Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Mannering.
Laura, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Upon graduating with my BA in economics and Spanish from the University of Pennsylvania in 2000, I wasn’t sure what career I wanted to explore. I therefore ended up spending nearly 4 years teaching English and traveling in Asia and one year volunteering with AmeriCorps in Boston. I then decided to pursue becoming a doctor of physical therapy believing it would provide me with a challenging, rewarding, and physically active career. After graduating with my DPT from the University of Miami in 2010 I entered the world of outpatient orthopedic physical therapy. At my first job I learned about the McKenzie method of mechanical diagnosis and therapy from my boss. As I worked, I continued to take numerous courses, and in my third year I took my first McKenzie method course. I was hooked. I had herniated a disc in my low back my second day at UM and then again badly a few years later. Despite having received physical therapy at 2 clinics, getting expert advice, and applying what I had learned to myself, I had never gotten back to normal. The frequent pain in my right low back and very occasional pain in my legs was still bothersome in my day-to-day life and restricted me from doing all the exercise I was accustomed to as an athlete. Applying the McKenzie method to myself, I was finally able to get back to 100%. I took all the McKenzie courses (among others), quickly realizing that this method of diagnosis and treatment was superior to what I had been using. I became certified in the method and became a board-certified clinical specialist in orthopedic physical therapy. Unfortunately, it was difficult to apply the McKenzie method in the clinics where I had been working because I had little one-on-one time with my patients, which was especially needed for education. In addition, in many instances there would not be continuity of care; some days I treated the patient and some days assistants/aides/students not versed in the McKenzie method treated the patient. The only way I could see to fix this would be to have my own practice. I reached out to clinicians doing what I wanted to do for advice and branched out on my own in 2016.
Has it been a smooth road?
So far, it’s been smooth. I have wonderful mentors to lean on, but a lot of the process has been learn-as-you-go. I need to figure out what works best for my particular situation. There have been things I would have done differently – certainly. But nothing I would call a blunder.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Laura Mannering Physical Therapy – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
A doctor of physical therapy, I have two advanced post-doctoral specializations in orthopedics: I am a board-certified clinical specialist in orthopedic physical therapy (OCS) and I am certified in the McKenzie method of mechanical diagnosis and therapy (Cert. MDT). I therefore diagnose and treat orthopedic injuries. That includes any injury from head to toe such as headaches, rotator cuff tears, neck or low back pain, sciatica, disc herniations post-surgical ACL tears, and toe numbness. The McKenzie method is known for addressing spine problems, but it is an approach that can be applied to the entire musculoskeletal system. In addition to differentiating myself by simply being one of the few physical therapists with these certifications in Broward County, there are other factors that set me apart. Firstly, I treat patients in a one-on-one environment; I do not employ assistants or aides.
Secondly, I treat patients using targeted movement. The body has an amazing ability to heal if you repeatedly give it the correct intrinsic stimulus. Thirdly, my patients frequently experience a rapid reduction of symptoms in only a few visits, and the average number of necessary visits is five to six. This is what makes me most proud – using my world-class education and experience to be able to deliver personal, ethical, and highly effective care that gets people better much faster than other approaches and keeps them better via education regarding pathology and injury prevention.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I returned to Fort Lauderdale after several years in Washington, DC primarily for the weather. Seeing the sun most days is what I love! Having lived in many major cities (DC, Philly, Seoul, Beijing), what I like least is the lack of easy access to things via walking or public transportation. It’s a trade-off I’ll gladly take, but I miss being able to walk out my door and get to various places quickly and without getting in a car.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lauramanneringpt.com
- Phone: 305-842-4494
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlauramannering/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lauramanneringpt/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/laura-mannering-physical-therapy-fort-lauderdale-3?osq=Physical+Therapy
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