The Alter G Treadmill uses NASA technology to leave less weight on your feet so you can walk or run with less impact, less pain and better movement patterns. It has been shown to work well following ankle sprains, knee injuries and lower body surgeries. If you have an injury that is preventing you from training for a marathon, this can allow you to keep up the hard work with less impact. It also can help with neurological diseases that impact walking like Parkinson’s disease and Multiple Sclerosis.

The Edge Physical Therapy offers aquatic physical therapy in our Essex and South Burlington locations. No facility in the area offers more pool access than we do!

Aquatic therapy offers unique benefits for many individuals of various diagnoses and body types, particularly in the management of arthritic conditions and low back pain. The benefits of water are endless, and we use it to improve balance, stability, strength, flexibility, posture, proprioception, for post-surgical care, controlling swelling and in gait training. The buoyancy and hydrostatic pressure properties of the water simultaneously decompress and provide resistance to our joints, allowing for pain free range of motion and movement that may otherwise be limited by pain or swelling on land. Our therapists will work one on one with you, tailoring an exercise program to meet your individual needs and to transition you towards independent management through aquatic workouts.

At The Edge Physical Therapy we offer the most comprehensive physical therapy services for patients with arthritis to keep them moving and feeling their best. Our staff works closely with doctors to treat their non-surgical and surgical patients. During your evaluation we will assess your joint function, pain, flexibility and strength. Treatment includes exercise recommendations that are safe for your joints and unique to your needs. This may include aquatic therapy and land-based exercise. We educate you about how to manage your pain and protect your joints from further wear and tear. If you are having significant pain we will utilize a variety of treatments such as heat, ice, ultrasound, electric stimulation, and massage to help reduce your pain and get you moving again. In addition to physical therapy, our fitness facilities offer many pool and land exercise classes that are designed specifically for people with arthritis, providing you with a way to continue your rehabilitation.

Balance is as important to the athlete as it is to the elderly person who lives alone. The athlete requires good balance for performance and older people require good balance for safety and mobility by reducing the risk of falls. Regardless of your age or activity level, you can improve your balance and learn to move more efficiently, with greater control and ease. Balance training involves many components such as flexibility, strength, coordination, and the ability to respond to disturbances in our balance and equilibrium. Our Physical Therapists specialize in identifying causes of and treatment for a variety of balance disorders.

Even in these days of medical miracles, there are patients whose condition leaves them living with chronic pain. Our gentle and compassionate therapists at Edge Physical Therapy work to reduce anxiety, suffering, and dependence on medications. Approaches to chronic pain include pain neuroscience education, self-help techniques, self-administered electrical stimulation, manual therapies and exercise. We know how important it is to prevent weakness and muscle wasting due to inactivity. Aquatic therapy is available at The Edge Physical Therapy, including moderate and warm temperature pools. The benefits of aquatics include the gentle support and resistance for strengthening and aerobic conditioning to stimulate hormones that naturally reduce pain. We treat flare-ups with the latest mechanical and manual therapy techniques, and leave every patient with an independent program for managing pain long-term.

Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle manual treatment approach utilized to improve the function of the central nervous system. Using light touch, Craniosacral Therapy regulates the flow of cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord, releasing restrictions and realigning the body to promote healing and reduce pain and dysfunction. Craniosacral Therapy is appropriate to treat a variety of diagnoses including low back pain, neck pain, chronic pain syndromes, headaches, and a variety of orthopedic issues. It is a specialty within physical therapy practice and is available at The Edge Physical Therapy.

Cupping is an ancient Chinese therapy that’s based on the belief that certain health problems can be caused by stagnant blood and a poor energy flow through your body.

To address those health issues and chronic pain, practitioners apply cups—typically glass or silicone—to your skin to create a pressure that sucks your skin upward.  This has an effect on muscles, fascia and other soft tissue, which ultimately leads to improved movement patterns and less pain.

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Our bodies are complex systems with nerve, circulatory, energy and lymphatic connections throughout. Foot reflexology is an ancient art and science shown to be effective to stimulate the body toward healing in order to assist in recovery. We have Physical Therapists on staff that can compliment your traditional physical therapy treatments with reflexology if you are interested in this method of body work.

Ever wonder if that twinge you get while exercising or that ache you get afterward is normal? Do you have a medical condition that may affect your ability to exercise? Do you have questions about your safety during activities, sports, work or workouts in light of a change in your health? Do you wonder if physical therapy might help you get to a better level of fitness or sports performance?

All these questions can be addressed with a free injury screen by one of our licensed, experienced Physical Therapists. Anyone is eligible for a free 15 minute injury screening to discuss issues effecting their exercising. The Physical Therapist will also let you know if your situation could be helped by a course of regular treatment, and if other medical treatment is advised.

The Graston Technique utilizes stainless steel instruments to treat a variety of conditions including tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, IT band syndrome and most other muscular injuries. The instruments are used to effectively evaluate and treat inflammation and scar tissue to allow soft tissues to return to healthy functioning tissue quickly.

