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Tony Child, DPT

Dr. Tony Child attained his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Arcadia University in 2017. He has also earned his Masters in Physical Therapy from the University of Saint Augustine (Florida) 1997 and a Bachelors Degree in Industrial Hygiene and Safety in 1994. After graduation, Dr. Child relocated to Texas, where he practiced and managed clinics for 8 years. In 2005, he moved to Kansas and opened Pura Vida Therapy with a goal to provide physical therapy that was best for the individual, not the corporate entity. Dr. Child speaks fluent Spanish and has over 30 years of experience in physical therapy, dating back to 1991 when he started his career as an aide.

Dr. Child speaks fluent Spanish, and is certified in McConnell Taping and Kinesiotaping, SFMA, Functional Capacity Evaluations. When Dr. Child is not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three children. He is an avid runner having completed 8 marathons and bikes when not running.

Along the way, Dr. Child has himself suffered from different joint injuries and understands the challenges of rehabilitation. His therapy approach reflects this.

Dr. Child frequently attends continuing education courses to learn the newest techniques and advancements in physical therapy.

Below is a list of courses he has taken with several certifications he has acquired:

  • McConnell Tape
  • Kinesiotape Certification.
  • Graston Certification.
  • SFMA Certicataion L1 & 2.
  • FCE Cert.
  • Y Balance Cert.
  • FO1 – Functional Orthopedics I (Institute of Physical Art)
  • FO2- Functional Orthopedics II (Institute of Physical Art)
  • PNF I (Institute of Physical Art)
  • McConnell Taping Shoulder (McConnell Institute)
  • McConnnell Patellofemoral Taping (McConnell Institute)
  • McConnell Taping Spine (McConnell Institute)
  • MWM NAGS & SNAGS Upper Extremity (Brian Mulligan)
  • MWM NAGS & SNAGS Lower Extremity (Brian Mulligan)
  • Certified Funcational Capacity Evaluator (Roy Matheson)
  • Selective Functional Movement Assessment (NASMI)
  • Diagnosis & Treatment of Movement System Syndromes (Shirley Sahrmann)
  • Lumbopelvic Region: Manual Therapy Chilean Approach (North American Seminars)
  • The Running Course (North American Seminars)
  • Certified Ergonomic Assessment Specialist (Back School of Atlanta)
  • Back to Basics: Bands, Balls & Balance (Thera-Band Academy)
  • Cervical spine Evaluation & Treatment (Doug Kelsey)
  • Impairment Rating Evaluation Seminar (Keith Blankenship)
  • Graston Technique Level 1 (Graston)
  • Graston Technique Certification (Graston)
  • Evaluation, Treatment and Rehabilitation of Shoulder (Terry Malone)
  • Physical Therapy Management of the Knee (Terry Malone)
  • Fundamentals of Hand Therapy (ARS)
  • Evaluation & Management of Common Disorders of the Foot and Ankle (ARS)
  • Diagnostic Imaging for PT (CEU World)
  • Myofascial Release Unwinding (Julie Cohen)
  • Treating Anxiety Disorders (Mark Schneider)
  • Anatomy & Biomechanics of the Cervical spine (Rick Hallgren)
  • Anatomy & Biomechanics of the Spine (Rick Hallgren)
  • Medicare Changes & Reimbursement (DAC)
  • Coding & Billing for Therapy & Rehab (Cross Country Education)
  • Management Issues in Physical Therapy (CEU World)
  • Ethics in Physical Therapy
  • AMA Guides 3rd Edition (TWCC)
  • AMA Guides 4th Edition (TWCC)
  • AMA Guides 5th Edition (TWCC)
  • Back to Golf (Bud Ferrante)
  • Kinesio Taping KT1 (Tom Lechtenberg)
  • Kinesio Taping KT2 (Tom Lechtenberg)
  • Certification Weight Training (IWA)
  • Pilates for Rehabilitation (APPI)
  • Mulligan & Wilk Diagnosis & Teatment Upper and Lower Quarter (NE Seminars)
  • Developing Surgical Rehab for Spine (North American Seminars)
  • Kinesio Taping KT3 (Tom Lechtenberg)
  • SFMA Y Balance Cerftification
  • MSK US Masters 100+ lectures (Dr. Randy Moore)
  • 200+ additional hours in Internet CEU courses.

Richard Brandl, PTA, MA

Richard Brandl, PTA, MA, is a Midwest native. He is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Omaha with Masters Degree in Exercise Science. Rich also graduated from Penn Valley Community College with his A.A.S. as a Physical Therapist Assistant. Rich has been working in the field of physical therapy for over ten years. He has a vast amount of professional experience in patient care, home health rehabilitation and sports rehabilitation and joint replacement. He has worked with Pura Vida Therapy since 2014. When Rich is not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife and children. He also enjoys lawn and garden work, WWII reenactments and training for different obstacle courses throughout the year.

Ivan Villagrana-Fraire, PTA

Hello! I am Ivan Villagrana-Fraire. I grew up in Kansas City after moving here from Mexico when I was 10 years old. In 2015 I graduated from the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Kansas City Kansas Community College, and currently hold licenses in KS and MO, as well as recently becoming a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT). Outside of my professional career I enjoy taking up new challenges like coding and doing house renovations, but also enjoy time tested ones like chess, watching movies and playing soccer. As someone who has benefited from several community programs and received advice from numerous mentors and community leaders; giving back is always in the forefront of my mind.

I have served as Mentor for Latinos Of Tomorrow & Mattie Rhodes and volunteered at several events through organizations like: El Centro, JUNTOS, Young Latino Professionals, The Hispanic Chamber and USD500. I am excited to continue giving back to the community in my new role as Recruitment Coordinator for Latinos Of Tomorrow. I look forward to reaching young talented latinos and sharing with them this exceptional program that will nurture their potential & help them achieve success by whatever unit of measure they choose.

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