Regain Mobility and Strength
Recover Faster with Structural Therapies
Relieve or Prevent Physical Pain
Improve Function and Quality of Life
The Basics of Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy Expert in Middletown, NY
“What a discovery! Quality physical therapy near me!”
Our local physical therapy clinic features experienced providers, who have developed a unique array of techniques that help clients correct and optimize their physical health. Our staff includes an integrated team of seasoned western medical doctors, Chinese traditional medicine (TCM) doctors, and physical therapists. As such, our providers draw from a large variety of physical therapy schools. We are thus able to offer a unique approach, and can work with you to select physical therapy techniques that help you thrive.
Understanding Physical Therapy
What Does Physical Therapy Middletown NY Treat?
Physical therapy can treat a wide range of concerns. At Northern Medical Center, we focus on sports injuries, geriatric issues, orthopedic injuries, and mobility issues.
Soft Tissue Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Fascia Manipulation, & Active Release
Depending on clients’ needs, our experienced staff may also supplement treatment with soft and deep tissue massage as it benefits each unique case. Soft tissue massage is more superficial, but can help to encourage blood circulation and limber muscles, tissues, and tendons so that they are ready to be worked. Likewise, soft tissue massage assists with easing tension following a challenging workout. Soft tissue massage can promote relaxation, preventing injury related to tension, as well as release endorphins that naturally help to reduce pain. Meanwhile, deep tissue massage may be more effective at reducing adhesions—the “knots” that build up, due to small tears or scarring in our muscle fibers. When we injure ourselves, collagen attempts to fix the injury, however it is “sticky”, and tends to clump and pull on muscles or muscle lining, called fascia. Despite the pain they can cause, such issues may not be identifiable with diagnostic imaging tools such as X-ray or ultrasound, maying them difficult to diagnose and treat. Many chronic pain issues result from adhesions, and an effective therapist can help you to find and break them up so that your muscles and fascia can function smoothly again, with better range of motion. By breaking down adhesions, deep tissue massage is also very helpful to reduce inflammation, promote better blood flow, encouraging the body’s natural healing process. In some cases, it is also beneficial to realign your fascia, following stress or injury. You can think of fascia as a smooth casing, which is attached to the muscles. When this casing is out of alignment, it irritates the muscles and leads to discomfort and pain. An experienced provider is able to gently guide your fascia back into alignment. An additional soft-tissue technique that we are able to offer is called active release. In this form of therapy, we identify adhesions and apply pressure to help you break them up as you move the affected area. When properly executed, this technique is an effective way to restore natural range of motion.
Other TCM Services
Additional Tools
In addition to our comprehensive physical therapy techniques, we also work with the below list of effective technologies that can help fast-forward your progress.
- Ultrasound - introduces heat, which helps decrease pain, increase flexibility, promote circulation, and catalyze healing
- Electrical Stimulation - an especially helpful tool when decreased mobility and stiffness limits patients’ ability to perform physical therapy
- Far-Infrared Therapies - promotes healing and regeneration in the human body
Other TCM Services
Holistic Physical Therapy
In addition to a western medical approach, we also have the capability to address injury using time-tested traditional healing methodologies, steeped in ancient natural wisdom from Chinese Traditional Medicine (TCM).
These techniques treat the body as an integrated system, and work by addressing overall imbalances in the body to reduce chronic health issues that make inflammation and injury more likely, pain more unbearable, and recovery more difficult.
TCM is able to influence the nervous, endocrine and immune systems, putting your body in a state that is ideal for breaking up hard-to-eliminate conditions that impede progress with physical therapy.
Holistic physical therapy includes the following methos:
- Acupuncture
- Acupressure Massage
- Magnetic Therapy
Meet Our Physical Therapist
David ( Xiaoming Gao)
Experiences
David has been working as a physical therapist for 25 years.
He combines structural level of Mckenzie approach and energy level of Chinese manual therapy and modalities such as magnetic energy, ultrasound and infrared energy to help clients correct and optimize their physical health.
David also co-treat with Chinese traditional medicine doctors for conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease and joints disorders.
Languages
English and Chinese ( Mandarin and Cantonese )
Chinese manual therapy (Tuina and Acupressure)
Studied and practiced Chinese manual therapy in Hengyang Chinese Medicine Hospital in Hunan, China 1991-1992.
Physical Therapy
Graduated from PT program in Tennessee State University in 1997.
Continuing Education
The Mckenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy ( MDT ). Globally recognized as a leading treatment for back, neck and extremities disorders.
What Our Patients say
"I feel the need to post a review about the amazing care and treatment I received from Dr. David Gao at the Northern Medical Center in Middletown NY. I was referred to Dr. Gao by a family member who had been treated by him with great success. First, let me say I was very impressed when I initially entered the building. It was spacious, clean as a whistle and had a peaceful, calming atmosphere. The staff were all so gracious and sincerely caring. On my first visit the doctor was able to identify the cause of my severe pain without having to take any x-rays or MRI. He began his treatment the same day. Within a matter of 6 visits, he had completely healed my condition WITHOUT prescribing any medication!! I haven’t had any pain since! Thank you so much Dr. Gao! I highly recommend Northern Medical Center!"
"Northern Medical Center has exceeded all my health expectations: The physical therapy has relieved my headaches. I believe my headaches were the result of Long COVID but after four visits I was cured. David Gao, physical therapist, took the time to explain the actual source of my pain at the right side of my neck and cured the pain with acupressure techniques. I was taught the exercises to continue as needed any time that pain may return. I am quite pleased with the Physical Therapy at Northern Medical Center and would recommend it to my friends or anyone who may be in search of reliable therapy for pain."
"I am truly grateful for all of them and they have so much knowledge and intuition about the human body. They also take the time to explain what is going on in your own body to make you aware and more self sufficient to deal with pain and sickness. Within 7 weeks my pain was gone without medication or surgery. If you are someone who is suffering or feel like you aren’t getting the answers you seek, or the doctors just aren’t listening please go to Northern Medical Center. I promise it will be the last doctor, physical therapist, or pediatric doctor you will ever need to see. Thank you Dr. Gao and all the staff at Northern Medical Center for not only changing my life but also my friends and relatives."