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The Manual Touch Physical Therapy

Whole Body Approach

Reclaim movement, function and life
For information, call: 847-541-7600
or email: info@themanualtouch.com
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Running

MY STORY AS A RUNNER

Running at sunriseI discovered running later in life at the age of 44. Wanting to exercise outside rather than at the health club, I chose to run.  My running progressed slowly over the course of the year, running about two to three miles, three times per week. Then plagued by shin splints and winter, I succumbed to working out at the health club to keep up my newfound fitness schedule with a goal to run a 5k at my son’s elementary school.  Over that year I realized I LOVED running!  The feel of my legs moving underneath me, propelling me forward, listening to music that I never would find the time for otherwise gave me a profound sense of calm, solitude, and accomplishment.

After the 5k, I continued running about three times per week, increasing my distance slowly over the next year to three to four miles at a time. I set a goal to run around Meta Lake in Eagle River,Wi, a six and a half mile loop, where my family goes every summer. By this time I became serious about my running and began studying the art and science of running.  I also was  plagued by multiple running associated injuries.  I sought out the support of my physical therapy friends for healing.  Healing consisted of manual physical therapy as well as a functional rehab program in order to fine-tune my mechanics and muscle imbalances unearthed by my new found love of running. But I still questioned whether I was ready to do a half marathon, until my fifteen year old daughter convinced me to try by agreeing to run with me.Certified Running Coach

Completing  the Chicago half marathon with my daughter was life changing.  Not only did I get to spend quality, uninterrupted time with my daughter, I realized I accomplished something I never dreamed possible.  I became a runner.  I found a saying in a running magazine that is now my motto: “I used to run with doubt, now she can’t keep up.”

As an athlete, I understand how therapy can help you achieve your goals.   As an active runner, I still get injuries. My most recent injury has been a year-long bout of Achilles tendonopathy.  Along with therapy, I changed my running form by using the Chi Running Method  (www.chirunning.com): this form change allowed me to keep running with this injury safely.

Other Resources

  • I Broke the Rules (Newsletter)

 

Recent Blog Posts

  • Tips for Avoiding Back Pain and Other Injuries at Work
  • What is at the Core of Many Pain Problems?
  • Meet Our Acupuncturist, David Derdiger

Blog Post Categories

Testimonials

The physical therapy I received at The Manual Touch PT helped reduce my sciatica pain to a manageable level in just a few sessions.  The exercises I was given strengthened and trained my muscles to prevent further back problems allowing me to return to playing basketball.
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I had 2 total hip replacements and a knee replaced.  I found the exercises to be tremendously  helpful.  Denise educated   me  on  how  I need  to move my body to keep  it in alignment and she was most helpful and encouraging.
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When I started to work with Denise I had shoulder and lower back pain.  She taught me various exercises along with posture that resulted in significant reduction in the pain.  Also, significantly improved my balance.  Her massage therapy greatly reduced the sensitivity to pressure that was caused by my open-heart surgery.
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On the occasion of my 69th birthday, I celebrated with a special, extended workout that included a set of 10 pull-ups and several other body-weight exercises. But the most important and most appreciated dimension of my body on that day and all others was the pain-free freedom of movement I enjoyed, the product of an exercise focus on flexibility, stretching, balance and core strength. The great change in my workouts came when I approached Denise Schwartz at The Manual Touch in Wheeling to reh…
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In 6 visits Denise has taught and evaluated me properly on issues of walking, sitting, bending, reaching and shoulder placement in order to prevent further spinal damage, unlike the previous PT I went to.  She also gave me appropriate exercises which factored in my spinal issues. I started to have less chronic pain doing normal activities throughout my day.  Her attention to my individual spine and daily needs has changed the way I stand, walk, etc. I have begun an aerobic exercise progr…
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I have been receiving PT therapy for pain and autoimmune disorders for over 18 months at The Manual Touch.  This also affects my kidneys and my lungs and other organs as I swell with fluid that my lymph system doesn’t seem to handle well.  I depend on the regular IMT tissue therapy I receive from Denise to help me function as normally as possible.  This therapy seems to work synergistically with the acupuncture and medication I also receive.  There are no cures for these disorders and as n…
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Denise is the best! 4 weeks before my first marathon she suggested a couple minor tweaks to my form and it immediately improved my comfort and speed. My next run was a 5 miler, and I felt so good that I ran it almost a minute / mile faster. Best run all year. My dreaded 20 miler training run was yesterday, and I ran 15-30 seconds/mile faster, and stayed consistent the whole 20 miles. It gives me quite the confidence boost leading into the marathon. Thanks Denise!
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I am a pediatric  physical  therapist  who  (unsuccessfully) tried to treat my own shoulder pain for more than 1 year.  By the time I started PT with Denise, my pain was significantly impacting both my personal and professional life. After 2 visits with Denise, the pain lessened and my function improved.  After 8 visits, I was nearly painfree.  Denise and I continue to work together to improve my overall movement and muscle strength.  My body feels better than it has in years.  I hav…
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Having spent several years trying to deal with sciatic nerve problems, I was happy to be referred to Manual Touch Physical Therapy and Denise.  Denise is thoughtful, kind, and a helpful person whose exercises are helping me improve. Her on line videos are very useful and helpful as well.  It is a pleasure going for therapy sessions and getting relief for my sciatic nerve problems.
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As a young elite athlete I was involved in numerous accidents resulting in scar tissue causing loss of flexibility and restrictions as an adult. After each treatment I feel so much less restriction and experience greater range of motion.
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Our Mission


