"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 

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

Shoulder or Neck?

"I came into Maccio PT with what I thought was a shoulder injury. Joe was incredibly nice and made it easy to explain what was going on. He recognized it as a neck problem within the first appointment. After starting the exercises I started getting better very quickly. Along the way he made sure to explain everything which was very reassuring. He provided handouts to remind me when to do each exercise and checked in to make sure everything was working. After treatment, I am now completely pain free and have a prevention plan to avoid similar problems in the future." -Morgan

"This patient was referred with a Medical Diagnosis of Shoulder strain and isolated shoulder pain only with shoulder movement. Her pain rapidly improved exclusively through corrective neck exercise. There has been increasing research finding that isolated shoulder pain can be referred exclusively from the neck, even without neck pain and stiffness.

If this was not identified this patient would have undergone multiple treatments to the shoulder which would not have resolved her pain. When this happens patients are often then referred back to a specialist where they receive unnecessary and ineffective injection or surgery, or never improve. 

Using the MDT screening process has been shown to be more reliable and effective and is the reason this patient had such a great result."

-Joseph R. Maccio, DPT, Dip. MDT

Menon A, May S. Shoulder pain: Differential diagnosis with mechanical diagnosis and therapy extremity assessment - a case report. Man Ther. 2012;18(4):4-7. doi:10.1016/j.math.2012.06.011.
Abady AH, Rosedale R, Chesworth BM, Rotondi MA, Overend TJ.

Application of the McKenzie system of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) in patients with shoulder pain; a prospective longitudinal study. J Man Manip Ther. 2017;9817(May):1-9. doi:10.1080/10669817.2017.1313929.

Takasaki H, Okuyama K, Rosedale R. Inter-examiner classification reliability of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy for extremity problems – systematic review. Musculoskelet Sci Pract. 2017;27:78-84. doi:10.1016/j.msksp.2016.12.016.

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

The Application of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy in Failed Anterior Cervical Disectomy and Fusion: a case report

Background: The prevalence of neck pain is estimated to be 30-50% in the general population, the second leading source of reported pain in the United States. There is limited research on the use of mechanical diagnosis and therapy (MDT) on patients with cervical pain. The effects and safety of MDT assessment and treatment for failed anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) has not been reported on.

Case description: This report presents a 42-year-old female with a complaint of worsening neck pain with intermittent radiculopathy after an ACDF to address cervical radiculopathy. The patient received a MDT evaluation and was classified as an upper thoracic spine derangement. The patient was treated based on mechanical and symptomatic responses to repeated movements and mobilizations using principles of MDT.

Outcomes: Short- and long-term outcomes were excellent, demonstrating rapid abolishment of symptoms and improvement in function in 6 visits over 4 weeks. The patient reported no pain or functional disability and had returned to all work and recreational activities. The patient demonstrated the ability to prevent and manage reoccurrence of symptoms independently at one-year follow-up without seeking further healthcare.

Discussion: This case report demonstrates the efficacy and safety of MDT evaluation after an ACDF. The patient was successfully managed using MDT with full resolution of symptoms. This case report provides preliminary evidence that MDT is capable of providing effective short– and long-term outcomes after ACDF.

Level of Evidence: 4

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 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

MDT vs. Regular Physical Therapy

"When I first came to Maccio Physical Therapy I was having constant pain in my arm from my elbow to fingers. It interfered with my work and some pain was always present. I had been to another physical therapist who told me that he couldn’t see anything wrong with my arm and that I should rest it completely to get rid of pain. I decided to try Maccio after reading great reviews on Google, and the first visit they identified my neck as the reason for pain in my arm. Almost immediately I began to feel improvement with their exercises. In just a couple of weeks the pain was completely gone and I could work and do my normal activities without problems." - Stephanie

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

"I thought I’d be doing hand exercises, but Lindsay addressed my issue coming from my neck."

