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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.

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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 knowledgeable, she is also easy to work with.  I looked forward to, and enjoyed, my sessions with her. If I need physical therapy in the future, I will definitely return to The Manual Touch.
Read More
Excellent, professional assessment and treatment for an older woman who’s had lots of failed therapy. Kind and compassionate and caring! Thanks.
Read More
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… Read more
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I can honestly say that Denise was the first physical therapist to listen to my story.   She has demonstrated more patience and compassion than any other therapist that I’ve ever met. For the past 8 years, I have been symptomatic with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a rare genetic condition which affects the connective tissue throughout my body. As a result of this disorder I deal with ongoing severe acute and chronic pain and a variety of other rare overlapping conditions such as thoracic outl… Read more
Read More
The best physical therapist I’ve ever experienced is Denise Schwartz in Wheeling at the Manual Touch. I have seen Denise twice for over 6 months to treat 2 bouts of frozen shoulder that occurred 8 years apart. In addition to my shoulder, she has also helped with my back, exercise regimen, and overall health. She is a holistic practitioner expert in PT techniques and knows how to teach her clients how to fit her techniques easily into their lives. She relates with her clients about as well as any… Read more
Read More
I came to Denise with pain in my neck and upper back from a fall earlier this year.  In addition, I also have chronic low back pain. Denise evaluated me and went right to work giving me exercises and hands on therapy to help me. Today is my eighth session and I am happy to report that my back pain has been relieved and my neck pain is slight and so much better.
Read More
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.  Thanks to Denise, I am now medicine-free and headache-free!
Read More
Awesome!!! Healing work!!!
Read More
Originally, I had limited right shoulder rotation and pain in low  back . After  P.T., my shoulder rotation improved  and lower back pain is gone.
Read More
Denise gave me confidence that she knew what was wrong and what to do about it, and under her care I quickly felt better and am now on the road to better fitness. She has a feel for what’s causing what, and is good technically and also good at making you feel cared for.
Read More

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. We also aim to promote wellness in our communities through ongoing education. 
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… Read more
Excellent, professional assessment and treatment for an older woman who’s had lots of failed therapy. Kind and compassionate and caring! Thanks.
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
I can honestly say that Denise was the first physical therapist to listen to my story.   She has demonstrated more patience and compassion than any other therapist that I’ve ever met. For the past 8 years, I have been symptomatic with Ehlers Danlo… Read more
The best physical therapist I’ve ever experienced is Denise Schwartz in Wheeling at the Manual Touch. I have seen Denise twice for over 6 months to treat 2 bouts of frozen shoulder that occurred 8 years apart. In addition to my shoulder, she has also… Read more
http://themanualtouch.com/wp/testimonial/b-h-elmhurst-il
I came to Denise with pain in my neck and upper back from a fall earlier this year.  In addition, I also have chronic low back pain. Denise evaluated me and went right to work giving me exercises and hands on therapy to help me. Today is my eight… Read more
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… Read more
Awesome!!! Healing work!!!
Originally, I had limited right shoulder rotation and pain in low  back . After  P.T., my shoulder rotation improved  and lower back pain is gone.
Denise gave me confidence that she knew what was wrong and what to do about it, and under her care I quickly felt better and am now on the road to better fitness. She has a feel for what’s causing what, and is good technically and also good at making… Read more
Read More

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The information provided on The Manual Touch Physical Therapy website is for personal and noncommercial use only. The resources and content provided should be used for educational purposes only and not as a substitute for appropriate medical care. If you are experiencing pain or discomfort please seek medical attention.