"No surgery for me, thank you!"

 “I had been living with neck pain for some time, then over the course of a few days, I lost the use of my left shoulder to paralysis. A visit to my PCP and an MRI later, I learned that I had a herniated disc in my neck.  I thought I was headed for surgery, but Maccio had helped with my low back several years earlier and I wanted to see if physical therapy with them could improve my neck pain and shoulder function.  After just a few visits, I regained full use of my arm and then we tried several exercises to quiet the mild stubborn pain in my neck.  Now at discharge, I have no pain and have an arsenal of tools to improve my range of motion and even relieve any headache pain I occasionally got when I need them.  No surgery for me, thank you!

P.S. I still use the tools (motions) Maccio Physical taught me years ago for my low back pain.  Still no low back problems!” – Angie 

"Thank You Maccio Physical Therapy"

 

“I was seen by Lindsay in October 2019 due to severe back pain.  I completed a bunch of sessions with her and learned a ton!  The best part was I learned exercises that helped take the pain away.  I slowly made progress and finished physical therapy.  Fast forward to October 2020, after giving birth to twins I again found myself in excruciating back pain.  My body changed drastically after birth and my back went out on me again.  I knew I needed to make the call to Maccio.  I requested Lindsay again because she helped me so much the first time around.  After going through the series of exercises again she has helped me yet again.  I am now leaving with an abundance of knowledge as well as the comfort of knowing I can always return in case my back pain arises again.  Thank you Maccio Physical Therapy and most importantly Lindsay!” – Carolyn 

"Pain-free and back to my normal self"

 

“I was referred due to sciatic pain in my left side.  This was the first time I ever went to see a physical therapist.  I was in so much pain that I could barely walk, drive, or sleep a full night without pain.  The first day after completing some of the exercises I started to get a little relief.  Then I went back as directed for different sets of exercises each time and my pain decreased with doing them at home as well.  After only two weeks I was pain-free and back to my normal self thanks to Maccio Physical Therapy.” - Tammy

"Telehealth Worked For Me"

"I contacted Joseph Maccio about two weeks ago, in mid-April due to significant lower back pain due to a wrong movement in my back, some extended construction work that required bending, and intense virtual teaching that required long periods of sitting, I was having pain in my lower back that made it difficult to sit, stand and even lay down. I wasn’t sure how to deal with it as nothing seemed to feel right. Due to Covid-19 I hesitated to go to the doctor and tried to find videos online that gave advice, when I realized some things helped while others made things worse. I have gone to Maccio in the past and realized they might be doing telehealth and can recommend the correct treatment. 

In the telehealth sessions we analyzed the movements I was having trouble with and when they got better and worse, and found the correct course of action. In less than a week I saw a drastic improvement, and now I think I am back to almost full function. I highly recommend Maccio and find that the Tele-Medicine worked very well for me, especially under the unique circumstances we are in."

16 months of pain gone… with one move! Unbelievable!

I was in constant pain for about 16 months and it was getting progressively worse. My lower back hurt when sitting down, lying down, and when walking. I had to do things in small intervals of time before the pain got to be too much to handle. I couldn’t get through washing dishes and I would have to take a break and take pain pills. Until one day I couldn’t lift my leg to walk without excruciating pain and I had to go to urgent care. They discovered I had a slipped disk. I was frightened because to me that meant surgery. They recommended physical therapy and my doctor told me about Maccio Physical Therapy. I made an appointment and it was life changing. 

Dr. Maccio was very kind and understanding, he explained what can be done to help. I was in his office crying because of the pain and by this time I would try anything. I’m so glad I did. I couldn’t believe how much the pain was holding me back from my every day routine. My quality of life has much improved. I am now pain free. Thank you Dr. Maccio and his staff.

Good Things Happen to Those Who Wait- Except in the Case of Acute Back Pain!

For the past 31 years we have been seeing acute back pain patients the same day of injury. The outcomes are quite impressive and the risk minimal as there are rarely medications, X-Rays, MRI’s, or consultations needed.

