Success Story 10.17.2012

I came to Maccio Physical Therapy in constant pain. I had been experiencing severe back pain for about a month. The first two weeks I had attempted to self-treat with back exercises that my husband uses and ibuprofen. I then consulted with my family physician who prescribed muscle relaxants at night so I could sleep and more back exercises. It wasn’t working so I requested a referral for physical therapy. The first appointment actually resulted in the pain being “turned off” for the first time in a month! I did have a small setback for a while in that the pain changed from my back to my hip. I was reassured that this was not unusual. I was given exercises to alleviate that also. After 2 months I am pain-free. Thank you Joe Jr. and Deb. - Deb K. 10/17/12

Sorry to keep you waiting... New Success Story!

I was involved in a roll-over auto accident on 2-14-12. Although I was able to walk away with no visible injuries, I had severe back pain as a result. After two months of pain relievers, I was not feeling any better so I was referred to an orthopedic specialist. X-rays were taken and another referral to a chiropractor was given to me. A few months of that realigned my hips but there was still pain in the lower back and between the shoulder blades. After another trip to the orthopedic doctor, I was referred to physical therapy. Having been to Maccio PT two years ago for another issue, I made an appointment with Joe Jr. Within the first week, the lower back pain eased. Deb took over my therapy and helped me get the pain level down below a 1. With continued exercise and use of the tools I was given by Joe Jr and Deb, I hope to keep the progress going. Gregory L.

Another Inspiring Success Story!

When I first came to Maccio PT I was in a great deal of pain. My primary care physician, Dr. Jeff Ryan referred me to Maccio PT and indicated that I had a herniated disc. My pain level was initially 8-9-10 at the worst. Joe Jr. first helped me to understand what had happened and gave me exercises that immediately started to help begin the healing process. I had been prescribed muscle relaxers and anti-inflammatory by my primary physician, however I chose not to use them because of the initial relief that I felt from the exercise that Joe recommended. I continued with PT appointments and gradually healed from the injury. Joe’s professionalism, positive feedback, and consistent reassurance contributed to a positive outcome. I’m back to jogging and have started biking as part of my ongoing health maintenance. - Gretchen N.

This Week's Inspiring Story

When I first came to Maccio Physical Therapy I was in a great deal of pain. My Primary Care Physician referred me to Maccio PT and indicated that I had a herniated disc. My pain level was initially 8-9-10 at the worst. Joe Maccio Jr first helped me to understand what had happened and gave me exercises that immediately started to help begin the healing process. I had been prescribed muscle relaxers and anti-inflammatory by my primary physician, however I chose not to use them because of the initial relief that I felt from the exercises that Joe recommended. I continued with PT appointments and gradually healed from the injury. Joe's professionalism, positive feedback, and consistent reassurance contributed to a positive outcome. I'm back to jogging and have started biking as part of my ongoing health maintenance. Many Thanks!-Gretchen N.

Our most recent Success Story

For the past 3 years I have had back pain, pain in both knees (arthritis), weakness in my right leg and foot, and my balance was terrible which led to fear of falling. Last year I had surgery on my left knee for a torn meniscus. After several attempts from doctors and two different therapy groups, I was referred by my doctor to Maccio Physical Therapy. At 63 years of age and after the previous attempts, I felt this was my last chance before I purchased a wheel chair. I could only walk from my house to the car and any further distance, I rented a wheel chair. I wasn’t very hopeful. My first appointment I was impressed by the professionalism and friendliness of the staff. My therapist is Joe (Jr.). He was very thorough going through my medical history and he started to work right away. After two visits I could not believe the difference. When I started I could just about make it into the office and I held on to the walls, chairs, anything. Joe gave me exercises to do at home and told me they needed to be done. The progress was so fast and impressive, I couldn’t believe it. When I had a bad day I was sure I was returning to my original condition but Joe reassured me and pushed me to continue. He didn’t let me slip back. At this point I am walking the parking lot five times, I am shopping, joined a gym, and I am looking forward to walking in Disney World. This is truly due to Joe and the Maccio Therapy staff. My gratitude and thanks will be hard to express but if I can ever do anything please do not hesitate to ask. -Deborah A.

Inspiring Story

I started having neck and shoulder issues in 2006. After the tightness and instability of my shoulder started impacting me daily, I ended up getting shoulder surgery for an enlarged shoulder capsule (from softball pitching). After being cleared to start exercising again, the tightness in my neck still remained. I started going to PT on and off, but nothing seemed to change. So I stopped going for 3 years – still experiencing tightness every day. I never thought it would get any better, but made the decision to try to get rid of the tightness again anyway. My doctor referred Maccio Physical Therapy and within the first few sessions I already started seeing drastic changes until the tightness in my neck was gone. It is amazing because I thought the constant tightness was something that I would have to deal with every day for the rest of my life. Thank you! – Sam R.

