Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Julia Avidane
Hi Dr. Julia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Thank you so much for having me.
Well, growing up in South Florida, I developed a love for reading, water sports, and quite influentially, the art of dance. Training as a ballerina from an early age and later joining a college dance team, taught me discipline, coordination, and agility necessary for finely-tuned movements.
I have always been interested in the human body and its capabilities.
My inclination for health science was nurtured at the University of Miami, where I immersed myself in pre-medical classes. How to keep the body in optimal condition through proper exercise, nutrition, and stress management became both a passion and a career.
In addition to formal academics, I completed my first yoga teacher training in Miami Beach by age 20. I soon began teaching at country clubs like Riviera, as well as yoga studios, gyms, and through private instruction, including working with elite athletes.
During my college days, I’d pack my dance shoes on Friday nights and head to the now-closed Yuca Cuban restaurant and club in the heart of Lincoln Road, South Beach. Upstairs, it felt like you stumbled on a secret—a 10-piece live salsa band with top-tier musicians commanding the moves of serious salsa aficionados. The tile and grout-lined floor wasn’t exactly designed for ballroom whirls and twirls, and I remember that vividly because of the many nights ending in sore feet. I didn’t mind, though—it was all part of the joy.
On Saturdays, I’d make my way to the farmers market in Coconut Grove, where health-conscious individuals gathered around an abundance of prepared salads, date-filled desserts, and yoga pants for sale. The culture in Miami really shaped who I am today, and I’m grateful for the many years spent in its eclectic environment.
Combining a love of health, the body, and medical science, becoming a Doctor of Physical Therapy was a natural path for me. Since graduating in 2009 from the University of Miami with a DPT degree, my rewarding career has brought me to many regions of the country to help heal people overcoming injuries and pain. I’ve worked in large hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and senior golf and tennis communities to improve the physical function of patients after recovering from surgeries, injuries, neurological events, and more.
As a proponent of preventative medicine throughout my career, I equip people with knowledge to reduce their risk of injury or illness. In my latest work, an online posture masterclass, I guide people to significantly reduce neck or back pain. I love diving into technical details—the why and how of effective exercises—without making it feel tedious. I teach proper alignment, strength, and good body mechanics… and bring awareness to daily static positions and movement patterns to improve long-term health. And let’s be honest, we all need a little nudge to stand up straight.
Even I have to remind myself to stop slouching and straighten up—ironic, considering it’s a key subject I teach. I’m all too familiar with neck and upper back tension built up after hours hunched over the computer. Our modern, tech-filled lives are doing us no favors when it comes to spine health, which, in turn, can affect other areas of the body. So, it’s important to counteract all that scrolling.
I hope to inspire people to move and stretch, and especially… feel good in general.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Working as a healthcare professional comes with challenges.
There will always be room for improvement to help both the systems in place and the health of individuals. For example, despite advances in healthcare, preventative measures are often under-emphasized. Preventing illnesses before they occur, rather than treating issues after they arise, would benefit healthcare recipients and reduce costs.
Advocating for proactive measures rather than a reactive system sounds great in theory… but in reality, applying that across society is difficult.
As a technology enthusiast, I am always fascinated by advancements in healthcare like integrating robotics for precision in surgeries, and AI-assisted accuracy in image diagnostics, like reading MRIs. But, as if that wasn’t enough, there’s still room for progress. Take medical records, for instance. I see a future where we don’t have to fill out the same forms every visit to a new doctor. Imagine digital universal medical records where individuals carry their complete health history and share it from provider to provider. This kind of integration would speed up documentation efficiency, eliminate redundancies, and reduce errors. Plus, if we streamline medical records, maybe the doctor would stop asking if I’m allergic to peanuts.
I was amazed to learn that companies and research institutes are currently working to make this “decentralized documentation system” possible with blockchain technology. It will soon be possible to move away from traditional data storage methods (which not too long ago was all paper-based), and still remain compliant with healthcare regulations for data privacy. This innovation will transform the way we manage healthcare data, and I look forward to seeing it implemented.
