I have a double injury that has been going on since 1999. In that time, I have had 5 surgeries that include 3 to the neck involving 2 fusions. I have seen some wonderful therapists in that time, but none can compare to Martina at Laulima Physical Therapy. In the past, the therapists treated the injury and I thought that was great. But, what Martina taught me is you have to also treat the on-going injury and how it affects the body. So, one of my injury's is to the spinal column in my neck. Instead of just treating that injury, Martina also treats the area below my neck because the fusion is now affecting my thoracic spine. She is also helping to strengthen my shoulder blades and back area because my posture has gotten worse due to my head leaning forward because my neck is too weak to hold up my head for the whole day.
Past therapists have also addressed this problem, but they were not able to adjust me prior to my session which loosened the area enough for the workout to be effective. So in essence, Martina was able to peel away the layers 1-3 to get to the problem in layers 4 and 5. Other therapists " massaged layers 1-3, but could not peel them away enough to get to 4 and 5.
So, one day I had told Martina that I couldn't come in because I was having difficulty walking. A week later, I was still struggling to walk and I asked her if I could pay her to try to address my leg and back problem which wasn't covered by my insurance. I went in and she diagnosed me with having a sciatica problem coming from a possible pinch in my lower back that was affecting my legs and causing me to hunch forward . She worked on me and an hour later I was ready to run a marathon! I couldn't believe it. She "popped" my lower back which undid the pinch. She popped my lower back by just slowly pulling on my bent knees while I was on my back. That is what makes Martina heads above the rest. She knows what "causes" the issues, so she can address the cause and hopefully prevent or alleviate the effect. She is so amazing, I have her work on both of children, who are athletes. The repeated use of their back and shoulders for volleyball causes aches and pain, sometimes. Martina taught them exercises to do at home to help strengthen their weak areas and to prevent future injuries.
Lastly, Martina and her team continually take classes and obtain certifications to keep them up to date on the latest technology and equipment out there to help them provide the best care available. Earlier this year, Martina went to a week long class in the mainland to get certified by Rock Tape and take other classes to update her resume. These classes she takes on her own just so she can provide the best care to her clients. I am so blessed to have found Martina and look forward to every PT session. That is a first. read more