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A therapist and a patient sitting on a mat table discussing the anatomy of the spine with a model between them.

Spine Program

The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department offers therapy for individuals with spine (back) pain. This program is for individuals of all ages who are experiencing pain at any level of their spine from the neck, mid-back or low back, with or without extremity pain from nerve involvement

What to Expect from Therapy

  • An evaluation will be performed to assess movement and document functional deficits.
  • A goal-driven program will be developed to resolve or minimize symptoms and return you to your previous level of activities as tolerated.
  • The spine rehabilitation team works with specific protocols in the areas of pre and post surgical intervention, scoliosis, stenosis and chronic pain.
  • Acute pain is addressed with manual therapy and modalities along with education to gradually regain normal movement patterns.
  • Muscle imbalances are assessed to minimize effect of uneven forces from weak or over-lengthened muscles on the spine through spinal stabilization and Pilates rehabilitation techniques.

Preparing for your First Visit

  • The initial visit will entail a complete review of past medical history, specific tests and treatment plan.
  • Loose clothing is recommended for initial and subsequent visits.
A physician's referral is required for evaluation and treatment within this program.

Providers

Timothy J Abel, PT
Timothy J Abel, PT
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • DPT: University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 2008

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Orthopaedic Physical Therapy
Alexis Antoniou
Alexis Antoniou
315 464-6543
Adam R August, PT, DPT
Adam R August, PT, DPT
315 464-8668

Education & Fellowships

  • DPT: SUNY Stony Brook School of Medicine, 2018, Physical Therapy
  • BS: West Virginia University School of Medicine, 2014, Exercise Physiology

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Achilles Tendon Injury; Achilles Tendon Injury; Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury; Arthritis; Arthritis; Bursitis; more
Rebecca S Carey, PT, DPT, E-RYT
Rebecca S Carey, PT, DPT, E-RYT
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • DPT: SUNY Upstate Medical University, 2018
  • BA: Binghamton University, 2009

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Levator Syndrome; Low Back Pain; Low Back Pain During Pregnancy; Pelvic Floor Disorders; Pelvic Trauma; Balance and Fall Prevention, Rehab Service; more

Research Interests

  • Pelvic Health; Yoga; Integrative Medicine; Mindfulness

Education Interests

  • Pelvic Health; Yoga for Spine Disorders, Neurological Disorders, Pelvic Health

Clinical Interests

  • Neurological Disorders; Pelvic Pain; Pelvic Health; Pre and Post Natal Pelvic Rehabilitation; Spine

Associations/Memberships

  • American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
Jennifer L Collis, PT, DPT
Jennifer L Collis, PT, DPT
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • DPT: SUNY Upstate Medical University, 2015

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Physical Therapy; Achilles Tendon Injury; Acute Pain; Ankle Sprain; Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome; more

Associations/Memberships

  • American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
Nicole M Conese, PT, DPT, NCS
Nicole M Conese, PT, DPT, NCS
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • DPT: University of Maryland at Baltimore, 2015, Physical Therapy
  • BS: University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 2012, Exercise Science

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Physical Therapy; Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Neurology; Alzheimer's Disease - Dementia; Brain Injury; Brain Tumor; more

Research Interests

  • Research Physical Therapist involved in SLeep Effects on Post-Stroke Rehabilitation (SLEEPR) Study

Clinical Interests

  • Stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, vestibular rehabilitation

Associations/Memberships

  • American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), Neurology Section
Reis E Cunningham, MS OTR/L, CBIS
Reis E Cunningham, MS OTR/L, CBIS
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • MS: Keuka University, 2014, Occupational Therapy
  • BS: Keuka University, 2013, Occupational Science

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Occupational Medicine; Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Acute & Chronic Diseases and Conditions in Adult Patients; Amputation; Brain Injury; Concussion; more

Research Interests

  • Concussion in Youth Sports
  • Effects of Concussion post trauma on recovery
  • Brain Injury
  • Trauma
  • Vestibular Disorders and Dizziness

Education Interests

  • Occupational Therapy Education

Clinical Interests

  • Neurorehabilitation
  • Orthopedics
  • Surgery/Trauma
  • Concussion/Cognition
  • Vestbular/Dizziness
Annina Dougherty, PT, DPT
Annina Dougherty, PT, DPT
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • DPT: SUNY Upstate Medical University, 2011

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Dizziness and Vertigo; Orthopedic Physical Therapy
Tania N Gardner, PT, DPT, LMT
Tania N Gardner, PT, DPT, LMT
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • DPT: SUNY Upstate Medical University, 2007

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Physical Therapy; Knee Pain; Low Back Pain; Pelvic Floor Disorders; Shoulder Injuries; Voiding Dysfunction; more

Clinical Interests

  • Orthopedic injuries, Pilates therapy, Manual Therapy, Women's health

Mindy L Heath, PT, DPT
Mindy L Heath, PT, DPT
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • DPT: SUNY Upstate Medical University, 2014, Physical Therapy

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Physical Therapy; Acute & Chronic Diseases and Conditions in Adult Patients; Acute Pain; Trauma; Inpatient Physical Therapy; Trauma Care

Associations/Memberships

  • American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
Erica Irving
Erica Irving
315 464-6543

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Occupational Therapy; Occupational Therapy
Danielle F Kawryga, PT, DPT
Danielle F Kawryga, PT, DPT
315 464-6543

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Acute & Chronic Diseases and Conditions in Adult Patients; Acute Illness & Injury Management; Adult Trauma and Critical Care; Chronic Pain Rehabilitation; Pulmonary Rehabilitation; Stroke Rehabilitation

Associations/Memberships

  • American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
Rebecca Kelsey
Rebecca Kelsey
315 464-5540
Maureen A Mancuso, PT, DPT, GCS
Maureen A Mancuso, PT, DPT, GCS
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • DPT: SUNY Upstate Medical University, 2012

