Stephen Rodriguez, PT, DPT, MPS, OCS, CMPT, COMT
Othopaedic Certified Specialist
Certified Orthopeadic Manipulative Therapist
Certified Manual Physical Therapist
Stephen Rodriguez received his Masters degree in physical therapy from Upstate Medical University at Syracuse in 2000, where he graduated with distinction. In pursue of post-graduate higher education Stephen also earned a Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from Upstate Medical University. Stephen is a board certified specialist of orthopedic physical therapy (OCS) through the American Physical Therapy Association. Stephen has taken post graduate coursework in the areas of manual therapy, movement awareness & education, biomechanical analysis, differential diagnosis, and exercises training. Stephen has pursued post graduate manual therapy training, at Andrew’s University in Michigan, through the North American Institute of Manual Therapy (NAIOMT). He is a certified manual physical therapist (CMPT) and a certified orthopedic manipulative therapist (COMT) through NAIOMT where he passed both with distinction.
Stephen has over 10 years experience treating in the area of manual orthopedic physical therapy. He has had the privilege of working closely with therapists with a variety of specialty backgrounds including yoga, strength and conditioning (CSCS), orthopedic specialists (OCS), manual therapy fellowship and other manual therapy certification/ training. Integrating a variety of perspectives, Stephen believes in an evidenced based and clinically relevant approach to therapy. In addition to treating, Stephen is adjunct faculty in doctorate level physical therapy programs at Touro College and Mercy College.
Stephen works with a variety of diagnoses including low back pain (disc herniations, nerve impingement, spondylolithesis, segmental instability/laxity, sciatica, other radicular symptoms, facet arthritis/arthrosis), thoracic dysfunctions (facet dysfunction, disc herniation, rib dysfunction), cervical dysfunctions (disc herniation, whiplash, facet arthrosis, headache, facial and upper extremity radiating pain), TMJ disorder, upper extremity injuries and dysfunctions (s/p dislocation/separation, tendonitis/tendonosis, labral tears), hip injuries (impingement, labral tears, tendonitis).
Stephen achieved his black belt in Goju Karate and participated in a critical inquiry of the effects of the Feldenkrais Method for his Masters degree. This rich background in movement training and education has enabled Stephen to analyze and retrain biomechanical function. Through mobilizations, manipulation, soft tissue release techniques, neurological inhibition, and facilitation techniques, Stephen is able to assist his patients to create the potential to move with optimal biomechanics. By applying movement reeducation and activation, his patients are able coordinate movement and develop load transfer strategies to reinforce efficient patterns for the facilitation of pain free function.