Maximum Performance in Riverhead NY

A Merge of Two Great Practices: Maximum Performance in Riverhead NY

Island Sports Physical Therapy and Maximum Performance Physical Therapy have joined forces to create Island Sports Physical Therapy Riverhead. Island Sports Physical Therapy in Riverhead is a caring and friendly professional practice that provides an encouraging environment dedicated to helping you achieve your wellness goals. 

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Vincent Barry, DPT, Director

Dr. Vincent Barry has been a Physical Therapist for nearly 40 years and has been serving the Riverhead community for over 25 years. He established his private practice, Maximum Performance Physical Therapy in 2001 located on Rt. 58 in Riverhead NY.

 

Vincent brings nearly 40 years of experience to Maximum Performance Physical Therapy. He received his Master’s degree in Physical Therapy from Touro College and earned his Doctorate (DPT) from Creighton University. He has undergone extensive postgraduate training in advance manual therapy techniques and sports medicine rehabilitation. Vincent earned his Board Certification as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) in 2007. Through extensive continuing education, he has also earned many other certifications including Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and Certified Manual Therapist (MTC). He has also completed extensive studies in the osteopathic approach to manual therapy specializing in the evaluation and treatment of spinal dysfunction. Vincent was an instructor in undergraduate and post-graduate training courses at the local and national level. For 10 years Vincent was an adjunct professor at Stony Brook University’s Doctoral Physical Therapy program and continues to serve as a clinical instructor for Physical Therapy Interns.

 

Dr. Barry takes pride in being part of the Riverhead community. He volunteers his time by being a member of the Riverhead Rotary Club as well as serving on various Non-Profit boards for local organizations including Rise Life Services (formerly Aid to the Developmental Disabled). As an East End resident, Vincent takes pride in his expertise and values the care he provides to his local community.

In his spare time Vincent enjoys playing the piano, spending time with his family especially his new Grandson.

Trinity Grasso, DPT

Trinity graduated with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Stony Brook University in 2021.  Upon graduation she was inducted to Alpha Eta – a National Honor Society for the top 20% of students in each class. Trinity has a background in personal training, strength and conditioning, and fitness class instruction. She worked at her campus recreation center for 5 years in various leadership roles prior to graduation, and has experience strength training youth athletes. Trinity has earned various certifications including ACSM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), and group fitness certifications for indoor cycling and TRX suspension training. She takes pride in combining her fitness background with her doctoral level of physical therapy education to create a plan of care custom fit to each individual.

Denise Spellman, DPT

Denise has practiced as a New York licensed physical therapist for over 35 years in Nassau County and on The North Fork of Long Island.

She earned her BS degree in Physical Therapy from Downstate Medical and her MS degree in Exercise Physiology from Queens college.  She went on to attain a clinical doctorate in Physical Therapy from Touro College where she taught as an adjunct professor.

Denise is a certified yoga teacher and has taught workshops in yoga and postural retraining on the North Fork and in Nassau County. She has authored several articles in north fork publications on subjects that integrate physical therapy principles and alternative therapies.

Brittany Havel, PTA

Brittany earned her associate’s degree of Physical Therapy Assistant from SCCC in 2018, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She joined the team at Maximum Performance Physical Therapy shortly after graduation in 2018.

Brittany’s athletic background as a competitive gymnast and suffering a serious injury that caused her to undergo surgery and physical therapy rehabilitation inspired her to pursue a career in the physical therapy.

Brittany’s clinical experience includes, orthopedics, post-operative rehabilitation, and geriatrics. Her approach to rehabilitation is to treat each patient as an individual by incorporating manual therapy techniques and functional therapeutic exercises into their sessions. Brittany is passionate about building therapeutic relationships with her patients to help them restore their normal way of life and function. In her free time, Brittany enjoys hiking, going to the gym and playing piano.

Heat vs. Ice: Which One Should You Use?

When dealing with an injury or sore muscles, you’re likely looking for a way to manage your acute symptoms quickly. Heat and ice therapy are both beneficial for treating pain, but each treatment works better for specific situations. Our team at Island Sports Physical Therapy would like to discuss when you should use heat or ice therapy for an injury. Continue reading to learn more!

Heat vs. Ice: Which One Should You Use?

Heat and ice each play essential roles in treatment, but it can be tricky to understand which to use. The general rule of thumb for most injuries is to use ice first and heat later. Most acute injuries cause your body to react with swelling and inflammation, so ice can be used to cool down the inflamed tissue and reduce swelling. Using heat for acute injuries would cause an opposite reaction, so it is best to use heat during recovery as you return to total health. Here are some conditions and injuries where you should use ice:

• Acute Injury
• Overuse Injuries
• Arthritis
• Muscle Strain or Sprain
• Migraine
• Tendinitis

If you have any of the following painful conditions or injuries, heat therapy may help alleviate your pain:

• Neck Stiffness
• Muscle Injury
• Back Pain
• Muscle Spasms or Aches

Both heat and ice should be a part of your overall rehabilitation plan. While both of these methods can help alleviate some of your symptoms, working with experienced physical therapists at Island Sports Physical Therapy to get to the root cause of your injury and ensure a full recovery is essential.

Contact Maximum Performance in Riverhead NY

Knowing the right times to use ice or heat therapy can significantly increase the effectiveness of your treatment. At Island Sports Physical Therapy, our team is here to evaluate your condition and determine the best course of treatment to get you back to an active and pain-free lifestyle. Be sure to contact us to learn more about ice and heat therapy and request an appointment today!

Can Vertigo Be Affected By Weather?

