“As the parent of a child with SMA, I have become so accustomed to doctors, clinicians and educators talking to me about limitations. Our experiences with Laura have been the polar opposite. While making every effort to understand our son and his medical needs fully, she focuses on all the things he can do and where we can push past his current limitations. Working with Laura always makes him feel strong, confident and happy. To see the look on his face when he gets to really move on his own – his whole body rolling and dancing in the water, is pure joy. We have found Laura’s knowledge, skill and dedication to be both unique and downright magical.”
Kate, Mother, Natick MA
“For me, water therapy means having fun while doing something constructive! I’m helping myself and it gives me a feeling of independence. It makes me feel good and free like I’m in space. I feel it’s important because it helps limber me up and helps with bowel movements and circulation because I am able to stand upright.
Standing upright in the pool gives my girlfriend Cindy and I a chance to stand upright face to face like we never did before!!!
The staff takes the time to figure out every individuals needs and talks about their interests. It’s great for social contacts and interacting with other people.”
Jim Viggiano
“Megan is by far the most skilled physical therapist I have encountered. She is thorough in assessment, considering all aspects of my activities of daily life, and body mechanics to create an individualized treatment plan. Megan has creative problem solving skills to address obstacles that exacerbate pain and to find exercises that help overcome well established issues. But, what impresses me most about Megan is her emotional intelligence. I have seen her work with a wide variety of ages and disabilities adapting her communication style to suit the situation. She is kind, respectful, and thorough, gently redirecting when necessary yet affirming. This type of attention to detail and care is a gift. We need more like Megan in the medical community!”
Kelly Larson, RN
“Laura Diamond is an excellent physical therapist in the Boston area. Laura is detail-oriented, dedicated, experienced, knowledgeable, smart, and has a sense of humor. She focuses on your problem, and seems to care only about getting you better. I’ve seen a lot of people in the medical profession over the past fifteen years, and most of them have not impressed me. Laura is an exception.”
Eric Albert, Newton, MA
“I see Laura for PT. Her classes help me review what she taught me.”
Ann, Westford MA
“Everyone is interested in results and the therapists at Diamond Physical Therapy Associates get results. I can attribute their successes and my patients’ accelerated recoveries to the exceptional care being offered by this group and to the benefits of aquatic physical therapy.”
Gigi Girgis, MD, Neurologist Affiliated with Waltham Deaconess Hospital
“Laura Diamond is a treasure. She combines focus, connectedness, caring and skill. Her gift for healing has changed my life.”
Jean Hardisty, Senior Scholar, Wellesley Centers for Women
“As the parent of a child with SMA, I have become so accustomed to doctors, clinicians and educators talking to me about limitations. Our experiences with Laura have been the polar opposite. While making every effort to understand our son and his medical needs fully, she focuses on all the things he can do and where we can push past his current limitations. Working with Laura always makes him feel strong, confident and happy. To see the look on his face when he gets to really move on his own – his whole body rolling and dancing in the water, is pure joy. We have found Laura’s knowledge, skill and dedication to be both unique and downright magical.”
Kate, Mother, Natick MA
Joni had a total hip replacement and came to Laura after she got worse with traditional physical therapy.
“Ready to go? From the second those three words are uttered each session Megan is locked in and her number one focus is on six year old daughter, Olivia. But she is not there as a swim instructor or PT she is there as her partner. Actively engaging Olivia in conversation and more importantly listening for both verbal and non-verbal cues about what’s going on both in the pool and in Olivia’s life. Megan had taken great care in forming a strong relationship of trust and understanding with Olivia that has helped both of them remain patient as Olivia has navigated learning a new and challenging environment of the pool.”
“Olivia has always had challenges with core strength and balance, and I never quite knew if she would be safe in the water, but week after week I see Olivia’s confidence grow as Megan truly enables her to not only be safe and be strong, but have a love of swimming. I could not have asked for a better partner in this journey for Olivia. After all, who else would gladly let a six year old dump water on them over and over and over and over again.”
Rich Weiss, Framingham, MA
“Laura’s repertoire of possibilities to help me seems inexhaustible; Laura is inventive, insightful, and artful in choosing from them.”
Robin Cohen, Newton MA
Sally has multiple musculoskeletal challenges. She discusses Laura’s holistic approach and her integrated water and land program.
“Laura Diamond is a total gem”
Sally Sanford, Concord MA
Joni had a total hip replacement. Hear what she has to say about why Laura is different than traditional physical therapists.
“As a physician with chronic pain, I consider myself well positioned to evaluate health care providers. After consulting numerous physical therapists over many years, I have found a powerful approach to chronic pain in Laura Diamond’s unique combination of aquatic and manual therapies. Laura’s range of skills exceeds those of any other physical therapist I have seen. She is not only an exceptional clinician, but also an exceptional person. Laura is supremely talented, creative, and totally committed to her patients, putting the full force of her being into her practice. Her warm, generous, and caring temperament enable her to relate effectively to all kinds of people.”
“Without aquatic physical therapy, I would never have been able to return to my pre-surgical level of functioning. After being injured in traditional physical therapy, I was referred to Laura for aquatic work. In the pool, I was able to increase my strength, flexibility and cardiovascular endurance without further injury. Water exercise eventually made it possible for me to resume land therapy and I continue to utilize both kinds of therapy to this day. On those rare occasions when I have too much pain to exercise on land, aquatic therapy remains available to me. It gives me a sense of moving forward even when I am in a flare-up and helps me feel productive while managing my pain.”
“When I was in medical school, my role models were people who set out to make a difference in lives of their patients. Laura has made a significant difference in mine.”
Deborah Chud, MD, November 2005
“Aqua therapy has been a total success for our daughter. Laura is outstanding in not only her ability to maximize the benefits of aqua therapy, but in the ability to make the children feel as if it is fun, not work! In all of the therapies Kendall has received, by far, aqua therapy is one of the most beneficial for her body and mind! I would recommend Laura to all moms who are looking for the ultimate experience for their children with disabilities!”
Kim, Mother, Stow MA