Gary Karkuff, PT, CSCS received his physical therapy degree from Columbia University over 30 years ago. Stu Basom, PT walked out the doors of Temple University with his physical therapy degree in the 80's. And Lisa Reichenbach, DPT received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Arcadia University just this year. Yet, all three professionals have one thing in common: their ongoing quest for excellence in learning the most advanced treatments in the vast field of physical therapy.

First Choice Rehab physical therapists take time annually to attend continuing education courses offered all over the country in order to stay abreast of the most current treatments and research that will help them achieve improved outcomes with their patients. Most First Choice Rehab therapists have a specific clinical interest that takes them above and beyond their general physical therapy background.

Karen Red, PT and Lisa Janson, PT both specialize in Women's health problems and Pelvic Floor dysfunction for First Choice Rehab. Within the last year, Lisa attended a 4-day course called Contemporary Management of Chronic Pelvic Pain, which was a physician-focused conference on the latest techniques of treating pain with PT. Karen Red, PT expanded her interest in the aging woman by attending a seminar entitled Advances in Women's Health: Hormones, Heart Health and The Brain, where she was updated on the current medical research on menopause and hormone replacement as it relates to her patients.

Joe Buletza, PT, ATC added to his vast knowledge of sports medicine at two seminars this year. At the University of Delaware's Annual Sports Medicine Seminar, he received updates on ACL surgery and rehab, throwing injuries, and nutritional concerns in athletes. At the Cross Country Education's Rehab Summit in Austin, Texas, he learned about evidence-based medicine and rehabilitation, patellofemoral treatment; treatment of articular cartilage injuries, hip arthroscopy and managing the adolescent athlete.

Mark McDonald, MPT, C.Ped and Ryan Smuro, PTA of the Linglestown Rd. office, will attend the Professional Footfitters Association National Convention in Dallas. There they will be exposed to the latest techniques taught by experts in the field of fitting custom shoes and orthotics so they can help their diabetic patients, athletes and foot pain patients to overcome their pain and injuries.

Doug Fickes, DPT, MTC, who has an intense interest in treating orthopedic patients of all ages has attended several classes this year including Pediatric Orthopedic Physical Therapy Management, Movement Disorders and Neuromuscular Interventions for the Trunk and Extremeties and Post-operative Management of the Orthopedic Patient. The concepts he learned from these classes have been put to use in treating his patients at the Arlington Avenue office of First Choice Rehab.

To improve the outcomes of his patients suffering from headaches, Ken Lennington, PT, CMP attended a 2-day course in Baltimore called Cervicogenic Headache and Manual Therapy for the Upper Cervical Spine. This dealt with how the neck refers pain to cause headaches and the use of manual therapy to treat the symptoms of headaches. He also updated his certification in Mulligan techniques at the International Mulligan Concept Conference in May. There he focused on the most current research from all over the world supporting that Mulligan techniques are effective for headaches, neck pain, shoulder and back pain.

Danielle Mellinger, MPT and Paula Hoffmann, MPT both enhanced their manual therapy skills in treating joint and lumbar pain by attending courses presented by Brian Mulligan. At the course entitled 'Diagnosis and Treatment of the Upper and Lower Quadrant', Paula learned mobilizations with movement and taping techniques. Danielle Mellinger, MPT took the course entitled Mulligan Concept of the Upper Quadrant, Mobilizations with Movement, NAGs, SNAGs and Movement, where she improved her manual techniques for treatment of shoulder pain, cervical pain and various other conditions.

Bowmansdale Clinic's Kim Shuman, PTA has increased her knowledge in the treatment of the spine by attending the McKenzie Modules A & B. She also is better able to assist patients with vertigo and balance problems as a result of her continuing education course on Vestibular Rehabilitation.

First Choice Rehab therapists continually look for new and better ways to improve the outcomes of their patients' rehabilitation. With renewed information and techniques, the First Choice Rehab professionals aim to provide the best care possible for their patients.