Staff

Dr. Tova A. Lehmann, PT, DPT, MS, OCS, MTC

Dr. Tova A. Lehmann

PT, DPT, MS, OCS MTC
Owner & Founder

Cristin Harvey

Christin Harvey

Feldenkrais Practitioner
Massage Therapist

Dr. Tova A. Lehmann, PT, DPT, MS, OCS, MTC

Dr. Tova A. Lehmann

PT, DPT, MS, OCS MTC
Owner & Founder

Dr. Tova A. Lehmann, PT, DPT, MS, OCS, MTC is the owner and founder of Élan Physical Therapy and Wellness Center. Dr. Lehmann graduated with honors from the Hunter College Physical Therapy program and received her Advanced Master's in Manual Orthopedics from Touro College, graduating with Highest Academic Achievement. She became a board certified specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy, granted by the American Physical Therapy Association's Board of PT specialties. Dr. Lehmann achieved her Manual Therapy Certification, and received her Doctorate from the University of St. Augustine. Her thesis focused on treatment of the very complicated patient with multiple musculoskeletal dysfunctions.

Dr. Lehmann has been practicing physical therapy for over twenty years. She has extensive experience in treating people with a variety of diagnoses including spinal dysfunctions (low back pain, neck pain, radiating arm pain, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, sciatica, scoliosis, instabilities), sacroiliac pain, rib torsions, pre and post pregnancy related problems, headaches, sports injuries, TMJ, shoulder, elbow, hip, knee and ankle sprains and strains, poor posture, arthritis and osteoporosis. While Dr. Lehmann has specialized in manual orthopedics she is also experienced in treating people with various neurological problems such as stroke and vestibular dysfunctions. Her advanced skills include Osteopathic, Canadian and Norwegian joint and spinal manipulation, Muscle Energy Technique, Functional Mobilization, neuromuscular reeducation, PNF, Feldenkrais, biomechanical analysis, gait training, Craniosacral therapy, core stabilization, return to sport and soft tissue manipulation. Her previous patients have included Broadway performers, ballet dancers, high school, college and professional athletes, martial artists, tennis, volleyball and softball players, golfers, weekend warriors, doctors, dentists, office workers and homemakers.

Having an athletic background in swimming, running, hiking and the martial arts has given Dr. Lehmann a deeper and more personal understanding of the rigors of athletic performance. Sustaining several sports injuries herself, Dr. Lehmann well appreciates the difficulties and frustration of being unable to participate in the activities one enjoys or the work one must perform, and understands the importance of a quick recovery for overall well being.

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Lehmann teaches at Columbia University and Touro College. She has guest lectured multiple times for the Arthritis Foundation and has presented many lectures for her colleagues and the community on a variety of topics. Some of the topics she has lectured on include: TMJ, Sacroiliac dysfunction, PNF, the Feldenkrais Method, Pain, Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease, Coronary Artery disease, Gait Analysis, Fall Prevention, Osteoporosis, Infrapatellar Contracture Syndrome, and Prenatal and Postpartum exercise training. Dr. Lehmann also serves on the board of the Hudson Valley section of the American Physical Therapy Association.

Dr. Lehmann stays abreast of the latest research in physical therapy by studying the most current literature and attending continuing education courses on a regular basis. She has taken over 50 continuing education courses in many topics including: Golf rehabilitation, Dance medicine, treatment of the pregnant client, TMJ, Osteopathic manipulation, Neurodynamics, Myofascial manipulation, Spinal stabilization, Muscle imbalances, Craniosacral therapy, Urinary Incontinence, Esoteric Healing and PNF.

Believing that no problem in the body happens in isolation, Dr. Lehmann performs a thorough biomechanical analysis on each patient to determine the driving cause behind her patients’ complaints and looks at the body as an integrated whole. She then devises an individualized treatment plan to address bony and soft tissue restrictions and to retrain the neuromuscular system. Emphasis is placed on bringing the body to balance and facilitating normal muscle activation so that gains achieved can be long lasting. Helping her patients avoid surgery and return to prior levels of function is paramount.

Most importantly, Dr. Lehmann is passionate about her work, enjoys a wonderful rapport with her patients, and loves helping her patients achieve their goals.

Cristin Harvey

Christin Harvey

Feldenkrais Practitioner
Massage Therapist

Christin Harvey: New York Licensed Massage Therapist & Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner™

Christin Harvey graduated from the Helma Institute of Massage Therapy in 1996. She earned her New York State License in massage therapy in 1997. In April 2005, Christin earned her certification from The Feldenkrais Guild of North America after completing a four year Feldenkrais Training program under the tutelage of David Zemach-Bresin.

Christin has been practicing massage therapy in Rockland, Westchester and Connecticut since graduating from the Helma Institute. Many of her regular clients have been requesting her massage services weekly for over 10 years. These long-term professional relationships have greatly helped Christin hone her massage skills and have also afforded her the unique opportunity to see the long-term benefits of her work.

Christin was introduced to the Feldenkrais Method when her father gave her an "Awareness through Movement" instructional tape. The verbal lessons on the tape guide the user through a series of physical movements that have a positive effect on the nervous and muscular systems. As a massage therapist, Christin became highly intrigued by her father's newfound ease of movement and his improved flexibility. After working with the lessons herself Christin soon shared her father's fondness and confidence in the method, which ultimately led to her becoming a practitioner.

Since beginning her work with the Feldenkrais method, Christin has found that both massage therapy and Feldenkrais work can be very complimentary. Many of her regular clients receive both weekly massages and Feldenkrais lessons. Both methods can be used in conjunction to treat common conditions such as: back, neck, and shoulder pain, TMJ pain, sports injuries, strains & sprains, and scoliosis. Working with the Feldenkrais Method has broadened Christin's professional scope, helping her to expand her understanding of how the body and mind work together.

Ms. Harvey continues to advance her professional skills participating in advanced training workshops with the leading instructors from around the world. Christin is also a member of The New York Feldenkrais Guild's Events Committee, which helps facilitate The Annual Feldenkrais Conference as well as other guild sponsored events through out the year. She also engages in weekly collaborative sessions with other Feldenkrais Practitioners™.

Christin's work philosophy parallels that of her personal life, a philosophy that was so elegantly stated by the late creator of the Feldenkrais method.

"To make the impossible possible, the possible easy, and the easy elegant."- Moshe Feldenkrais