“I came to Maccio, referred by a good friend. I have had hand pain for years, but it recently became pretty unbearable, where some days I could not write. I thought I’d be doing hand exercises, but Lindsay addressed my issue coming from my neck. Since I do computer work, I am consistently bent forward. Lindsay helped me improve my posture, and gave me exercises that almost immediately relieved and healed the pain in my hands!” 
– Victoria 

"Having the ability to control my pain through exercises is amazing"

“I came to Maccio Physical Therapy for extreme pain in the front of my shoulders, and I couldn’t move my thumbs. I did not realize I had neck pain. I wasn’t sleeping and the pain was throbbing with each heartbeat. I couldn’t bend my thumbs. I don’t believe in pain medication, and I was suffering for months. After my first appointment with Julia, I could bend my thumbs. Each appointment I saw improvement. What really amazed me is if the pain got throbbing, I could do my exercises and the pain would subside. Having the ability to control my pain through exercises is amazing. I never would have believed it. I am now pain free. I have some stiffness in the morning; do my exercises, and I’m ready for the day with no pain.” Lyn 

"My first thought was 'that sounds better than a spinal injection and I will try it.'” - Ned's Success Story

“I started having problems last Spring with my leg having tingling in the lower calf and if I stood too long in the same position, the leg would want to give out, and I would have to move slowly (as I was unsteady) until the leg returned to normal. Then, I started experiencing weakness in my leg along with difficulty getting out of bed, and not being able to walk for a minute or so until I got my balance back, and the weakness in the ankles returned to normal. After a time, the legs got worse, and not only would tingle, but have pain, and not let me walk for even short distances. This pain would vary in location as it moved from one leg to my back, and then the other leg. I had problems playing golf and eventually did not even want to play. I could not attend my grandchildren’s sports functions and not even go shopping. A cane was used to get around the house and even crutches sometimes. Neuropathy was mentioned as a possibility and I went to see my primary doctor. He ordered a CT scan that showed the problem was with the vertebrae. He sent me to a specialist in pain treatment as I was now in constant pain and needed care. This orthopedic showed me how the vertebrae was compressed on the CT scan pictures, and a spinal shot may help if the pain does not get any better. He also mentioned therapy sometimes helps the compression from pressing on the spinal nerves. My first thought was “that sounds better than a spinal injection and I will try it.” I was doubtful it would help with the problem. I went to Maccio Physical Therapy in Troy, NY and was assigned to Julia as my therapist. Starting out I told her I did not think this was going to work as I did not believe in therapy, but would give it a try since the pain was not allowing me to do anything, nor did I want injections or an operation until I at least tried the therapy route. Julia started out seeing what I could do and what affected the neck, back, and the big problem of not being able to walk for even a short distance. Some items that she worked on were the turning of my neck, as that hurt and rotation was not very good. Her main focus was the back and leg pain, along with the tingling. My balance was also checked and I remember I could not stand on one foot more than 3 seconds in the initial session – now I can go over 30 seconds and more if I wanted to on either foot. The exercises started with one type leading into another. If one did not produce results, it was discontinued. Normally, I would not bother to do her exercises at home, but I did not want to return to my earlier condition, and did what she told me to do about 3 times a day. The result is, I can now walk about 90% of what I could before the spinal condition erupted, stand still for a lot longer period without my leg hurting or giving out, and if I think it might weaken, I move from side to side, shifting my weight to stop before it becomes a problem, as I was instructed to do. My neck, I can now rotate without pain and my back pains are gone. I really did not think it would work, but so far it has helped tremendously, and I intend to keep up the exercises. It has been over 2 weeks since I was discharged from therapy sessions. If you are having back, leg, or similar problems, I highly recommend going to Maccio Physical Therapy. Great office, all personnel are friendly and helpful, plus their therapy works. I think what assisted in the recovery was that Julia was not only patient in completing the tasks but her encouragement made me want to succeed.” – Ned