Athens Orthopedic Clinic Therapy Services

Vaccinated Protecting ourselves to better protect you!

Are you a runner who is constantly dealing with pain and battling injuries? If so, let us help you! With a physical therapist on staff who specializes in treating runners, we can identify and address the dysfunctions leading to pain and injury. Patient testimonial:... Running has always been my passion, but it has also always resulted in some type of injury along the way. Deanna took the time to get to the root of my problems and then got to work on helping me correct these issues. For the first time in 30 years, I feel excited and hopeful that running doesn’t have to be painful anymore! Not only have I gained insight into proper running form, I’ve also gained a friend who I truly enjoy spending time with. -Brittany Dillard See more

The Primal Reflex Release Technique (PRRT) is a manual therapy technique for evaluating and relieving musculoskeletal pain. This technique is based on the premise that over-stimulation of the body’s primal reflexes creates pain and keeps painful patterns occurring again and again. These reflexes (startle, withdrawal and protective joint reflexes) are hardwired into the nervous system of the body for the purpose of survival. When a person experiences a painful or startling eve...nt, these reflexes are triggered in an attempt to protect the body. Often, these reflexes persist in a state of hyper-readiness long after the triggering event has passed. When sustained over time, activated reflex responses lead to patterns of pain that are reproduced, repeated and maintained, interfering with healing and resisting therapeutic efforts to restore natural function. The Primal Reflex Release Technique treatment system facilitates a rapid neural reboot, resetting the neural control of joints, muscles and fascia to release joint restrictions, trigger points and fascial restrictions.

Merry Christmas, from our AOC Therapy family to yours!

What do you call a dancer who has had two total hip replacements and one total knee replacement?... Still a dancer! It is Important to not disregard patient’s goals and not let your own doubts override your patient’s potential. -Jennifer Morlock, MS, PT

*Therapist Spotlight* Jeremy Cryder, OTR/L, CHT Jeremy is a 2007 graduate from the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta with a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy.... He developed a love for hand therapy during his undergraduate years observing a Certified Hand Therapist in Athens. His interest in hand therapy continued to grow as he completed two hand fellowships under the supervision of well-known and experienced CHTs. Jeremy specializes in an array of injuries including fractures, tendon repairs, nerve repairs, cumulative trauma injuries and acute traumatic injuries. He seeks to understand each patient’s individual functional needs and enjoys working with them to help achieve the best possible outcome. Outside of work he enjoys spending time with his wife and four daughters, going to church, exercising, reading, hunting and spending time with his family and friends.

There are a variety of ways to address swelling or edema in physical therapy, including the tried and true compression and elevation. However, there are other options-one being kinesio taping. Kinesio tape is a flexible and stretchable form of taping with many uses and is designed to mimic our skin’s elasticity. When used for edema management the tape is stretched and applied. As it recoils, it lifts the skin and is believed to alter pressure. This allows the lymphatic fluids and blood flow to be enhanced in the area and edema to improve quicker than when treated with more conventional treatments. Kinesio tape has a medical grade adhesive that allows it to be worn three to five days, including showering and during workouts.

TESTIMONIAL TUESDAY! This time last year I never thought I would be able to participate again in many of the activities I’ve always enjoyed. Very skeptical of the entire hip replacement and rehab process, the constant pain finally pushed me to schedule a hip replacement in December. The amazing AOC team of Dr. Manfredi and physical therapist, Deanna Long, worked miracles with this 66 year old skeptic! Thorough explanations, attentiveness to details, reassuring emotional supp...ort and exercises tailored to my individual needs were delivered with big smiles every step of the way. From the welcoming front office at check-in to my great physical therapist, I loved going to physical therapy twice a week! In July, my second hip was replaced. Same team; same amazing progress. PT was even more fun the second time around as the confidence Deanna instilled in me the first time was still there; I knew I was going to be able to do all the exercises and the hip wasn’t going to pop out! The fear was gone. Thanks, will never be enough for successful surgeries and a physical therapist who gently pushed and encouraged me to meet physical therapy goalsthus, making it possible to return to all I love. Within a few weeks, I could play with grandchildren, get up and down on floor, keep up with a new puppy, garden, do horse related barn chores, walk several miles a day, swim and get in/out of a tub and carall pain free! I was able to hike in Colorado and ride a horse which was my ultimate test of surgery/rehab success. A lifelong equestrian, it was the first time in 3 years I have ridden pain free, something I never thought I could do again. Thank you all for giving me back my pain free active life. I highly recommend AOC for surgery and physical therapy! Forever grateful, Marie

Why drive all the way to Atlanta when Athens Orthopedic Clinic has Certified Hand Therapists on-site in ATHENS! It is our mission to not only offer the best possible care to our community but also make treatment options as convenient as possible for our patients. Local affiliations are referring hand patients to Atlanta to see their team of specialists, yet here at AOC we’re a one-stop shop for getting you well! ... Call us today at 706-286-7594 to schedule with one of our amazing Hand Therapists!

Cupping along healed incisions is a great way to improve mobility along a scar. This patient underwent a surgical distal fibula stabilization after a traumatic 2 point fibular break and syndesmotic disruption while wakeboarding. He currently is lacking inversion at the ankle and demonstrating poor mobility along the incision. By suctioning along the incision and having him actively work into inversion, the tissue is able to be pulled away from the muscle to restore normal movement patterns.

A kind patient brought our Greensboro team a box of pink masks in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Give hope. Save lives.

Always fun having gymnasts in the clinic! Level 9 gymnast working on single leg stabilization to decrease patellofemoral knee pain.

Cervicogenic headaches can be common after whiplash type injuries. As the cervical muscles tight upon impact as a protective mechanism for the spine, it can be a challenge for the muscles to calm down after trauma. Dry needling is a good way to address cervical sensitivity and muscular spasms as we promote recovery after an accident. The patient pictured sustained a blow to the back of the head, suffering from a concussion and whiplash. He responded well to dry needling along the guarded musculature.

Balance. Stabilization. Coordination. Endurance. Let’s do something fun today-it’s Friday!

AOC Therapy says, Dawgs on top!

WARNING: Graphic image. Wounds are monitored at every therapy session and the therapist will educate the patient on how to properly clean and care for a wound and will help them progress to the next phase of wound healing. This patient took a 12 foot fall from a roof and dislocated his left wrist, needing surgery to repair ligaments and to stabilize and reset the remaining wrist bones. The first picture shows when his cast was removed 6 weeks after surgery. He had an inf...ection, lots of swelling, and was very stiff you can see that he was not even able to lift his wrist. The second picture is 3 weeks later he still had swelling, stiffness and infection, but made a lot of progress on moving and using his hand and can now lift his wrist up all within 3 weeks of having regular OT sessions. See more

We love gaining perspective on therapy from one of our MDs, especially when they have their own experience to share! #nationalrehabilitationawarenessweek

...they expressed so much gratitude and that’s what drives you. That’s what motivates me as a rehab professional. Lloyd van Pamelen, PT, CSCS Athens Orthopedic Clinic, Loganville ... #nationalrehabilitationawarenessweek

One of my favorite things about being an occupational therapist is helping someone become independent again in something that might seem so small to someone else, but means the world to that particular patient, such as being able to open a water bottle without asking for help it might seem like a simple task, but if you have injured your hand, had a stroke, or have difficulties from something such as Parkinson’s, it makes all the difference to be able to do it again. -Kayla Gittens, MSOT, OTR/L Athens Orthopedic Clinic