What is Scoliosis? Scoliosis is a condition in which the spine is curved toward either the right or left side. Thus, the upper back seems to be rounded, the lower back appears to curve inward (swayback), and one shoulder and/or hip looks higher than the other. Prevalence and Demographics About 80% of scoliosis cases occur […]
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and Pain Relief If you have suffered from acute or chronic pain—including tendinitis, bursitis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia or recurrent back pain—you may have been treated with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). This frequently used treatment is widely considered safe for many conditions. In fact, you may have even seen inexpensive units […]
Low back pain is common and can result from overuse, muscle strain or injury. It is one of the leading causes of job-related disability and missed work in the United States and is considered chronic when it lasts for more than 12 weeks. Dealing with low back pain can be frustrating, but there are plenty […]
Let’s dive into our guide on artificial cervical disc replacement—a procedure designed to address neck issues caused by damaged or diseased cervical discs. Cervical discs serve as crucial shock absorbers between vertebrae, facilitating free neck movement. However, when diseased or damaged, these discs may require surgical removal to relieve spinal cord or nerve root compression. In […]
Understanding Spondylolysis What is Spondylolysis? Five is an unlucky number for many people with spondylolysis (spon-dee-low-LYE-sis) because this condition—a weakness or stress fracture of a spinal bone—is most often found near the fifth lumbar vertebra in the lower back. It may, however, occur in other lumbar vertebrae, as well as in the chest area. Spondylolysis […]
Microdiscectomy, a common form of lower back surgery, is used to treat leg pain caused by disc herniation. Because it uses a smaller incision, microdiscectomy is far less invasive and causes far less trauma to underlying tissues than its alternative, laminectomy. Because the mechanical structure of the lower spine remains unchanged, the recovery period after […]
After the common cold, the most common reason Americans miss work is back pain. Unfortunately, once you have experienced back strain or injury, it can easily become a recurring problem. Many cases of back strain are due to the way we live—sitting at desks all day, hunched over a computer, with little physical activity. Unless […]
That pain you feel when turning your head while backing up your car is probably due to tightness in the muscles of your neck and upper back, often the result of years of poor posture. To improve your posture, keep your neck in a “neutral” position, with your chin more tucked in than pushed forward. […]
Back pain can put a severe crimp in your daily activities. One cause of such pain is a herniated disc, also called a slipped or ruptured disc. A common condition of the lower back that seldom requires surgery, herniated discs are most common in women and men aged 30 to 50 years, although they also […]
One reason back surgery “fails” is that the area operated on was not, in fact, the area causing the pain. Because the back and its nerves are so complex, this often cannot be foreseen before surgery. In fact, back surgery more commonly alleviates leg pain than back pain, because it is easier to trace leg […]
Education: Robert graduated from Regis University with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2011. He completed the Orthopedic Residency Program the following year in 2012. He received an Orthopedic Certified Specialist (OCS) and is a Board Certified Direct Access Provider. In 2018-2019, he completed a Foot/Ankle Fellowship and has expertise with the whole lower extremity.
He has been to both Ethiopia and Kenya as part of PT related services and continues to support these programs wholeheartedly. He enjoys being a mentor and teacher for TJC’s residency/fellowship programs. He teaches 4 classes, integrates 3D camera running technology for runners, certified in trigger point dry needling, and prescribes custom orthotics when appropriate. He is a member of the APTA and AOFAS as professional organizations. This allows excellent resources to related treatments and services in Physical Therapy.
Specialties: Robert has an OCS and is a Fellow that specializes in foot/ankle. He has developed specialties with treating orthopedic foot surgeries, neural pathologies, orthotic prescription, runners, and other lower extremity conditions. He has interest in injury prevention and can include ergonomics, healthy living (nutrition/exercise), and wellness.
Fun Facts: Robert has competed in multiple sports from soccer to gymnastics all the way through college. He grew up in Colorado and is an avid Broncos fan!!
Education: Kathryn graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2017. She also received a post post-baccalaureate graduate certificate in the Virginia Leadership Education Program in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (Va-LEND). Kathryn accomplished an Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency with the Jackson Clinics and became board certified as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist in Spring 2020. Kathryn is a direct access provider and has been a member of the APTA since 2017.
Specialties: Kathryn is skilled in orthopedic rehabilitation with a specialty in lower extremity athletes. She has a special interest in pediatrics and young teens concerning sports injuries, neurodevelopmental disorders, gait abnormalities, and other musculoskeletal dysfunctions. Kathryn is specialized in 3D running analysis for improvement of performance, improvement in running efficiency, decrease pain, and prevention of injury.
Fun Facts: Kathryn enjoys a variety of sports including trail running, soccer, and horseback riding.
Education: Kristen graduated from the University of Vermont with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy and also received her Bachelor of Science, Biology from Gettysburg College. She completed the Jackson Clinics Orthopedic Residency program in 2014. She is a Board Certified Direct Access provider and a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist.
Specialties: Kristen has a special interest in orthopedic and sports physical therapy. She has experience rehabilitating collegiate athletes with sports-related injuries and post-surgical conditions. She also has experience in research and participated in a project using diagnostic ultrasound imaging to assess trunk musculature to try to predict those patients with low back pain who would benefit from a stabilization program (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23228626). She has a particular interest in lower extremity conditions including the hip, knee, ankle, and foot. She also specializes in trigger point dry needling, which is the insertion of needles into trigger points in muscles to help accelerate the return to function.
Fun Facts: Kristen spends most of her free time with her husband and two sons. She enjoys spending time outdoors, particularly running and hiking. She also loves to travel.
Education: Dr. John earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota in 2018. Prior to that, he pursued an Advanced Master’s in Orthopedic Physical Therapy at Quinnipiac College (now Quinnipiac University) in Connecticut in 1996. His journey in physiotherapy began with a Bachelor’s degree from Hogeschool Midden Nederland (Central Netherlands Polytechnic, The Netherlands) in 1993. He is a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, a Board Certified Direct Access Provider, and a Certified Clinical Instructor through the American Physical Therapy Association.
Specialties: With over 30 years of experience, John has a profound interest in various orthopedic areas. His expertise extends to treating a diverse range of post-operative, traumatic, overuse, and sports injuries. He has honed his skills in spinal manipulation and dry needling through various institutions. John holds certifications in Spinal Manipulative Therapy (Cert. SMT) and Dry Needling (Cert. DN) from the Spinal Manipulation Institute & Dry Needling Institute, both under the American Academy of Manipulative Therapy (AAMT). His commitment to advancing his knowledge recently led him to complete his Diploma Osteopractic® through the AAMT, a comprehensive post-graduate training program in the use of high-velocity low-amplitude thrust manipulation, dry needling, instrument-assisted manual therapies, and differential diagnostics for neuromusculoskeletal condition management. After completing training in dry needling under ultrasound guidance, He is currently pursuing certification as a Registered in Musculoskeletal® (MSK®) sonographer.
Fun Facts: John used to compete and teach ballroom and Latin dance, even owned, and operated a dance studio at one point. He holds a private pilot certificate, and on weekends can be found flying his Mooney to various airfields in search of the perfect hamburger.