When patients are in acute pain, there needs to be a process to get them to PT immediately. If services are not available during that critical time then outcomes can certainly take a different route. In light of the ongoing opioid problem, there has never been a more important time where same day evaluation and treatment needs to be the gold standard. Here is a success story from a patient seen as a same day referral:

“I got up from my desk at work on a Monday and suddenly experienced back pain. I have never had back issues in the past. On Wednesday, when the pain did not dissipate I decided to see my primary care physician. They evaluated me and felt I had a disc issue in my vertebrae. They recommended I start physical therapy ASAP. I called a PT office affiliated with local hospital and was told they could fit me in 5 days later. I then called Maccio PT and was seen later that day. Lindsay clearly explained the mechanics behind the issue and what I would learn to counter the issue and ultimately resolve the pain. I returned several times over 2 weeks and am thrilled to say that I can comfortably walk out today with relatively no pain just slight achiness that I now have the tools to know how to continue and improve and to be able to avoid future issues.” -Anonymous

 

Maccio Physical Therapy, PLLC

The Capital Regions ONLY Certified

McKenzie Spine and Extremity Clinic

1 New Hampshire Ave, Troy, NY 12180

(518) 273-2121 www.macciophysicaltherapy.com

THE POWER TO CONTROL PAIN

Back on the Slope Faster than Ever!

"When I walked into the building for my first session I could barely sit in the chair for more than 20 minutes. The pain made me pretty much useless. I couldn’t be the active happy person I usually was. Walking and working out was an issue, and I had to discontinue one of my favorite sports (slalom skiing).  

            After a few weeks of coming here I could feel the relief in my back. I could work out again and doing my school work wasn’t an issue anymore. I had gone to physical therapy before for a torn muscle and these sessions would be close to 2 hours long and were extremely painful. Every time I came here, the sessions were only about half an hour and I would walk out feeling stronger and more confident.

            I had never heard of the McKenzie Method before coming here. I had only heard of and experienced painful physical therapy. The McKenzie Method was faster, less painful, and more effective. I am truly grateful that I came here instead of somewhere else. They got me back on my feet faster than I imagined." -Chase

Maccio Physical Therapy, PLLC

The Capital Regions ONLY Certified

McKenzie Spine and Extremity Clinic

1 New Hampshire Ave, Troy, NY 12180

(518) 273-2121 www.macciophysicaltherapy.com

THE POWER TO CONTROL PAIN

Looking Good

"As a younger patient, finding a drug-free way to deal with the pain I was experiencing was extremely important. I was in severe back pain, neck pain and had extreme loss of strength in my left arm. I felt better after the first week! After 2 months, I’m working out again and feel better than I’ve ever felt. These practices are lifetime adjustments that will benefit one’s life immensely. The practices here are priceless as is the amazing staff!" -Kenneth

Maccio Physical Therapy, PLLC

The Capital Regions ONLY Certified

McKenzie Spine and Extremity Clinic

1 New Hampshire Ave, Troy, NY 12180

(518) 273-2121 www.macciophysicaltherapy.com

THE POWER TO CONTROL PAIN

MDT Perspective: Chemicals Won't Fix a Mechanical Problem!

"I have had back issues for a number of years which had gotten to the point that I could no longer even make it through the market without terrible back and leg pain. I had numerous injections in my back to help alleviate the problems. This would work for a few months then it was a shorter time frame that the injections would do any pain relief. At first the doctor recommended physical therapy, but in my head it made no sense to pursue it. How could I do all kinds of exercises when I couldn’t even walk without pain? After a few years of feeling that life was not good or enjoyable because I was so uncomfortable I decided to give physical therapy a try. Well, I am shocked at what a difference it has made. After just a few visits I noticed relief!! My physical therapist also noticed that I had another issue that the doctor never picked up on. I am retired and planning a trip to the beach where I will be happy to walk the beach and pick up seashells without pain. I can now enjoy life and make it through the market again thanks to Maccio PT!" -Sharon

"This patient had over 6 injections and was prescribed Gabapentine and TENS, which had no effect on pain or function. Once a McKenzie (MDT) evaluation was performed it became clear that this patient's pain was mechanical in nature, not chemical, and when the corrective movement was prescribed the patient improved rapidly despite a 4 year worsening history. This is a common presentation that we see far too often and one of the most important reasons to consult with a skilled MDT clinician before pursuing long term pain management. We find 80% of chronic neck and back pain is fixable once properly understood." - Joseph R. Maccio, DPT, Dip. MDT

Hefford C. McKenzie classification of mechanical spinal pain: Profile of syndromes and directions of preference. Manual Therapy 2008; 13: 75-81.

