Meet The Team
Dr. Russell L Darrington,
MS, PT, Cert DN, Cert SMT, Dip Osteopractic
Owner and Founder of Phoenix Osteopractic Physical Therapy
Hi, I’m Russell L Darrington, MS, PT, Cert DN, Cert SMT, Dip Osteopractic I’ve practiced Physical Therapy for 30 years and I love being part of my patient’s healing process. I’m passionate about helping people get rid of chronic or nagging pain and recover quickly from injuries so they can return to their favorite activity or sport, or simply enjoy everyday tasks without worrying about whether they’ll be able to make it through the day or not.
In addition to receiving my Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy in 1994, I’ve also completed Advanced Fellowship training with the American Academy of Manipulative Therapy in 2018. This included training and certifications in Dry Needling, Spinal and Extremity Manipulation, Instrument Assisted Soft-tissue (Fascial) Mobilization, and Differential Diagnosis and Multi-Modal Management of Upper and Lower Extremity Spine-related Syndromes, all culminating in receiving my Diploma of Osteopractic.
I’ve also completed continuing education courses in Functional Movement System (FMS), McKenzie Diagnostic Therapy, and am a Certified TPI Golf Performance Specialist. Previous to opening Phoenix Osteopractic Physical Therapy, I owned and operated my own home health contract company for 18 years.
In 2020 I received an award as 1 of 3 clinics to recieve the “Osteopractic Clinic of the Year.“
Credentials Quick Look
- I've been practicing Physical Therapy for 30 years.
- Masters Degree in Physical Therapy.
- Advanced Fellowship Training in Spinal Manipulative Therapy and Dry Needling with the American Academy of Manipulative Therapy.
- In December of 2020, I was honored to receive the award for the Osteopractic Clinic of the Year!
- Certified in Functional Movement Analysis.
- Certified TPI Golf Performance Specialist.
What's An Osteopractor You Ask?
OSTEOPRACTIC is a subspecialty of manual physical therapy that identifies a particular skill-set and education possessed by the treating clinician.
An OSTEOPRACTOR is a physical therapist, medical doctor, or doctor of osteopathic medicine that has completed an extensive, evidence-based post-graduate training program in manual therapy for the diagnosis and treatment of neuromusculoskeletal conditions of the spine and extremities.
Only after completing the intensive 12 to 18-month training program consisting of the Dry Needling series, Spinal Manipulation series, Extremity Manipulation, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization, Certified Concussion Specialist (Cert VCS), Differential Diagnosis & Multi-Modal Management and Cadaver Lab, as well as passing strict written and practical exams for each, will a clinician earn the Diploma in Osteopractic and be able to call themselves an Osteopractor.
What Techniques Do I Use?
A manual physical therapist will use a number of different hands-on techniques as part of their treatment. These may include…. massage, other soft-tissue and fascial mobilization techniques, joint mobilizations, manual stretching, joint manipulation, and dry needling, which is similar to acupuncture.
An Osteopractor uses all those skills along with tool or instrument-assisted soft tissue and fascial mobilization techniques, meaning we use other tools to get specific soft tissue results. I use treatments such as Gua Sha, Dry Cupping, Body Tempering, Myofascial Release, etc.
An Osteopractor is essentially like having a Physical Therapist, a Chiropractor, an Acupuncturist, a Massage Therapist, and a Personal Trainer and Functional Fitness Instructor all rolled into one!
(Yep, a true One-Stop Shop!)
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