Another challenge I’ve seen is the complexity of healthcare accessibility. There are barriers that prevent many people from getting the care they need, whether due to cost, availability, or lack of knowledge about their options. Yet, these struggles have also driven me to focus even more on education, awareness, and sharing information for how to best take care of oneself.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My current focus is helping individuals improve their back health through accessible education. I offer an on-demand video masterclass on back care and posture that can be completed in one hour, with 5 video lessons. I designed an accompanying exercise manual with pictures and descriptions, that when followed regularly, can promote lasting relief of posture and spine related issues. I provide my best advice from over 20 years of experience, and draw from innumerable positive outcomes working with individuals using these techniques.
I believe in a comprehensive approach combining education with practical exercises. I am most proud of making back care accessible to people in their own time, helping them live and move pain-free. I strive to give straightforward, effective solutions for overall wellness.
I’ll be going into more depth about this subject in my upcoming book “The Healthy Spine: Your Guide to Better Posture, Alignment, and Lasting Back Pain Relief from a Sloucher Turned Physical Therapist”. Check for that and upcoming podcasts all about health and wellness from my perspective, and talking with others in the field.
To master posture correction and heal your back, join my posture masterclass at: http://healthyback.info
Stay updated on all things back health and posture! Follow me on Instagram @theNeckLady for tips, exercises, and my latest news.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice is to take care of your health proactively. This means making time for habits that support your well-being. Progress often takes time, and you may not see immediate results. It’s not necessarily instantly gratifying. You might have to confront a little short-term discomfort to reap the long-term rewards—like trading your couch-potato TV time for a nighttime stretching routine. But don’t worry, you can still keep the TV on. Netflix and stretch.
It doesn’t require expensive equipment or a gym membership to take care of your physical health. You can make great progress with a walking routine, and just a few low-cost items—a yoga mat, a stretching strap or resistance band for mobility work, and a foam roller or tennis ball to release muscle tension. Even simple props like a countertop, can be used for balance, exercise, and stretching. Basic tools and knowing what you can do (and actually doing it) will help you build flexibility and strength right at home.
If you’re dealing with an existing issue, such as chronic pain or injury, the first step is to listen to your body. Healing often begins with understanding where imbalances or weaknesses lie.
Start with the basics: get enough sleep, stay active, eat nourishing foods, and manage stress. These sound simple, but play a huge role in quality of life. Read about techniques for building positive habits and breaking unhelpful ones. Don’t underestimate the value of bursting out into laughter, having fun, being around people you like, and also, feeling content in your own company. There’s a difference between being lonely and alone, and the former is supposedly worse for your health than fast food.
Find activities you enjoy that keep your body moving. Regular movement keeps your muscles strong, joints healthy, maintains stable blood sugar levels, and reduces the risk of many health problems. Turns out, just standing around doing house chores burns calories—something called Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis. So, yes, vacuuming and putting away laundry counts as a mini workout and calorie expenditure, contributing to a healthy weight and well-being.
Develop a strong mind-body connection. Meditation, yoga, being around nature (aka “forest bathing”), or even taking a few moments each day to check in with how you feel, can go a long way in staying on top of your health. This allows you to notice any early signs of strain or stress and take action before it progresses.
Consistency is key. It’s about committing to small, sustainable habits every day.
You can improve your health… one. step. at. a. time. And sure, heart health experts say 7,000 to 10,000 steps a day is the goal (or 4,000 to 5,000 steps for seniors), but hey—you can still only get there one step at a time. 🙂
Contact Info:
- Website: http://healthyback.info
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenecklady
- Twitter: https://x.com/DrJuliaAvidane
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/XaI6T3-2KvM
Image Credits
(bird-dog yoga pose photographer): Larissa Nowak
