Starting to feel your age? Finding it harder to do the things you once enjoyed? Thursday, May 6th at 10 am, watch a special edition of abc27’s, Good Day PA.
Learn how the latest advances in physical therapy can provide long lasting pain relief, and meet patients who’ve discovered the benefits of physical therapy
Plus join a live web chat with experts from Madden & Gilbert Physical Therapy, all on a special edition of abc27’s Good Day Pa.
Dr. Daniel Hinnerschitz graduated from Lebanon Valley College with his Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2012. Since then, he has been employed as a physical therapist at Madden and Gilbert Physical Therapy where he specializes in using hands-on treatments to effectively treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. Dr. Dan has gone through extensive and rigorous post-professional training in order to help his patients achieve exceptional outcomes. He has been the clinic director at our Dauphin location since 2018.
In addition to treating patients, Dr. Dan is also an Adjunct Professor in the PT department at LVC where he has been teaching since 2015. Dr. Dan’s passion for teaching goes well beyond the classroom. He also travels all over the US to train physical therapists and physical therapist assistants in the hands-on treatments that we use right here in Central PA at Madden and Gilbert Physical Therapy.
Dr. Dan is a native of Effort, PA located in the Pocono Mountains where he attended Pleasant Valley High School. When he was recruited to play football at LVC, he discovered their newly established PT program.
Dr. Dan always knew that he wanted to work in the healthcare field and this was the perfect fit for him. “What I like most about physical therapy is that I get to know my patients on a personal level because we spend so much time together.” Outside of work, Dr. Dan is a sports enthusiast. His favorite sports teams are Penn State, the Green Bay Packers, the New York Mets and the New York Rangers. He also enjoys traveling, hiking, and biking. You might be surprised to know that he spent an entire semester studying abroad in New Zealand in 2008!
Hi – Two years ago, I was in a car accident. I was rear-ended, and thankfully, it wasn’t bad, but I did have pain in my neck and left shoulder for awhile. My neck would hurt so bad and shoot into my left shoulder that my arm would actually go numb. I did some chiropractic care after that until I felt better, and then stopped. Just recently, this has come back. Is this something that physical therapy could help me with? Also, does this sound like a pinched nerve…or something worse?
Katie
Dr. Dan Hinnerschitz, DPT
Hi Katie, thank you for your question. We see folks who have neck pain and shoulder pain all of the time. Anytime there is numbness involved, I’m automatically suspicious of a pinched nerve. This is something we see very often with great outcomes :).
I work out every morning with two rest days a week. I have been upping my running mileage but have noticed I have pain around my ribs. What could that be, and how can I fix it? Sometimes it’s so unbearable, I can hardly sit upright! Thank you!
Rachael
Dr. Dan Hinnerschitz, DPT
Hi Rachael, thank you for your question. Rib pain is something we see fairly often in the physical therapy world. The first thing I would look at is your posture. If someone has poor posture, it can cause increased tightness in the upper back and restrict the mobility in the rib cage.
Are you able to help correct posture? I notice my shoulders are kind of hunched over, and I want to correct before it gets too bad.
Tracy
Mitch Bell
Yes! We can certainly address posture and help correct that hunched over posture
I was in a bad snowmobile accident when I was 13. My left collarbone was broken and I stretched out some ligaments in my right knee that was very painful (not broken though!). I’m now 35, and I have terrible pain in that same knee. I’m wondering if it can be related. Is there anything I can do make it feel better? Would PT benefit me?
Ben
Dr. Dan Hinnerschitz, DPT
Hi Ben! The #1 predictor of future knee problems is prior injury. Most often, those prior injuries can come back to haunt us later in life. We treat knee pain all of the time in the PT world with great outcomes. I’m sure there’s a lot we can do to help with your knee pain.
My grandmother had a brain tumor that she had removed. She was paralyzed temporarily on her left side and is now just learning to get back around. Do you take elderly patients that had brain tumors? She was doing some PT at the hospital, and she seemed to really be getting something from it, and I’d like for her to continue. I pass one of your practices often and keep thinking about calling to make an appointment for her. This must be my sign! 🙂
S
Dr. Dan Hinnerschitz, DPT
Hi there! Yes, this is something that we can help your grandmother with. We treat many elderly folks with all types of conditions, including following surgery to remove brain tumors. We’d be happy to help her get moving better again :).
