Orthopedic & Spine Rehabilitation: Gentle, Whole-Body Care to Get You Moving Again

August 9, 2025 by Michele Leasure Education

Whether you’re dealing with shoulder pain, knee arthritis, a low-back flare, or neck stiffness, you deserve care that treats the whole system—not just one sore spot. As a physical therapist and Orthopedic Clinical Specialist with over 30 years in practice, I combine gentle hands-on treatment with targeted exercise and movement retraining so you can move comfortably and return to the activities you love.

My Approach

  • Whole-body assessment: I look at posture, breathing, gait, and how different regions load each other (spine, ribs, hips, shoulders).
  • Hands-on therapy: Osteopathic-informed soft-tissue work, myofascial release, and graded joint mobilization to reduce guarding and restore motion.
  • Right-sized exercise: A clear plan to rebuild mobility, strength, and control—matched to your nervous system so progress sticks.
  • Movement retraining: Practical cues for lifting, reaching, sitting, and walking that protect your joints and spine.

What to Expect in Our Sessions

  1. Listen & map: Your story, triggers, goals, and daily demands.
  2. Targeted testing: Joint mobility, soft-tissue quality, strength balance, and movement patterns.
  3. Hands-on treatment: Gentle techniques to calm the system and improve glide between tissues.
  4. Progressive plan: Short, repeatable exercises; pacing and flare planning; clear milestones.

Conditions I Commonly Treat

  • Spine: neck pain, headaches, thoracic/rib stiffness, low-back pain, SI joint irritation
  • Upper limb: rotator cuff/impingement, post-surgical shoulder, tennis/golfer’s elbow, wrist/hand strain
  • Lower limb: hip pain, knee OA/meniscus, patellofemoral pain, ankle sprain/instability, plantar fascia issues
  • Post-surgical rehab: gradual restoration of motion, strength, and confidence

Why Gentle Works

Lasting change happens when your nervous system feels safe. I work below your flare threshold with graded inputs and then reinforce the gains with the right movement dose. The result: less pain, better function, and more trust in your body.

FAQs

Will manual therapy hurt? No—I start gently and stay under your flare threshold.

How long until I notice change? Many people feel easier motion within a few sessions; durable gains build with steady practice.

What if I’ve tried PT before? One-on-one time, a whole-body lens, and careful pacing often make the difference.

Ready to Start?

I offer extended, one-on-one sessions by appointment so I can listen, treat, and teach without rushing.

Schedule Consultation