May S, Aina A. Centralization and directional preference: a systematic review. Manual Therapy 2012;17: 497-506.

Maccio Physical Therapy, PLLC

The Capital Regions ONLY Certified

McKenzie Spine and Extremity Clinic

1 New Hampshire Ave, Troy, NY 12180

(518) 273-2121 www.macciophysicaltherapy.com

THE POWER TO CONTROL PAIN

MDT Slam Dunk!

"I started to suffer the worst pain over one year ago when I was playing basketball. It’s been a tough time because I couldn’t walk, stand or sit. The doctors in my hometown told me that I couldn’t play basketball anymore, which was a disaster to me.

At Maccio Physical Therapy, my therapists taught me how to get over the pain and how to get rid of the tightness along my leg. They brought my life back to normal. Most importantly, I went back to the basketball court! Now I am as good as before and I started to go to the gym and try to keep a healthy body. Thanks for healing me and helping me! Thanks for bringing basketball back to my life!" -Chen

The Importance of Looking for Directional Preference

"I’ve had a disease called Ankylosing Spondylitis (or A.S. for short) for over 40 years. It is a type of arthritis that affects the spine. It starts with pain from the lower back and progresses onward to the neck. The spine’s bones (called vertebrae) fuse together causing rigidness and stiffness. The disease usually creates additional diseases. For me, I developed Pelvic Pain Syndrome about 20 years ago. I was prescribed Elmiron and took it 3 times a day for 15 years.

Last year I was sent to Maccio Physical Therapy in Troy, NY to see if they could help with the pain. After a few minutes with Joe Maccio Jr. we started doing back bends which right away helped ease the pain and discomfort. After one year doing back bends 2-3 times a day the pain from this disease diminished by 90%. I’m so glad I came to Maccio Physical Therapy and will forever be grateful to Joe Maccio Jr." - Peter

Directional Preference: The Road To Success

"Prior to coming to Maccio Physical Therapy, I was experiencing sharp pain on my right buttocks area and lower back. I attended the free seminar that was advertised in 'Natural Awakenings' and was extremely impressed with the McKenzie Method.

I learned how to do a minimal amount of exercises that were matched to my personal condition. I’ve participated in other PT regiments and they would give you a laundry list of exercises to do. I enjoyed that I only had to do one or two exercises and the therapist would modify the movement based on my physical needs.

I realize that it’s my personal responsibility to maintain my exercise regiment in order to continue to be pain free." -Rosalyn

Avoiding Surgery with MDT

 "At the beginning of July I found myself in more pain than I could bear with a MRI that indicated a herniated cervical disc. My primary care doctor referred me to a neuro surgeon as the only solution to my issue. The surgeon could not see me for 3 weeks and the prospect of being in agony that long before even seeing the surgeon was unbearable. I asked the primary doctor what to do in the meantime. He gave medications to manage the symptoms. He also suggested that physical therapy could help in the weeks awaiting the surgeon’s appointment. I needed some relief from the neck, shoulder, arm and hand pain I was experiencing. I could not get comfortable in any position, sleeping was out of the question. I was unable to drive, get dressed or carry/lift anything.

