Protecting Our Precious Gift of Movement
Anna’s Whole-Person Approach to Physical Therapy
Annamarie Strehlow understands what a precious gift it is to move — to tend a backyard garden, take a grandchild fishing, play in a softball league, or even compete in a triathlon. She became a physical therapist because she’s passionate about helping people make the most of that gift, no matter what their age or ability.
“I pursued my career because I believe if we don't have our health we really don't have anything,” Anna says. “And I find deep passion in making a difference in people's lives.”
Through her practice, A.S. Performance, Anna is making a difference every day by meeting clients in their homes to help them recover from surgery, bounce back from an injury, manage chronic pain or simply enjoy life more.
Beyond “Band-Aid” Treatments
Anna is committed to going beyond the “Band-Aid” approach, which might address a single issue without considering long-term needs and quality of life.
“Whether due to insurance requirements or for other reasons, some providers will give you what I’d would call reactive care. They’re really good at identifying why you are having symptoms, and they react to it. But how do you fix this situation long-term? How do you prevent it from happening again? They might never tell you.”
By contrast, Anna will assess, diagnose, and help you understand the root cause of what’s going on. Then she’ll create a plan of treatments and exercise designed to meet your goals and maintain them. “A physical therapist has the ability to really listen and treat you as a whole person, not just as your injury. And this is something I truly love about my job.”
When you work with Anna, she won’t look only at your injury, surgery, or pain. In addition to a thorough analysis of your body mechanics and movement patterns, she’ll ask about your daily activities, stress levels, sleep patterns and even your emotional well-being — all of which can cause symptoms and impede recovery. “That's the beauty in physical therapy. I can really listen to the individual and treat them based on their whole life.”
After making a physical therapy diagnosis that considers the many factors that influence your condition, Anna will help you understand what’s going on and how it can be treated. This often involves a combination of manual therapy and tailored exercise plans to strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and support your long-term health goals.
Sustaining and Preventing
Anna’s programs are designed to help you achieve sustainable results while preventing future injuries. Even after your condition improves, periodic sessions can address new symptoms if they arise, get ahead of potential problems, and help you sustain the progress you’ve made.
“Just like taking your car in for maintenance, making small adjustments and correcting minor imbalances can make a big difference.”
Move Better, Feel Better, Live Better
If you want to work with Anna to regain mobility, build strength, recover from injury or surgery or return to an activity you love, email her at asp@annamariestrehlow.com. She’ll visit you in your home to assess your condition, learn your goals, and tailor a treatment plan for you.
