Hertel and Brown Physical and Aquatic Therapy

Since 2007, Hertel and Brown Physical and Aquatic Therapy has been proud to provide high quality rehabilitation services in Erie, PA. We focus on the specific goals of each patient we serve and develop personalized treatment plans to help them live life to the fullest. Our team of highly trained therapists cares for every individual like family and strives for their success and improved quality of life. Getting our patients back to living is what we’re all about!

Our expert staff is committed to bringing our patients the most innovative treatment techniques to ensure the highest quality of care and most successful outcomes. We offer several specialized physical therapy programs that require additional education, training and certification.

They have been so wonderful and accommodating to my child’s needs. He was very hesitant in going to physical therapy, but they have made him love it.

The staff at the Summit location are awesome!! Always professional and kind! Staff work well together and the office is organized and accommodating to clients individual needs.

From the first day I came to the Harborcreek office for a consult, I knew it was a perfect fit! They truly care about everyone they see. It’s now been about a month since I “graduated” and I feel better than ever!

Amazing, knowledgeable staff. From the receptionist to the owner, everyone is so nice, caring, and compassionate. They work around my difficult schedule with my daughter and are always quick to accommodate. They truly focus on the patient and their goals.

• Orthopaedic Manual Therapy with Robert DuVall, PT (Director of SportsMedicine of Atlanta’s credentialed American Physical Therapy Association post professional clinical fellowship program for physical therapists)

Mike earned a Master of Physical Therapy from Gannon University in 2003. He began his career as a therapist in an inpatient physical therapy facility and then spent two and a half years as an outpatient facility center manager before founding Hertel & Brown Physical & Aquatic Therapy in 2007.

• Vestibular rehabilitation, an exercise-based program designed to help individuals with acute and chronic symptoms of vertigo, dizziness and/or disequilibrium resulting from damage to the vestibular system. Mike’s additional training in the assessment & management of vestibular disorders allows him to help patients reduce symptoms of dizziness as well as improve balance impairments.

• Orthopaedic Manual Therapy with Robert DuVall, PT (Director of SportsMedicine of Atlanta’s credentialed American Physical Therapy Association post professional clinical fellowship program for physical therapists)

Julie completed both a Bachelor of Sports and Exercise Science in 2003 and a Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2006 at Gannon University. A native of Meadville, Pa., she joined the Hertel and Brown team in 2008 with three years of prior experience in outpatient physical therapy.

As a pelvic floor health specialist, Julie is board-certified in Pelvic Muscle Dysfunction Biofeedback by the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA). She provides treatment for pelvic floor dysfunction related to:

In addition, Julie has completed additional training in geriatrics and the McKenzie method for treatment of the cervical and lumbar spine. She is also Direct Access certified, which allows her to see patients without a physician referral.

Jackie earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Gannon University in 2012 after completing her Bachelor of Science in Biology, also from Gannon in 2009. She worked as a physical therapy tech at Hertel & Brown for four years before joining the team as a licensed therapist in 2012.

Jackie has completed additional training in treating vestibular disorders. Vestibular rehabilitation is an exercise-based program designed to help individuals with acute and chronic symptoms of vertigo, dizziness and/or disequilibrium resulting from damage to the vestibular system. Jackie’s additional training in the assessment & management of vestibular disorders allows her to help patients reduce symptoms of dizziness as well as improve balance impairments.

Jeremy earned an associate’s degree as a Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) from Mercyhurst University in 2001. He worked as a PTA in outpatient physical therapy for six years before joining Hertel & Brown in 2008. He has completed additional training in the McKenzie Method treatment of the neck and back.

He also completed additional training in the treatment of vestibular disorders. Vestibular rehabilitation is an exercise-based program designed to help individuals with acute and chronic symptoms of vertigo, dizziness and/or disequilibrium resulting from damage to the vestibular system. Jeremy’s additional training in the assessment & management of vestibular disorders allows him to help patients reduce symptoms of dizziness as well as improve balance impairments.