I had used Maccio Physical Therapy a couple years prior for a hip issue. I had worked with Joe Jr. and he helped me to avoid surgery, get pain free and remain pain free. I immediately thought I’d go back to Maccio in hopes of working with Joe again. I was able to meet with Joe right away. Joe spent plenty of time walking through my physical issues and pain problems. He is a very attentive diagnostician. After discussing, at length, my current situation, Joe felt confident that we could work on a plan that would very likely result in a full recovery without surgery. At the first visit we began a course of exercises and movements to relieve my pain. Within the first week, and then the following week, I began to have less pain and regain some strength and movement. At each visit Joe would check the progress, adjust according to my pain level and continue advancing the improvements. Joe stressed following the exercises and doing them at the appropriate intervals. I listened and tried to be the model patient, as I was getting results, sometimes in leaps and bounds and sometimes a little slower, but always moving in a positive direction.

When it was time to meet with the surgeon, I did so as scheduled. After discussing the MRI, a full exam of my issues, and seeing the improvements that had been made in physical therapy, the surgeon agreed that it was possible to avoid surgery, being that I was steadily improving. The surgeon encouraged me to go back and continue the course that I was on with Maccio PT, as it was clearly benefitting me. I would check back in with him in six weeks.

Over the next few weeks, Joe and his assistant Kim worked with me to keep adjusting and moving forward. Joe is patient, caring and observant; under his advisement Kim was creative, understanding and knowledgeable. I continued to improve and continued to stick to the instructions from them. I find the exercises to be very therapeutic, easy to do, easy to integrate into my life and most beneficial.

I am now, a couple months later, virtually pain free, able to do all that I could before, and wiser about how to manage and control the issue. The surgeon agrees that I do not need surgery and should be able to maintain my current abilities, largely in thanks to the physical therapy.

Many thanks to Joe, Kim and all of Maccio PT for your care, professionalism and knowledge. You will always be highly recommended from me. I would not hesitate to return, if ever needed again. You made my situation so much better and gave me the tools to maintain good health. You are the best!" -Paula

31 Years in Business

We are proud to be celebrating our 31^st year in business today here in Troy, NY. Back in 1986 we first opened our doors on Hoosick Street and since that time we’ve continued to grow substantially and have had the opportunity to meet and help thousands of patients throughout the Capital Region and beyond. We continue to see record numbers of new patients coming into our clinic with the majority of them being referred by you or former patients. We cannot thank you enough for your continued support throughout the years. We pride ourselves in providing the highest quality of healthcare and will continue to do so the years to come.

The Wall of Maccio

Maccio Physical Therapy proudly presented 4 research presentations at the recent 14th International Conference in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy in San Francisco, California titled, “Application of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy [MDT] on the Human Elbow,” “The Application of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy in Failed Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: a case report,” “The Management of an Anterior Lumbar Derangement: a case report,” and “The Application of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy to an Ankle Sprain: a case report.” These are 4 of the more recent research endeavors Maccio PT has been involved, which are being prepared for publication in various international journals. The feedback received from over 30 countries participating in the conference was excellent with great interest from new clinicians to senior McKenzie faculty members. Our superior outcomes and innovative extremity techniques were two of the highlights. Stay tuned for future projects of even greater scale.

MDT- Marathon Running With a Purpose

MDT was able to rapidly resolve six years of chronic running pain within one week:

"I have had six years of chronic hip and back pain. Running and working out were really uncomfortable and the pain would wake me up if I rolled over during the night. I’ve had unsuccessful general physical therapy and chiropractor treatment in the past for my symptoms. Then I came to Maccio Physical Therapy and within only one visit I was able to find a direction that successfully abolished my pain using the MDT method. Since then, I have completed a full marathon in Verdon, France without any pain and did not stop once!" - Jessica

MDT Turning Heads Once Again

"I have tried several types of therapists to bring my neck back to a normal amount of flexibility. They were all expensive and time consuming. None made lasting change. I followed the exercises given to me by Maccio Physical Therapy. They were simple and easy. It didn’t seem possible that it would work. I was told it may take some time to improve. I was good with that. It took years to get this stiff. The exercises worked quickly to improve my mobility. The instructions that I got at follow-up appointments made the exercises more effective. I am surprised and amazed that it worked as well as it did. I have recommended it to friends and family!" - Patricia





Maccio Physical Therapy, PLLC

The Capital Regions ONLY Certified

McKenzie Spine and Extremity Clinic

1 New Hampshire Ave, Troy, NY 12180

(518) 273-2121 www.macciophysicaltherapy.com

THE POWER TO CONTROL PAIN

Double Trouble No More

"When I came to Maccio Physical Therapy I was experiencing pain across my low back down my leg into my foot. I was also having pain in my neck extending into my skull causing a constant headache. I’m an active person and was getting very discouraged living in pain the greater part of every day. I had to be careful not to turn or move my head too quickly or I would experience shooting pain into my skull.

