Restore Health & Wellness

03/08/2025

Check out our owner and physical therapist, Dr. Mallory Seal at Tribe Fitness Midlothian. She provides physical therapy and personal training services in house as well as mobile appointments by request only.

Inquire for availability and to schedule your discovery call today!

Let’s get started on getting you better TODAY!

**Prices vary depending on desired services and frequency of visits.**

11/26/2023

Experiencing pain? Long wait times at your insurance-based clinic?
Consider going cash-pay for faster evalu and more 1-to-1 care with your physical therapist.

Contact us to start feeling better today!

https://abcnews.go.com/Health/back-pain-bum-knee-prepared-wait-physical-therapist/story?id=104981929&cb=1hfh1t4ph&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=dhfacebook&utm_content=null&fbclid=IwAR3PKPMHEfTXIWDF2OUmhwPyVFQ4AbQ36SN4WqtofG6sooh0aUBIXGOOmfk

While universities try to boost their physical therapist training programs to increase the number of graduates, patients seeking pain relief are left to wait.

01/24/2023

IMPORTANT!
Hi team! It’s time to make VA truly Direct Access!

What does that mean?
Currently in the state of VA, if you decide to seek out PT services, you only have 60 days before the law requires you to get a referral from a P*P, specialist, DO, or other “medical doctor”.

Due to various reasons, many people do not have a P*P or can’t get into one in a timely manner, resulting in delays in or disjointed care.
The passing of SB1005 would make us like many other states that have adopted a “true” direct access model; meaning physical therapists could treat with the autonomy they have longed for.

Contact your legislator on tell them to Vote YES✅ on SB1005 so you can have better access to physical therapists and the awesome care they have to offer!

Click the link below to find your representative!
https://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov/

12/25/2022

Merry Christmas and Haply Holidays to you and yours! This Christmas is particularly special due to the blessings this business has experienced. Growth and gratitude sum up the year well.

Enjoy your holiday!

If you had any part of this business becoming successful, know you are appreciated and loved.

12/08/2022

Repost from

will now be offering rehab based personal training services at .

Services will focus on how to train around/with acute or chronic injuries. If you’re worried about how to improve strength, mobility, or general fitness but unsure how to… give me a shout. 😊

Preparing for or recovering from surgery but you’ve been discharged from physical therapy, I’m your girl 😊 👋🏻

11/24/2022

A lot to be thankful for this year… starting a new business and venturing into the unknown is similar to rehabilitating an injury: tons of uncertainty and lots of ups and downs, but always striving towards a goal.
When I started this business I wanted to provide exceptional service to those tired of conventional physical therapy. It hasn’t always been easy, but watching clients improve and return to their lives pain-free while becoming part of their family has been more than fulfilling.

I’m thankful for all of you that have contributed to my life through business and personal relationships.

has created a space where I can provide the kind of PT I’ve always wanted to with unwavering support and enthusiasm.
seal1 - has supported me through all of this with constant encouragement and love.

Find people that prop you up and help your light shine brightest and you will have everything you need.

Happy Thanksgiving and lots of gratitude to all of you that have made this year a successful one. Your contribution has not gone unnoticed. 💗 🫶🏻

08/31/2022

Let's learn about Female Athlete Triad!

08/18/2022

Today we are focusing on the menstrual cycle’s influence on muscle strength & performance

Article: Effects of Follicular and Luteal Phase-Based Menstrual Cycle Resistance Training(RT) on Muscle Strength and Mass (current Opinion)
Authors: Kissow, Jacobsen, Gunnarsson, Jessen, and Hostrup
Published: 20 March 2022

Aim: Analyze current available research regarding phase-based RT and describe the mechanisms behind why follicular phase-based RT may be superior to luteal phase-based RT.

Mechanism:
Early Follicular Phase(EFP) = ↓ estrogen & progesterone ⇢ release FSH & LH
LH & FSH stimulate estrogen production
Late Follicular Phase(LFP) = ↑estrogen & ↓ progesterone ⇢ peak estrogen = surge in LH and ovulation
After ovulation, Luteal Phase (LP) begins and estrogen & progesterone are secreted

Regarding Muscle Changes?
Estrogen engages the 5’AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) -> regulates transcription
Estrogen activates satellite cells and inhibits protein breakdown
Estrogen also correlates and interacts with Growth Hormone (GH) -> responsible for gains seen in MFP.

This opinion though states multiple times that generalizing these findings is limited due to:
+ Small sample sizes in the research
+ Differing means of identifying MC phases
+ Lack of training modalities assessed
+ Possibility for different outcomes based on muscle groups assessed (UE vs LE)

How does this apply to the real world? – for those interested in optimizing their training, they may want to consider the types of exercises or training they complete during this time of their menstrual cycle in order to ensure the best performance, but also the most beneficial adaptive muscle responses.

**Many of the articles I have read had mixed findings regarding periodization of training in accordance with the menstrual cycle, yet many elite athletes will schedule competitive bouts around their me**es. The short answer here is… IT DEPENDS!

BUT for us lay people– try new things out and see how they work for you. No 1 program works for everyone! The main take away is just to get that body moving and try lifting something heavy! 😁

08/11/2022

What’s up Thursday!!

