MRI vs. MDT: Martha made her choice, so can you!

"Four years ago I herniated two discs in my lower back after lifting some heavy boxes.

The doctor I saw gave me a sheet of exercises and told me it would take some time to

heal. After one year, I was pain free. I felt good for 2 years and then out of the blue my

back started hurting again- only this time it was much worse. I went to another doctor

who ordered an MRI and gave me a referral for physical therapy. I chose Maccio because

I had researched the Mckenzie Method online and wanted to try it. When I arrived

at Maccio, I was taking 20 pills a day to control the pain and it wasn’t really

working. After 6 sessions I felt much better and by 9 sessions I was off of all pain

meds. When I returned to the doctor, he said my MRI showed a sever herniation of

discs and the only way to fix it was surgery. It has been six months and I feel great. I

also feel able to manage my own symptoms and am educated on how the back and

spine works." -Martha

Tricia's Success Story: "Within four weeks I was running on a treadmill with no pain."

Five years ago, I was running and stepped into a deep pot hole. I felt and heard my back crunch. I was in excruciating pain! I went to my primary doctor who sent me for an MRI and physical therapy. I went through the cycle of therapy to no avail. I was then sent to a "spine specialist" who said they could do surgery but wouldn't guarantee it would fix me. I then sought the expertise of a well known chiropractor. He would crack and snap me, which seemed to work, until I started running again. He told me I just couldn't run any more. As an avid runner, running 6 miles a day, I was heartbroken.

I took a year off of running and found my back issues getting worse. It hurt anytime I'd do anything - lift heavy objects, sit in the car, or just sit for more than 15 minutes. I decided if I was going to be in pain anyway, I would just start running again. But soon it became unbearable. So, back to the primary, another MRI, more physical therapy, thousands of dollars spent on things that "might help" and nothing- no change! I finally decided to take another year off of running. 

Then, about six months ago, my right leg started to give out for no reason. I remember thinking: I"m only 46 and very active, why is this happening? I was told everything was a result of my back. I was sent for yet another MRI and to yet another physical therapist. I had countless appointments in which I was put in traction, along with other treatments, but I was in more pain now than when I started! I knew something had to change. Again I reached out to my primary. I was prescribed Hydrocodone and given the number to Maccio Physical therapy, a certified McKenzie Spine Specialist. 

They actually listened to me and everything I had to say. Within my first visit they had figured out a crucial key to fixing me. Within four weeks I was running on a treadmill with no pain. With the McKenzie Method I never had to take any pain medication and I feel amazing! They were right there teaching me how to listen to and fix my own body. They are amazing! Thank you for my life back!  

With the McKenzie Method I never had to take any pain medication and I feel amazing!!  My therapist was right there teaching me how to listen to my own body and fix myself! They are AMAZING!! Thank you for my life back!!  - Tricia, October 2015

A Solution for Dizziness!

Many people are not aware that physical therapists can treat vertigo. However, when patients come to us for vertigo treatment, we are often able to quickly and easily relieve their symptoms of dizziness, headaches and nausea!

After falling and suffering a concussion, I began to experience dizzy spells and headaches. I was unable to do my favorite things like riding my motorcycle or playing sports. It continued for several weeks and finally I saw a neurologist who recommended physical therapy. At the time, I didn’t know what they could possibly do, but I searched online and found Maccio Physical Therapy offered just the treatment I was looking for. After just one treatment, I no longer got dizzy! It was amazing! My therapist was very helpful and knew exactly what was needed to speed my recovery. Now it’s been over a week since my last treatment and still no sign of dizziness!

-Kevin, September 2015

The road to recovery

Margaret suffered a terrible break in her arm and knew her recovery would be a lengthy, stressful journey...But we're so glad that with our help, she felt so motivated and supported that she was back to work 2 months before her doctors predicted! Now she's able to continue doing what she loves! 

When I broke my upper arm Memorial Day weekend 2014, I had no idea what lay ahead. I had surgery in early June, then spent 8 weeks not moving my arm. When I started physical therapy at the end of July I had no real function in my arm. I worked with Amanda at Maccio Physical Therapy for 6 months. I went from not even being able to lift or straighten my arm to gaining almost full function back. Amanda worked tirelessly to keep me motivated. She was my biggest cheerleader, applauding even small gains. With hard work and Amanda’s constant support, I was able to return to work, fully functioning, 2 months earlier than my doctors predicted. I send everyone who needs physical therapy to Maccio! I am so full of thanks and gratitude for all their help! - Margaret, February 2015

Headaches & MDT...

Marie's story is short but to the point. Her headaches were extreme & debilitating. She quickly found relief at our facility through the McKenzie Method.
Just goes to show how MDT can effectively treat a range of issues! 

I came to Maccio Physical Therapy with extreme headaches and neck pain. Lindsay, my therapist, showed me exercises that almost immediately relieved the headaches and soon after, the neck pain. I thoroughly recommend Maccio PT to anyone! The staff was very polite and caring and I thank them all for making this a positive experience!  - Marie

No more sleepless nights!!