After my first session of physical therapy, I came home smiling. The pain in my lower leg had subsided. I was encouraged and decided I would see this through to completion. Having completed my therapy, I’m happy to say that I can now enjoy my 2.5 mile walk pain free. No pain, burning, tingling or numbness in my back, leg or foot all of which I had previously.

As for my neck, I have not had any headaches since the second week of therapy and I can move my head freely without fear of shooting pain in my skull. My neck still gets tight and achy but I do my exercises and it is relieved. The therapists are great. They took a lot of time teaching me the proper exercises and making sure I was doing them correctly. Most importantly, they taught me how to treat myself." - Diane

Maccio Physical Therapy, PLLC

The Capital Regions ONLY Certified

McKenzie Spine and Extremity Clinic

1 New Hampshire Ave, Troy, NY 12180

(518) 273-2121 www.macciophysicaltherapy.com

THE POWER TO CONTROL PAIN

Road to Success

"I had been dealing with knee and foot pain on my left leg for a couple of years, and decided to seek medical attention. My primary care physician referred me to a knee specialist. I spent the next few months being bounced from specialist to specialist within the orthopedic practice. After hundreds of dollars spent on co pays and X-rays/ MRI’s they still haven’t really been able to help me determine root cause or address the pain and discomfort. I then started physical therapy at Maccio Physical Therapy. Focusing on the lower back, we were able to drastically reduce the symptoms in the knee and foot. Through exercises, stretching and movement, I am now pain-free and working to eliminate the last lingering bit of discomfort. Joe and the rest of the staff at Maccio have all been wonderful, making this a very pleasant experience." - Jason

"This patient presented with localized pain in the knee. After a thorough MDT assessment, it was determined that his knee and ankle pain was referred from his lumbar spine. Spinal treatment was given which quickly resolved the patient's symptoms and returned him to a pain-free life. If this thorough MDT assessment was not performed, treatment most likely would have been tailored to the knee and ankle which would have left him with an unsuccessful outcome." Joseph R. Maccio, DPT, Dip. MDT 

Maccio Physical Therapy, PLLC

The Capital Regions ONLY Certified

McKenzie Spine and Extremity Clinic

1 New Hampshire Ave, Troy, NY 12180

(518) 273-2121 www.macciophysicaltherapy.com

THE POWER TO CONTROL PAIN

MDT As First Choice. (Kudos to Dr. Gross!)

"After years of chronic back pain and giving up most physical activities, I had an episode that was so painful I couldn’t bend forward even enough to brush my teeth. I was in chronic pain 24/7 with no relief. My doctor suggested I come to Maccio Physical Therapy. I was hesitant to come because I was in so much pain and moving was difficult but I figured he is trying to help me so I must follow his advice and do my part. I’m so glad I did. At Maccio PT I found compassion, understanding and most of all hope! I learned techniques to help myself at anytime without having to make appointments every time I have issues. And they work! I’ve seen several chiropractors and two back surgeons over the years and felt like there was no hope. I feel like I have been giving the tools to help myself and if I do have to come back I won’t hesitate. The people here are fabulous! I highly recommend Maccio PT. They will take time to listen and go over and above to find the cause of your pain and fix it." - Christine

Maccio Physical Therapy, PLLC

The Capital Regions ONLY Certified

McKenzie Spine and Extremity Clinic

1 New Hampshire Ave, Troy, NY 12180

(518) 273-2121 www.macciophysicaltherapy.com

THE POWER TO CONTROL PAIN