In this episode, we chat with Louis DiGiovine PT, who is a clinically talented orthopedic manual therapist with 41 years of experience. Lou graduated from the very first class at The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) in June 1980 giving him the distinction of being one of the first eighteen physical therapists graduating in the State of New Jersey.

He continued that “pioneering” spirit when he took his first position as a staff therapist at the busy and reputable Christ Hospital in Jersey City, NJ. Working and training in an urban General Hospital provided him with a strong background in medical and surgical knowledge.  In 1983 he became a co-founder of Hudson Heights Physical Therapy (one of the first few private practices owned by physical therapists in New Jersey).  Through that organization, he performed contract-hospital work at St. Mary’s Hospital in Hoboken, Palisades General Hospital in North Bergen, Meadowlands Hospital in Secaucus, Essex County Geriatric Facility in Belleville, The Industrial Medicine Center in Secaucus, Union City Visiting Nurse Association, and Christ Hospital  Homecare Agency for more than five years. During those early years, he attended many extensive training courses, workshops, seminars, in-services, study groups, and conferences throughout the country. Lou learned all of this extensive training to become the best physical therapist that he could be and provide his patients with the best care possible. Throughout his early professional years, his primary area of interest and goals was to become an orthopedic manual therapist with a specialty in spine care. In time, Lou became known as a “spine therapist” and as a result received many more referrals from spine care physicians, also helping him to accelerate his knowledge base in the treatment of spinal injuries, conditions, and surgeries.

It was through the discovery process of learning spine care and treating many patients that Lou became acutely aware of the relevance and close interrelationship of back and neck problems, TMJ dysfunction, headaches, upper quarter dysfunction, shoulder problems, posture and pain, orthotics, body mechanics, ergonomics and lifestyle management. All of which he has received specific training and education. He has lectured on these topics to study groups, in-services, seminars, physical therapy students, industrial work sites, corporations, athletic organizations, and varied community groups. Throughout the past twenty-nine years, Lou has participated in various treatment programs and clinics including sports medicine clinics, amputee clinics, prosthetics and orthotics clinics, arthritis clinics, work hardening, worksite ergonomic assessments, pre-employment screens, and pre-season athletic screenings.

In 1996 Lou founded Excellent Physical Therapy Back and Neck Care an orthopedic physical therapy private practice dedicated to the treatment of spine care. Within the practice, he developed and implemented administrative and treatment standards of care through policies, procedures, and protocols.  The interweaving of professional knowledge and experience with tested business practices is what made Excellent Physical Therapy a very unique facility where dedication to excellence was evident.

Lou DiGiovine PT continued his training and education by establishing a working relationship with two recognized spine surgeons and performing rounds with the physicians and their patients six hours per week for eight years. This once-in-a-lifetime experience allowed him to gain an understanding of the complete spectrum of spine care treatment including medicine, pain control methods, epidural injections, spinal diagnostics, indications, and contraindications of spine surgery, types of surgeries alternative care, and spine surgery rehab. Lou is an active participating clinician of the New Jersey Spine Institute, North American Spine Society, and The American Physical Therapy Association. He is licensed by the New Jersey State Board of Physical Therapy. He has inspired others to follow his lead and with the addition of experienced and qualified staff over the years, he has expanded the scope of Excellent Physical Therapy to include all orthopedic musculoskeletal conditions including the treatment of knees, shoulders, fractures, joint replacement, pediatric and geriatrics.  

(Since recording this interview, Lou's practice has been acquired by Jag-One Physical Therapy.  Lou continues to practice here and is also the Clinical Director.)

Highlights of this podcast include:

• Upper quarter dysfunction
• Postural syndromes
• Orofacial pain 
• TMJ
• Trigeminal neuralgia
• Spine-health
• Back pain and rehabilitation 
• Progressing through therapy 
• Trigger Points (network) 
• Soft tissue release 
• Posture 
• Throat/Neck pain 
• Pterygoid muscles
• Tinnitus 
• Subclavius muscle
• Heat vs Ice
• And So Much More!

To learn more about Louis DiGiovine PT, please visit JagOne.com.  Bedminister NJ Location.  

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