Gail Wetzler, Physical Therapist

A 1973 graduate from Long Beach State University, Gail gained her orthopedic, acute and administrative background at Hoag Hospital Physical Therapy Department as outpatient clinical supervisor.

She established her private practice in 1979 and has been motivated to keep at the top of her field by taking four to six postgraduate courses per year. Her fields of study include osteopathic manual techniques, exercise physiology, women's health, functional assessment, movement analysis, laser/modalities, psychoneurobiology, nutrition/digestive dysfunctions, anatomy, animal rehabilitation and integrated manual therapy.

Gail is a leader and innovator in the development of new courses for women’s health, manual diagnostics, visceral/structural disorders and integrative therapies for animal health. She teaches these courses for the American Physical Therapy Association, The Upledger Institute and Equinology. She is the Curriculum Director for the newly developed Barral Institute of Education Research and Manual Therapy. She also is currently the co-developer of the new MSAR (Masters of Science in Animal Rehab) at Western University.

Publications include chapters in the following books: Diseases of the Temporomandibular Apparatus by Douglas Morgan, D.D.S., William Hall, M.D. and S. James Vamvas, D.D.S., Visceral Manipulation and Low Back Pain (IFOMT) and Therapeutic Management of Incontinence and Pelvic Pain by J. Laycock, PhD, FCSP and J. Haslam, MCSP, SRP.

Gail’s research includes: “The Effect of Functional Integration on TMJ Disorders”, with Dr. Mark Reese, “The Visceral Relationship to Low Back Pain”, with Dr. Stanley Paris and “The Effects of Manual Therapy on the Brain”, with Dr. Daniel Amen, Dr. Jean Pierre Barral, and Dr. Alain Crobier.

Jane Helmeczi, Masters in Physical Therapy

For over a decade, Jane has specialized in manual therapy techniques. Jane earned her Masters in Physical Therapy from Chapman University in 1987. Her work at the Wetzler Integrative Physical Therapy Center involves assisting patients with integrative solutions such as: Visceral Manipulation, CranioSacral Therapy, Muscle Energy Techniques, and Joint and soft tissue mobilization.

Working at Saddleback Memorial Hospital, Jane gained hands-on experience in acute care, wound care, and neurological rehabilitation. Since that time she has specialized in Orthopedic Manual Therapy. In 1995, she received her Orthopedic Certification Specialty. The American Physical Therapy Association recognizes this as high-level training in physical therapy orthopedic evaluation and treatment.

Jane is an Adjunct Professor of Physical Therapy at the Western University of Health Sciences Graduate School.

Cheryl Ruggio, Physical Therapist

Cheryl has been working as a physical therapist for over 14 years in various settings and positions and has been with the Wetzler Integrative Physical Therapy Center for over four years. She enjoys blending traditional physical therapy with complementary techniques in order to specifically identify patient problems and quickly effect positive changes.

Cheryl has completed advanced training in 1) craniosacral therapy, 2) Somato-Emotional Release, 3) Visceral Manipulation, 4) Strain-Counterstrain, 5) Soft tissue and joint mobilization techniques, 6) Myofascial Release, and 7) Jin Shin Jyutsu. In addition to earning her B.S. degree in Physical Therapy from Ithaca College in 1979, Cheryl has completed over 2,000 hours of postgraduate education in PT and osteopathy. She is in the process of obtaining special certification in Jones Strain-Counterstrain and Craniosacral therapy.

Cheryl has always been interested in complimentary health and has studied various methods. She has found Jin Shin Jyutsu very effective with herself and others and completed certification in 1997. Jin Shin Jyutsu is an ancient oriental healing art that balances and revitalizes the energy of the body. She is also certified and teaches the DASA (Developing Awareness Through Self Actualization) Meditation Method.

When not with patients, you may find Cheryl on the tennis court - she still competes regularly!

Lara Lanphier, Feldenkrais Movement Practioner

Lara brings a unique perspective on movement education to the Wetzler Integrative Physical Therapy Center. She is certified through the Feldenkrais Guild of North America and actively continues advanced training programs throughout the country.

Lara will be offering both Functional Integration sessions and Awareness Through Movement classes at the Center. These sequences are to increase awareness and reduce habitual layers of tension and strain. As the neuromuscular system becomes more integrated, everyday movements become easier and more comfortable and more pleasurable. Patients will also discover: Greater flexibility and improved posture, Decreased recovery time form injuries, Greater range of motion and fluidity in movement, Improving strength and body awareness.

Lara enjoys an active lifestyle, performing professionally with the Hartfel Ballet. She continues her work in various hospital settings with a special focus on pediatrics and neurological rehabilitation.

Mary Hoffner, Massage Therapist

Mary has been in the health field for over 25 years. After experiencing the healing efforts of massage and other complimentary modalities for the past 15 years, she decided to enter the field herself.

Mary graduated from the Western Institute of Neuromuscular Therapy. She taught for two years at the Western Institute as well. She continues her education with courses in Cranial Sacral Therapy, Visceral Manipulation, TTouch, and is pursuing her advanced certificate in Lymphatic Drainage.

Her massage foundation is neuromuscular, sports and trigger point therapy. Mary's sessions include work in: Deep tissue massage, Trigger point release, Lymphatic drainage, Myofascial release, and Relaxation techniques.

In her free time she is pursuing body work with animals.

Michelle Scotto, Massage Therapist

A member of the American Massage Therapy Association, Michelle has been practicing massage therapy for over 19 years. Michelle's practice includes traditional treatments in Swedish and Deep Tissue Massage as well as in Acupressure, Reflexology, Myofascial Release and Pre- and Post-Natal and Infant Massage.

More recently, Michelle completed advanced training from the Upledger Institute in: Craniosacral therapy, Visceral manipulation, Somato-emotional release and Lymphatic drainage therapy.

Michelle has studied Manual Lymphatic Drainage in both the Vodder Method and the Chikly Method. She is also a member of the International Association of Infant Massage Instructors and the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Marie Schneider, Certified Pilates Instructor

Marie is certified in the methods of Joseph H. Pilates – a unique method of body conditioning that emphasizes muscular balance, strength with flexibility, breath work and neuro-muscular repatterning.   Marie was Certified at Infinite Dynamics in San Luis Obispo, and trained under Christine Wilson, RN, Master Teacher and Founder of Infinite Dynamics, and Karen Shanley, M.A., Certified Pilates and Gyrotonic ® Instructor.

Complimentary to the rehabilitation practices utilized at the Wetzler Integrative Physical Therapy Center, Pilates offers such benefits as:

• Increased core strength
• Stability and peripheral mobility
• Improved posture and skeletal alignment
• Improved muscular balance and flexibility
• Injury prevention

Marie, a former dancer, is a member of the Pilates Method Alliance, an organization dedicated to preserving the works of Joseph H. Pilates, owns and operates a Pilates Studio in Tustin, California, and actively pursues continuing education in the field of Pilates and movement.