Travis began working at Hertel & Brown as a physical therapy technician in 2011. When he completed his Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) degree at Mercyhurst North East in 2014, he joined our team as a PTA. He specializes in aquatic therapy. He also completed Level 1 certification in Fascial Movement Taping (FMT), also known as kinesiotaping.

Justin earned a bachelor’s degree in Sport & Exercise Science from Gannon University. He worked as a physical therapy technician at Hertel & Brown for three years while completing his Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) degree at Mercyhurst North East. After completing his education, he joined the H & B team as a full-time PTA.

Jen is a physical therapy assistant with over 20 years experience. She is a 1989 graduate of Lehigh County Community College with an A.A.S.- Physical Therapist Assistant degree. Jen holds her Certificate of Authorization for Indirect Supervision in Pennsylvania.

Her career began at Sharon Regional Health System in Sharon, PA in acute care and has encompassed long-term care, inpatient rehab, and outpatient settings since moving to the Erie area in 1992. Jen’s inpatient rehab specialty was in traumatic brain injury and behavioral patients.

Bobby is a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist (OCS), which means she has demonstrated advanced clinical knowledge and skills in the treatment of orthopedic conditions and injuries. She is also manual therapy certified. Manual therapy is a specialized treatment approach that consists of hands-on techniques designed to mobilize joints, muscle, connective tissue and nerves in order to promote healing and restore function. Numerous studies have shown it to be an effective part of a comprehensive treatment plan for a wide range of conditions, such as arthritis, tendinopathy (disease of a tendon) and back pain.

In addition, Bobby is trained to use Selective Functional Movement Assessment during patient evaluation, which is designed to assess fundamental patterns of movement. This assessment allows her to identify meaningful impairments that patients may think are unrelated to the main musculoskeletal complaint, but could actually be contributing to or causing it.

She is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine as an exercise physiologist and is trained in the McKenzie Method® for treatment of the cervical and lumbar spine.

Phil was born and raised in Erie, Pa., and was a graduate of Cathedral Prep in 2010. He attended the University of Tennessee at Martin (2010-2014) where he majored in exercise science and wellness. He was also a four-year starter on the baseball team. Phil then returned to Erie to complete his doctoral work at Gannon University where he graduated in May of 2018. While completing his graduate studies, Phil joined the Hertel & Brown team, working as a physical therapy technician.

Phil’s areas of interest are sport-specific rehab and manual therapy. He is excited about joining our team, in his hometown of Erie, and looks forward to taking additional continuing education courses to further his knowledge in his areas of interest.

A native of Erie, Erin earned an Associate of Science degree as a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) from Mercyhurst North East. She worked as a physical therapy technician at the H & B Frontier office before the joining the team as a full-time PTA in 2013.

Erin has completed additional training in pelvic floor dysfunction and biofeedback & serves as an assistant provider in the Women’s Health program. She has special interests in manual therapy and pediatrics, and her hobbies include swimming, running and yoga.

Jessica is a 2010 graduate of Gannon University’s Doctorate of Physical Therapy program. She served as a staff physical therapist at Hertel & Brown in Harborcreek for six years before becoming facility director at the Summit office.

She enjoys working with patients with neurological disorders and balance and vestibular dysfunction. She is also a fully certified McKenzie therapist, specializing in management of the spine.

Austin is an Erie native and began working for Hertel & Brown as a physical therapy technician in 2013 while earning his bachelor’s degree in Sports and Exercise Science from Gannon University. He later completed his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2018 and is now a physical therapist with the H & B team at our Summit office.

Austin’s interests include orthopedic and sports-related rehab, neurological dysfunction, and balance & vestibular dysfunction. He is also looking forward to pursuing future training in the McKenzie Method for back and neck pain.