How is physical therapy different than going to a chiropractor?
AS
Mitch Bell
PT and chiro are actually very similar. The manual therapy skills our PTs use are very similar to adjustments that a chiropractor will use. The main difference between the two specialists, are that PTs have extensive training in exercise prescription and how your body moves. We use an adjustment, or mobilization, to get your body aligned and in the right position, but then use appropriate exercise to strengthen the muscles in that area to ensure that your body stays in proper form.
Do you have a program to treat chronic neck pain?
M
Dr. Dan Hinnerschitz, DPT
Thank you for your question. Yes, we treat folks with chronic neck pain all of the time. Our treatment approach includes hands-on treatments, mobility and strengthening exercises, and postural training.
I have never tried PT before but think it might be a good option for me. I am a creaky former athlete in my 40s that still enjoys being active, but I get a lot of hip/knee pain. What is it like when you first try PT…do you have a consultation? Then what? What’s the process like?
Anthony
Mitch Bell
Absolutely. We do offer a Free Screening appointment where you’d get to come in and meet with one of our Doctors of Physical Therapy. They’ll listen to your story and hear what you’ve been through, do some movement tests and by the end of the appointment will be able to let you know what what exactly is causing your pain. If you decide we’re a good fit for you, we’d then schedule you for a more in depth evaluation where we’d actually do some treatment. Give us a call at 717-276-7603 and we can talk in more detail about it!
Can someone with arthritis benefit from physical therapy? If so, what is treatment like? I’m 67 and don’t move around too well, so not sure how strenuous treatment would be?
Maria
Dr. Dan Hinnerschitz, DPT
Hi Maria, thank you for your question! We see folks who have arthritis very frequently. Depending on the individuals condition, this will determine how conservative or aggressive we are with physical therapy. Most often, we start with a conservative treatment plan and will progress your plan as you get moving better and feeling better :).
I have arthritis in my knees – 67 and don’t move around too well. How strenuous would treatment be? Would I be okay to do physical therapy.
Maria
Dr. Dan Hinnerschitz, DPT
We treat folks with knee arthritis on a daily basis, with great outcomes. We’ve helped a lot of people avoid knee placement surgeries over the years with physical therapy. Since you’re not moving around too well, we would likely start with a gentle PT program and progress it as you get moving better.
I am supposed to have surgery on my spine – it’s a little crooked and causing pain on my discs. I am worried about having surgery, and have never tried physical therapy before. Would this be an option to try before surgery?
Frank
Dr. Dan Hinnerschitz, DPT
Hi Frank, thank you for your question. We are firm believers that you should always exhaust all of your conservative treatment options first prior considering a back surgery, especially a back surgery. As we know, outcomes with spinal surgery are not great. I would highly recommend trying physical therapy before going for a back surgery, especially if you have not tried PT before.
Do you offer gua sha technique at all?
LW
Dr. Dan Hinnerschitz, DPT
Hi there, this is not a specific technique that we provide, however, our team of physical therapists are trained in a variety of soft tissues techniques.
Mitch Bell
We don’t offer gua sha specifically, but we use a technique called IASTM in the PT world that is very similar.
What is your opinion on supplements like collagen peptides for healthy joints?
Smith
Dr. Dan Hinnerschitz, DPT
Hi there, thank you for your question. I’m all for taking natural supplements :).
I’ve been in therapy before for piuiformis muscle spasms. Can you suggest any exercises I can do at home that will help me with this problem?
Deb B.
Mitch Bell
Absolutely. The best thing you could do, is give us a call at 717-276-7603 to set up a Free Screening appointment with one of our Doctors of Physical Therapy.
I am a competitive cyclist that has been dealing with a “click” in my knee for years. No injury to that knee, which is weird. It doesn’t hurt at all, it just has this weird clicking noise with each pedal stroke. Oddly enough, I have been dealing with shooting pain up that leg that radiates through the hip. It doesn’t happen often, just after long rides of 30 miles or more. Any clue what that could be? Do you have a number I could call to get it checked out? Thank you in advance.
