Mary Hart, Doctor of Physical Therapy, is the founder of Hart Physical Therapy in Sarasota, FL and The Hart Technique®, a unique, collaborative treatment method with an integrative, whole body, systems approach. Ms Hart received a degree in physical therapy from the University of California’s School of Medicine at San Francisco. She went on to Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Vallejo, California to complete a residency in Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF), specializing in treating movement disorders and neurological conditions. After receiving her internationally recognized certification in PNF, she began work on the development of The Hart Technique®. In 2019 she received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Utica College. The Hart Technique® seeks to evaluate and treat the root cause of pain and movement impairment, while improving neuromusculoskeletal and connective tissue health and increasing functional mobility.
The Graston Technique® is a unique, therapeutic method for addressing soft tissue dysfunction through the use of six specially designed stainless steel instruments. Used in the hands of a certified clinician, they can detect the presence of thickened or scarred body tissue and work to improve its health and dynamic mobility. And because these instruments require only the lightest of pressure, they are often safer and more effective than mere human hands in achieving positive results.
You might think that stainless steel instruments would be unpleasant to the touch. The exact opposite, in fact, is the case. When applied to an affected area, the concave shaped instruments actually limit discomfort by dispersing pressure over a wide surface, while the convex and chisel edged models target specific treatment points in a way human hands cannot. Most importantly, treatment with this advanced technology effectively assists in remodeling tissues, preparing the neuromuscular systems to be retrained away from dysfunction, and repatterned towards smooth, coordinated movement.
The Graston® method has been shown to be effective in addressing a number of health conditions. First and foremost, it can improve body movement and range of motion, while relieving the pain associated with adaptively shortened tissues. Patients usually receive from one to two treatments per week during the span of about four to five weeks. Most experience a positive response by the third or fourth session and, at Hart Physical Therapy, where I also emphasize my own integrative treatment approach known as The Hart Technique®, improvements have been more easily sustained. It has been my experience that a focused application using the Graston® instruments greatly assists in the recovery process and allows my patients to move on more quickly to more progressive exercise and training that eventually allows patients to regain and maintain a higher quality of life.
Delivering positive results with the Graston Technique® requires the skills, sensitivity and experience of specially trained and certified Graston Technique® clinicians. At Hart Physical Therapy I add to that expertise my own integrative treatment approach and understanding of the nervous system and its crucial role in maintaining optimum health. The potential for long lasting improvements to your well-being can be limitless with the combination of The Hart Technique® and Graston technologies. Experience for yourself the use of the Graston Technique® as an adjunct to the benefits of The Hart Technique® only at Hart Physical Therapy, Sarasota, FL.