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Rachel Miller
PT, MSPT, WCS, CFMT, IWHI, CNPT
empowerpt@verizon.net
MS: Physical Therapy,
Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Marianne Cortese
PT, DPT
marianne@empowerpa.com
DPT:
Doctorate of Physical Therapy, Rutgers University New Brunswick, NJ
Courses:
Certified Running Gait Analyst
Fundamentals of Pregnancy & Postpartum Physical Therapy
Mulligan Concepts
Member:
American Physical Therapy Association, Orthopedic and Sports sections
Mari was born and raised in southern New Jersey and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Rutgers University. She then continued on to obtain her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Rutgers University as well.
In her time there she earned an Academic Excellence Award and initiated a Manual Therapy Special Interest Group to promote the overall knowledge of manual techniques for students within the program. This kick started her lasting interest in utilizing manual treatments within the plan of care to promote the recovery and return to activity for a variety of patient populations.
Mari is the primary orthopedic therapist at Empower Physical Therapy and treats a wide variety of conditions including, but not limited to, neck injuries, back pain and spinal injuries, knee and hip replacements, shoulders, TMJ, and orthopedic conditions relating to pregnancy.
Mari has the strong ability to look at the body as a whole; this allows her to not only treat the conditions, but find the original cause. With her personal passion in exercise in weight training, Mari enjoys helping others return to their favorite hobbies and activities!
Outside of work Mari enjoys spending time with her golden doodle Maya, at the beach with family, and participating in Crossfit.
“Throughout my professional career I have developed an appreciation for the implementation of manual therapy into physical therapy practice. I believe there are physiological, biomechanical and psychological benefits of manual treatments to assist in getting back to daily activities with decreased pain and improved function.”
Holly Wells
PT, DPT, OCS, COMT, PCES
holly@empowerpa.com
DPT:
Doctorate of Physical Therapy, Neumann University
Certifications:
Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist (OCS) by American Board of Physical Therapy
Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist (COMT)
Certified Pregnancy & Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist (PCES)
Courses:
Running Gait Analyst Level 1
Herman & Wallace Level 1 Pelvic Floor
Level 2A & Level 2B Pelvic Floor, Male Pelvic Floor, & Postpartum
Member:
American Physical Therapy Association
Holly Wells earned her Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from the University of Massachusetts
at Amherst in 2004 and her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Neumann University in 2013.
Holly is a Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist (OCS) by the American Board of Physical
Therapy Specialties since 2015. She is a Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist (COMT) by
the Ola Grimsby Institute since 2015. She plans to sit for the Pelvic Rehabilitation Practitioner Certification (PRPC) in Spring of 2024.
Additional training Holly has completed includes Pregnancy/Postpartum Corrective Exercise
Specialist (PCES) with Sarah Duvall; Level 1 Certified Running Gait Analyst with ACE Running; education
with David Grey Rehab and Empowered Performance with Katie Stuart St. Clair. She has also completed numerous pelvic specific courses with the Herman and Wallace Rehabilitation Institute, including the
complete pelvic floor series.
Holly enjoys utilizing a holistic approach to human movement; incorporating respiratory mechanics,
hands-on manual treatment including IASTM, cupping, taping and full body functional movements.
After noticing a lack of guidance for pregnant and postpartum women with her first child, Holly
became an advocate for pelvic physical therapy and integrating this specialty into her orthopedic
background. She is passionate about providing personalized physical therapy for both
orthopedic and pelvic conditions to all.
Outside of work, Holly enjoys time spent outdoors, staying active, cold plunges and traveling
with her husband Sean and their two sons.
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
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..
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.
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.
When not at work, Kelly enjoys early morning runs, baking, and traveling with her husband and family.
Kimberly Tafuro
PT, DPT
kimmy@empowerpa.com
DPT:
Doctorate of Physical Therapy, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA
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 care.
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.
Outside of work, Kimmy enjoys reading, going to the movies, spending time with her dogs, and staying active both outside and in the gym.
Lisa is our Office Manager at Empower Physical Therapy, welcoming patients and visitors to our office. She will help you manage your therapeutic plan of care, building a convenient appointment schedule around your work or school calendar or during our early-morning or late-evening hours. Lisa also maintains patient accounts with current personal and insurance information, and prepares your monthly statement. She is readily available to any questions regarding your account or insurance needs, both in the office and over the phone. Lisa also creates content and manages our Instagram account.
When she is not at the office, Lisa loves spending time with her husband and two daughters. She enjoys photography, illustration, painting, kayaking and working in her garden.