The Therapy Team
Dr. Tony Child, DPT
Dr. Tony Child has been practicing for over 25+ years. He attained his Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from Arcadia University (PA) in 2017 and . He earned his Masters in Physical Therapy from the University of Saint Augustine (FL) in 1997 and his Bachelors in Industrial Hygiene and Safety from Brigham Young University (UT) 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 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.
Richard Brandl, PTA
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. 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.
Maria Veronica, Office Manager
Maria was born and raised in Los Angeles and graduated from University of California, Riverside with a degree in Humanities. She is fluent in both Spanish and English. She moved to Kansas in 2017 to pursue a career in the medical field and is now concentrating on getting to know the community and providing the best costumer service. Having worked and volunteered for many years in the medical field, Maria is very competent and understand all patients have different needs.
Our Specialty Services
Physical Rehabilitation
We use evidence based kinesiology along with exercise prescription and education to treats chronic or acute pain, soft tissue injuries, cartilage damage, arthritis, gait disorders and physical impairments.
Dr. Child has worked in PT clinics for 30 years.
Work Conditioning
A 4-hour physical exercise program designed to restore specific strength, flexibility, and endurance for return to work following injury, disease, or medically imposed rest.
Work Rich who has Master in exercise science and a decade of experience in such programs.
Functional Capacity Evaluation
A 3-4 hour series of tests to determine the ability to function in a variety of circumstances, most often employment, in an objective manner. May be used with disability payments in the case of permanent disability.
Dr. Tony Child is a certified FCE evaluator for the past 20 years
Graston Myofascial Release
The Graston technique is an Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Manipulation (IASTM) technique used to help improve mobility and range of motion. Use of specifically designed stainless steel instruments to detect and effectively treat areas exhibiting soft tissue fibrosis or chronic inflammation.
Dr. Child attained a certification in IASTM with Graston.
McConnell Taping
McConnell taping can improve knee cap tracking issues. While wearing the tape, most patients feel immediate pain relief and are encouraged to exercise with the tape in place to provide the muscles with the appropriate feedback to correct the problem. McConnell taping can be used in the clinic or taught for home use.
Dr. Child was trained with Jenny McConnell as the instructor for the shoulder, knee and lumbar spine techniques.
SFMA
The Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) is a systematic way to look at movement patterns and determine the restrictive issues that are contributing to a problem. Exercises are developed that are directly related to correcting your condition, instead of a bunch of general exercises that you could have found on the internet.
This means you will progress quickly and be able to get back to the activities that you enjoy.
Dr. Child holds a SFMA and a “Y Balance” certification.
Kinesiotaping
Kinesio Tape alleviates discomfort and facilitates lymphatic drainage by microscopically lifting the skin. This lifting affect forms convolutions in the skin thus increasing interstitial space and allowing for a decrease in inflammation, reducing pressure while enabling a more effective flow of lymphatic fluid in and out of the target area.
Dr. Child is a certified kinesiotape practitioner (CKTP).
Joint Mobilization
A passive movement technique to a joint and is applied at varying speeds and amplitudes in order to help improve movement and/or reduce pain.
Dr. Child learned joint mobilization with Dr. Stanley Paris, Dr. Catherine Patla, and Dr. Brian Mulligan.
Wheelchair Evaluations
We offer wheelchair seating evaluations by highly skilled, experienced physical therapists. The ultimate goal is to provide disabled people, the least restrictive, most comfortable and appropriate wheelchair to respond to their individual needs.
Locations
Shawnee
Kansas City, Kansas
Coming Soon- KCMO
Exercise is Medicine.
Joint Dysfunctions
Can you help with my pain ?
Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain results from many factors including overuse, poor posture, scapular weakness, and altered shoulder mechanics. It is an incredibly common complaint and is characterized by pain localized in the shoulder or deferred to other areas of the arm. Whether you have a mild injury such as a muscle strain or shoulder impingement, or if you have a more severe pathology such as a labral or rotator cuff tear, physical therapy can help restore you to your previous level of activity.
Common Causes of Shoulder Pain:
- Rotator Cuff Injuries
- Traumatic Fall
- Poor Posture
- Muscle Imbalance
Elbow Pain
There is a multitude of injuries, degenerative conditions, and nerve entrapments that can lead to pain and lack of function in the elbow. Sports injuries, repetitive motion at work, muscle imbalance and arthritis may result in pain and weakness. This makes everyday activities difficult or impossible. Physical therapy can help ease pain and restore movement and function. Our physical therapists use more than one approach to help ensure the best outcomes.
Common Elbow Issues Treated:
- Arthritis
- Elbow Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
- Golfers Elbow
- Pitcher’s Elbow
- Tennis Elbow
- Bursitis
Wrist Pain
Hand and wrist pain can make it challenging to complete even the simplest daily tasks. Whether the pain is a result of arthritis, a jammed finger, or numbness from carpal tunnel, it can be difficult to complete important tasks in work or play. Often, physical therapy can be the difference between having a nagging hand injury that lasts for months and being pain-free. With 27 bones and 34 muscles, plus all of their associated ligaments, joints, and tendons, there are a lot of structures in your hand and wrist to sprain or tear.
Common Causes of Hand or Wrist Pain:
- Wrist Sprain
- Arthritis
- Tendonitis
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Why do I hurt?
Hip Pain
The hip is one of the most stable joints in the entire body. Often hip pain is a reflection of another problem. To effectively treat hip pain, we must ensure that we have first identified the precise source of the pain. Our therapists are well versed in the anatomy of the hip and all of the possible structures that may be referring your pain. Also, they will be able to analyze your movement patterns to determine the most likely original cause of the pain. Hip pain is rarely just based in the hip, as the low back is often the reason for developing a secondary problem.
Common Causes of Hip Pain:
- Arthritis
- Trochanteric Bursitis
- Tendonitis
- Lumbar Pain that refers to the hip
- Snapping Hip Syndrome
- Muscle Strains
- Stress Fractures
Knee Pain
Knee pain is a common complaint in people all ages and found in young children in the form of Osgood-Schlatters and Sinding-Larsen Johansson Syndrome, which are irritations of the tibial tuberosity and inferior patellar growth plates respectively. Adult knee pain can present itself in the form of patellar tendinopathy or patella-femoral pain syndrome. Knee pain can be the result of traumatic injuries causing ligament or meniscus tears.
Common Causes of Knee Pain:
- Osteoarthritis
- ACL, MCL, PCL, and other ligament injuries
- Torn Cartilage
- Patellar Tendonitis
- Popliteal Cyst or Baker
Ankle Pain
Ankle and foot injuries can be painful and immobilizing. If you are suffering from ankle or foot pain, you need to seek professional help. Any delay could only make the problem worse.Ankle sprains are a common occurrence amongst active people and can occur with running, walking on uneven surfaces, or even jumping. Most often, the injury happens when the foot twists inward, and the ligaments on the outside of the ankle are stretched or torn. Research shows up to 80% of people who suffer from a sprained ankle will endure re-injury at some point in the future.
Common Causes of Ankle Pain:
- Ankle Sprain
- High Ankle Sprain
- Achilles Tendon Rupture
- Posterior Tibialis Tendonitis
Common Causes of Foot Pain:
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Heel Spurs
- Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
- Bunion
Exercise is Medicine