Dry Needling is a valuable treatment option for people suffering from acute or chronic pain. Dry needling is also a very effective option for both prevention of soft tissue pain and optimization of physical performance.  A solid monofilament needle is inserted through the skin into the painful tissue or an area that is referring pain.  This action releases tissue tension and normalizes local inflammation to decrease pain. There is no injectable medication used during this procedure.

Kinesiotape is a popular adjunct to physical therapy that is being seen in professional athletes to decrease pain and improve muscle function. It’s a stretchy tape that, when applied properly, can decrease muscle tension, improve muscle strength, decrease swelling and bruising, and give support to joints that are not functioning properly. This tape has been described as being “as good as taking the therapist home” to promote the improvements that take place during a physical therapy session. The tape can be utilized for most any condition from TMJ(jaw) issues, to neck and back problems, to joint problems in shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles.

In addition to exercise and hands-on treatment, Physical Therapists at The Edge Physical Therapy can use several specialized treatments referred to as modalities. These vary in purpose from pain control to swelling reduction, wound care to medication delivery. The most obvious and simplistic of these are heat and ice. Electric stimulation, ultrasound, iontophoresis, cold laser, hybresis and spinal traction may also become part of a complete program to help you fully recover.

The Edge Physical Therapy can assist you in your recovery from injuries that have occurred from a motor vehicle accident. These injuries could include neck pain, lower back pain, fractures, contusions, sprains and strains, or whiplash to name a few. Besides treating your injuries, our staff contacts your physician and insurance company to help optimize your care. We will aid with any questions regarding benefits and submit your bills accordingly in an effort to make the rehabilitation process as stress-free as possible.

How we move to perform an exercise or activity has an enormous effect on our entire body. Often injuries and overuse disorders such as tendonitis occur because of faulty movement patterns. During an evaluation we assess the biomechanics of your movement pattern to determine why you move the way that you do. Sometimes faulty movement patterns are due to weakness in a particular muscle group or to limited flexibility. Treatment includes correcting for these imbalances and training your body to adopt more normal movement patterns.

Myofascial Release is a specialized hands-on treatment to relieve muscle and connective tissue tightness anywhere in the body. It’s similar to massage in that it’s a hands-on technique by a Physical Therapist, but often works indirectly, loosening tension near, rather than directly on a painful area. The amount of pressure and direction of pull are determined by the skilled hands of the Physical Therapist. Passive treatments like myofascial release are combined with exercises to provide the best outcomes for your pain and function. We are experts in developing exercise programs that enhance the effectiveness of myofascial release.

Neurological disorders are not uniform by diagnosis or individual. At The Edge Physical Therapy, we conduct a thorough evaluation of your functional abilities, strength, flexibility, balance, movement patterns, pain, and discuss your personal goals for therapy. We then design a customized treatment program unique to your needs, utilizing a variety of rehabilitation techniques such as aquatic therapy, movement therapy, and balance retraining that challenge the body to adapt and improve your function.

Orthopedics physical therapy pertains to conditions, disorders, injuries, and surgeries of the muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons. This includes arthritis, sprains, strains, fractures, overuse injuries, sport injuries. All of the therapists at The Edge Physical Therapy have extensive training and experience with orthopedic disorders and excel in the evaluation and treatment of them. Our expertise is complimented by our state-of-the-art facilities, allowing us to offer the most comprehensive rehabilitation options in Vermont! We work closely with primary care doctors and specialty physicians to ensure that you receive the most appropriate care for your condition.

Orthotics are specialized inserts for your shoes that help normalize movement and relieve pain. When your feet don’t contact the ground properly, you may experience pain anywhere in the kinetic chain (foot, ankle, knee, hip or low back). During an evaluation we assess your feet and how they affect the rest of your kinetic chain. If custom orthotics are indicated, we make a perfect mold of your feet and order your personalized orthotics. Additionally, we will discuss proper shoe/sneaker wear with you and instruct you in exercises to correct any muscle imbalances that have developed over time. At The Edge Physical Therapy there are Physical Therapists who are specifically trained in custom orthotic fabrication.

Pediatric PT offers help to infants through teenagers with conditions including cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, autism, delayed gross motor development, torticollis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, brain injuries and many others.  At The Edge PT, we utilize play, family education, a shallow pool and neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT) to help your child reach their goals.

Postural Restoration is a unique treatment approach which uses specific exercises and manual techniques to correct postural asymmetries and eliminate unwanted muscle tension in the body. Using this approach speeds up the healing process often impeded by this muscle tension and prevents recurrence of injury by addressing underlying strength imbalances. Our therapists are trained specifically in the use of this treatment, which can be used for a variety of diagnoses including low back pain, neck pain, tendonitis, arthritis, chronic pain syndromes, and a variety of orthopedic issues.

