Services

Our philosophy is that the human body is one large kinetic chain, and that dysfunction in any one area can cause a whole host of problems elsewhere along that chain.  To that end, we evaluate you as an entire person, not just as a diagnosis.  We are devoted to getting to the root of the problem by identifying and treating specific structural dysfunctions, investigating and improving the performance and biomechanics of daily activities and educating you about prevention.

Orthopaedic Physical Therapy

We evaluate and treat a wide variety of injuries or conditions that involve the bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerves.  These conditions can occur in any type of individual regardless of fitness level.

Treatment of orthopaedic injuries include:  

Manual therapy techniques: Soft tissue mobilization, joint mobilization, functional mobilization, therapeutic massage, manual lymphatic drainage, manual traction, visceral manipulation, nerve mobilization

Therapeutic exercise: Individualized strength and flexibility training, spinal stabilization, plyometrics

Neuromuscular re-education: Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, re-training of efficient movement patterns

Therapeutic activities: Postural education and training, task specific analysis and training, dance technique re-training

Modalities: Electrical stimulation, ultrasound, iontophoresis, phonophoresis, moist heat, ice, mechanical traction

Supplemental Corrective Interventions: Taping techniques (Kinesiotape, McConnell, Mulligan and athletic), foot padding, shoe modification, orthotics.

Dance Physical Therapy

Dance medicine is a specialized area of orthopaedic physical therapy.  PhysioArts’ highly trained staff excels in the rehabilitation of dance-related injuries.  Our goal is to restore your optimal function for rapid return to performing without pain.  We understand that, as an athlete and a dancer, your body is your livelihood.  Our physical therapists have many years of experience treating professional dancers, and we work with the top dance and sports medicine doctors in New York City.

Posture and Ergonomics Training

Inefficient posture impairs function, which can lead to a multitude of injuries and chronic conditions.  We educate and train patients in self-awareness and the maintenance of an efficient, pain-free posture during functional activities. Our focus is on kinesthetic learning, so that your body learns these new movement patterns automatically, without relying on thought or preparation prior to movement.  We accomplish this through detailed instruction, demonstration, repetition and related stretching and stabilization exercises.

Performance Analysis

Whether you are a performer, an athlete or a weekend warrior, you strive to perform your daily tasks without pain.  PhysioArts can help you achieve your peak performance by evaluating your activity-specific movement patterns, and then developing a program addressing any inefficiency that prevents you from reaching your optimal level.
 
We are also available to do site visits for any performing companies, businesses or sports teams.  These site visits include meetings with management to review injury patterns, customized injury prevention workshops, ergonomics and biomechanics training, individualized screenings and on-site physical therapy care.

Backstage Care

We are specialists in preventive, on-site care, having provided backstage physical therapy at countless shows and productions.  Our on-site program will be catered to fit the needs of your production.  This program focuses on the assessment of potential problems arising from repetitive choreography, costumes, props, stage surfaces and backstage environments.  With a consistent team approach to injury prevention using biomechanical analysis, orthopaedic examination and skilled physical therapy care, we can limit time loss and workers compensation claims. We work very closely with medical doctors in order to expedite ER visits, triage injuries and determine return-to-work prognosis.  We can also coordinate with wardrobe and dance departments to help create solutions to repetitive stressors, allowing continued performance without a loss in aesthetics.  Our services can be provided on location or at our office prior to rehearsals and performances. Physical therapy services include assessment, education, taping, therapeutic exercise, instruction in self-care measures and manual treatments such as massage, soft tissue mobilization, joint/spine mobilization and stretching.

Injury Prevention Workshops

We are specialists in injury prevention, and we offer a wide-variety of educational workshops for performers, backstage crew, sports teams and businesses.  Examples of workshops that we can provide are:

• General injury prevention including proper warm-up/cool-down
• Posture workshops including dynamic training for lifting
• Sports-specific strength and conditioning programs

Our presentation will be individualized to address the specific needs of your company.

Raked Stage Workshops

A raked stage provides an increased challenge to performers and crew members because it offsets the body’s center of gravity and therefore changes the stress on the muscles and joints.  We are available to speak to your company regarding safety while working on a raked stage.  Our workshops include proper posturing on and off the rake, appropriate stretching and warm-up/cool-down exercises to help prevent rake-related injuries.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a safe and effective holistic medicine backed by more than two thousand years of practice and research. At the core of Chinese medicine is the idea that the proper flow of energy (qi) defines health and wellness. An imbalance of qi (too much, too little, or blocked) causes a disturbance to the system. To restore balance, an acupuncturist uses needling to stimulate key points. It can be used both as a primary and an adjunct approach to treating a wide variety of conditions. Here at PhysioArts we integrate a specific style of musculotendinous acupuncture that compliments the work being done by the physical therapists.   For more information on the approach to acupuncture practiced here at PhysioArts, please visit www.healingperspective.com

Massage

Massage is one of the oldest healing arts.  The benefits of massage are varied and far-reaching, including but not limited to alleviating pain, improving flexibility, helping muscles recover from strenuous, athletic activity, improving circulation, reducing swelling, relaxing tired and overused muscles and releasing endorphins. Here at PhysioArts, we utilize a combination of shiatsu, craniosacral, stretching, golgi tendon and myofascial release techniques to create an individualized treatment program for your body's needs.