Dr. Laura Mannering DPT, OCS, Cert. MDT
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy
Certified in the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy
Orthopedic Expertise
I have extensive post-doctoral training in diagnosing and treating orthopedic pathology. Patients frequently see a rapid improvement in symptoms and results that "standard" PT failed to achieve. In many instances, my diagnosis and treatment prevent the use of unnecessary - as well as costly and riskier - imaging, injections, medications, and surgeries. |
Focus on Patient Independence
A primary focus of mine is teaching patients how to manage their own injuries in order to minimize the need for medical care in the short and long term. Independent management includes regularly performing 1-2 prescribed, targeted exercises as well as attention to any necessary postural changes. I also teach patients how to measure the status of their improvement and monitor for recurrence. |
Focus on Recurrence
Prevention I educate patients regarding the cause of their problem and provide tools not only to resolve the issue, but also to prevent recurrence when possible. As most problems will recur, it is imperative that patients learn how to spend a minute or two each day self-assessing their affected body part. If the problem returns in the future, patients will largely be equipped with the tools to self-treat. |
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Education
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Bachelor of Arts, University of Pennsylvania
Doctorate of Physical Therapy, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine |
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Certifications &
Memberships |
Certification in the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy
(Diploma in the McKenzie Method - training complete, awaiting postponed final exam) Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy (OCS) Certified Clinical Instructor, APTA Member, The McKenzie Institute |
I have been diagnosing and treating orthopedic injuries as a Doctor of Physical Therapy for ten years in Florida and the DC area. In college, I studied economics and Spanish, spending one year studying in Spain. I was also active in athletics outside of the classroom, rowing for one year on the novice crew team, playing for the club soccer and tennis teams, and founding and running the club basketball team. Between my undergraduate and graduate degrees I worked in Asia for several years and volunteered for one year with AmeriCorps in Boston.
I was drawn to MDT (developed by physiotherapist Robin McKenzie) early on in my physical therapy career because of how quickly it produced results as well as its lasting effectiveness - both personally with a lumbar disc herniation and with my patients. Unlike with "standard" physical therapy, patients frequently experience a rapid reduction of symptoms in only a few visits. In addition, patients often see improvements which other treatments failed to achieve. One-on-one treatments (without assistants or aides) provide the personal attention needed to teach patients how to treat themselves through targeted movement. I have mentored many physical therapist and physical therapist assistant students as a credentialed clinical instructor and regularly attend, and assist at, courses across the country.
MDT, an assessment and treatment approach that may be used by any professional who treats musculoskeletal disorders, has two levels of training. The first is certification, which requires attending several courses and passing a written and manual exam. The highest level, the diploma, requires a semester of online study, 9 weeks working full-time with mentors, and passing an oral exam. I have been certified in MDT for several years and, having completed the diploma training in 2019 in Texas, am awaiting the postponed final oral and manual exam.
I was drawn to MDT (developed by physiotherapist Robin McKenzie) early on in my physical therapy career because of how quickly it produced results as well as its lasting effectiveness - both personally with a lumbar disc herniation and with my patients. Unlike with "standard" physical therapy, patients frequently experience a rapid reduction of symptoms in only a few visits. In addition, patients often see improvements which other treatments failed to achieve. One-on-one treatments (without assistants or aides) provide the personal attention needed to teach patients how to treat themselves through targeted movement. I have mentored many physical therapist and physical therapist assistant students as a credentialed clinical instructor and regularly attend, and assist at, courses across the country.
MDT, an assessment and treatment approach that may be used by any professional who treats musculoskeletal disorders, has two levels of training. The first is certification, which requires attending several courses and passing a written and manual exam. The highest level, the diploma, requires a semester of online study, 9 weeks working full-time with mentors, and passing an oral exam. I have been certified in MDT for several years and, having completed the diploma training in 2019 in Texas, am awaiting the postponed final oral and manual exam.
Washington, D.C. office. Video appointments also available.