Below is a list of physical therapy clinics in North Carolina which are either knowledgeable about, or have experience treating patients with Hypermobility Syndrome. Physical therapy is by far the most effective way to treat HMS, however, it must be done properly. If you do exercises that are too strenuous, you can do more harm than good, but if you don’t do enough, then you won’t be able to effectively reduce pain. That’s why working with a PT who has experience with other HMS patients is great. If, however, you don’t live in North Carolina or are not near any of the clinics on this list, don’t worry – you don’t necessarily have to find a PT who is an expert at treating HMS (and honestly, there are only a few handful of those in the world), finding a therapist who will listen to your concerns and is willing to do some research about your condition can be just as good, if not better. When you start physical therapy, let your therapist know about your condition, and warn them that you shouldn’t be treated like an athlete - you should not be pushed to increase reps and weight at a fast paste, nor should you begin with rigorous exercises. Instead, let your therapist know that you need to be handled gently – start out with gentle exercises, increase reps slowly, and NEVER do anything that hurts. The things you should focus on with your PT are core strength, joint stability, and balance. Manual manipulations and chiropractic treatment should be kept to a minimum. Make sure that when you are doing exercises that you are not putting too much stress on your joints – if so, ask the therapist if there is another way to work the same muscle groups without having to strain your joints. Activities such as Pilates, swimming, and tai chi are also great ways to exercise that are kind on the joints and are things to talk about with your PT, who might incorporate some elements of those activities into your therapy.
Physical therapy is critical to managing the symptoms of Hypermobility Syndrome, but must be approached with caution. I saw a PT for months but ended up with more, rather than less pain – but I was told that was a good thing. The whole ‘no pain no gain’ mentality, however, does not apply to HMS. You need to find a therapist that is kind, attentive, and who will not push you too hard. It can be hard and sometimes take time to find a therapist like that, but it is well worth the wait. Before entering PT, do some shopping around so that you know you are going to get the right person and the right treatment.
Best of Luck! And remember, if you have any questions about physical therapy, or HMS in general, feel free to contact me.
Love and Hope,
Chelsea
MOUNTAIN PHYSICAL THERAPY SERVICES
90 SOUTHSIDE AVE, SUITE 225
ASHEVILLE, NC 28801
www.mountainphysicaltherapy.com
CAROLINA PHYSICAL THERAPY SPECIALISTS
PO BOX 408
Hope Mills, 28348
910-429-0600
TOUCH THERAPY SERVICES
PO Box 16518
Asheville, NC 28816
828-665-0442
touchtherapyservices@charter.net
KERNSERSVILLE REHAB SPECIALISTS
1031 E. Mountain Street Blv
Suite 101
Kernsersville, NC 27284
336-996-4980
www.KRStherapy.com
CENTER FOR ORTHOPEDIC PHYSICAL THERAPY
417 BILTMORE AVE.
5B DOCTORS PARK
ASHEVILLE, NC 28801
828-255-4567
copt@bellsouth.net
BALANCED PHYSICAL THERAPY
304 WEAVER STREET, SUITE 103
CARRBORO, NC 27510
and
HWY 54
DURHAM, NC 27713
www.BalancedPT.com
GASTON REHAB ASSOCIATES, INC.
1361-B E. GARNSON BLVD
GASTONIA, NC 28054
And: 2809 AMITY HILL RDSTATESVILLE, NC 28677
704-864-4424
www.gastonrehabassociates.com
BREAKTHROUGH PHYSICAL THERAPY
530 SANDHURST DR.
FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28304
910-483-9300
www.RedefiningPT.com
MOTIONWORKS MANUAL PHYSICAL THERAPY, INC.
1314-C WAYNE MEMORIAL DR.
GOLDSBORO,NC 27534
919-734-9644
SPORTS AND MORE PHYSICAL THERAPY, INC.
8300 HEALTH PARK SUITE 127
RALEIGH, NC 27615
919-319-6160
and
3700 NW CARY PARKWAY
CARY, NC
27513
919-319-3649
www.sportsandmorept.com
PHYSICAL THERAPY OF NORTH CAROLINA, LLC
4214 N. ROXBORO ST SUITE 100
DURHAM, NC 27704
919-479-9001
ptofnc@verizon.net
heelgrad93@msn.com
ATHLETIC ADVANTAGE, INC. SPORTS PHYSICAL THERAPY
5107 SOUTHPARK DR. SUITE 103
DURHAM, NC 27713
919-484-0033
www.AASports.com
ATLANTIC PT AND REHABILITATION
3650 COALITION DR.
MYRTLE BEACH, SC 29578
843-293-7713
MARTHA LEWIS PT
MILLS RIVER PHYSICAL THERAPY
4687 BOYLSTON HWY
MILLS RIVER, NC 28759
828-890-0040
lacy@millsriverpt.com
CENTER FOR PERFECT BALANCE
245 ROSMAN HWY
BREVARD, NC 28712
828-966-9036
perfectbalance@citcom.net
SKYLAND FAMILY REHAB
333 GASHES CREEK RD. SUITE A
ASHEVILLE, NC 28803
828-299-4636
skylandrehab@bellsouth.net
CAROLINA PHYSICAL THERAPY SPECIALISTS
905-B OLD WINSTON RD.
KERNERSVILLE, NC 27284
336-992-2787
www.carolina.com
CEDAR HILL PHYSICAL THERAPY
5409 WHITE BLOSSOM DR.
GREENSBORO, NC 27410
PAUL WEISS and ANGELA COOK
336-644-9661
info@cedarhillpt.com
www.cedarhillpt.com
ASHEVILLE PHYSICAL THERAPY
76 PEACHTREE RD., SUITE 204
ASHEVILLE, NC 28803
828-277-7547
kimfoxpt@gmail.com
brianLawLer@jno.com
CAPE FEAR FAMILY MEDICAL CARE
405 Owen Drive
Fayetteville, NC 28304
KATHERINE J. GRIESSER
910-263-7438
www.bodymechanics.com
