Kendall Alway, DPT is a manual physical therapist. In her practice she uses a combination of hands-on joint
mobilization to loosen stiff joints along with stretching, myofacial release, postural retraining, and exercise for the treatment of
musculoskeletal pain. Coaching on dance technique issues may be included if needed. Treatment is always tailored to the
individual and their specific problem. From sports or dance injuries to pain with vaccuuming, the patient's functional needs
come first. The focus is always on returning as soon as possible to activity.
The 60 to 90 minute initial evaluation includes taking a detailed history of
prior medical issues including past surgeries, injuries, and health problems. The injury or pain is then discussed in detail,
along with the impact your pain is having on your life's activities. It is only after information is collected that the physical
therapist begins the initial examination.
Examinations follow a North American Institute for Manual Therapy model. Your
muscles will be tested and your reflexes will be checked. A scanning evaluation for your neck or back will always be included,
as a painfree problem in one body part may affect another body part which is painful. For example, the way your foot twists
when you walk may be the cause of your hip or knee pain, or vice versa. In addition, your gait mechanics (and if applicable,
dance technique) may be evaluated. Your initial evaluation also includes your first treatment.
Follow-up treatments are 30 to 60 minutes each. These sessions
will continue to work on the diagnosis arrived at in the initial evaluation. You will be trained in a home exercise program
specifically designed for you.
Special
care is taken each session to insure that you understand the movement cause of your problem, and she puts the tools in your
hands to coach you through to fix the problem within the limits of her scope of practice. If she does not feel she will be
able to help you, she will let you know and will attempt to refer you to someone who will be better able to assist you.
