At Fitness Forum of Aquacare – Annapolis, we provide highly skilled, one-on-one physical therapy. We believe in using a manual “hands-on” therapy approach which allows for individualized care. We offer both gym-based and aquatic physical therapy (off-site at the Country Inn with plenty of parking) right in your neighborhood. Now Offering Physical Therapist Assisted Stretching!
Active-duty patients do not pay anything; family members of active duty are $36; and we take Tricare for Life. We can get you in quickly and take care of you with a personalized rehabilitation plan. We are proud to serve veterans!
We are one of the only locations in the area to offer Anodyne Light Therapy.
Now Accepting Pelvic Floor Patients
Ashley LaRose, MSOTR/L, is accepting patients for pelvic floor physical therapy.
Pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) is a specialized treatment that helps people with issues in their pelvic area. This area includes muscles that support organs like the bladder and bowel. Sometimes these muscles can become too tight, too weak, or not work together properly.
A pelvic floor physical therapist is an expert who can:
- Figure out which pelvic muscles aren’t working as they should
- Teach you exercises to make these muscles stronger or more relaxed
- Help you learn how to use these muscles correctly
The treatment is tailored to each person’s needs and may include:
- Hands-on techniques to ease muscle tension
- Using special devices to help you see or feel how your muscles are working
- Gentle electrical stimulation to improve muscle function
- Teaching you about lifestyle changes that can help
- Giving you exercises to practice at home
PFPT can help with various issues like bladder or bowel problems, pelvic pain, or discomfort during intimate activities.
LSVT BIG Program for Parkinson’s
Leigh Hobson, DPT, and Amy Cyphers, PTA, are certified to provide LSVT BIG therapy for people with neurological illnesses.
This program is designed to meet the needs of individuals with Parkinson’s Disease by using large amplitude based exercise for re-education of the sensorimotor system. LSVT was developed in 1987 using larger movements to recalibrate the brain’s perception of movement size which reduces with Parkinson’s Disease. LSVT BIG is the only evidenced based treatment protocol for Parkinson’s patients.
- 16 one hour sessions, 4 days per week for 4 weeks with one on one instruction. Programs are tailored to each person’s specific needs. Homework to be completed daily.
- All exercises are modelled by the therapist with patient then completing with therapist correcting form.
- BIG walking is completed at each session in various settings to simulate community ambulation. Focus is on arm swing, increasing endurance and safety.
- Functional tasks are addressed at each session determined by the patient’s individual need.
As the brain begins to recalibrate the size of movement, the patient is better able to move with more “normal” movements. Once the program is completed, the patient is provided an ongoing home exercise program. With diligence, patients see an improvement in quality of movement.
Ongoing studies consistently show the positive effect of exercise on slowing the progression of Parkinson’s Disease.
Lymphedema Management
We have resources to help you manage upper extremity, torso, lower body lymphedema. Learn more here and sign up for our e-newsletter dedicated to lymphedema warriors like you!
Lymphedema is the unusual buildup of lymphatic fluid in your body.
It can be hereditary (Primary Lymphedema) or it can occur after a surgical procedure, infection, radiation or other physical trauma (Secondary Lymphedema).
In breast cancer, for example, it can appear in the arm on the same side as the cancer, after lymph nodes are removed from the armpit region for cancer staging. It’s not limited to just the arms; it can also affect your legs and other body areas.
Symptoms of Lymphedema:
- Your arm/leg has swelling but with time it keeps increasing
- Your arm/leg starts to feel very heavy
- The skin feels tight and sometimes has a tingly sensation
- Skin feels thick and leathery
- Clothes/jewelry feel tighter in fit in the affected area.
Treatments:
- Manual Lymphatic Drainage
- Compression bandaging
- Prescribe individualized exercise program
- Compression garments
- Provide education on nutrition and diet, skin and nail hygiene.
BBPV Tune-ups for Vertigo
A physical therapy BBPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo) tune-up typically involves a series of exercises and maneuvers designed to reposition small crystals in the inner ear that may have become dislodged and are causing vertigo symptoms.
This may include maneuvers such as the Epley maneuver or Brandt-Daroff exercises, aimed at moving the crystals out of the sensitive areas of the inner ear.
These exercises are tailored to the individual’s specific needs and are supervised by a physical therapist to ensure correct execution and effectiveness in alleviating vertigo symptoms.
Katherine “Kate” Dolinar began her collegiate education with a Bachelor of Science degree from Limestone College in 2018. She then received her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Wingate University (North Carolina) in 2021. Prior to being employed by Fitness Forum of Aquacare Physical Therapy, Kate completed a student clinical rotation at our Annapolis location. In 2023, Kate took the position of Clinical Director. She is passionate in her pursuit of getting patients back to what they love through attentive, thoughtful treatment designed to bring the best out in every client. She loves working with athletes and performing movement screenings and running analysis. 
Dr. Leigh Hobson graduated with a doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in 2018. She completed her undergraduate education at the University of Delaware graduating with a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science and a minor in Spanish studies. Leigh is certified in vestibular and concussion rehabilitation. Her expertise also extends to chronic pain, postural education, aquatic therapy, and cupping/instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization. Her special interests include holistic health and wellness. Leigh enjoys spending time with her family and her animals (Clementine, cat, and Dusty, her dog), trying out new restaurants, and exercising outdoors! 
Vincent Friedman DPT, PT, GC, is a physical therapist practicing at the Annapolis location. He graduated from Dominican College in 2015 with his doctorate in Physical Therapy. Since then Vince has achieved his certification in Graston in 2017, and then went on to get certified in the original strength program in 2018. He has eight years of experience in the physical therapy field working with athletes, geriatrics, orthopedic conditions, and various other types of populations throughout his career. He enjoys golfing, spending time with friends/family, and snowboarding. 
