Mission

It is the mission of James Fowler Physical Therapy to treat each patient as a separate individual and to provide specialized and compassionate care. The goal is for each patient to receive a personalized therapy program with the aim of making lasting changes in the patient's body and their life.

History

After 9 years of extensive professional experience as an accomplished physical therapist, James Fowler and his wife Judy, a certified movement analyst opened their family practice, which artfully blends together the physical therapy and movement disciplines. On October 4, 2002, James Fowler officially established a home for his growing private practice in an enthralling 3,000 square foot loft in the heart of Manhattan in Union Square, designed by renowned architect, Daryl Wugalter. Since their official opening, James Fowler Physical Therapy has established an exceptional reputation in the New York City area through their commitment in individual attention and customized treatment.

James Fowler, P.T., ACSM, Founder

With over fifteen years experience in Sports Medicine and Movement Science, James Fowler is a physical therapist who understands the mechanics of the human body. James graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1988 with a degree in Exercise Science and Physical Education. In 1994, after coming to New York, he earned a second degree in Physical Therapy from the Steinhardt School of Education at New York University. He has advanced training and hands-on experience in Active Release Techniques, Spinal Manipulation and Myofascial Release Techniques. His affiliations include the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Physical Therapy Association.

James spent seven years in the Physical Therapy Department at Beth Israel Medical Center specializing in orthopedics and sports medicine. While at Beth Israel, he coordinated the Motion Analysis Laboratory and was featured on the CBS Morning News Program describing "Motion Analysis for Golfers." James was also the official physical therapist for the New York Liberty Basketball team, providing rehabilitation and movement analysis for performance enhancement.

In addition to his dedication to his private practice, James has created and directed various independent programs that can be benefiting to all. James developed an innovative program for children, "Kids Move for Soccer", to teach sports and soccer in a positive environment. Also, James developed "The James Approach", a golf training program which is a movement re-education for golfers to improve swing efficiency and body awareness. James has been owner of his own practice since 2001.

Lisa Desrochers, P.T., CSCS

Lisa is a physical therapist with over 17 years of experience in treating a diverse client base with an emphasis on orthopedic manual therapy and neurodevelopmental training. After graduating from Boston University's Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitative Sciences in 1991, she came to New York where she was senior therapist at Beth Israel Medical Center. Lisa participated in department-based research and became highly regarded for her clinical skills specific to the treatment of the shoulder. She was also instrumental in the development of a specialized post-stroke rehabilitation program utilizing her post-graduate work in movement retraining.

In 1997, Lisa earned certification as a strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS). She has participated in numerous post-graduate and continuing education courses in the areas of orthopedic and sports rehabilitation, manual therapy, gait analysis, and motor learning. She has lectured to area health clubs and the community on a variety of exercise and health related topics.

Being a seven-time marathon runner including two-time qualifier to the prestigious Boston Marathon, Lisa is uniquely adept at understanding and treating running related injuries. A committed educator, Lisa has traveled overseas to a developing country where she taught physical therapy in a United States based program dedicated to improving the availability and quality of health care through the training and education of local health care providers.

Suzanne Semanson, P.T., DPT

Suzanne received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Northwestern University in Chicago, IL. While pursuing her degree, she conducted research in quantifying upper extremity synergies in people post-stroke. In addition, she completed additional clinical training in dance medicine in the Broadway Theatre district.

Suzanne recently relocated to New York City from Chicago to further develop her specialty in dance medicine and continues to work on performers on Broadway. She also is an active member of the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science and the Performing Arts section of the APTA. Regularly seeking out continuing-education courses in this specialty area is important to her in further developing her skills and staying at the forefront of dance medicine to provide the highest quality of care to the dance population.

She brings a strong movement-based background to the practice with over 20 cumulative years of experience in studying/teaching classical ballet, modern dance, yoga, and martial arts. Her commitment to health and fitness has pushed her to complete the Chicago Marathon in 2007.

Judy Marriott Fowler, CMA, LMT

Judy Marriott is a Certified Movement Analyst trained at the Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies in New York City as well as a licensed massage therapist from the Swedish Institute of Massage Therapy, New York City. Originally trained as a modern dancer, Ms. Marriott has over twenty years experience in fitness and movement science. Ms. Marriott's experience includes designing movement based warm-ups for runners, pre-game warm-ups for golfers, instructing neurological patients, post-mastectomy patients and patients with upper extremity injuries, as well as proper techniques for functional strength training.

At Beth Israel Medical Center's Outpatient Hospital Rehabilitation Center, she developed a series of workshops for outpatient rehab patients that included postural awareness and increasing range of motion. It was while at Beth Israel that she discovered the benefit of offering movement with hands on soft tissue manipulation to greatly influence healing, range of motion, and increase of well being.

Emily Kaemmerlen, CMA

Emily is a Certified Movement Analyst trained at the Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies in New York City. After completing her training, she spent a year at the institute as an assistant teacher.

Emily has continued her education through Body Mind Centering workshops with Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen on the reflexes and neurological patterns as well as workshops through Embodied Asana with Amy Matthews on the feet, ligaments, organs, nervous system, and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation.

She holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Dance. Emily has spent most of her life dancing and has been involved in movement-oriented pursuits. Her dance background includes training in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, African, and samba.

Elena Miaskinova, Movement Trainer

Elena is a certified Pilates instructor through the Kane School of Core Integration. She teaches integration of breath with movement, proper movement initiation, and use of "powerhouse" muscles to improve strength and stability.

Elena continues to deepen her knowledge by taking courses and workshops in such topics as "Pilates through Pregnancy", The Psoas", "Working with Scoliosis", and "Advanced Pilates". She is currently in the process of enrolling in Physical Therapy School and plans to enter a Doctorate of Physical Therapy program by the summer of 2009.

Monique Longoria, Billing Manager

Monique has completed her coursework at Syracuse University and Pratt Institute. She has many years of experience in Physical Therapy and the Chiropractic fields where she was trained in billing and patient coordination. She is very people oriented and loves helping others. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her many siblings, friends, and Mango, her 9 month old Yorkie. As of right now, she is trying to grasp the Spanish language, so next time you come by, pop your head in and say ‘Hola’!

Morgan Dontanville, Patient Coordinator

Morgan has worked in a number of fields ranging from music, art, fashion and comics. Currently, he moonlights as a freelance board game designer and art director. He is a movie fanatic, a music snob and an avid reader. He can't have pets, but if he could, he and his wife would own a flying squirrel.

Corina Platon, Administrative Assistant

Corina grew up in Romania, in the city of Brasov and came to the States in 2004. She has since been working and traveling throughout the country, expanding her knowledge and experience. Currently, she is a student and aspires to become a successful journalist. Her passions include reading and traveling. Her dream is to visit every country in the world.

Photography: Amy Widdowson & Jason Yau