Do you feel especially sick when a storm is coming? This is likely more than a coincidence. Seasonal vertigo is the term used for the painful symptoms that many feel with weather changes, especially during major storm seasons. Our experts at Maximum Performance in Riverhead NY can help relieve these vestibular symptoms. Island Sports Physical Therapy is here for you!

What Is Vertigo?

Vertigo is more of a symptom than a condition. It is usually experienced as a dizzy spinning sensation, making individuals feel like still objects or rooms are moving. This can be paired with nausea, vomiting, and balance issues.

Seasonal vertigo is a symptom of migraines. Migraines are a common cause of vertigo, and the changes brought by storms can induce severe migraines.

How Does Weather Cause Vertigo?

Being a symptom of migraines, storms can cause vertigo. Those who deal with migraines are often more sensitive to sensory inputs, and the barometric pressure changes that occur when a storm is coming can impact these individuals. The most severe weather seasons include spring storms, hurricane season, and tornado season.

The severity of the discomfort brought about by these storms can be immense, but many sufferers could assume that allergies or other causes are at play. The seasonal nature of this does not help. Individuals may experience symptoms for only a few weeks, so they do not seek out medical help or Maximum Performance in Riverhead NY  at our Riverhead office. This leaves many undiagnosed and untreated.

Treating Seasonal Vertigo

Aside from resting and avoiding other migraine triggers, there are treatment options for those who experience vertigo. These include:

• Medication
  • Meclizine is an antihistamine that helps treat vertigo and motion sickness
• Essential oils
  • While not specifically meant for treating vertigo, lavender essential oil can help reduce nausea and dizziness
• Vestibular rehabilitation therapy
  • Guided by a professional at Maximum Performance in Riverhead NY, these exercises are meant to suit each patient after their examination at our Riverhead office. They may include:

• Balance training
• Gaze stabilization
• Habituation – reduces dizziness

Other Causes Of Vertigo

If you are experiencing vertigo, but it is happening throughout the year and without the presence of storms, it may be a symptom of something else. Seasonal vertigo from migraines is real, but experiencing vertigo while a storm is coming can also be a coincidence. Here are some other common causes of vertigo:

• Medications
• Head or neck injuries
• Infection of the vestibular nerve
• Neurological conditions – brain tumor, stroke, multiple sclerosis
• Meniere’s disease – causes the overproduction of fluid in the inner ear
• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo – caused by a change in head movement

Regardless of the severity of your vertigo or what you might assume its cause is, seek medical attention immediately. It may be a symptom of a serious issue, so getting a proper diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible is key.

Maximum Performance in Riverhead NY

If you are experiencing a dizzy sensation when storms are on the way, do not pass this off as a coincidence. You may be suffering from seasonal vertigo and may benefit from Maximum Performance in Riverhead NY. Island Sports  vertigo physical therapy, is dedicated to helping our patients find comfort and relief. Request an appointment today at our Riverhead office! 

What Is The Main Focus Of Physical Therapy?

Your doctor may recommend physical therapy if you have recently been injured or are dealing with a health condition. It may seem scary or unnecessary based on your physical condition, but it is a recovery technique that supports all kinds of patients and can provide long-term benefits. This is because experts in Maximum Performance in Riverhead NY are not just working to reduce your pain and symptoms but helping their patients improve their range of motion and strength. Island Sports Physical Therapy is here to help you reach your recovery goals, regardless of your condition!

What Is Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy is a recovery and rehabilitation technique that can be used on its own or with other treatment options. It can support a wide range of patients, from those with sports injuries to those with neurological conditions. Because of this variety, physical therapists can be found in many settings. These may include:

• Private practices
• Hospitals
• Nursing homes
• Rehabilitation centers
• Homes
• Schools
• Fitness locations

Who Goes To Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy can be helpful to just about anyone looking to treat a physical issue. Some common conditions that may react well to physical therapy include:

• Sports injuries
• Pediatric conditions – muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy
• Musculoskeletal dysfunction – back pain, jaw pain
• Cardiopulmonary conditions – cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Female health dysfunction – urinary incontinence
• Neurological conditions – stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, brain injury, spinal cord injury
• Skin conditions – burns, wounds

Whether or not they recommended physical therapy, it is always best to speak with your doctor before starting. They can help find an expert in Maximum Performance in Riverhead NY best suited for your needs.

What Are The Benefits Of Physical Therapy?

The specific benefits of physical therapy will vary for each patient and their condition. Generally, physical therapy can help with the following:

• Reduce pain
• Recovery
• Improve mobility
• Improve balance/prevent falls
• Increase strength
• Increase athletic performance
• Prevent further injury

What Does Physical Therapy Look Like?

As you start Maximum Performance in Riverhead NY, you will likely receive a physical evaluation. This will allow the physical therapist to learn about your medical condition and current movement. You will then receive a diagnosis and begin creating a recovery plan. As for the physical work, techniques will vary based on your condition and goals. Common techniques include:

• Physical manipulation
• Exercise
• Heat and cold therapy
• Light therapy – uses lights and lasers
• Electrical stimulation – can reduce pain or engage muscles
• Iontophoresis – lessens inflammation by applying medicine through electrical current

As a part of your Maximum Performance in Riverhead NY, you will likely receive information on how to work towards your recovery at home, such as exercises you can do yourself. It is important to address any confusion you may have, as incorrectly moving your body could cause further injury.

Maximum Performance in Riverhead NY

No matter the condition, our experts in Maximum Performance in Riverhead NY are here to help you. The Island Sports Physical Therapy team is equipped to work collaboratively to create a treatment plan that supports healing and makes you comfortable! Contact us today to learn more and to request an appointment!