Empower Change Physical Therapy LLC
Information about Empower Change Physical Therapy LLC
Opening hours
Specialized scoliosis treatment for children, adolescents, and adults using the Schroth Method with validated results from a doctor of physical therapy.
Evaluation and Schroth classification based on x-ray and clnical variables, individualized Schroth 3D exercise program to be tailored to a home exercise program, manual therapy in the clinic to address joint, muscle, and fascia that may be contributing or affected by the curvature. Assessment and reassessment of scoliosis objective variab
Evaluation and Schroth classification based on x-ray and clnical variables, individualized Schroth 3D exercise program to be tailored to a home exercise program, manual therapy in the clinic to address joint, muscle, and fascia that may be contributing or affected by the curvature. Assessment and reassessment of scoliosis objective variables and breathing rib cage expansion for proactive tracking between x-rays and looking at progostic variables to decrease adulthood pain while stopping curve progression during growth. One on one sessions with same provider to maximize continuity of care.
Evaluation and Schroth classfication based on x-ray and a clinical variables with an individualized Schroth 3D exericse program to be tailored to a home exercise program. Orthopedic assessment of regions with pain. Manual therapy to address pain and postural training. Neuromuscular re-education to untrain compensatory habits. Specific str
Evaluation and Schroth classfication based on x-ray and a clinical variables with an individualized Schroth 3D exericse program to be tailored to a home exercise program. Orthopedic assessment of regions with pain. Manual therapy to address pain and postural training. Neuromuscular re-education to untrain compensatory habits. Specific stretches and strengthening to balance your strength and flexibility. Learn self management techniques to get out of pain, function optimally, improve posture and body image. Stop curve progression at phases of adulthood where it might be likely or throughout adulthood in large curves. Feel good, function well, and love your body with scoliosis. One on one sessions with the same provider to maximize continuity of care.
Do you have ongoing neck pain, back pain, fibromyalgia, migraines, etc, and have you seen several medical providers that cannot seem to give you more than temporary relief? Comprehensive orthopedic assessment to get to the root of the problem and treat you as whole person. Interventions include massage based myofascial release, myofascial
Do you have ongoing neck pain, back pain, fibromyalgia, migraines, etc, and have you seen several medical providers that cannot seem to give you more than temporary relief? Comprehensive orthopedic assessment to get to the root of the problem and treat you as whole person. Interventions include massage based myofascial release, myofascial unwinding, craniosacral therapy, orthopedic manual therapy for joints/muscle/fascia, specific strengthening and stretching tailored to you and your goals that doesn't require a gym, lifestyle factors, body mechanics, etc specifically what you need to be cared for as a break from your stressful life to take care of you so you can live the fufilling limitless life you have always wanted. Sessions are one on one and you stay with the same provider throughout care for maximum continuity.
"As a parent I was unwilling to just wait and see if it [my daughter's scoliosis] would get worse. This gave us an active way to prevent reaching bracing or surgical thresholds--And we did! Coming from Tampa what we found was not just the nearest Schroth PT, but the most caring and concerned therapist we could have hoped for. She's really
"As a parent I was unwilling to just wait and see if it [my daughter's scoliosis] would get worse. This gave us an active way to prevent reaching bracing or surgical thresholds--And we did! Coming from Tampa what we found was not just the nearest Schroth PT, but the most caring and concerned therapist we could have hoped for. She's really intelligent, keeping up with the latest in Schroth best practices; personable, and patient with explaining what to do, why to do it that way, and how to do it better each time. She managed my daughter's pain where other PT's had not. She tailors all recommendations to my daughter's specific curve, and adjusts them often as the curve changes, as she grows, and has her sports activities change throughout the year. I would still continue to come to Sarah if a closer option became available." --M.H
"Sarah is the best physical therapist I have had and is very specialized in treating scoliosis. I would recommend this therapy for anyone struggling with scoliosis whether they have had surgery to treat their condition or not. The Schroth method helps to counteract your spinal curvature and has provided me with tactics I need to keep my l
"Sarah is the best physical therapist I have had and is very specialized in treating scoliosis. I would recommend this therapy for anyone struggling with scoliosis whether they have had surgery to treat their condition or not. The Schroth method helps to counteract your spinal curvature and has provided me with tactics I need to keep my lower curve from progressing after surgery to my upper curve. It has helped me straighten out my posture. Other physical therapy treatments that are more general and not specifically for scoliosis patients, have not been able to get to the root of my back pain and the many factors that work together in the management of a progressive curve. Sarah's knowledge, care, empathy, and problem-solving abilities have greatly bettered my life and helped me learn techniques I can use to strengthen my back throughout my life!" --L.A.
