Imagine waking up and taking business calls from the beach. It sounds like a win, win right? Well, Mariana Tondo is definitely winning! Despite being thousands of miles away from her office in Nashville, TN, Mariana can still conduct business and see clients, all while visiting her family in Brazil, due to the convenience of Virtual Physical Therapy.  

Mariana Tondo, a physical therapist with nine years of experience, is the owner of the Virtual Physical Therapy practice, VIRT.  She specializes in musculoskeletal disorders, which are injuries or disorders of the muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, cartilage, and spinal discs. Mariana is certified in the Mckenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT), a proven way to assess, treat, and prevent muscle and joint issues. This method can empower clients to improve pain and recover from injuries without any expensive medical equipment, diagnostic imaging, injections, or surgery. So, Mariana is not the only one winning; her clients are too! To prove it, here are more Pros of Virtual PT.

__Pros of Virtual PT:__
- Save Money
- Detailed Care and Attention
- Fewer Appointments
- More Autonomy 
- Convenient
- Effective 
- EMPOWERING!

Virtual Physical Therapy may be new to you, so I thought it would be a good idea to walk you through a session.

During the first session, Mariana will assess the client by asking a series of questions. This helps her gain a greater understanding of the client's pain and musculoskeletal conditions. She also guides the client through a series of exercises to better understand things like the client's range of motion, posture, and pain level. After assessing the client, she can demonstrate and teach the client exercises that will best address the problem. Though the sessions are once a week for one hour, the client will have access to the Physical Therapist anytime!  With the touch of their fingertips, Mariana is just one message or call away! (Let's add greater accessibility to that list of Pros!)

After sessions, Mariana provides the client with homework assignments. Don't worry; this doesn't involve any book work. It merely consists of repeating prescribed exercises from home. Also, these homework assignments come with all the answers! Mariana will provide videos demonstrating all the exercises you need to know to ensure the moves' accuracy. She will set you up for success. 

__Get Started:__
You can schedule an appointment with Mariana through her website, or you can get matched with her through ViaSana. ViaSana is a Physical Therapy platform dedicated to connecting you to a compatible virtual physical therapist. It all starts with a Free and Quick survey! Don't get lost on your path to better health. Get connected with excellent PTs like Mariana through [ViaSana](https://viasana.co/) today! 


Meet the Physical Therapist, Mariana Tondo 

Empowered Through Virtual Physical Therapy

Mariana Tondo, guiding a client through a virtual session.

Virtual Physical Therapy

Imagine wanting to check out this new and trendy restaurant in Nashville, and without a clear guide, you just hop in the car and start driving. By chance, you may find it, but by a greater chance, you could end up lost. That's just one example, why it is usually a good idea to have a guide to where you are going before you just go! This doesn't only apply to driving; it can apply to our health as well. Many of us have goals to get active or move more; however, the goal can become harder to achieve when we don't have a clear guide on making that happen. If you can relate in some way, I have the answer for you – ViaSana. ViaSana is a virtual matchmaking platform connecting patients to the best physical therapy providers. ViaSana is translated  "via" (path or guide) and "sana" (movement). Its literal meaning is a direct reflection of the ViaSana's goal – which is to help you get on a path to health by connecting you to experts in movement.

Physical therapists (PT) are movement experts and healthcare professionals who use evidence-based practices and education to improve pain, manage injury, and maximize various health outcomes. They are the literal movers and shakers in healthcare because they improve the way you move. People everywhere move, so in that sense, many of us can benefit from a PT. However, finding the right Physical Therapist can be a little like dating, meaning compatibility matters! If the physical therapist doesn't fully understand the patient's needs/goals and lacks general compatibility, it could impact the patient's health outcomes and motivation. In fact, research shows that only 30% of patients prescribed outpatient physical therapy attend all treatment sessions. ViaSana figured that part of the problem could be rooted in compatibility. 

As part of the solution, ViaSana uses its platform to make finding the right Physical Therapist possible! They start with a Free Psychology based survey that will match you with a therapist that specializes in your needs and preferences. Once matched with your licensed and board-certified Physical Therapist, you can start your path to better health in a way that most comfortable and convenient for you. Because the platform is virtual, your Physical Therapist will be accessible via phone, tablet, or computer.

