Staff

The Staff at Hamilton Physical Therapy

Carolyn Hamilton, PT

Carolyn Hamilton, PT completed her education from University of California San Francisco in 1984 with a degree in Physical Therapy and a minor in Psychology. She initially worked at John Muir in Walnut Creek before going into private practice in San Ramon, CA in 1987. With over 30 years of experience, her expertise includes an overall holistic approach with Myofascial Release, Craniosacral, Manual Therapy and movement retraining for general orthopedic and neurological disorders. She also does gait training, orthotics fabrication and gait and running analysis with an emphasis on the biomechanics of foot and ankle dysfunctions. Injury specific and generalized conditioning for athletes and non-athletes fits nicely into the concept of improving the quality of life through strengthening, stabilization and movement.

Professional memberships include American Physical Therapy Association, and Independent Physical Therapists of California.

Continuing education courses:

  • Treating Functional Instability in the Neck and Shoulder
  • NDT for Adult Hemiplegia
  • Podiatric Physical Therapy
  • Brain Trauma Conference
  • Myofascial Strategies I
  • Myofascial Reorganization II
  • Training the Patient with Low Back Dysfunction
  • The Active Foot Symposium
  • Cranio-Sacral I
  • Current Topics in Neurology
  • Mobilization of the Nervous System Level I
  • Mobilization of the Nervous System Level II
  • Basic Principals of Manual Medicine
  • San Francisco Manual Medicine Functional Methods
  • Pilates for Physical Therapists
  • Back to Golf
  • Functional Stability Retraining for Sacro-Iliac Joint & Pelvic Dysfunction
  • Pain Control: Fibromyalgia, Migraines, Chronic Pain and Sore Feet
  • Lumbopelvic Instability- Diagnosis and Management from a Motor
  • Advanced Management of Breast Cancer Rehabilitation
  • Advanced Management of Lymphedema
  • The Shoulder- Clinical Evaluation, Diagnosis and Treatment of the Glenohumeral and Scapulothoracic Joints
  • Orthopedic Update – John Muir Medical Group
  • Diagnosis of Mechanical Dysfunction and Stability Retraining of the Hip
  • Treating Functional Instability in the Neck and Scapula
  • Functional Testing and Skilled Documentation in Geriatric Therapy
  • Movement System Impairment:  Spine and Hip Course
  • Therapeutic Yoga to Prevent Falls & Reduce the Risk of Falling in Older Adults

Carol Brachna, MA, PT

Carol Brachna received her BS from U.C. Davis in Psychology and Biology and her MS in physical therapy from Stanford University.  She has worked in physical therapy for over 20 years developing expertise in pediatrics, orthopedics, sports medicine and chronic pain patients.  She continues to enjoy problem solving in patient care whether it is with infants, teens or adults.  Combining her orthopedic and neurological backgrounds with diverse manual techniques has given her unique tools to individualize treatment programs for patient success.

Continuing education courses:

  • Treating Functional Instability in the Neck and Shoulder
  • Principles of Manual Medicine Osteopathic Perspective
  • Muscle Energy I and II
  • Pediatric NDT
  • NDT for Hemiplegics
  • Basic and Intermediate Cranial Sacral
  • Scoliosis-multidisciplinary approach
  • Functional Approach to Manual Medicine
  • Orthopedics in Cerebral Palsy
  • Strain-Counter Strain
  • Inhibitive Casting
  • Myofascial Release I and II
  • Seating Prescription & Fitting
  • Year Study of Australian Manual Therapy
  • Normal & Abnormal Gait
  • Advanced Cervical Mobilization
  • Neonatology and High Risk infant
  • Adverse Neural Tension
  • Integrated Approach to Neurological Disabilities
  • Muscle Stretching in Manual Therapy
  • Current Treatment for Childhood Disabilities
  • Podiatric Physical Therapy
  • Beyond Conventional Exercise- Feldenkrais
  • Aggressive Non-surgical rehabilitation of Lumbar spine and sports injuries
  • Training the Patient with Low Back Dysfunction
  • Functional Stability Retraining of Sacroiliac Joint and Pelvic Dysfunction
  • Peripheral Neuropathic Syndromes in Orthopedic and Sports Medicine in Lower and Upper Quadrants
  • Rotator Cuff Tears/ Glenohumeral Instability
  • Movement System Syndromes Lumbar Spine and Hip
  • Abnormal Gait for Neurologically Involved

Lauren Mitchell, PT, DPT, GCS

Lauren Mitchell received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Bellarmine University in 2006 and a Geriatric Specialist Certification from the APTA in 2010.  She incorporates balance retraining, strengthening and fall risk education into every treatment approach. Lauren loves working with patients of all fitness levels, age groups and diagnoses from post-operative to physically active.  Her experience and background delivers a holistic but caring approach to every patient type.  Lauren is a mom, runner, outdoor enthusiast and animal lover.

Professional memberships include APTA and CPTA.

Continuing education courses:

 

  • APTA Geriatric Certified Specialist
  • Mulligan: The Lower Quadrant Course
  • Geriatric Pain and Mobility
  • Vestibular Dysfunction – An Algorithmic Based Evaluation and Treatment Approach
  • Sahrmann: Movement Examination of the Lumbar Spine and Hip Joint
  • Sahrmann: Movement Examination of the Shoulder
  • Spinal Cord Rehab – The Next Step
  • Therapeutic Pilates for Rehab Professionals
  • ACL Preserving Total Knee Replacement
  • Applied Techniques of Manual Therapy – Treatment of the Lumbar Complex
  • Kinesiotaping Level 1-2
  • Functional Biomechanics of the Lower Quarter

Kelly McKenney

Kelly is our office manager and has been with us since July of 2011. Kelly handles the billing, insurance verifications and authorizations, accounts receivable, and maintaining accurate patient accounts.

Mandy Weseloh

Mandy is our PT Aide and helps with patient care and exercises as well as scheduling of appointments and other front office tasks.

Gail Ortiz After 26 years with this company she has happily retired. We will miss her!