"Discovering the Schroth method was a revelation to me. All my assumptions about what I could and could not do with scoliosis have had to be completely recalibrated. After a few months immersed in the concerted practice of its' specialized techniques, and the more conventional physical therapy exercises as their complement, remarkable he
"Discovering the Schroth method was a revelation to me. All my assumptions about what I could and could not do with scoliosis have had to be completely recalibrated. After a few months immersed in the concerted practice of its' specialized techniques, and the more conventional physical therapy exercises as their complement, remarkable health improvements gradually emerged, in my breathing, posture, walking, strength, flexibility, and perhaps most significantly, in my overall outlook as well. If pressed for brevity I would describe Schroth as a systematic therapeutic approach that allows a personal to both imagine and inhabit a domain of novel functional possibility. If you have scoliosis it deserves your attention." --J.T
The Schroth Method was created in Germany and has been used for over 100 years. It has been in the United States with a certification program since 2009. The outcomes are peaking interest in the U.S., but have yet to become widespread so Schroth treatment is not available at most PT clinics. Thus, many doctors still do not know about it as an option in scoliosis treatment.
Scoliosis is a 3D spiral of the spine, not just a sidebend of the spine, however the sidebend is the plane we see mostly on the x-ray used to diagnose scoliosis. The Schroth method is an exercise technique aimed at addressing the scoliotic curvature from all 3 planes. The exercise is specifically tailored to your scoliotic curvature based on x-ray analysis as well as clinical aspects. The exercise starts with props to assist you in understanding the movement and progresses to more challenging positions. The goal is to strengthen you out of your curvature after teaching you how to get there. The method utilizes breathing techniques to help you achieve a position that is out of the curvature, this also helps to restore a normal breathing pattern rather than a compensatory one commonly seen with scoliosis.
Traditional physical therapy has not been shown to manage a scoliotic curvature. It is primarly attemping to manage symptoms such as pain. While strengthening the core is good, non-Schroth PT is strengthening you while you are in the scoliotic posture. The Schroth method is strengthening you from an improved posture and alignment which improves the recruitment of muscles and puts forces on bones to help them reshape to some extent. In this way the Schroth method has been shown to stop curve progression and has a better ability to manage symptoms at the level that they are caused which is more effective.
The efficacy of three-dimensional Schroth exercises in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a randomised controlled clinical trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25780260/#ff
The effectiveness of Schroth exercises in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31206094/
-COVID protocols are in place for your safety. Treatments are one on one and treatment room is disinfected between patients. Clinic has low patient traffic volume to minimize exposure compared to larger PT clinics. Anyone with symptoms or known exposure is rescheduled.
-Disclaimer: While these results are possible, it is not possible to guarantee an outcome of an individual based on case differences. Every patient's outcome is as individual as they are.
Empower Change Physical Therapy LLC: Reviews
Fantastic experience: We are truly grateful to have found Dr. Rivard and working with her was so much more than we could have hoped for. Her comprehensive approach addressed many facets that no one had ever considered or mentioned in previous treatments over the years and our daughter immediately felt comfortable with her. She is so invested in providing us with the best knowledge to empower our daughter with being an active part of her journey. Her dedication to treatment – explaining everything and exploring options specific to our daughter goes above and beyond. She completely aligned with the conservative approach we were looking for, and her use of manual therapy together with Schroth is the perfect combination for maximum benefit. Not only do we feel more informed but we finally felt that things were being addressed as a whole. I wish we knew about her methods years ago. It’s very rare to find such a compassionate provider such as Dr. Rivard who is an advocate for our individual needs.
Fantastic experience: Working with Sarah has helped our daughter with her scoliosis more than any other treatment. The exercises she has taught her have significantly reduced her discomfort and helped her improve her ability to hold herself straighter. The techniques are tailored to our daughter’s curve and she now knows how to hold proper posture to best support her spine. We are so grateful for Dr. Rivard and her incredible wealth of knowledge and expertise!
Thank you so much for entrusting me with your wonderful daughter and for your testimony!