Physical Therapy may be advised before a scheduled surgery to minimize swelling, increase joint range of motion, improve muscle strength and flexibility. This provides a head start on rehabilitation, making post-op exercises easier and the recovery process quicker. Often recommendations to help make sure your house is as safe as possible following surgery and teaching you how to use a cane, crutches or a walker are included to ensure the easiest recovery possible. After surgery it’s very important to work on your rehabilitation with a skilled Physical Therapist who can assess your needs, choose appropriate treatments and activities for you, communicate with your surgeon, and safely help you progress toward a full recovery as quickly as possible. Our PT’s have extensive knowledge and experience in all areas of post-operative rehabilitation (tendon repair, joint replacement, ligament repair, fracture fixation, spinal fusion etc). Our experience, combined with our excellent hands-on skills, close relationships with surgeons, and our state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, make us the best choice to help you with your recovery.

With experience in acute care, oncology and cardiac rehabilitation, our staff has the medical knowledge to transition patients from the hospital setting to the gym space.  Our focus on patient education facilitates confidence in your health and safety when returning to an active lifestyle.

The Edge Physical Therapy offers running analysis and has therapists trained to perform detailed evaluations of flexibility, strength and power as they pertain to runners. Often very simple exercises or alterations to running technique can get people back to running quickly.

Common running injuries include shin splints, ITBand syndrome, tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, stress fractures and muscle strains. When not addressed properly, running form can worsen and lead to more serious injuries. Our Physical Therapists are trained to evaluate for these injuries and more. Improper training or footwear can be responsible for some of these injuries, so therapists provide advice for proper shoes that match the individual. Treatments can include pain relieving modalities, stretching, strengthening and advanced running specific exercises. Therapists also provide advice to alter technique and training schedules to minimize risk of future injury.

Physical Therapists at The Edge Physical Therapy are uniquely qualified to treat all kinds of spine injuries, from chronic low back pain to rehabilitation after surgery. The anatomy of the spine presents specific challenges as compared with other joints. Our Physical Therapists have specific training to address these challenges from a variety of approaches. Specializations that supplement standard physical therapy care include Postural Restoration, Ergonomic Assessment and Athletic Training. Mechanical traction is available where indicated. In addition, your Physical Therapist will coordinate treatments with doctors, surgeons, massage therapists and personal trainers.

At The Edge Physical Therapy our staff of licensed Physical Therapists specialize in the evaluation and treatment of all musculoskeletal injuries as well as pre and post-operative rehabilitation. Treatments include hands-on manual therapy, patient-specific strength and flexibility programs, and sports-specific training for athletes of all ages. We use our expertise and experience to help our patients to return to their prior level of activity as quickly and safely as possible. Only at The Edge Physical Therapy do athletes of all kinds have un-matched access to weights, gyms, pools, courts, and more!

At The Edge Physical Therapy our patients have access to the best and most diverse fitness equipment available. A one month fitness membership is included with your physical therapy to help with your transition to an independent program.  Within each location are personal trainers for people of every age and ability. Our physical therapy staff works closely with the Edge personal trainers to ease the transition from physical therapy to an independent workout program. Each talented personal trainer has their own specialty and our staff will match you with the best trainer to suit your individual needs. Personal training is a great way to begin a structured and safe workout regimen and maximize your fitness potential.

Our comprehensive program at The Edge Physical Therapy treats all phases of joint replacement rehabilitation. Pre-operative sessions may be scheduled to decrease inflammation, improve strength and range of motion, and will focus on patient education about the surgery, safety in the home following surgery and the rehabilitation process. The post-operative phase emphasizes early intervention to maximize results. The program combines aquatic and land-based exercises, manual therapy, and instruction in a home program. Once all goals are met, we help transition patients to an independent program. Discounted rehabilitation memberships to The Edge are also available to allow for continued access to all facilities!

Vestibular rehabilitation is a specialty offered at The Edge Physical Therapy to address the dizziness and unsteadiness that can result from BPPV (vertigo), Meniere’s Disease, MS, strokes, head injuries, or aging. These symptoms can be debilitating, but usually improve with vestibular rehabilitation. We evaluate the many areas of the body that can contribute to dizziness or loss of balance, then develop a program to help get you back to your everyday tasks. Treatments can include improving the quality of eye movement patterns, balance retraining, and movement tolerance tasks. The results are typically shockingly good! After just a few weeks of vestibular rehabilitation, most people who have felt trapped by their dizziness for months or even years are able to resume shopping trips, exercise, work and social activities with little to no dizziness.

You are more than just an injury or ailment!  Your overall health and wellness matter to us and impacts your recovery!  At The EDGE Physical Therapy we can address all aspects of your health and wellness to maximize your outcome.  We do this by providing our clients with education and resources, prescribing physical activity and exercise, providing support in adopting health promoting behaviors, and discussing barriers and opportunities related to your goals.  We are dedicated to being an environment that supports both your physical and emotional well-being.

The Edge Physical Therapy accepts all Workers Compensation cases and claims. We strive to provide our patients with a return-to-work plan that gets you back to your job quickly and safely. Our Physical Therapists use clinical techniques including modalities, manual therapies, and therapeutic exercise along with functional tasks that replicate job related activities to restore optimum function. We work closely with Workers Compensation case managers, employers and doctors for comprehensive medical care.