How do I thank a man who in four months transformed me from being barely mobile to moving freely and without pain?
I’ll start by extolling Dimitry Polyakov’s mind-blowing understanding of the musculoskeletal system and the rare, individual attention he gives his patients.
Dimitry is a miracle worker for those who are struggling to return to action after an injury or surgery. I know because I was recovering from both in June 2015, when I first came to Total Physical Therapy. That was about 10 weeks after knee-replacement surgery and four weeks after a subsequent patella-tendon tear — an injury I suffered during a rehab session at a physical-therapy chain whose factory approach is the polar opposite of Dimitry’s one-on-one care.
The results speak for themselves. Less than three months after I started working with Dimitry, I set off on an 11-day trip to Northern Europe, where I was able to walk 6-8 miles a day. I’m now back to cycling and daily rigorous workouts, and I’m about to return to the golf course. Most importantly, I’ve learned from Dimitry how to move safely and soundly in order to avoid future injury.
Throughout my rehab process, Dimitry is keenly aware that major injuries and surgery can lead to other pain and imbalances as the body compensates, and he uses his leading-edge muscle-assessment technique to quickly address minor setbacks.
Dimitry recognized at the outset that I had serious doubts about the future of my mobility, and he refused to let me cling to negative thoughts. Instead, he assured me repeatedly that I’d achieve my goals — and I’m forever grateful that he delivered on his promise.
Total-PT and Dimitry Polyakov has been the most comprehensive, knowledgeable and practical problem solver I have ever been to. I have multiple low back/pelvic problems and other issues that have been treated by: The Hospital for Special Surgery and other facilities in New York for interventions ranging from 10 steroidal injections, 50 Acupuncture sessions, YEARS of standard physical therapy, Rolfing sessions for years and oxycodone for pain management. NONE of these therapies were working, as they did not get to the actual source of what was wrong, but treated the symptoms and the pain.
Dimitry takes the time to evaluate your total problem and looks for the issue that is causing the pain or dysfunction. In my case, I have a complicated medical history, as well as multiple issues relating to dysfunctional movement patterns, old scar tissue, etc. that other therapists had not properly diagnosed. Prior surgeries had caused scar tissue and other internal conditions that made a diagnosis difficult for most practitioners. As case in point: in addition to low back pain, I have been plagued with planter fascitis. During the first session, Dimitry resolved a big toe issue that was preventing proper movement, allowing the toe to behave properly and thus, along with other fascia issues resolve the planter fascitis. I am now FREE of this condition after having this for 5 years. The best thing is that I did NOT go to Dimitry complaining of this condition, as I had accepted it as something that other podiatrists have simply made orthotics for in lieu of finding out WHY I have this condition. This was caught by Dimitry from his overall evaluation of hip and low back pain.
My pelvic pain was the most complicated and is extremely difficult for most people to get properly diagnosed and properly treated. After several sessions, I am now finding pain relief by following the protocol of exercises and releases twice a day. For the first time in 5 years, I see light at the end of this alopathic horror. I do the exercises and release routines twice a day and see results every day. In fact, I drive 60 miles to see Dimitry simply based on the results I am achieving. I strongly recommend Dimitry and Total-PT if you are serious about pain relief and need someone that has an amazing knowledge of anatomy & neurology.