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Physical Therapy; Concussion; Balance and Fall Prevention, Rehab Service; Concussion Management; Concussion Management, Rehab Service; Orthopedic Physical Therapy

Associations/Memberships

  • American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
Maria J Podbelski, DPT
Maria J Podbelski, DPT
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • DPT: SUNY Upstate Medical University, 2016

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Physical Therapy; Acute & Chronic Diseases and Conditions in Adult Patients; Brain Injury; Dizziness and Vertigo; Falls; more

Associations/Memberships

  • American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
Jeffrey Romans, PT
Jeffrey Romans, PT
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • DPT: SUNY Stony Brook, 2013

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Physical Therapy; Achilles Tendon Injury; Cervical Radiculopathy; Knee Cartilage Tear; Low Back Pain; Lumbar Stenosis; more

Clinical Interests

  • Sports Rehab. Spine Rehab. Pain Sciences. Orthopedics.

Associations/Memberships

  • American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
Adam P Rufa, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS
Adam P Rufa, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS
315 464-6883

Education & Fellowships

  • PhD: Nova Southeastern University, 2020
  • DPT: SUNY Upstate Medical University, 2008
  • PT: SUNY Upstate Medical University, 2002
  • BS: LeMoyne College, Syracuse NY, 1999

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Orthopaedic Physical Therapy; Physical Therapy

Research Interests

  • Maximizing outcomes for patients with pain related conditions.

Clinical Interests

  • Manual therapy

    Chronic pain

    Spine care

    Orthopedics

    Sports

    Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Katharine L Sellers, PT, DPT
Katharine L Sellers, PT, DPT
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • DPT: Russell Sage College, 2008
  • BA: Russell Sage College, 2006, Biopsychology

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Physical Therapy; Acute & Chronic Diseases and Conditions in Adult Patients; Osteoarthritis; Geriatrics; Orthopedic Physical Therapy; Total Joint Replacement, Rehab Service; more

Research Interests

  • Geriatrics

Education Interests

  • Geriatrics

Clinical Interests

  • Geriatrics

Kaitlin M Skiff, PT, DPT
Kaitlin M Skiff, PT, DPT
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • DPT: Ithaca College, 2010

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Physical Therapy; Concussion; Foot and Ankle; Knee Pain; Low Back Pain; Neck Injuries; more
Thomas M Spangenberg, PT, DPT, CSCS
Thomas M Spangenberg, PT, DPT, CSCS
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • DPT: SUNY Upstate Medical University, 2013
  • BS: University of Rochester, 2007

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Certified Strength and Conditioning Spec; Physical Therapy; Achilles Tendon Injury; Ankle Sprain; Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury; Arthritis; more

Education Interests

  • McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy

Clinical Interests

  • Treatment of low back pain and spinal related disorders.  Management of acute and chronic orthopedic conditions. Sports injuries and rehabilitation.

Sarah C Talbot, PT, DPT, OCS
Sarah C Talbot, PT, DPT, OCS
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • DPT: Northeastern University, 2008

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Physical Therapy; Ankle Sprain; Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury; Bunion; Foot and Ankle; Hamstring Strain; more

Clinical Interests

  • Foot and ankle rehabilitation

Kayla Vanbrocklin, OTR
Kayla Vanbrocklin, OTR
315 464-6543

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Occupational Therapy
Kerry Walsh, PT, DPT, GCS, CEEAA
Kerry Walsh, PT, DPT, GCS, CEEAA
315 464-6543

Education & Fellowships

  • DPT: SUNY Upstate Medical University, 2008
  • BS: Boston College, 2003, Biology

Diseases/Specialties/Treatments

Physical Therapy; Geriatric Physical Therapy; Falls; Hip Fracture; Knee Pain; Low Back Pain; more

Clinical Interests

  • Geriatrics, Balance and Falls

Associations/Memberships

  • American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
Upstate Regional Rehabilitation Centers at IHP
Upstate Regional Rehabilitation Centers at IHP
Institute For Human Performance (IHP)
Google Maps & Directions
1st Fl.
505 Irving Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13210
Phone: 315 464-6543
Fax: 315 464-4753
Hours:Mon. Wed. Fri. - 7am-4:30pm; Tues. Thurs. - 7am-6pm
Clinic Details | Visit Website
Upstate Regional Rehabilitation Centers at Bone & Joint Center
Upstate Regional Rehabilitation Centers at Bone & Joint Center
Upstate Bone and Joint Center
Google Maps & Directions
Suite 201
6620 Fly Road, East Syracuse, NY 13057
Phone: 315 464-6543
Fax: 315 464-4753
Hours:Mon. Wed. Fri. - 8am-4:30pm; Tues. Thurs. - 8am-6pm
Clinic Details | Visit Website
Upstate Regional Rehabilitation Centers at Manlius
Upstate Regional Rehabilitation Centers at Manlius
Manlius Health Center
Google Maps & Directions
Suite 200
102 West Seneca Street, Manlius, NY 13104
Phone: 315 464-6543
Fax: 315 464-4753
Hours:Mon. Wed. Fri. - 8am-4:30pm; Tues. Thurs. - 7:30am-6pm
Clinic Details | Visit Website
Upstate Regional Rehabilitation Centers at Western Lights
Upstate Regional Rehabilitation Centers at Western Lights
Upstate Rehabilitation at Western Lights
Google Maps & Directions
Suite B-100
4671 Onondaga Boulevard, Syracuse, NY 13219
Phone: 315 464-6543
Fax: 315 464-4753
Hours:M, W: 8:00am - 4:30pm
Tues & Thurs: 8:00am - 6:00pm
Fri: 7:30am - 4pm
Clinic Details | Visit Website
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