We believe all body systems and mental/emotional health are connected. We take a whole body approach to discover why patients are not healing and what were the initial causes of their current symptoms.

Our mission is to use this whole body approach to help patients heal and overcome pain and limitations, resulting in improved quality of life.
Top 10 physical therapists in Wheeling

A winner of the
2015 Patients' Choice Awards
for
Wheeling Physical Therapist

Verified by Opencare.com

Testimonials

I had several issues when I began therapy at The Manual Touch.  My sacrum had rotated;  there was stiffness in the right side of the neck; and pain in the left bicep. Denise did an excellent job resolving these issues.  Besides being very knowl…
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Before I met Denise, I spent a good part of every day in bed.  I would go out for one project, then come home and lay on the sofa for the rest of the day. Now I go out in the AM and come home in time to make dinner.  Because of work Denise has done…
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Awesome!!! Healing work!!!
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There is no worse than a nagging injury that keeps you off from pursuing the athletic endeavors. Being an avid road cyclist, gravel rider, cyclocross racer and a marathon runner turned into a recent Triathlete, I train all year round and race all yea…
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Last winter our daughter Maddie had had several eye and ear infections, and all required topical and oral antibiotics.  These were instigated by a plugged tear duct.  A pediatric ophthalmologist said there was little chance the duct would open up o…
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Many thanks to Denise for PT and gait analysis that has enabled me to successfully run, and run faster than ever before! And gratitude for Denise’s Integrative Manual Therapy (IMT) which has cleared up my chronic, constant stabbing headache.  T…
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I was introduced to Denise in 2013 through the TogetherWeTri triathlon training group. Needless to say we had an instant respect for each other, being that we share a similar purpose and passion in life- helping others heal.  Through my own series o…
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Just a note to thank you for the time you spent with me Saturday in evaluating my running technique and body alignment.  Your suggestions are already making sense and having an early impact.  After our meeting, I went out for a 5K run and found you…
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Having been to “regular” physical therapists over the past few years where nothing helped my pain, I was introduced to Denise by a mutual friend.  Although I have issues that will never leave me totally pain free, Denise has alleviated it with h…
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I have been receiving PT therapy for pain and autoimmune disorders for over 18 months at The Manual Touch.  This also affects my kidneys and my lungs and other organs as I swell with fluid that my lymph system doesn’t seem to handle well.  I depe…
  Read more...

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