment of pain and dysfunction. This efficient diagnostic tool enables our physical therapists to isolate regional interdependence associated with the injury. It is a comprehensive movement assessment tool used to categorize movement patterns and direct manual treatment and therapeutic exercise choices. Developed by physical therapists, this assessment helps get to the root cause of pain and disability. McCormack is certified in this technique and provided our therapists with extensive training.
The SFMA is the big brother of the Functional Movement Screen (FMS). The SFMA differs from the FMS in that it is much more specific in determining the cause for movement dysfunctions. By identifying the specific area of dysfunction, a more individualized patient specific treatment plan can be started to address the precise problem. This leads to much more customized and treatment plans tailored to the individual patient.
Over 40 E & A Therapist Learn New Movement Assessment Technique
Due to participants’ overwhelming positive response, E & A Therapy anticipates a full course to facilitate SFMA certification for more of our physical therapists.To find a physical therapist utilizing the Selective Functional Movement Assessment, please contact Joe Ruhl, PT.
- Contributed by: Joseh Ruhl, PT, ATC, Partner, E & A Physical Therapy
It039#s patients like this that make me glad I chose to become a physical therapist. I039#m talking about Jordan Burnham. It was just another day at the PT clinic in the fall of 2008 when I went to the waiting room to start another new patient evaluation. Little did I know, this patient would have a very powerful impact on my attitude towards life. I met Jordan and his parents, and he proceeded to tell me a story of his long-term battle with depression, which led to his suicide attempt that left him with several traumatic injuries. Jordan, then 18 years old, fell nine stories from his bedroom window, leaving him with several broken bones on the left side of his body. Needless to say, Jordan needed extensive physical therapy to regain his functional mobility. For nearly 2 years, I had the pleasure of working with Jordan as his physical therapist. During this time, Jordan039#s change of attitude towards life was incredibly inspiring. He became involved with public speaking to spread his message about living and coping with depression. Currently, Jordan is traveling all over the country to high schools and college universities, spreading the news of his powerful story and inspiring others to speak out and learn to cope with depression, rather than deny it or be ashamed of it. I had the distinguished honor of working with Jordan in physical therapy. I helped him regain his mobility, strength, and endurance. I helped him learn to walk with a walker, then crutches, then a cane, and eventually without an assistive device. However, Jordan also helped me. He inspired me to cherish the positive things in my life. He educated me on the disease of depression, and to understand that it is something that people can and should be vocal about. Jordan039#s story has inspired me in many ways, and I hope this blog can give you a small appreciation of my experience.
RecentlyJordan Burnham, a past patient of Excel's own John Guillama was interviewed on ESPN's “Outside the Lines”. Jordan's incredible story touched many who have been battling and coping with depression.
Excel Physical Therapy and Fitness named one of Philadelphia039#s Future 50 by SmartCEO Magazine
Philadelphia, PA – November 2010 –SmartCEO, a regional executive business publication, has named Excel Physical Therapy and Fitness as one of the Delaware Valley039#s Future 50, which recognizes 50 growing companies that represent the future of the region039#s economy and are exemplary leaders in the industry.
Smart CEO039#s Future 50 is the largest and most highly anticipated program of the year for the Magazine. The honor recognizes steadily growing companies that remain true to their missions to provide exceptional products and services to their customers. Companies are selected based on an executive survey and the company039#s revenue and employee growth over a three-year period.
“After 20 years in business this honor is particularly significant because it recognizes that Excel is continuing to expand and evolve,” says Jeff Ostrowski, CEO of Excel Physical Therapy and Fitness. “In the past year, Excel has started a consulting arm for other private practices and this recognition strengthens our resolve to help other businesses succeed.”
Each Future 50 winning company CEO will be profiled in the January issue of SmartCEO, making it one of SmartCEO039#s largest and most-coveted issues. In addition, more than 650 C-level attendees will celebrate this elite group of businesses at the Future 50 black-tie awards gala in January.
About Excel Physical Therapy and Fitness
For 20 years, Excel Physical Therapy and Fitness has been providing physical therapy and fitness programs dedicated to improving quality of life throughout its communities. Excel has grown to become the largest privately owned physical therapy practice in the Delaware Valley with eight locations throughout the region and home to the area039#s most knowledgeable physical therapists. Excel is proud to be the only physical therapy network in the country that is 100% certified in Functional Movement Screens (FMS), as well as have the most physical therapists certified in Active Release Technique (ART) on the East Coast. Excel was recognized by the Philadelphia Business Journal as one of the Best Places to Work in 2009 and was recognized by the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Daily News and Philly.comas one of the Top Workplaces in 2010. In addition, Excel was named one of SmartCEO039#s Future 50, which recognizes 50 growing companies that represent the future of the region039#s economy and are exemplary leaders in the industry. For more information on Excel, please call 1.866.88 EXCEL (39235) or visit www.excelphysicaltherapy.com.
Excel Physical Therapy and Fitness CEO Jeff Ostrowski along with Glen Mills Clinic ManagerGreg Masiko, Senior Physical TherapistCam McCormack, PT Aide Ryan McLean, former personal trainer Andy McCormack and former patient Brad Denning will be competing as a team in the Tough Mudder, on Saturday, November 20th at Raceway Park in Englishtown NJ.
The Tough Mudder is billed as the toughest one day endurance event on the planet. A 12.5 mile obstacle course race that is 3-4 times longer and much tougher than a typical mud run. An “Ironman meets Burning Man” competition, the obstacle course is designed by British Special Forces to test all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie. Forget finish times. Simply completing a Tough Mudder is a badge of honor.
This tri-state event is bigger than any other Tough Mudder event in the past. The course is longer, with more obstacles and nearly four times as many participants than usual. If you think you are tough enough to go through this challenge with the best of the best, you can register here.
* All Tough Mudder sponsorship proceeds go to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Staff Physical Therapist, Rothman Center City Clinic
Meredith Mayes, PThas done an awesome job during the first three months of her career at Excel. Meredith does a great job motivating her patients to get better. She truly puts the “fun” in functional treatment plan. Our clinic has achieved much success due to her hard work and dedication. Keep up the good work Meredith!
~ Submitted by: Greg Nolan, Clinic Manager
Meredith graduated from Albright College in Reading Pennsylvania in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology/Pre-medicine. Throughout her undergraduate career, Meredith worked as a student athletic trainer and volunteered at various physical therapy locations in her hometown in Northern New Jersey. While at Albright, Meredith was a member and co-captain of the Women039#s softball team. Upon graduation, she spent time in Europe with the Great Britain National softball team playing for a bid to the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.
Meredith graduated from Arcadia University with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy while continuing to fulfill her love of softball by serving as an assistant coach for the University softball team. She held the position of Secretary of the Student Physical Therapy Association. She also completed a research project entitled “Reliability of a new clinical measurement of scapular orientation and position.”
Professionally, Meredith has a special interest in treating sports-related and orthopedic injuries. Her goal is to treat each individual based on their functional limitations all while promoting an overall healthy well-being. Her goal is to ensure her patients undergo not only a one-on-one therapeutic experience, but also help them gain the knowledge to continue to apply that know-how in their everyday lives. Her future goals include attaining her certification as a strength and conditioning specialist and ultimately, a specialty certification in orthopedic physical therapy.
Meredith Mayes, PT has done an awesome job during the first three months of her career at Excel. Meredith does a great job motivating her patients to get better. She truly puts the “fun” in functional treatment plan. Our clinic has achieved much success due to her hard work and dedication. Keep up the good work Meredith!