Anna Margritz
Dr. Dan Hinnerschitz, DPT
Thank you for your question Anna. It sounds like you may be dealing with some nerve pain in your leg. Typically this comes from an issue in the back or pelvis. We’d love to take a look at this for you. You can give us a call at 717-276-7603 to set up an appointment :).
I have arthritis as a result of an autoimmune disorder. I am currently on medication to treat the autoimmune disorder, but I am still dealing with the pain and inflammation from arthritis. Should I try PT to manage the pain, or will it go away with medication? I’ve been on the medication for two months now and have seen no difference with the arthritis. I saw you mention that you help with pain management and thinking this would be an option?
Vickie
Dr. Dan Hinnerschitz, DPT
Hi Vickie, thank you for your question. If you are dealing with loss of movement, loss of strength, or pain, physical therapy would be a great option for you to help you feel better and get you moving better.
Do you need to get a referral before coming to you for a consultations or therapy sessions
Toyia
Mitch Bell
You do not for a free consultation and depending on your insurance, you might not need one to come in for therapy sessions
Good morning! I’ve had lower spine surgery, and have been doing very well with it. However, at the time my surgeon who was a neurosurgeon said that I had some trouble up above oh, but he could not do anything then. Now I started with right shoulder pain, and it radiates to my cervical spine. I believe I have entrapment have a cervical nerve. What can be done other than surgery?
Jeanne Wagner Bender
Dr. Dan Hinnerschitz, DPT
Hi Jeanna, thank you for your question. This is something we see frequently in the physical therapy world with great outcomes. We use a variety of hands-on treatments, corrective exercises, postural training, and mechanical traction to help get you back on track. We’d love to help you get back on track. You can give us a call at 717-276-7603 to schedule an appointment :).
Hi, I was recently diagnosed with Frozen Shoulder. I was given a cortizone shot, which helped tremendously. Can you suggest exercises that can help me regain full motion? I am only 52. Thank you.
Kelly
Dr. Dan Hinnerschitz, DPT
Hi Kelly, I’m happy to hear that the cortisone injections helped with your frozen shoulder. The best treatment approach here will be combining hands-on treatments with exercises. We’d love to chat with you more about this. You can give us a call at 717-276-7603 to set up an appointment :).
I injured my femoral head cartilage, I feel a lot of pain when walking, can PT cure the pain or does it need surgery?
Cary F.
Dr. Dan Hinnerschitz, DPT
Hi Cary, thank you for your question. Typically, PT can help with this condition in most cases, especially if the damage to the femoral head is not too severe. I would definitely consider doing PT first prior to going right into surgery. You can give us a call at 717-276-7603 to set up an appointment :).
I am bone on bone and was told I can not have a knee replacement because I am over weight and I am smoke. Is this correct? I also have spinal stenosis and issues with my SI joint.
Michelle
Mitch Bell
It is true. Usually it’s concerns with anesthesia. For you, PT would be a great option as it is less invasive and we can address the knee as well as the stenosis. Give us a call at 717-276-7603 and we can get you up with a Free Screening appointment
My wife has had severe chronic pain for years. She has seen neurologists and rheumatologists, been given a variety of medications, but continues to have pain which is sometimes very debilitating. Could physical therapy help her?
Larry Bianco
Mitch Bell
Absolutely. We see this very often in our clinics where patients see multiple providers and have taken multiple medications. Give us a call at 717-276-7603 and we can talk about what options we have for her.
Hi Dan, my mother is 79 and desperately needs a knee replacement as she, too, is bone on bone but is worried that she is too old or would not recover well from surgery. Is 79 too old for a knee replacement and if not, what can we do to help her get prepared for knee replacement surgery? Thank you!
Susan K
Dr. Dan Hinnerschitz, DPT
Hi Susan! 79 is definitely not too old of a knee replacement surgery. I’ve seen folks in their 90’s who have had knee replacements. A lot of it depends on that individuals over health status. If she is a relatively healthy 79 year old, she should be fine. In terms of getting prepared, we do a lot of ‘rehabilitation’ in which folks come in for some PT prior to surgery to help get the knee moving better and strengthen all of the muscles around the joint. The research shows that this will help to speed up the recovery process after surgery. Give us a call at 717-276-7603 to schedule an appointment and we’d be happy to take a look at your mother :).