Patient Success Story!

Patient Success Story – Michelle (Belly Dancer) In September of 2010, I got up one morning, got into the shower and my hamstring from the top of my left gluteus to the top of my left calf spasm’d so badly that I fell to the floor. I went to my general practitioner who wanted to x-ray my spine. He called in a sports medicine doctor who said that it was a straight forward hamstring strain. I was sent to a physical therapist. I went for about a month with no relief from my pain. I fell down a flight of stairs and fractured my leg (Tibial Plateau Fracture with displacement). I was sent to a different physical therapist to work on the healed fractured area. During this time the pain in my hamstring persisted, even worsened, the pain was worse than the fracture. In April of 2012, my orthopedic surgeon sent me to a doctor to see if a “Platelet Rich Plasma” injection would help me. The doctor told me that the affected area was too large to be healed by this method. He x-rayed my spine and hips and told me I had arthritis in my lower back and hips. This is when I was referred to Maccio Physical Therapy. During my first appointment, Deb asked the magic question. “Does it hurt more when you cough or sneeze?” I told her that’s when it’s the worst. She said “It’s your lower back, not your hamstring”. Within a month of doing the lower back exercises to centralize my pain was gone. After years of getting nowhere and having professionals look at only my hamstring I was able to sleep through the night, get out of my car without crying out, and dance again. I honestly thought I would never be without that terrible pain. I was so impressed and grateful; I gave out cards to anyone who had back issues or hamstring issues. Now that I have read the material and gone through the therapy myself it makes perfect, sound sense how this method works. I looked forward to every appointment rather than dreading it as I did with the other methods. I could feel myself improving each time. The people here knew my name, always accommodated my strange schedule and made me feel at home. I’ll never forget what Deb said to me during my first visit. “You will dance again”. And I did, I am, and I never thought I’d see that day. Thank you so much, Deb and Everyone! Michele 7/6

Success Story

I have had back pain on and off since 2007. It got really bad in the fall of 2011. I started going to a chiropractor two times a week. This helped for a little while. He didn’t feel I was making enough progress so I had an MRI. I was diagnoses with a slipped disc. I then had to go see an orthopedic doctor. I then started PT with a physical therapist and I went there two times a week for four months with little improvement. I was headed for steroid shots or surgery until a friend recommended to my mom I go to somebody who specialized in the McKenzie method. We called Maccio PT and have been very impressed.
We live 2 hours away and Mr. Maccio talked to my mom on the phone for about ½ hour before we scheduled my appointment. The office staff was very nice and accommodating. When I came to my first appointment my pain level was an 8-9 with pain going down my left leg. Mr. Maccio spent a lot of time working with me. When I left the pain was out of my leg. After 2 weeks of doing the exercises the pain has stayed out of my leg and my pain level is a ½. I am only 16 and thought I was done with sports and dance. There isn’t anything I can say to thank them for everything they have given back to me. I am going back to my first dance class in five months. I would recommend them to anybody who has any back pain. Cortney 3/12
P.S. I was discharged after 2 visits.

Why We Do What We Do

I cannot thank you enough. I never imagined that I would be out of back pain. I had been suffering with it for so long I believed that was the way it was going to be for the rest of my life. When I was referred to your office I did have doubts. I had supposedly seen a McKenzie therapist before- boy, was I wrong. The methods you used were definitely more involved. You and your staff were all very kind and caring. You have given my life back to my family and me. Thank you!
I had lower back pain on and off for 10 years. The last 2 years I have been in constant pain. I had seen a chiropractor, a neurosurgeon, and a physical therapist and have had steroid injections. With all that, I had little to no relief of pain and it was getting worse. In October 2011 I was told by my neurosurgeon that my only option was to do a spinal fusion. I was devastated. I’m in my mid-thirties and had no choices except surgery. I was referred to Maccio Physical Therapy by my sister who works with Mr. Maccio’s wife. With some hesitation I scheduled an appointment. After a few appointments I started to get relief: I was amazed. I had a little set back and I started to get discouraged. Mr. Maccio never gave up; he was very patient, kind and caring. The methods that Mr. Maccio taught were very different from the prior treatment I had. He has given me the tools so I can control and manage my back pain myself. This is the greatest feeling of accomplishment. I just want to let other people know that you always have options, and should always get more than one opinion before making a major decision such as surgery. I am so glad that I did. Keri 1/12