Fantastic experience: I should have been doing schroth with Sarah years ago. She has seriously changed my life and the way I see my scoliosis completely. I have seen an improvement in my pain and also the physical appearance of my scoliosis. I could not recommend her more. She has shown me there is hope and there are options other than surgery or constant pain. Thank you Sarah!!!
This is why I do what I do. Thank you, I love it when my life mission comes true! Keep rocking it, empowerment feels good and seeing you flourish makes my heart smile!
Fantastic experience: Empower change physical therapy uses myofascial release to help decrease pain and increase flexibility and posture. I am much more comfortable for long car rides and plane rides. Overall I have increased my well-being. I am much more calm, stronger, and I have more endurance throughout daily activities.
Thank you! I appreciate your review and your dedication as you drive 1.5 hours each way for sessions. I am so glad you are feeling better!
Fantastic experience: I have had a chronic neck condition for many years. I have had limited range of motion in my neck and have suffered debilitating pain preventing me from living and sleeping comfortably. I sought care from another doctor of physical therapy for several months with no beneficial results. Then I met with Sarah and she was able to not only relieve my pain, but actually make a physical difference in my neck after all of these years of suffering. I honestly could not believe that she actually gave me freedom from these years of pain, that I could not get from other professionals.
Thank you for the review! I am so glad your neck is doing better, you are no longer suffering, and you are back to living the way you want to! It means so very much to me when patients see those things happen in their life and it is a thrill that never gets old no matter how many times it repeats!
Fantastic experience: Sarah Rivard is an excellent physical therapist and so knowledgeable about scoliosis. I have has this condition for years and finally decided to get help wondering if anything could be done after so much time. Working with Sarah has been amazing with real progress. I am delighted!
Thank you for your review! A pleasure working with you, can't wait to see what more we can accomplish!!
Fantastic experience: I have had a chronic neck condition for many years. I have had limited range of motion in my neck and have suffered debilitating pain preventing me from living and sleeping comfortably. I sought care from another doctor of physical therapy for several months with no beneficial results. Then I met with Sarah and she was able to not only relieve my pain, but actually make a physical difference in my neck after all of these years of suffering. I honestly could not believe that she actually gave me freedom from these years of pain, that I could not get from other professionals.
Fantastic experience: I have been looking for physical therapy treatment for my scoliosis for 20+ years. Sarah and the Schroth treatment are exactly the answer I was looking for. Sarah does a great job of diagnosing a unique treatment regimen to address your specific condition, then also does a great job of teaching the exercises. Results were obvious to me. Super beneficial!
Thank you so much for the review! It makes me so sad that people are looking for scoliosis help for so long before finding it which is largely why I started my business--it is an under served group of people eager for help. Great patients like you who are motivated make results easy! I am so glad you found the results you have been looking for! Keep up the great work!
Fantastic experience: Sarah is very caring and understanding. She helped our son build his confidence and gave him hope. We saw the results of Schroth Therapy quickly and our son continues doing therapy on his own and continues to see progress. No surgery was needed at all. We give Sarah 5 Stars for her service and recommends her healing hands to be part of your life. Thank you Sarah, for all of your knowledge and support you’ve shared with our family. We appreciate you! The Williams’ Family
Awe! Thank you so much for leaving a such a sweet review! I am here for your family anytime you need. I am so happy your son feels empowered by the exercises and has kept it up!
Fantastic experience: When my daughter was 12 and diagnosed with scoliosis, we saw a couple of doctors who just told us to wait and see it it gets worse because there was nothing to be done until then. As a parent I was unwilling to just do absolutely nothing until or unless her curve worsened. Then we found out about Schroth, and when we learned that Sarah Rivard, the nearest Schroth certified practictioner to our home, was over a 2-hour drive way, we were more than happy to make the drive. This gave us an active way to prevent reaching bracing or surgical thresholds--And we did! With Sarah's help, the curve remained just below bracing threshold and she kept it there through growth to not need a brace or surgery and solved current and future problems along the way. We made the trip to see her a couple of times per month at first, and then at a lower frequency for almost 2 years until she was in the clear and discharged from ortho scoliosis doctors. Sara was incredibly dedicated and the most caring and concerned therapist we could have hoped for. She's really intelligent, keeping up with the latest in Schroth best practices; personable, and patient with explaining what to do, why to do it that way, and how to do it better each time. She managed my daughter's pain where other PT's had not. She tailored all recommendations to my daughter's specific curve, and adjusted them often as the curve changed, as she grew, and as her sports activities changed throughout the year. I would have continued take my daughter to see to Sarah even if a closer option had become available.
