A career in law enforcement and a cherished hobby of showing horses were heading toward dead ends for Janise Man-Son-Hing.

Since November 2011, ever-increasing back pain was preventing even the slightest movement from being pain free. Treatment tangents that included intradiscal shots and surgery – even a mention of pain management – left her hopeful, then discouraged.

As a Master Patrol Officer in the Tampa Police Department, she was trained to be on a beat out in the public, patrolling and ready to act in a second. Man-Son-Hing had just qualified in September 2011 to be on the promotional list, but instead was on light duty at a desk fielding calls.

And horse shows came and went, leaving her on the sidelines to watch her supportive husband show her Friesian horse named Rommy.

Life was taking a completely different route than the path Man-Son-Hing had so carefully planned.

Then, in February 2012, a suggestion by Dr. Lisa Misiewicz, a physical therapist she knew well at the horse stables, changed everything, setting her on a course that would free her from back pain and recover her active life, both on the job and off. The suggestion was, “Physical therapy will work for you. You should go see the folks in the USF Health Physical Therapy Center. They have the best doctors there.”

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USF Physical Therapist Kevin Murdoch, DPT, OCS, believes strongly in evidence-based care and his first meeting with Janise Man-Son-Hing meant telling her there would be no short cuts or long shots. He told her, “I believe we can get you better with treatment, but you have to trust me that it will take some time.”

In evidence-based care, treatment decisions are based on quantitative research studies, using only treatments that have been proven to be effective.

“Back pain is common and we see patients with back pain at the USF Health Physical Therapy Center on a daily basis,” said Dr. Murdoch, who is assistant clinical professor in the USF Health School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, and coordinator of the USF Health Physical Therapy Center.

“And while there is a wide variety of treatments for it, there is limited research showing those treatments work. Taking an evidence-based approach means we use what we know came from the (physical therapy) field and works, some of which comes from own folks.”

Dr. Murdoch is referring to the groundbreaking work in the USF Health School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences that includes a study funded by the U.S. Department of Defense for leading-edge musculoskeletal research intended to benefit active duty soldiers and veterans and improve military preparedness, and a study funded by the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to test the effectiveness of back-specific exercises in preventing low back injury and pain among firefighters.

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So, in March 2012, Man-Son-Hing started physical therapy with Dr. Murdoch.

“There was nothing unique in her physical therapy plan, but it was customized to her and took her through a process for building strength one step at a time,” Dr. Murdoch said.

Exercises emphasized manual therapy that included joint mobilization and strengthening activities for her core, legs, hips and upper back, and mild range of motion exercises for her hips and segments of her spine.

Man-Son-Hing works out in her USF Bulls shoes. She is not only a big fan, she is also an alum.

“During the next three months, I was dedicated to every appointment,” Man-Son-Hing said. “I also did all my exercises as prescribed at home. The pain continued but I did not give up.”

And then it happened.

“I was getting better and the intense pain was leaving my body,” she said.

At that point, Dr. Murdoch and Man-Son-Hing set a series of targeted activities, goals she could aim for.

“We made a target date for me to go back to full duty on patrol, June 1st, 2012,” she said. “It happened. I went back to full duty. Then we set a goal for working at the Republican National Convention, which meant mostly 12-hour days for 12 straight days of patrol duty. We worked hard at PT and I completed this challenge with no issues.

“My next challenges were in October 2012, when I returned to very basic training on my horse, and November 2012, when I had to pass the law enforcement physical assessment test, which had to be completed for me to keep my job. It happened, I passed and did well.”

A specialized saddle helps Man-Son-Hing stay in good form to protect her back while riding.

For most of 2013, Man-Son-Hing has kept her physical therapy appointments, continuing to build strength and improve endurance at work and on her horse and pass the physical assessment test again in June 2013.

The effort worked. Not only was Man-Son-Hing back on full duty, on Aug. 30, 2013, she received a promotion to Corporal Man-Son-Hing. And in early November 2013, she had her comeback debut and competed in a local horse competition, Harvest Days Horse Show, and won Reserve Champion with her Friesian horse, Rommy.

Man-Son-Hing was promoted to Corporal in the Tampa Police Department. Photo courtesy of Janise Man-Son-Hing.

Man-Son-Hing won Reserve Champion with Rommy at Harvest Days Horse Show. Photo courtesy of Janise Man-Son-Hing.

Summing it up, Man-Son-Hing said, “My life as I knew it was gone until I was referred to the experts at the USF Health Physical therapy Center.”

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Janise Man-Son-Hing was invited to share her story at the 15th anniversary celebration for the USF Health School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences. In telling her story, several times she referred to feeling better as “getting my life back.”

“I just want to thank you for all the professional physical therapy I have received to continue to let me get my life back and move forward beyond my dreams,” she said at the event.

“I am indebted to Dr. Murdoch, and the USF PT staff and center for their expertise and continued dedication to patient needs and research in the field of Physical Therapy. Without this, I would have not been able to gain the level of physical fitness necessary to regain my life.

“It’s amazing what they do there. Thank you for my life back!”

Photos taken at Avalon Stables, a full service training, boarding and riding facility that specializes in show ring Saddleseat Equitation.

