About Ancy Alford, PT, DPT, CMTPT
Favorite Quote: “The best way to prepare for life is to begin to live.” -Elbert Hubbard Accomplishments and/or success story: Despite being raised in a strict household that truly only believed in engineers and medical doctors, I pushed boundaries and became a pioneer for my generation to truly just follow your passion and became a physical therapist. […]
Physical Therapy Treatment and Exercises for Multidirectional Shoulder Instability
The shoulder joint is super mobile, incredibly versatile, and allows for a wide range of motion. This little ball and socket joint allows for a fastball, an overhead throw, a chin-up, an uppercut, a butterfly stroke, behind the neck press, handstands, and multiple other movements performed by people every day. From performing extension, flexion, abduction, […]
Employing Physical Therapy and Manual Therapy for Scar Tissue Management and Long-Term Healing
People might often consider physical therapy a mere reactive treatment recommended after physical injury or trauma. People associate PT with things like knee surgery, broken arms, or joint issues. The scope of physical therapy, however, goes far beyond that. Various physical therapy interventions have proven effective to manage other conditions such as scar tissue management. […]
Exploring Fascia and Fascial Treatments in Physical Therapy: What You Should Know
An untrained middle-aged school female principal fends off a male attacker threatening her with a knife and single-handedly saves dozens of schoolchildren. How is this physically possible? In his book Natural Born Heroes, Christopher McDougall tells this story and makes a compelling case for the “inner hero” and how learning to engage the fascia allows […]
Why Using Non-Drug Treatments for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain in Young People is a Better Option
Chronic or persistent pain is not just an issue with older adults or with people who had an acute injury that turned into a chronic pain problem. We might not immediately associate chronic pain with children or young adults, but data shows that it is not uncommon for children under the age of 13 and […]
Are You In Touch With Your Pelvic Floor?
According to a recent article in the Guardian, Ms. Coco Berlin, who refers to herself as “Germany’s most famous belly dancer,” wondered why Egyptian belly dancers were so much better than dancers in Germany. After traveling to Egypt to get to the bottom of this, she concluded that one of the main differences was that […]
Have EDS, Now What?
At Bethesda Physiocare, we often evaluate patients who demonstrate signs and symptoms of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS). While it may be unsettling to find out you have a chronic connective tissue disorder, it can also be the first step towards managing your health and addressing many undiagnosed symptoms. One of the first things to consider […]
Physical Therapy for Performing Artists & Musicians: Common Musculoskeletal Injuries and Treatments
In the mid-1800s, Robert Schuman was forced to withdraw from performances due to severe injury to his hand. His excessive and manic practice habits led to serious damage that forced him off the stage—a reality that devastated young Schuman. Things worked out in the end for this talented young man—his pain would manifest in glorious […]
Physical Therapy for Prevention and Performance Enhancement for Athletes
When engaged in regular sports activity and exercise regimens, it is not uncommon to overtrain, overwork, and ultimately strain muscles, joints, or tendons. As muscles are compromised, athletes tend to overcompensate or push too far to the point of injury. For young athletes—such as high school football players or wrestlers—the focus is often on diligent […]
Male Pelvic Health Disorders
Men’s Health PT is physical therapy for uniquely male pelvic conditions, often occurring as a consequence of prostate treatments. That pelvic floor muscles even exist may be news to many men. Not only are there muscles in the pelvic area, but they are also critically important to maintain sexual function, urinary continence, and lower back […]
