Physical Therapists
Jill Smith, DPT, ATC – received a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Emory University in 2006 after completing her Athletic Training/BS Education in Exercise Science at the University of Georgia in 2003. She has worked in outpatient orthopedic, pediatric and acute care settings before joining Physicians Back and Neck Clinic in 2008.
Jill believes in a holistic, research-based treatment approach in developing individual treatment programs tailored to fit each person’s unique needs, and encourages the patient to be an active participant in treatment planning, implementation, and goal setting. Her ultimate goal is for the patient to be equipped to prevent and/or manage his/her condition independently and to increase his/her quality of life.
Jill is a member of the APTA and was Vestibular certified in 2006. Her future goals include pursuing the areas of Pilates certification, Myokinematic Postural Restoration and geriatrics.
Jennifer Tweed-Morlock, PT., received a Master of Science degree in Physical Therapy at East Tennessee State University after completing her BS in Psychology and Dance minor at the University of Georgia. She has worked in outpatient orthopedic physical therapy settings since 2001 before joining Physicians Back and Neck Clinic in 2004.
Jennifer believes that effective treatment of spine disorders and pain syndromes requires that the whole body be considered, assessed and treated. She makes use of exercise, manual therapies and a strong educational component to help patients heal and self-manage their conditions.
Jennifer was certified in vestibular rehabilitation in 2002. More recently she became certified in Total Motion Release as a provider and a national instructor (TMR is a global self-assessment tool for the treatment of simple and complex musculoskeletal conditions). Jennifer is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association.
Deanna Long, MPT - earned a Master of Science degree in Physical Therapy at The Medical College of Georgia, in Augusta, GA after completing her BS in Exercise and Sport Science at the University of Georgia. She has practiced physical therapy since 2005, working in outpatient sports medicine and pediatrics before joining Physicians Back and Neck Clinic in the fall of 2007.
Deanna believes that effective treatment of spinal disorders, joint dysfunction, and chronic pain requires improving core strength and stabilization while improving body mechanics and neuromuscular patterns. She also feels that patient education is an imperative part of the rehab process because it allows a patient to self-manage symptoms while preventing re-injury by providing the fundamentals of safe body mechanics.
Deanna is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association. She is very interested in sacroiliac joint dysfunction, orthopedic joint disorders, and Pilates-based exercise programs.