Sunday, August 22, 2010

North Carolina Physical Therapy Clinics Interested in Treating HMS

Below is a list of physical therapy clinics in North Carolina which are either knowledgeable about, or have experience treating patients with Hypermobility Syndrome. Physical therapy is by far the most effective way to treat HMS, however, it must be done properly. If you do exercises that are too strenuous, you can do more harm than good, but if you don’t do enough, then you won’t be able to effectively reduce pain. That’s why working with a PT who has experience with other HMS patients is great. If, however, you don’t live in North Carolina or are not near any of the clinics on this list, don’t worry – you don’t necessarily have to find a PT who is an expert at treating HMS (and honestly, there are only a few handful of those in the world), finding a therapist who will listen to your concerns and is willing to do some research about your condition can be just as good, if not better. When you start physical therapy, let your therapist know about your condition, and warn them that you shouldn’t be treated like an athlete - you should not be pushed to increase reps and weight at a fast paste, nor should you begin with rigorous exercises. Instead, let your therapist know that you need to be handled gently – start out with gentle exercises, increase reps slowly, and NEVER do anything that hurts. The things you should focus on with your PT are core strength, joint stability, and balance. Manual manipulations and chiropractic treatment should be kept to a minimum. Make sure that when you are doing exercises that you are not putting too much stress on your joints – if so, ask the therapist if there is another way to work the same muscle groups without having to strain your joints. Activities such as Pilates, swimming, and tai chi are also great ways to exercise that are kind on the joints and are things to talk about with your PT, who might incorporate some elements of those activities into your therapy.


Physical therapy is critical to managing the symptoms of Hypermobility Syndrome, but must be approached with caution. I saw a PT for months but ended up with more, rather than less pain – but I was told that was a good thing. The whole ‘no pain no gain’ mentality, however, does not apply to HMS. You need to find a therapist that is kind, attentive, and who will not push you too hard. It can be hard and sometimes take time to find a therapist like that, but it is well worth the wait. Before entering PT, do some shopping around so that you know you are going to get the right person and the right treatment.


Best of Luck! And remember, if you have any questions about physical therapy, or HMS in general, feel free to contact me.


Love and Hope,

Chelsea




MOUNTAIN PHYSICAL THERAPY SERVICES

90 SOUTHSIDE AVE, SUITE 225

ASHEVILLE, NC 28801

www.mountainphysicaltherapy.com


CAROLINA PHYSICAL THERAPY SPECIALISTS

PO BOX 408

Hope Mills, 28348

910-429-0600


TOUCH THERAPY SERVICES

PO Box 16518

Asheville, NC 28816

828-665-0442

touchtherapyservices@charter.net


KERNSERSVILLE REHAB SPECIALISTS

1031 E. Mountain Street Blv

Suite 101

Kernsersville, NC 27284

336-996-4980

www.KRStherapy.com


CENTER FOR ORTHOPEDIC PHYSICAL THERAPY

417 BILTMORE AVE.

5B DOCTORS PARK

ASHEVILLE, NC 28801

828-255-4567

copt@bellsouth.net


BALANCED PHYSICAL THERAPY

304 WEAVER STREET, SUITE 103

CARRBORO, NC 27510

and

HWY 54

DURHAM, NC 27713

www.BalancedPT.com


GASTON REHAB ASSOCIATES, INC.

1361-B E. GARNSON BLVD

GASTONIA, NC 28054

And: 2809 AMITY HILL RDSTATESVILLE, NC 28677

704-864-4424

www.gastonrehabassociates.com


BREAKTHROUGH PHYSICAL THERAPY

530 SANDHURST DR.

FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28304

910-483-9300

www.RedefiningPT.com


MOTIONWORKS MANUAL PHYSICAL THERAPY, INC.

1314-C WAYNE MEMORIAL DR.

GOLDSBORO,NC 27534

919-734-9644


SPORTS AND MORE PHYSICAL THERAPY, INC.

8300 HEALTH PARK SUITE 127

RALEIGH, NC 27615

919-319-6160

and

3700 NW CARY PARKWAY

CARY, NC

27513

919-319-3649

www.sportsandmorept.com


PHYSICAL THERAPY OF NORTH CAROLINA, LLC

4214 N. ROXBORO ST SUITE 100

DURHAM, NC 27704

919-479-9001

ptofnc@verizon.net

heelgrad93@msn.com


ATHLETIC ADVANTAGE, INC. SPORTS PHYSICAL THERAPY

5107 SOUTHPARK DR. SUITE 103

DURHAM, NC 27713

919-484-0033

www.AASports.com


ATLANTIC PT AND REHABILITATION

3650 COALITION DR.

MYRTLE BEACH, SC 29578

843-293-7713

MARTHA LEWIS PT


MILLS RIVER PHYSICAL THERAPY

4687 BOYLSTON HWY

MILLS RIVER, NC 28759

828-890-0040

lacy@millsriverpt.com


CENTER FOR PERFECT BALANCE

245 ROSMAN HWY

BREVARD, NC 28712

828-966-9036

perfectbalance@citcom.net


SKYLAND FAMILY REHAB

333 GASHES CREEK RD. SUITE A

ASHEVILLE, NC 28803

828-299-4636

skylandrehab@bellsouth.net


CAROLINA PHYSICAL THERAPY SPECIALISTS

905-B OLD WINSTON RD.

KERNERSVILLE, NC 27284

336-992-2787

www.carolina.com


CEDAR HILL PHYSICAL THERAPY

5409 WHITE BLOSSOM DR.

GREENSBORO, NC 27410

PAUL WEISS and ANGELA COOK

336-644-9661

info@cedarhillpt.com

www.cedarhillpt.com


ASHEVILLE PHYSICAL THERAPY

76 PEACHTREE RD., SUITE 204

ASHEVILLE, NC 28803

828-277-7547

kimfoxpt@gmail.com

brianLawLer@jno.com


CAPE FEAR FAMILY MEDICAL CARE

405 Owen Drive

Fayetteville, NC 28304

KATHERINE J. GRIESSER

910-263-7438

www.bodymechanics.com