Kathleen McDonough, MA PT

Kathleen McDonough, MA PT Physical Therapist, Pilates Instructor Excellence and expertise in the integration of Orthopedic man

Work Experience:
Clinical Specialist PT at Saint Mary's Spine Center
Physical Therapist at St. Francis Center for Sports Medicine
Physical Therapy Services at New York, San Francisco & Oakland Ballet Companies

Education:
The Pilates Center, Boulder Co
Stanford University School of Medicine
UC Davis

💖 Happy Valentine’s Day! 💖Today is a great reminder to show a little love to the body that carries you through every day...
02/14/2026

💖 Happy Valentine’s Day! 💖

Today is a great reminder to show a little love to the body that carries you through every day.

Whether that means moving gently, taking a break, breathing deeply, or finally addressing that nagging ache you’ve been ignoring — self-care is an act of love.

Wishing you a day filled with connection, kindness, and movement that feels good. 💙

02/10/2026

🧘‍♀️ New to Pilates and not sure where to start? Start with breathing.

One of the best foundations of Pilates is learning how to move without letting your pelvis or lower back shift.

Lying on your back in a comfortable neutral position, focus on breathing into your ribs and chest. As you exhale, gently engage your core and imagine lifting one leg — even before it actually moves. The goal is control, stability, and movement that comes from the core, not momentum.

This simple exercise builds awareness, strength, and a safer way to move — especially for your spine.
Small, intentional movements make a big difference. 💙

Joseph Pilates said it best: real physical fitness isn’t bought — it’s built.Progress comes from understanding movement,...
02/05/2026

Joseph Pilates said it best: real physical fitness isn’t bought — it’s built.

Progress comes from understanding movement, breathing well, and practicing with purpose. There’s no shortcut, but there is a smarter way to move.

02/03/2026

✨ Looking for a “silver bullet” for back pain relief?

One of Kathleen’s favorite ways to ease back discomfort is a gentle hamstring stretch done lying down, where there’s no pressure on your spine.

Using a doorway, keep one leg supported, your hips grounded, and your stretch comfortable — not forced. If you have active sciatic pain, keep a soft bend in the knee and relax the foot.

Stay for about a minute, breathe, and let your body unwind.

Simple. Safe. Effective. 💙

01/29/2026

🧍‍♀️ Want to improve your posture? Try this simple alignment check.
Using a door frame, line up your body so your sacrum, mid-back, and the base of your skull are gently supported. Inhale to grow tall, then exhale and lightly engage your core while keeping that height.

Notice your arms and hands — palms facing your sides (not knuckles forward) help open the chest and reduce tension. The goal is relaxed, balanced posture you can walk away with.

Good posture shouldn’t feel forced — it should feel supported. 💙
Follow for more tips on pain-free, active living.

🧩 Happy Puzzle Day! (January 29th) 🧩On Puzzle Day, I thought it fitting to re-share this blog with you — especially if y...
01/29/2026

🧩 Happy Puzzle Day! (January 29th) 🧩

On Puzzle Day, I thought it fitting to re-share this blog with you — especially if you love puzzles, desk work, or any activity that keeps you in one position a little too long.

This story dives into a surprising (and very real) condition sometimes called “Puzzle Palsy,” and why even with good posture, staying still for too long can impact nerves, movement, and function. It’s a great reminder of why those gentle movement breaks actually matter.

👉 Read the full story here: https://vist.ly/4pmqv

Here’s to functioning nerves, healthy movement, and enjoying puzzles a little more mindfully. 💙

01/27/2026

🧠 What is your core, really?

Your core isn’t about squeezing your glutes or “bracing hard.” It’s the muscles between your ribs and pelvis — and it works with your breath.

When you inhale, your rib cage expands.

When you exhale, your core gently wraps around your spine like a corset, providing support and stability.

This kind of core engagement helps protect your back and improve how you move — without overdoing it.
Smart movement starts from the inside out. 💙

When we are injured, or when pain has been present for a long time, joints and tissues often lose their natural ability ...
01/22/2026

When we are injured, or when pain has been present for a long time, joints and tissues often lose their natural ability to move as they should. Other muscles step in to compensate, movement patterns change, and the body adapts the best way it can.

That’s why stretching or foam rolling may feel good in the moment, but doesn’t always create lasting change. You may be treating where it hurts — not why it hurts.

Physical therapy focuses on restoring movement where it’s missing, so your body can move efficiently and without pain again.

✨ If you’re ready to address the root cause — not just the symptoms — schedule a physical therapy evaluation and start moving better for the long term.

01/20/2026

⚠️ Back pain or active sciatic pain? Move smart.

This tip shows how to hinge at the hips — not the spine — when reaching for lightweight items. If you have sciatic pain, stand on your stronger leg to avoid irritating the nerve.

The goal is controlled movement, good balance, and protecting your back while staying active.

Small changes in how you move can make a big difference. 💙

Follow for more pain-free movement tips.

This is a question I hear all the time.Often it comes after someone has tried everything else. Stretching, foam rolling,...
01/15/2026

This is a question I hear all the time.

Often it comes after someone has tried everything else. Stretching, foam rolling, rest, even ibuprofen. The pain may ease for a short time, but it always seems to return. If you have found yourself asking, “Why should I try physical therapy?” it is usually because your body needs more than temporary relief.

The issue is not effort or motivation. It is how the body is moving. If you are asking yourself, “Why should I try physical therapy?” it is often because your body needs help restoring the way it is meant to move.

01/13/2026

🏓 Pickleball lovers — let’s keep you on the court and injury-free!

Before you play, take just a few minutes to wake up your hips. These simple dynamic movements help loosen hip flexors and extensors without stressing your back.

Engage your core, move with control, and let your hips do the work — not your spine.
A quick warm-up can mean a safer, more enjoyable game.

01/11/2026

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Address

224 Greenfield Avenue Ste 1
San Anselmo, CA
94960

Opening Hours

Monday 12:30pm - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 7:45am - 4:30pm

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+14157478189

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