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Mary Ann Wilmarth, PT, DPT, OCS

Joined: 06/01/2012

Guest Expert Profile:

Physical therapist and American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) member Mary Ann Wilmarth, PT, DPT, MS, OCS, MTC, Cert MDT, is the chief of physical therapy at Harvard University. She is a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist and in addition, is certified in manual therapy from the University of St Augustine and in Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment from the McKenzie Institute.

Wilmarth received her Master of Science in Physical Therapy from Duke University and her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from the University of St Augustine for Health Sciences. In addition, she completed a Bachelor of Arts in biology and art from Middlebury College. She continues to teach in the DPT program at Northeastern University where she was previously assistant dean for the College of Professional Studies and director of the Transitional DPT Program.

Wilmarth is active with research, publications, and presentations and balances her time with her 3 children and 3 dogs.

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Reply: Muscle indentation

Hello There could be many possible reasons for this dent that you...

Dr. Mary Ann Wilmarth

Posted by Mary Ann Wilmarth, PT, DPT, OCS

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Muscle indentation Hello There could be many possible reasons for this dent that you...

Reply: Iliopsoas muscle tear

Hello, It sounds like you have been to your doctor for this...

Dr. Mary Ann Wilmarth

Posted by Mary Ann Wilmarth, PT, DPT, OCS

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Iliopsoas muscle tear Hello, It sounds like you have been to your doctor for this...

Reply: Back cramps when laying down

If you do not have relief of your pain, then I would recommend...

Dr. Mary Ann Wilmarth

Posted by Mary Ann Wilmarth, PT, DPT, OCS

3 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Back cramps when laying down If you do not have relief of your pain, then I would recommend...

Reply: Back cramps when laying down

Hello It sounds like there is a positional pressure issue that is...

Dr. Mary Ann Wilmarth

Posted by Mary Ann Wilmarth, PT, DPT, OCS

Hello

It sounds like there is a positional pressure issue that is occurring. My first question would be what is your mattress like? Ideally, the studies show that you should have a mattress that is moderately firm. You want enough support for your back. If the mattress is too soft, then it will not support your back and could be a potential cause of pain. The mattress does not need to be too firm though. If you want to add a pillow top or a thin tempurpedic type topper over the moderately firm mattress, that is usually ok.

Do you get this same pain if you lie down on a couch or another flat suraface? If not, then it points to some issue with your mattress. If you also have discomfort when lying on other surfaces, then it may be more of a positional issue with your spine. If you have more pressure on one side of your back, then this can get worse over time as you sleep during the night.

The best sleep position are on your back or side. When on your back you can put a small pillow or two under your knees if this is comfortable. You can also try sleeping on your left side. Keep you spine neutral and bend your hips and knees and finally put a pillow between your knees to keep the legs and back more balanced. You can also try this on the right side to see if that helps. When on your side, you can also try a small towel roll at your waist, which can further support the back in neutral. You should use enough pillow to keep the neck supported in neutral as well when you are sleeping. Sleeping on your stomach is not an ideal position, especially for the neck.

When turning, try to brace with your abdominal muscles and roll as a log when you do have to turn. When getting out of bed, roll onto one side and then push yourself up with your arms when on the side and let the legs go over the side of the bed. This is better for your back than getting out of bed by sitting straight up.

If the above-mentioned do not help your pain, then I would recommend seeing a DPT or MD for further asessment. They can determine the cause of the problem. It sounds like it could be musculoskeletal and therefore an evaluation by a professional would help you get to the bottom of the problem.

You can Find a PT at: www.moveforwardpt.com

Good luck.

Dr. Mary Ann WilmarthView Thread

Dr. Mary Ann Wilmarth

Posted byMary Ann Wilmarth, PT, DPT, OCS

3 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Back cramps when laying down Hello It sounds like there is a positional pressure issue that is...

Reply: Tight Groin muscles related to back problems?

Hello Robbin123 A tight groin can definitely be part of the...

Posted by Mary Ann Wilmarth, PT, DPT, OCS

4 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Tight Groin muscles related to back problems? Hello Robbin123 A tight groin can definitely be part of the...

Reply: Injured Chest

Hello voldmain26 Given the continued pain with deep breathing,...

Posted by Mary Ann Wilmarth, PT, DPT, OCS

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Injured Chest Hello voldmain26 Given the continued pain with deep breathing,...

Reply: foot and leg injury induced severe atrophy treatme...

Hello edc99353 It sounds like you have been dealing with a lot of...

Posted by Mary Ann Wilmarth, PT, DPT, OCS

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:foot and leg injury induced severe atrophy treatment Hello edc99353 It sounds like you have been dealing with a lot of...

Reply: Torn oblique muscle

Hello kathieb It sounds like you could have strained one of your...

Posted by Mary Ann Wilmarth, PT, DPT, OCS

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Torn oblique muscle Hello kathieb It sounds like you could have strained one of your...

Reply: Knee Fracture

Hello An_243604 It can be difficult to get aerobic conditioning...

Posted by Mary Ann Wilmarth, PT, DPT, OCS

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Knee Fracture Hello An_243604 It can be difficult to get aerobic conditioning...

Reply: proximal tibia fracture

Hello superaunt7 Your are really best to speak with your physician...

Posted by Mary Ann Wilmarth, PT, DPT, OCS

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:proximal tibia fracture Hello superaunt7 Your are really best to speak with your physician...

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