An Erie native, Steve earned his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Gannon University in 2013 after completing a Bachelor of Science in Sport and Exercise Science, also from Gannon, in 2010. He worked as a physical therapy tech at Hertel & Brown for five years before joining the Hertel & Brown team as a licensed therapist upon graduation.

His areas of interest include the prevention and rehabilitation of sports injuries, vestibular/balance dysfunction, manual therapy, and the McKenzie Method, in which he has begun additional training. He also completed Level 1 certification in Fascial Movement Taping (FMT), also known as kinesiotaping.

Abby, originally from York, Pa., joined Hertel & Brown in 2014 as a physical therapy technician at the West Erie Plaza location. She earned her Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) degree from Mercyhurst University North East in 2017 and then became a part of the Harborcreek team as a PTA.

Prior to PTA school, she graduated with an Associate of Applied Science in Exercise Science from the Pennsylvania College of Technology in 2013. She began studying Nutrition at the Pennsylvania State University before discovering her passion for physical therapy.

Abby’s interests include manual therapy and sports injury rehabilitation. She is excited to learn more at Hertel & Brown and plans to further her education by taking additional continuing education courses in the near future.

Marissa earned her Associate’s Degree as a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) from the University of Pittsburgh in 2015.  Prior to joining the Hertel & Brown team in October of 2017, she worked in Jamestown, N.Y., at the Resource Center specializing in neuromuscular rehabilitation and strengthening for individuals with developmental disabilities. Marissa’s interests include manual therapy, neuromuscular re-education, and sport-injury rehabilitation.

Kailey earned an Associate of Science degree as a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) from Herzing University in Orlando, FL. In 2019, She joined the Hertel and Brown Summit office as a physical therapy technician before becoming a full-time PTA in 2021.

We provide a variety of treatments, including computer-assisted exercise called biofeedback.  Biofeedback provides patients with a visual tool to learn how to strengthen and/or relax their pelvic muscles as needed. Other treatments include postural, dietary and behavioral modifications as well as an individualized home exercise program. Treatment options vary based on patient preference and need. Conditions treated include, but are not limited to:

Incontinence is a very common problem in childhood. One in five otherwise healthy 5-year-olds and one in seven school-age children are incontinent during the day or night. Enuresis (bedwetting) afflicts 5 to 10% of children below the age of ten years and can also be experienced by older children and teenagers. If a child continues to experience symptoms at 4 years of age or older, active treatment should be considered.

Pelvic floor dysfunction refers to a wide range of problems that occur when the pelvic floor muscles are overactive and in spasm, and are often weak and too tight. The tissue surrounding the pelvic floor organs may have increased sensitivity and irritation or decreased sensitivity, causing the resulting dysfunction seen in children.

We meet with each child and their parent/s or guardian to get a complete history and details of current problems. Then we do an examination of the muscles of the abdomen and pelvis with a parent present. Treatment often consists of:

• Patient and family education on bladder function and its relationship to pelvic floor muscles, bladder health and irritants, the voiding cycle, and controlling urinary urge and bladder retraining

Ideally, the bladder and pelvic floor muscles work opposite each other to successfully urinate. When the bladder muscle contracts, some children do not completely relax their pelvic floor muscles. Their bladder may not empty, and there is still some urine left in the bladder. In order for the bowels to empty, the pelvic floor muscles must relax. Children will learn exercises to relax and engage the pelvic floor muscles at the appropriate time, void and empty completely, and avoid urinary and/or bowel leakage.

Animated surface biofeedback may also be used to teach your child how to relax the pelvic floor muscles while emptying his/her bowel or bladder and strengthen the muscles in between voids.

A specific home program will be developed for your child. Your child will be taught the correct way to use the pelvic floor muscles, which allows them to control elimination.

Therapy continues with your child learning correct postures for toileting, foods that may irritate the bladder, and how to create a regular pattern of filling and emptying the bladder through a toileting schedule. Therapy can help your child achieve dry days and dry nights.