ViaSana not only guides the patient to better health, but they are also on a mission to continually advocate for physical therapists as well. Research shows that 50% of PTs consider a career change in the next five years due to poor work-life balance. ViaSana wants to help reverse that by giving PTs a tool to help them reclaim their time, expand care capacity, and improve patient fulfillment. 

This company is one that takes its values beyond the app and the business. They are movers and shakers within the community, hoping to make an impact all around them. One way they do so is through their online publication MoveNasvhille. MoveNashville focuses on Movement, Community, Mindfulness, and Nutrition as paths to better health as well. Through storytelling and personable interviews with local Nashville health experts and influencers, they hope to inspire the community to improve their health and keep movin'.

Additionally, ViaSana is currently part of the Nashville EC Project Healthcare, a yearlong program dedicated to connecting, supporting, and coaching health care entrepreneurs seeking to accelerate their startup. 

Project Healthcare *is bringing together healthcare, technology, and business leaders to nurture startups building the future of healthcare.*

They are committed to growing the platform to drive transformation within the healthcare industry. 

Don't get lost on your path to better health. Check out ViaSana today! 


Imagine wanting to check out this new and trendy restaurant in Nashville, and without a clear guide,

A Path to Better Health

PT at Home

How are you movin’? Did you go on a nature walk today, practice virtual yoga with Cory, or visit the local farmers market for some in-season fruits? No matter how you decided to move, the important thing is that you are moving! While we are on the move, sometimes we may have to look to the experts to keep moving! Physical Therapists are the experts in movement who help improve movement and manage pain. Physical Therapists not only address pain and injuries, but they focus on preventive strategies as well. So, if you are active in any way, you can benefit from Physical Therapy!

At Nashville Physical Therapy and Performance, they specialize in keeping active people active! At their three locations (Franklin, South Nashville, and East Nashville),  they have experienced Physical Therapists who can help anyone, from those recovering from a recent injury to active people interested in preventative care and strategies. Bonus, it is all done without medication, surgery, or pain! Instead, they use various specialty techniques: Manual Therapy, Dry Needling, and the Mckenzie Method.

__Manual Therapy:__ Manual Therapy is a hands-on approach to addressing joint issues, reducing pain, and assisting the body with muscle repair, without the use of equipment.  During manual therapy techniques, PTs may apply pressure to soft tissue to relieve pain, increase blood flow, and relax the muscles. Other methods may involve loosening up restricted joints or lengthening shortened muscles. 

__Dry Needling:__ At first sight, dry needling may resemble acupuncture. They both involve thin needles, but they are quite different. Acupuncture is a 3,000-year Chinese tradition used to address pain issues through acupuncture points. In comparison, dry needling is a newer practice used by Physical Therapists to relieve pain in muscles. Needles are placed in knotted or stiff muscles known as triggered points. The needle is used to help loosen knots and pain. The problem being treated can determine how long the needle will stay inputted.  Nashville PT offers 20-minute dry needling sessions for patients that have been evaluated. 

__Mckenzie Method:__ is a trusted system used all over the world to treat spinal and extremity musculoskeletal disorders. During the assessment, the PT will gather some history and ask you to perform specific movements. This will help them better understand your symptoms and range of motion. Next, the PT will provide you with education and exercises to perform as part of your treatment plan. The PT will give you the tools to keep you informed and practice self-maintenance for preventing the reoccurrence of the problem. 

These methods may sound new or intimidating, but you can rest assured that the experts at Nashville PT make the treatments personable, comfortable, and engaging. A treatment plan is designed specifically for you—nothing cookie cutter.  And they don't leave you with a PT tech or assistance; instead, they provide you with the one on one attention needed to achieve your goals. Through exercises and education, you will leave empowered to accomplish your health goals and implement prevention methods. 

Are you ready to stay active! To learn more and schedule an evaluation, visit https://www.nashvillephysicaltherapy.com/.


How are you movin’? Did you go on a nature walk today, practice virtual yoga with Cory