After exploring several options, Lynn thankfully found our clinic and found the McKenzie Method was the answer to relieving her pain! She is now living a more active life and is able to rest easy! 

            For over a year and a half, pain from sciatica had been bothering me by lodging in a spot near my knees and lower back. This made sitting all day at my computer desk almost unbearable. At home, the pain would wake me up in the middle of the night or keep me from falling asleep. Getting comfortable was seemingly impossible.

            I went to my primary care physician who prescribed high doses of ibuprofen, which really didn't touch the pain. I visited my chiropractor who did his usual spinal manipulations which helped for a very short while. I sought relief at my acupuncturist whose treatment lasted the longest at keeping my discomfort at bay. But, despite their good intentions, the pain and discomfort returned.

            Over the years, I'd heard of the McKenzie method of physical therapy but was unsure of how it was different from other forms of physical therapy, not having had any personal experience of either form. However, I had read some testimonials from people who had received treatment with the McKenzie Method and found it helped them.

            Consequently, my interest was piqued when an article appeared in a local health magazine highlighting the Maccio Physical Therapy group, who specialize in the McKenzie Method. I quickly made an appointment and now I am very happy that I did so!

            From the very first appointment, I was assured that I was in good hands. My therapist was soon able to pinpoint the problem area after a series of diagnostic movements. The exercises she prescribed were immediately helpful in reducing the pain. As the sessions progressed, the pain nearly disappeared completely, much to my delight. I'm sleeping much better and not waking up to the pain, allowing me to enjoy my days with freedom of movement. I've even joined the YMCA with the expectation of participating in all of the exercises which had previously seemed a distant dream!

I am very appreciative of the caring and friendly atmosphere of the office and am very grateful for the expertise of my therapist whose dedication guided me to a pain-free life. Thank you! - Lynn, Jan 2015

THIS is why we do what we do!

Wow...Elizabeth's story says it all. We are so moved at how much of an impact we were able to have in her life, for both her physical and mental well-being. We can't express enough how much we appreciate this type of feedback, it's a wonderful feeling knowing that through the McKenzie Method, we gave new hope to someone who had just about given up! 

            I knew there was something wonderfully different about the Maccio Physical Therapy clinic from my first appointment. I’d been suffering from intense, persistent pain throughout my head, neck, back and arm for over a year. An injury had caused severe nerve impingement and dislodged discs in my upper cervical spine, leading to stenosis and associated nerve damage. I sought treatment from several different types of doctors - chiropractors, neurologists, surgeons, pain management specialists, acupuncturists - and found that no one could offer me real answers or relief. The pain had become so intense and constant that I was barely able to function in everyday life. I became depressed and hopeless, being told that the only option was pain management through injections or possibly a surgery with limited success. The injections only lasted a few weeks, after which the pain, numbness, headaches, vertigo and muscle spasms would come back with a vengeance. There seemed to be no help for me, and I was accepting that I may somehow have to learn to deal with it for my entire life.

            A coworker of mine knew of the Maccio Physical Therapy clinic and encouraged me to try it out. I am eternally grateful that I did! At my first appointment, Joe Jr. took the time to truly listen and understand my symptoms. He then did a thorough exam, but it was unlike any that I had previously experienced. Through dynamic movements and spinal manipulation, he was able to exasperate or relieve my symptoms instantly. Based on my response, he was able to identify and explain the problem more clearly than any other doctor I had seen. It seemed to me that he understood the spine and associated mechanics better than any of the ‘experts’ I’d previously visited. I was cautiously hopeful as he told me with confidence that the problem could be fixed with regular, simple dynamic exercises – the McKenzie Method.

            I diligently did the exercises, which were quick and easy to fit into my busy schedule. The routine was but a minor inconvenience – far less inconvenient than the horrific pain I had been experiencing. I saw tremendous progress very quickly, within weeks I had extended periods without pain – something I hadn’t experienced in months. Joe Jr. adjusted my routine as my symptoms changed and my pain localized, and I increasingly believed I’d found true healing through the McKenzie Method.

            Within three months, I was rarely in pain and when I was, I could quickly and effectively reduce symptoms with the exercises. I feel like I have my life back! I am so very grateful to Maccio Physical Therapy for giving me the tools to heal my own body. I tell everyone I know with any sort of joint problems of the wonders of this quick and effective approach. It amazes me that this isn’t the first treatment I tried to address spine problems, because it is truly the most phenomenal treatment I’ve ever encountered. I would turn to the McKenzie Method to address any issue that arose with pain or body mechanics, and Maccio Physical Therapy would be my first stop! I cannot say enough good things about my experience there. The staff is warm, welcoming and prompt. The care is thorough, professional and incredibly effective. The appointments were always on time and never felt rushed. Their goal is to equip you with the tools to heal yourself – something truly rare in a system designed to keep you dependant as a patient.

I strongly encourage anyone with back, neck, or head pain to try this approach, even if it seems like nothing will be able to help. Perhaps this is the one treatment that will give you back a full and pain free life – it certainly was for me.

-Elizabeth, January 2015