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Physical Therapists who use Sara Meeks Method in eastern PA

Gail38
0 Recommendations

I am looking for a ohysicakl therapist who practices Sara Meeks Method and lives not terribly far from King of Prussia PA.

Explore topics in this discussion:

Exercise Pain Prednisone Fractures Osteoporosis Physical therapy

28 replies

SherriBetz

Also, Sara Meeks is a dear friend and colleague of mine who deserves the greatest respect for her contributions and work in the osteoporosis arena. Please thank her for her frequent and wise advice and if you need a therapist who uses her method in your area, she would definitely help you find one! This is her goal! To provide you with "correct" information and resources on safe exercises for osteoporosis in your area!
Sincerely,
Sherri Betz, PT

SherriBetz

Dear Group,
Wow, this seems to be a hot debate. I have devoted the past 15 years of my personal and professional life to safe and effective osteoporosis exercise programs and have conducted research in my clinic on Pilates and Osteoporosis on a case by case basis. I teach courses areound the world on Pilates and Osteoporosis and ask for permission from the PT's and teachers who take the courses for permission to list them on my links page of my website so that people like you can have easy access to these resources. This links page has been a dream of mine fo a long time! It is by no means complete yet, I am adding to it as fast as I can as I go backwards through the years of courses that I have taught. It is a long and tedious process to add these names one by one.
Here is the link: http://www.therapilates.com/links and there is also an osteoporosis resource page with FAQ's about safe exercises. Feel free to browse.
Best of luck to all of you!
Sincerely,
Sherri Betz, PT

Gail38

Amen, P Greene. I second that motion!!!

Let's move on to more productive topics and stop squabbling over how "Sara Meeks" should run her business!

If anyone wishes they can buy her book "Walking Tall" and do the exercises within as I have been doing. I have found them to be extremely helpful in strengthening my core muscles.

I am very happy to have a person who is so focused on we who have osteoporosis and is interested in helping us regain our posture.

I know of no other PT who has devoted their time and energy to this particular condition.

pgreene

The list of PTs that Sara has cannot be made public. She would have to get the permission of each and every PT on the list in order to make it public. These PTs have not agreed to have their information published on the internet for all to see.

I believe that if someone emails Sara privately, she is more than willing to share names of PTs in your area if there are any that have been trained in her seminars.

As a volunteer moderator to this site, I call for an end to this debate as to whether or not the list should be made public.

Peggy

dearme

Heid's correct. The list of trained PTs should be made public far and wide. While we're splitting hairs over this, people are suffering. The credo is "First, do no harm."

Jacqueline

Heid -

In my opinion, you have misjudged Sara Meeks, and I wish you would publicly apologize to her. She is a kind and loving asset to our community. I know for a fact that Sara always provides a list of people she has trained to anyone who asks and has never requested a fee for doing so.

Gail38

Look forward to talking with you.

Gail

Gail38

Hi Jacqueline

I did receive your e-mail with phone # I will call

MotherGoose

I might add that when PTs take Sarah's courses -- or those of other PTs in this filed -- they are not agreeing to have their names released to the BIg Wide World of the internet. She is -- very properly -- protecting their privacy. If anyone of them wants to be listed somewhere, they can make themselves known in an appropriate manner.
Please be grateful fo all the time Sarah shares with you. You are paying for her one-on-one time when you consult with her directly. Would you expect other professionals doctors, lawyers, architects, etc to give away their time? She has already "donated" many, many hours to this site -- but she has chosen to do so to this extent.
Lucy Buckley PT aka Mother Goose

bluesky

Heid-I have seen Cora Trujillo at Swedish Hosp in Seattle. She said that she attended training with Sara.She is a very experienced PT. She is the person at Swedish outpatient phys. therapy that people with osteo are scheduled to see . I found her to be very helpful. Good luck!

heid

If you look at her web site, it's really for those wanting a consultation (for a fee) or for PTs who want to take her course. I still don't see the logic in this: She's trained all these people and gotten paid for it but she charges us to find out who she's trained? It seems to me that she would want to make it easy for people to find those she's already trained.

Gail38

The same harm there would be if a lawyer charged you for information and gave it to me without charge.

How would he generate income for himself?