Story by Sarah Worth, photos by Eric Younghans, USF Health Office of Communications

The USF School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences celebrates 15 years of academic excellence, real-world research and exemplary clinical practice

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They shared the stories of how physical therapy had changed their lives with those celebrating the 15^th anniversary of the USF School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences.

U.S. Army Sgt. Richard Cicero lost his right arm and leg following an IED blast injury sustained while on foot patrol during his second tour of duty in Afghanistan.  Excruciating back pain sidelined Janise Nichols Man-Son-Hing from the  law enforcement  job she loved in 2010, and she could no longer compete as an amateur equestrian.

Seok Hun Kim, PT, PhD, (left) assistant professor of physical therapy, speaks to a guest trying out the split-belt treadmill in the USF School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences Human Functional Performance Lab.

Both credited USF’s physical therapy researchers and clinicians with helping them overcome the limitations that interfered with them living independent lives.

“I took my first jogging steps down this hallway right here,” said Cicero, who was referred to USF after extensive treatment in military and VA facilities. “And thanks to the people here, I did my first 5K this January.”

Man-Son-Hing had undergone physical therapy, tried medications and consulted with orthopedic physicians – all with virtually no relief – before she was referred to the USF Physical Therapy Center in February 2012. Since then, she has returned to full-time active duty as a law enforcement officer, resumed riding her show horse and, most recently, passed the physical assessment test required to retain her job.

 “Without the dedication of Dr. Kevin Murdoch (coordinator of USF Physical Therapy Center) and his staff, I would not have been able to regain the level of fitness needed to meet the challenges I set for myself and get my life back,” she said.

Heather Hartsell, PhD, PT (white coat), associate professor of physical therapy, with some DPT students from the Class of 2014, left to right: Jared Koenig, Alex Parisi, Mathew Leonard, Kristen Byers, and Ayla Olk-Szost.

William S. Quillen, DPT, welcomed faculty, staff, students and Tampa Bay community members who gathered Friday evening, April 19, to recognize the  to recognize the school’s achievements over the last 15 years and look ahead to an even brighter future.  The interactive event gave attendees a chance to go behind the scenes to tour the school, experience equipment and stations in the Human Functional Performance Laboratory, and visit student and faculty booths.

“Our school has really hit its stride not only in the education of outstanding Doctors of Physical Therapy, but through our real-world, federally-funded research and the stellar practice of our clinical faculty,” said William S. Quillen, DPT, associate dean of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and director of the USF School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences.  “We are empowering patients to achieve and restore their mobility and optimal functioning, regardless of their illness or injury.”

Jeannie Stephenson (left), PT, MS, NCS, instructor, checks the balance of anniversary celebration attendee Alix Baughman.

The evening was emceed by Lissette Campos, director of community affairs for WFTS TV-ABC Action News and host of the station’s Positively Tampa Bay show.  Campos pointed to some of the accomplishments in the school’s short yet rapid-paced history:

–          USF was the state’s first public institution to receive authority to award the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.

–          Admission to the school has become increasingly competitive, with nearly 1,000 applications received for 40 spots in the Class of 2016.

–          The innovative educational program — one of only three physical therapy programs in Florida nationally ranked in the top third of U.S. News & World Report national rankings —  emphasizes an integrated, interprofessional curriculum. DPT students learn alongside medical students in their first year, taught by physicians, nurses, public health professionals and basic scientists.

–          The school’s neuromusculoskeletal research seeks to better understand human function and apply those discoveries to new interventions that work best in real life.  Faculty expertise in prosthetics and low back injury research is intended to benefit everyone from combat wounded veterans, active-duty soldiers and high-performance athletes to people seeking to maintain routine activities of daily living.

William S. Quillen, DPT, PhD, has led the USF School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences since 2004, guiding the school in its upward trajectory.

In looking toward meeting tomorrow’s demands, Dr. Quillen cited several new initiatives underway at the school, including: 

–          A new partnership with the University of West Florida in Pensacola that will help meet a state-identified need for more physical therapists in a largely rural region of Florida.

–          Moving ahead to establish a Clinical Residency in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy at the USF Physical Therapy Center this summer.

–          A proposal to create a research PhD degree in Rehabilitation Sciences for implementation in Fall 2014.

–          Launch of the school’s first scholarship program called Circle of Motion, which includes 30 distinguished corporate and individual partners who will contribute to student success. Dr. Quillen recognized donor Tom Tiedermann, a founding member of the group.

Donna Petersen, DSc, (left) dean of the USF College of Public Health, congratulated the school on improving the lives of people in the community. Lissette Campos (right) of WFTS-TV ABC Action News, was emcee for the anniversary celebration.

“The work being done by the USF School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences is transformational,” Campos said. “Your innovation, passion and outside-the-box thinking changes people’s lives… You don’t just see the patient’s current limitations or loss; you envision what can be gained through hard work and rehabilitation of the body and the spirit.”

L to R: Janise Man-Son-Hing, Richard Cicero, Lissette Campos, and Dr. William S. Quillen.

RELATED VIDEOS:
–  USF School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences campaign video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-XWmJJAjJE

– City of Tampa TV (CCTV) segment on USF Physical Therapy/UWF partnership:  //www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjgRkwNYSCI

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//www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjgRkwNYSCI

Lead Video by Allyn DiVito, USF Health Information Systems, and photos by Eric Younghans, USF Health Communications