Rachel Miller
PT, MSPT, WCS, CFMT, IWHI, CNPT
empowerpt@verizon.net
MS: Physical Therapy,
Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA
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Certifications: Functional Manual Therapy™, Institute of Physical Art; Polestar Pilates and Reformer; Board-Certified in Pelvic Health through the American Physical Therapy Association, Certified Running Gait Analyst, Peri menopause and Menopause Certificate Program, Certified Nutritional Physical Therapist
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Member of: American Physical Therapy Association, Women’s Pelvic Health Section; Global Pelvic Health Alliance
“Every individual is different, so our treatment techniques are always designed around that person, spending direct care with each patient and taking a whole-body approach to solve the puzzle of their symptoms and the real causes of their pain. We want to empower all our patients to experience the importance of lifelong exercise for better overall health and fitness.”
When you need advanced physical therapy, you need highly skilled therapists with advanced training. Rachel has many years of experience with pelvic and spinal pain, incontinence, pre- and postnatal conditions, knee and shoulder problems, sports injuries and headaches.
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Rachel is a Certified Functional Manual Therapist™ (CFMT), which is an advanced clinical certification currently bestowed on only a handful of therapists in Pennsylvania. This integrated and seamless treatment system couples manual physical therapy with active patient movement to get optimal and quick results. The benefits of FMT include specific exercise- and physical therapy-provided resistance training to eliminate pain. Rachel also has integrated her manual therapy training with Pilates and Yoga to achieve maximal results.
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She also is a Board-Certified Pelvic Health Clinical Specialist at Empower Physical Therapy. Rachel has been a guest lecturer at Widener University and Thomas Jefferson University, for their Human Sexuality Studies Program, discussing the benefits of physical therapy in the treatment of pelvic floor disorders.
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Rachel continues to integrate further treatment techniques each year, including visceral mobilization, which is a light touch technique to restore proper balance to the organs. For example, if you have had hysterectomies, caesarean sections or any abdominal surgery, then that scar tissue can bind down and create restricted movement within your whole system, not just your spine. Everything is connected! That chronic constipation that you have been suffering for over the years may be a big contributing factor to your pelvic and back pain, and many people have no idea. We are here because we love education and want to empower our clients to take back their health and wellness!
ONE OF RACHEL'S EMPOWERED PATIENTS: I can't sing Rachel Miller's praises high enough. I emailed Empower as a last ditch effort to avoid surgery and that decision changed my life. The combination of Rachel's expertise and my determination was precisely what my body needed, and I was able to feel zero symptoms after 2.5 months. Infinity THANK YOUs, Rachel.
K. M. W.
Kelly Maxwell
PT, DPT
kelly@empowerpa.com
DPT:
Doctorate of Physical Therapy, Arcadia University
Courses:
Level 1, Level 2A & Level 2B Pelvic Floor, Male Pelvic Floor and Postpartum through Herman & Wallace
Pelvic Function Series Capstone through Herman & Wallace
Ultimate Bowel Course through the Pelvic Guru
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Member:
American Physical Therapy Association, Pelvic Health section
Kelly graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of South Carolina in 2013. She then went on to earn her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Arcadia University in 2020.
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Since graduating from physical therapy school she has been working in outpatient orthopedics but has long had a desire to expand her practice into the realm of pelvic floor therapy. Joining Empower’s team has helped to make that dream a reality as Kelly has been able to treat individuals with pelvic floor conditions including incontinence, GI dysfunction, pelvic pain and pregnancy and postpartum-related concerns on a daily basis. She has enjoyed transitioning from the world of orthopedics and feels like it has been an immense privilege to be entrusted with helping individuals achieve their unique goals.
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Kelly has completed her Level 1, 2A, 2B, and Pelvic Function Series Capstone pelvic floor training through Herman and Wallace as well as an introductory course about working with individuals who are postpartum. She has also completed the Ultimate Bowel Course through The Pelvic Guru for treatment of gastrointestinal dysfunctions and a specialized course on treatment of pelvic floor conditions specific to the male population through Herman and Wallace. Kelly is also excited to continue her training by learning from her peers at Empower and taking additional continuing education courses to enable her to better serve her patients and provide them with the knowledge and tools that will allow them to take control of their health and well-being.
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When not at work, Kelly enjoys early morning runs, baking, and traveling with her husband and family.
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Kimberly Tafuro
PT, DPT
kimmy@empowerpa.com
DPT:
Doctorate of Physical Therapy, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA
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Courses:
Institute of Physical Art: The Pelvic Girdle Puzzle (PGP)
​Herman and Wallace Level 1 Pelvic Floor
​Herman and Wallace Level 2 Pelvic Floor
Member:
American Physical Therapy Association
Kimmy earned her Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Immaculata University and her Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University. She has in-depth knowledge and experience with being a teaching assistant in anatomy and is continuing to complete regular post-graduate education in orthopedic and pelvic floor care.
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Kimmy’s passion for physical therapy started at a young age as she supported her grandparents through multiple surgeries and their recoveries. She had the opportunity to see first-hand the impact a physical therapist can have on their patients and the community around them, which inspired her to pursue a career in physical therapy. Kimmy is most passionate about giving her patients the confidence to see all that they are capable of and to help them achieve their unique goals. Her main focus during treatment is on the patient and not just the diagnosis they are coming in for, and to help improve their quality of life. Kimmy is very passionate about both orthopedic and pelvic health, and is continuing her education in these areas to best help her patients. Kimmy is able to treat individuals for any orthopedic issue and pelvic floor conditions including incontinence, pregnancy and postpartum-related concerns.
Outside of work, Kimmy enjoys reading, going to the movies, spending time with her dogs, and staying active both outside and in the gym.
Alexa Garmendia
PT, DPT
alexa@empowerpa.com
DPT:
Doctorate of Physical Therapy, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia
Certifications / Courses:
Level 1 Pelvic Floor through APTA
Level 2A and 2B Pelvic Floor courses through Herman & Wallace
Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist – Arizona
Trauma Institute
Barbell Rehab Method Certified
Pessary Management for the Physical
Therapist - APTA
Alexa graduated from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia with her Bachelors of Science in Health Sciences and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in an accelerated program.
Alexa obtained her Level 1 Pelvic Health certification and also completed an introductory course in male sexuality and pelvic pain, both provided by the APTA. In addition, she has obtained her Level 2A and 2B certifications, both provided by Herman & Wallace, as well as many various courses supporting the pelvic floor. Alexa treats a wide variety of pelvic floor conditions including, but not limited to, pregnancy/postpartum, urinary incontinence, pelvic floor dysfunction, pelvic pain, male pelvic floor dysfunction, and bowel conditions including fecal incontinence and constipation.
In college, Alexa found her passion for exercising and weight lifting. She fell in love with helping others in the gym and especially making women feel comfortable in the weight room. Alexa enjoys teaching others about proper body mechanics while exercising and thus obtained her personal trainer certification via ACSM her Barbell Rehab Method Certification as well.
When she is not working, Alexa enjoys reading, baking sweets, and of course catching up on her shows! She also practices yoga, reformer pilates and weight lifting. These first-hand experiences as an athlete help her better support her patients through all forms of fitness and movement goals.