Meet Travis Gerrald, DPT!

Meet Travis Gerrald, DPT!

Welcome our newest KFMT member, Travis Gerrald, DPT! Read on to learn about who is currently inspiring him on his lifelong journey of learning, the recent “wow” factor in his studies and how he found FMT.

Q: What drew you to FMT?

I attended my first continuing education course through the institute of physical art while in physical therapy school. I immediately knew there was something special about this group of clinicians. The instructors were extremely passionate about what they were teaching and they were getting amazing results utilizing the material. I knew after attending my first upper level course that I wanted to do everything I can to maximize my potential as a physical therapist and in my knowledge of functional manual therapy.

Q: What’s appealing about working in a Pilates studio setting vs. a PT or other setting?

I always try to give my patients options for continuing their own personal pursuit of wellness. I am excited to be able to corroborate with and to give my patients access to a very well respected Pilates crew. Up until this point in my career, I have not had significant exposure to Pilates but I know it will be extremely valuable for myself and also for my patients. I hope to be able to contribute to what I understand is a great learning environment at Kinected.

Q: What’s one of the most interesting things you’ve learned while studying FMT course work?

Probably the biggest “WOW” factor I have had since beginning my studies in Functional Manual Therapy is how the nervous system can become inhibited. Most people know that the core is truly what gives us our foundation for strength for the rest of our body. What I did not realize is that there are certain movements which can cause us to present as being “weak”.

An inhibited core sets our bodies up for injury. Functional manual therapy has taught me how to identify an inhibited core, facilitate proper initiation, strength, and endurance, and then educate the patient how to avoid future core inhibition. It is a powerful tool which can make changes quickly and can be applied to any at risk area of your body.

Q: What other modalities or lines of study interest you, and why?

I feel it is extremely important to be a lifelong learner.

1. I have an interest in the work of David Butler, Lorimer Moseley and Adiaan Louw in pain science. It fascinates me that the more research which is being done is revealing that the amount of pain we experience is not proportionate to the amount of tissue damage. This is huge for patients with longstanding pain to know that their pain is not always coming from damaged tissues and that they can be helped.

2. I am aware of the expertise KFMT already posesses and I am excited to learn from my colleagues about the work on Barral and his approach to treating the viscera, craniosacral therapy, TMJ treatment, and the treatment of cervicogenic headaches.

3. I have been a life-long athlete and enjoy learning about movement demands for each individual sport. In the future, I plan to study maximizing function for the demands of all types of athletes.

You’ll now find him on the schedule:
Monday: 12-9
Tuesday: 12 – 9
Wednesday: 12-8
Thursday: 1-9
Friday: 10-5

BIO

Travis is excited to join the team at KFMT as he works towards becoming a Certified Functional Manual Therapist (CFMT). He was first introduced to the Functional Manual Therapy (FMT) approach while in Physical Therapy school and witnessed the power of FMT and the importance of enhancing function, not simply treating symptoms. Having completed all the course work, he plans to sit for certification in August of 2019.

Travis completed his undergraduate work at Clemson University and received his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Elon University in 2014. In addition to his FMT training, he has studied and taken courses from the work of Bob Elvey, Geoffrey Maitland, and The Gray Institute.

He maintains professional interest in studying nutrition and its role in development of pain, inflammation, and chronic diseases. His experience also includes cervicogenic headaches, spine pathologies, and enhancing the ability to connect the human body as one efficient unit to allow for decreased pain, improved function and physical performance.

Outside of work, Travis looks forward to exploring the parks of NYC with his wife and their dog. He loves to eat good food, exercise, watch college football, and read books on personal growth/professional development.

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