Thank you so much for the review. So proud of you as a Mother to seek out what your daughter needed and commute to make it happen. Your review brings tears to my eyes and I am so happy to have had the privilege of working with your daughter and watching her grow up!
Fantastic experience: I can't overstate how impressed and appreciative I am for the help I have received from Dr. Sarah Rivard at Empower Change Physical Therapy. Her knowledge and experience in physical therapy in general and the Schroth method for scoliosis are outstanding. Equally important is Dr. Rivard's sincere concern for her patients. Therapy requires both a physical and mental effort to succeed. Her encouragement and support really help empower patients to put in the effort required to achieve the best results. I have suffered with degenerative disc disease and scoliosis for many years. Dr. Rivard developed a program for me that significantly helped alleviate my pain and improve my quality of life. She is the best!
Thank you so much for your review! I am so proud of all your hard work and progress! You make my work as PT so enjoyable!
Fantastic experience: Non-invasive Scoliosis treatments using Scroth is highly recommended, and this is the only place to get a certified and experienced therapist in town!!!
Thanks! Watching your child grow up and beat all the odds has been amazing!
Fantastic experience: You have found A Healer if you have reached this site. Dr. Sarah Rivard has significantly improved my chronic pain due to problems in the neck, back, hip, SI Joint, soaz muscle, pelvis, uneven legs AND scoliosis. I thought I was athletic! I’ve been to 3+ commercial PT places who have well intentioned people with too many patients at once. That is not real Physical Therapy. Dr. Sarah Rivard is a Healer, “one on one” personal. I took masking drugs for 10+ years, but finally realized pain relief was possible only through physical therapy of an individualized kind, from a person who cares. Sarah is remarkable in her perception of what is off and how to adjust it, relieving pains we thought we could “get over,” or didn’t want to mention. Look no further if you truly want the relief that restores your active life.
Thank you! And I am so glad you are getting better each and every day and loving your active life the way you deserve to!
Fantastic experience: We love Dr. Sarah, she has helped my daughter so much. Her knowledge and caring nature is what I think makes her the best physical therapist for scoliosis. She gave us so much helpful information to help us make informed choices throughout our journey.
Thanks so much! You are a very dedicated family that even commutes to come and such a pleasure and a treat to work with!
Fantastic experience: Sarah has worked with my son for years. When it comes to Scoliosis, her knowledge and skills are second to none. Her approach with her patients is very thoughtful & comforting. She is patient and takes the time to explain and teach all of the movements and exercises thoroughly. She will push & motivate you to work hard and give it your all. I fully trust Sarah and can’t thank her enough for the time and energy she’s dedicated to working with us all of these years.
Thanks so much! It’s dedicated families like your own that make my day and makes being passionate about what I do easy and fun!! Rock star families that don’t accept reality but shape it themselves and teach their kids a proactive way to combat challenges head on!!
Fantastic experience: Empower Change Physical Therapy has been a life changer for us! My son NEEDS this therapy due to his condition - and it has been outstanding. Caring and incredibly knowledgeable - what else could you ask for? I recommend Empower Change PT to anyone, they will get the best!
Thank you! I have loved the opportunity to watch your son grow over these last few years of seeing him at a low frequency and not only managing his condition and health but seeing him grow up from teen to more adult like.
Fantastic experience: Sarah is so skilled and knowledgeable. I am so grateful we found her. She has been amazing with both of my daughters working with their different scoliosis diagnosis'. Each of my daughters have very different personalities and therefore need different styles of engagement or attention. She met them where they were and adapted to their individual needs. They love working with her. My oldest daughter has a more severe curve and wears a brace in addition to PT. In only 6 months they were able to decrease her curve to bring her out of the range of potential surgical need. My younger daughter's slight curve has shown no progression despite being in a growth stage. We couldn't be happier with the results, and I couldn't be happier to refer anyone to Sarah for treatment.
Thank you so much! It means the world to me to be able to offer this care! And these results fulfill my life mission! I love working with your daughters, keep up the good work! I appreciate you sharing your story to help others in need!
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