Donna Hale-Jones, PT

Donna
Hale-Jones, PT

So happy that after 15 yrs of knowing and collaborating and taking classes together, I will finally be in working space with Ruth again!

I graduated from Furman University in Health and Exercise Science followed by ACSM certification for Exercise Test Technologist in order to administer stress tests for RexHospital cardiac, cancer and pulmonary rehab program while taking prerequisites for PT school. I graduated from PT school at University of Connecticut in 1996 and was fortunate to have instructors who introduced both traditional as well as osteopathic approaches which has served me well with complex patients through my career.

The continuing education courses I have taken from traditional, osteopathic and alternative have all approached how to look at the body to see what is working and what is not and to assess what is the best approach in my toolbox to help each individual. Meeting each individual where they are.

In each session we start with what has come up for the individual in the previous week followed by a brief postural and physical assessment usually both in standing and lying down. I work on the area of primary restrictions (which may not be in your expected area!) to reduce the physical mechanical and myofascial restrictions and then will work on what to add/modify/subtract from exercise. We may also address body mechanics, sleeping postures and body awareness. I will generally finish by rechecking alignment or movement patterns.

In my sessions of 60 minutes, 40-45 min will be hands on treatment

This is a partnership between me and the people who come to see me. My expectation is that if we change 10 things/ alignments in a session, 5-6 stay in place and the movement practice helps to strengthen the others. Each person must do their part and the integration of body awareness and cues we get from movement are important for regaining confidence in mobility in life.

Techniques and Modalities I use:

Myofascial release
Functional Indirect Technique
Visceral mobilization
Neural Mobilization
Bowen Muscular Balancing
Craniosacral work
Muscle EnergyTechnique
Neural Developmental technique
PNF
Therapeutic exercise: bands, light weights, body weight work, therapy ball work, trx
Yoga based therapy- I am a certified yoga instructor
Ontological kinesiology

About me:

Who I work with

I don’t think in terms of patient types or diagnoses – I love the idea of the human puzzle. Every one of us comes in having lived a different life with different injuries and experiences and all facets bring about how we are presenting today. Broadly over the last 30 yrs I have tended to see the people who have not done well with traditional exercise based therapy alone and are looking for treatment that will bring further integration.

I do not treat pediatrics or direct women’s pelvic health, pre/postpartum care – for those, I would point you in Ruth’s direction.

Education/Training

BS Health and Exercise Science/Exercise Physiology – Furman University 1990

ACSM exercise Test Technologist 1990

Allied Health Professions degree in Physical Therapy – University of Connecticut 1996

Specialty certification, Neurodevelopmental Technique (NDT) 1998

Ongoing training in manual and integrative techniques- lifelong learner both required and optional so always adding to this list!

Why I do this work

About 30 years ago, I experienced a series of significant injuries within a short window of time – a car accident in which I was nearly pushed into bridge construction, followed by the physical toll of working with densely affected stroke patients, followed by a lifting injury. At that point I could neither stand nor walk for nearly 8 weeks, my legs were numb and I could not get approved for an MRI. I was guided to a practitioner who utilized mechanical link taught through Upledger and Barral institutes and the changes made in those sessions opened a whole new treatment world for me. PT school gave me an amazing base knowledge, but that was just the tip of the iceberg. No matter how much you know there is always more. I will continue to be a student and find joy in the knowledge.

Outside the clinic

I’ve been married for 30 years and have 2 daughters who are currently in high school and college who have kept our family busy with every sport imaginable. We love hiking, camping, walking our dog. Travel is a big one for us too – with our girls heading into their college years, we’re hoping to do a lot more of it.