Restore Physical Therapy (PT), in Cranston, Rhode Island, focuses on treating root causes of pain or limited movement, as opposed to just treating the symptoms. This requires time, which is the reason Amanda Zarriello, DPT, left her job at an insurance-paid practice to start her own direct-pay business. She wanted to spend less time on paperwork so she could spend more time with her patients. For Zarriello, it’s vital to truly get to know the whole person and be able to offer a whole-body approach.

"Patients need time to tell their entire story and not feel rushed,” says Zarriello, “and therapists need time to educate. Time and knowledge give patients comfort and safety. These are imperative. A calm, confident and unrushed clinician and environment are key when it comes to healing.” This is what sets Restore PT apart from the insurance model.

PT is for people who value health and want to stay active. It’s a proactive choice that helps people enjoy an active life and engage in favorite activities. Essentially, physical therapists keep people moving with safety and confidence.

Many people seek out PT after they reach an intolerable level of pain, and they would have benefited from seeking it out sooner. “Pain is your body talking to you,” Zarriello explains, “and people don’t get quiet enough to listen to their bodies. I help them listen.” Neck, back and joint pain can develop overtime from overuse or improper movement. PT is about rewiring motor patterns, and the sooner, the better. “We can identify motor patterns that exacerbate a situation,” continues Zarriello, “and teach ways to move without exasperating pain. We change habitual movement through repetition and practice. The body is capable of changing and adapting to new loads and new strain, which strengthen muscles and tendons.”

Pain can be frightening. Zarriello sees a lot of fear regarding movement. People stop moving, out of fear of injury or increasing pain. She points out that not moving the body will weaken it. Movement is medicine. She states, “We build confidence in how people can move and strength train without getting hurt.” In addition to treating sports injuries, Restore PT helps people over the age of 40 navigate aging with more strength, mobility and functionality.

Some patients choose PT to prevent injuries before they happen. Other patients engage in PT to try and avoid surgery, injections and pain medications or to learn strategies that will help them recover more quickly after surgery. PT has so many benefits.

Zarriello’s office is in her husband’s gym, Olympia Fitness and Performance, which provides post-rehab training. In conjunction with the fitness center, Restore offers a Wellness Warrior maintenance program that helps keep people injury free and able to do the activities they love without pain. Membership includes a customized mobile app with specific individual exercises, full-access to a PT doctor for any health question, a full-hour PT treatment once a month and much more. Wellness Warrior is ideal for active adults, athletes or anyone else that wants to live a healthier lifestyle, lose weight, work out safely and join an active and healthy community.

Lifestyle is an important component for treating chronic pain. Nutrition and rest are integral to healing. Sugar and alcohol create inflammation in the body. Drinking clean water reduces inflammation by flushing out toxins and keeping joints lubricated. Hydration supports the body’s ability to manage inflammation effectively. Zarriello will partner with functional medicine doctors to help patients improve their nutrition intake. She empowers her patients with knowledge about how the body works and how time can help them create positive change.

The relationship begins with a free discovery call to discuss what is holding the patient back. Movement analysis and a full-body diagnostic leads to a personalized recovery plan. In some instances, Zarriello may recommend orthopedic care, because healing an injury may require more than just PT.

“Restore PT is right for you,” explains Zarriello, “if your body isn’t moving as it should, you have a persistent ache or pain that won’t go away or you struggle to perform specific exercises at the gym.”

Location: 10 Worthington Rd., Ste. J, Cranston, RI. For more information or to arrange for a discovery session, call 401-338-1713 or visit RestorePTRI.com. 

Wendy Nadherny Fachon is a frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings magazine.