Sara does not ask for much money .If all you want is a list of names-you do not need to seek out a consult-if you choose not to. I believe the cost is $20.00-you could e-mail her website to confirm this cost.

heid

What would be the harm in posting the names and cities of those who are trained in her methods? She would be helping many more of us who are either not in a position to pay for her time or who question her choice to put a price on the names of those whom she has trained.

sdivas

Michele, please keep in consideration that Sara Meeks travels doing lectures; etc. Honestly, when I invited Sara to join us on the community, I didn't think she would participate as much as she has ..... and all the free advice and help she has shared with community members. But the community is quickly growing and courtesy advice can easily quickly turn into taking advantage of a professionals time. We're fortunate to have professionals on this community. I don't think you will find the same on any other osteoporosis chat board. I would suggest if you decide to have a consult, be prepared with a written list of questions so that the time allowed will be used wisely. But please let's keep a mind of gratitude for the information that is already within Sara's post. You also might post a discussion asking if anyone in your area is aware of an osteoporosis support group, exercise or physical therapist. You could also phone physical therapy departments in your area and ask if any of the physical therapists have trained with Sara Meeks. You may not receive an answer that same day, but promise to return the phone call for the information. You may not find exactly what you are looking for, but you may be given some helpful leads. Sandi

SharonG

Heid,
I live in north Seattle. Wondering if you have any specific names of PTs in the area who work with osteo folks.
Thanks.
Sharon

Gail38

I did have a phone consult with her and found it to be worthwhile-it is really not that expensive if you can keep your conversation short. She made some very helpful suggestions to me ie, walking poles, Spine-O-Med and seems very interested in one's individual problem.

I don't know about PT in Seattle of course, but I know how difficult the search for help can be. I empathize with you.

Gail

heid

I live in area code 360, north of Seattle, Washington. There are hospitals and doctors in Edmonds, Everett, Arlington, Burlington (Mt. Vernon) and Bellingham, all within driving distance of my home. From what I can see on Sara Meeks web site, she won't give a list of local PTs who follow her method until you pay for a consultation from her! Interesting. Michele

Gail38

The poles are called "Exerstriders" and information about them can be found online if you google that word. They are very much like ski poles. I bought the height adjustable one and they come with a CD and booklet that gives clear instruction in how to use them. I have found them helpful in activating the muscles of my upper back. These were suggestions from Sara. I had been walking with branches from trees. These are much lighter and have little cushioned "feet".

Near what community do you live?

Sara gives lists according to area code-mine is 610 and it sweeps a large number of people from a distance. Some close by, have not responded to my attempts to contact them. The closest one I have found is about 1 hour from, she is very experienced in Sara Meeks program-so if I am unsuccessful finding anyone closer I will go to her in Mertztown.

Gail

Gail38

I am so sorry you fell! Hands on therapists can be very damaging to osteoporitic bones. I expect also to do an exercise program for the duration.
I had had a series of fractures back in 1986 but had no fractures since, until this year.
T-12 fractured after I took an amazingly large dose of prednisone for a sinus infection---a real no no for weak bones!.

A week later L-3 fractured. I could not sleep or walk and ran to have them both kyphoplastied by an Interventional Radiologist-since I did not want general anesthesia and he would perform them under sedation. I should have run for a clam shell brace!

Two weeks later L-1 fractured-I can understand why since T-12 was now loaded-they wanted me to come back and have L-1 done and I said no. L-2 was sure to fracture if I kyphoplastied L-1 since L-3 had already been done and L-2 was sitting right in the middle!!!

The surgeon told me he had done 7-8 surgeries on other patients and I understand why-since the spine is a column and overloading certain levels will put extra pressure on the vertebrae above and below.

Sara said new studies and she can quote names have shown bracing and exercise to be just as effective in healing spinal compression fractures.

In addition this exercise cost according to the billing $18,000. a totally ridiculous sum.

If you find the Spine-O-Med locally please let me know.
This condition can be just such a challenge, finding help for it included.

Thanks for your input.

heid

Explain the poles? What are they and how are they used? Also, how do I find the list of physical therapists per Sara Meeks' list? I sent her an e-mail asking for a PT recommendation for where I live but have not heard back. Michele

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