Aquacare/Fitness Forum Physical TherapyAquacare’s Dance Medicine Program offers a unique experience for athletes and performing artists providing individualized physical therapy tailored to all dance backgrounds. Certified dance medicine specialists provide one-on-one care to properly diagnose and return dancers safely to their activities. The dance medicine team at Aquacare Physical Therapy is dedicated to providing expertise in dance and performing arts, many of our dance specialists being former or current dancers themselves. Aquacare Dance Medicine is dedicated to the health and wellness of dancers and athletes of all levels.
Meet Our Team - Certified Dance Medicine Therapists
Fibromyalgia (FMS) is a syndrome of widespread pain involving mainly muscle, but also tendons, ligaments, and joints. Pain is the major complaint and is described by some as a “migraine headache of the muscles”. The pain is usually generalized, but distinct areas of tenderness in specific locations in the body are characteristic. Tenderness in one spot is referred to as a tender point. The 1990 American College of Rheumatology criteria identifies 18 body locations, of which at least 11 must be tender in order to make the formal diagnosis of Fibromyalgia.
The muscle pain fluctuates and is often aggravated by various physical, environmental, and emotional factors. In addition to causing pain, FMS causes the following:
Physical therapists at Aquacare Physical Therapy can show people with fibromyalgia how to relieve symptoms of pain and stiffness in everyday life. Our therapists teach people with fibromyalgia how to build strength and improve their range of motion while teaching them self-management strategies for Fibromyalgia.
Studies show that Aquatic Physical Therapy is one of the most effective treatments for the muscle stiffness and pain associated with Fibromyalgia. Aquatic Therapy offered at Aquacare Physical Therapy can be very effective for combating the many problems experienced from fibromyalgia.
It is already widely accepted that one of the most effective treatments for long-term management of FMS is PHYSICAL EXERCISE! But the weight-bearing that occurs with land exercise can aggravate joint pain and symptoms. However, there are many benefits of an aquatic therapy program with FMS.
Program Components:
Goals and Benefits of the Program:
Aquatic Therapy:
Studies show that Aquatic Physical Therapy is one of the most effective treatments for the muscle stiffness and pain associated with Fibromyalgia. The warm water therapy pool helps to relax stiff muscles.
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Katie Oakley, PTA graduated from Wor-Wic Community College with an Associate of Applied Science – Physical Therapist Assistant degree. In addition to this, Katie also has a Bachelor of Science – Exercise Science degree from Salisbury University. Katie has worked for Aquacare Physical Therapy in various positions, for the last six years while completing her degrees. More recently, Katie has gone on to receive her Dance Medicine Certification. Katie has danced competitively for 16 years where she trained at the Broadway Dance Center in New York City, performed at Disney, and the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. Katie then transitioned into teaching and choreography. She has choreographed for James M. Bennett’s Rock n’ Roll Revival, Community Players, and the Theatre Department at Salisbury University. Katie believes the need for Dance Medicine Physical Therapy is imperative in our area with multiple dance studios, pre-professional ballet studios, theatre companies and universities. 
Katie Weber, PT, DPT, CMTPT, COMT, earned a bachelor’s degree in biology in 2009 from Mount St. Mary’s University and doctorate of physical therapy in 2012 from the University of Maryland at Baltimore. Since finishing school, she continues to strive to better serve her patients by obtaining certification in manual trigger point therapy that incorporates therapeutic dry needling and a certification in orthopedics manual therapy. She enjoys working with a diverse patient population ranging from sports injuries, geriatrics, joint replacements, and workers' compensation patients. She is an avid runner, triathlete, and former college swimmer with special interest in the marathon and full triathlon distances. She strives to provide the highest quality of care to get all patients back to living their normal lives and back to participation in sports or recreational activities.
Training: Graduated with a BS in biology from Mount Saint Mary’s University in 2009 and with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2012 from University of Maryland at Baltimore.
Specialties :
5 Years Experience
My philosophy of Care and Area of Interest includes customizing treatments for each patient through a combination of manual techniques and therapeutic exercises to maximize benefit of PT for each patient and return patient to prior level of function. I treat a variety of orthopedic conditions, but also specializes in neurological conditions including Parkinson's Disease, vestibular disorders, and concussions. I obtained my Undergraduate degree in Biology from Washington College (2008) and Doctorate in Physical Therapy from UMES (2012). I have a certification in LSVT BIG for Parkinson’s Disease, vestibular certification from American Institute of Balance, and further specialization in Concussion Management and TMJ Disorders. Clinical Instructor/mentor to PT and PTA students. Vision: To continue improving manual skills as well as learning new treatment techniques to provide the highest level of care to all of our patients! 
Mel Blankensop, PTA, has more than 20 years of experience. She prides herself on providing patients with a positive and educational environment to assist them in healing and being able to self-manage symptoms. She provides aquatic physical therapy, hands-on manual therapy, pediatrics, lymphedema, vestibular rehabilitation, pediatrics, general orthopedic rehabilitation and geriatrics.
She graduated magna cum laude from Delaware Technical Community College with an Associate Degree in Applied Health and obtained by MD and DE PTA license in 2014. She has taken several Great Lakes courses, including Myofascial Release, Functional Strength, Treatment of Common Extremities, The Foot and Ankles, The Lumbar Complex, Cervical, Thoracic and Rib Mobilizations, The Basics of SI Mobilization and Functional Anatomy. She also has taken several aquatic courses through The Aquatic Therapy Institute AND Aquatic University. She is a trained lymphedema therapist and has experience rehabbing and preventing injuries in the young athlete, and balance and vestibular training. She is also a credentialed clinical instructor. 