Today kicks off the first of our article reviews regarding WOMEN (FA@B) and their response to exercise.

Article: Female S*x Hormones and the Recovery From Exercise: Menstrual Cycle Phase Affects Responses
Authors: Hackney, Kallman, and Aggon
Published: 2019 Jan 11

Aim: Examine aspects of muscle damage and inflammation during the recovery process in health, exercise-trained women following endurance activity @ the mid-follicular (MF: low s*x hormone serum levels) and mid-luteal (ML: elevated s*x hormone serum levels) phases of their menstrual cycle

How: MF and ML exercise sessions consisted of RUNNING 90 minutes at 70% VO2max on a treadmill. Menstrual phase was hormonally confirmed, diet and physical activity was controlled.

Outcome Measures: Blood Creatine Kinase (CK) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) assessed @:
+ immediately post exercise
+ 24 hours post
+ 72 hours post

Results:
@ 24 hours and 72 hours post CK was > in MF
@ immediately post exs, 24 hours, and 72 hours post exercise IL-6 was > in MF

WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN??
A more robust recovery time may be needed following bouts of INTENSE endurance exercise during MF of the menstrual cycle. This may be necessary to allow for a reduction of inflammation and protein breakdown to facilitate an improved adaptive response of the body after exercise!

Drawbacks?
Small sample size
Measurement parameters and sampling time/frequency

How does this apply to the real world? – for those interested in optimizing their training, they may want to consider the types of exercises or training they complete during this time of their menstrual cycle in order to ensure the best performance, but also the most beneficial adaptive muscle responses.

07/15/2022

Today's post focuses on the effectiveness of prolonged ankle brace wear after an ankle injury, specifically an ankle sprain.

So hear me out all you die hard ankle brace wearers... if you find yourself exercising, especially doing rehab exercises, in your brace here's a secret [ take it off!] I know crazy, but data suggests that wearing your brace while doing rehabilitation related activities may be inhibiting your progress. After all, the goal is to throw that nasty thing away, right?!?!

The article in today's spotlight looked at muscle activation in those with a history of ankle sprain/instability and normal controls. What they saw was during functional activities commonly done during rehab/exercise - those that wore the brace had reduced muscle activation all the way from the ankle to the hip. 😱 say what!?!?!

Yep - you read that correctly, more specifically - reduced activation of muscles that assist with lower limb stability; ie the peroneals, lateral gastrocnemius, and gluteus medius.

So the next time you're doing your exercises or doing balance work, take that thing off and give it a try. You may be surprised by what you feel.

If you or anyone you know is experiencing ankle instability from a recent injury or even one a long time ago, contact Restore Health & Wellness today. We look at the WHOLE picture when treating our clients so muscle changes far away from the initial injury don't go unnoticed. Allow us to provide you with an exceptional alternative to conventional therapy!

07/08/2022

This is post is near and dear to me since I had my surgery to correct CAI in 10/2021 :)

Today's post focuses on ankle sprains and how they can affect the hip musculature.

Webster et al and Koldenhoven et al both reported that individuals with CAI frequently demonstrate reduced activation of peroneal longus and glute medius with many lower extremity functional exercises. This reduction in activation is possibly attributed to a feed forward loop created in response to tissue injury.

The gluteus maximus in this group is over active to reduce internal rotation of the femur and prevent inversion at the ankle. 😊

As a result, individuals with CAI should focus on improving peroneal longus strength AND gluteus medius recruitment for proximal and distal stability.

At Restore Health & Wellness, we look at the whole picture when treating our clients. This ensures that the entire person is taken into account when making a rehabilitation program, addressing deficits that may be indirectly related to the initial injury.

If you are interested in our services, contact us today! Allow us to provide you with an exceptional alternative to conventional therapy.

06/23/2022

HELLO WONDERFUL PEOPLE!
Sorry for the late post, but one of my clients gave me an article that changed our previously scheduled post 

If you read the NYT and made it to page D6 on Tuesday, you saw an article called Walk Away From Knee Pain. In the article they discuss new research published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatology, that focused on a 4-year longitudinal study following adults 50 yrs and older for progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA). They assessed over 1000 participants with a pretty even split of male to female with a mean age of 63 years old.

Researchers found that over the course of the study, those that walked as part of regular exercise were less likely to develop new frequent knee pain. In addition, walking was found to lessen or prevent the narrowing of the joint space in the knee; a frequent radiographic finding of OA.
Resulting in 37% of those that did NOT walk for exercise developing new, frequent knee pain while 26% of those that DID walk for exercise ended up with new, frequent knee pain.

What does this mean??

Individuals diagnosed with mild to moderate OA in the knee should be incorporating walking into a preventative/maintenance program. Research suggested consistent movement can help create muscle mass and strengthen the ligaments around the arthritic joint.

The caveat is to start slow – 10-15 minute walks 1-2x/day, gradually building up distance or time as you progress. You may experience more pain initially, but should subside over time.

Consult a physio for guidance on how to integrate walking and resistance training into you exercise programming to prevent the progression and help with pain management associated with knee OA.
Contact Restore Health & Wellness for more information today!

Article listed below in the comments!