Therapy in Motion, TN
A Mobile
Physical Therapy Service.
We come to you...
Dr Michael J. Malawey, PT (760)-224-3081
Dr Cindy Malawey, PT (760)-715-4789
Fax 1-833-467-2764
Mission Statement
Therapy in Motion provides personalized care for our patients to restore normal movement and improve quality of life with the use of guided physical therapy based on the application of biomechanics and integrative treatment modalities.
Get To Know Us
At Therapy in Motion, we strive to offer the best patient care for those suffering from neurological and orthopedic disorders. Patients who have difficulty with walking, balance, postural control problems due to stroke, traumatic brain injury, partial spinal cord, other acquired neurological disorders or orthopedic problems.
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Dr. Michael Malawey, PT and Dr. Cindy Malawey, PT, CECP, CBCP have been treating patients with integrity, devotion, and compassion since 1993. Throughout their careers, they have been researching and incorporating new treatment methods into their practice to improve the quality of care for their patients. Over the last ten years they have worked to add technology based assisted Physical Therapy and energy healing into their treatment approach with significant results.
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We listen to you and your story to get to the root cause of your problem. Then with the use of integrative treatment utilizing multiple therapeutic interventions, and whole body approach, develop a treatment plan best for you.
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Our Journey
Dr. Michael Malawey, PT
I completed my Doctor of Physical Therapy at Western University, Los Angeles in 2006. I received my Bachelor of Science of Physical Therapy from Maryville University, St. Louis in 1993. I pursued further studies in biomechanics of the body with an emphasis on the spine and foot. In 2006 Malawey Physical Therapy was formed in San Diego, CA. In 2014 I moved to Tennessee and opened Therapy in Motion.
It was in 2006 that I started training and working with neurological patients. By 2011, most patients I treated were neurological. Early in the year I was working with one of my patients (a stroke survivor), who had difficulty with carryover once the therapy session ended. “Carryover” is the ability of a patient to remember a new way of moving, or series of steps in an activity, and to be able to apply that new skill independently. Every patient and therapist understands this concept and knows the frustration of its lacking.
The comment of this particular patient was simple, but he was so adamant that I decided I would do anything in my power to change this if I could. The patient stated that if he could only know that his body weight was on his (left) leg, then he could break through the problem of reverting to his compensated gait. He knew the compensation was poor and ineffective, but he stated as many others have: “that at least he felt safe”. He knew he could not progress much or at all until the barrier of the compensated gait was resolved. Fear of falling and the potential consequences outweighed the potential benefit of normalizing his walking pattern. His sensory awareness of body weight on his foot was not there. This is a common nearly universal problem with acquired brain injury patients.
The practical consequence of the above scenario for him and possibly millions of others was that ultimately full recovery may not happen. In essence, there was no product or technology that could guide the patient and clinician with weight bearing, balance, exercise and walking that would give real time feedback of performance that was inexpensive, portable, and reliable.
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To learn more about the Rehabit Health Envision System that Therapy in Motion uses with it's patients click of the button below
The Current Envision System Hardware
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No matter how proficient I (the therapist) was at applying mechanics and no matter how good the response, as soon as I stopped my handling and feedback, there was reversion back to the dysfunctional movement. Even more frustrating was the question, "am I teaching the correct skill?" I had no way of knowing. No science at that point. Purely art. Did it look okay, good, poor? What does the gait pattern look like from a biomechanical perspective. Am I, the clinician, able to give the patient the best chance by objectively and scientifically analyzing, facilitating, and teaching normalization and proper skilled activity? Unless I can see it and correct for it, the answer is no. Both the patient and the clinician are working with an injured and altered nervous system. The altered function of the nervous system, and patient's fear work against restoration of normal balance, walking, control and selective strength.
There had to be a better way.
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Long story short, I consulted with an engineering firm and after some discussions, Rehabit Health’s Envision system for guided physical therapy was born. Over the next 1en years the technology was developed, tested, and integrated into practice. The intent was to give simple, real in the moment feedback to neurological patients. I never imagined that when the first systems went online in 2017 that so much data and possible uses would manifest. Now, I cannot imagine treating these patients without this technological guidance.
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This technology assisted guided therapy is novel. Therapy in Motion is now one of two practices in the United States that uses it. In time it is my hope that the use of guided therapy will become the standard of practice.
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Fig 1 Normal Human walking signal
Fig 2 Three Zone Balance Field
Fig 3: Rehabit Health: Engineers and Software writers initial development of the Envision Guided System.
I graduated with a Masters in Physical Therapy in 1994, and went on to receive my Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2007. My passion has been treating stroke and brain injury clients, and I have been pursuing ways to help this clientele since I graduated in 1994. I have had extensive continuing education training for this population pursuing the best and most effective ways to help return these patients back to their prior level of function without compensation (i.e. patterns of movement that are less efficient or effective due to injury or illness). Often with hands on therapy sessions, neurological patients would be able to perform movements with little compensation. However, once they left the clinic, they frequently reverted back to their abnormal patterns because they did not know how to practice normal movements on their own.
I, like Mike, felt that there had to be a better way. Mike pursued ways to help this population, by researching and developing with Rehabit Health, the Envision System technology. This technology allows them “to see” the compensation and retrain to normal parameters. I was seeking alternative approaches to their physical disabilities. As I have grown as both a clinician and person, I explored holistic healing modalities including homeopathy and essential oils, then an associate introduced me to the emotion and body code. I was very intrigued by the idea of energy healing. Energy healing resonated with me personally more so than homeopathy or oils.
I started using the emotion code and body code on myself and my family. I liked the positive changes I saw in all of us (including our pets), both physically and emotionally. After years of using the modalities with my immediate family, I wanted to learn more and expand my practice beyond just the physical work that I do. This year I became an emotion code and body code practitioner.
Healing is a process and there is an innate mechanism of the body to want to restore balance. Our job as clinicians and practitioners is to do what we can to support that mechanism. At Therapy in Motion, we support you physically by providing cutting edge and novel technology. We help you with imbalances you cannot see that may be interfering with your healing. I look forward to helping you on your journey to a happier and healthier state of being without all that emotional baggage and imbalances to weigh you down.
Dr. Cindy Malawey, PT CECP, CBCP
Therapy in Motion Associates
Andrea Hollis earned her Bachelor of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology from University of Tennessee in Martin, TN in 2008. She continued her education and earned a physical therapist assistant degree from Volunteer State Community College - Gallatin, TN in 2011. She gained additional neurological-based certifications early in her career, focusing primarily on stroke and brain injury patients.
Andrea started working with Therapy in Motion in 2014. She formally joined Therapy in Motion in 2016. She is trained to effectively utilize and continues to train to use the Envision Guided Physical therapy system to better serve clients and allow their best ability to function.
Andrea enjoys being able to personalize one-on-one treatment sessions to the patient’s needs within their home environment as well as in the community for a well-rounded recovery. Andrea has proven to be a valuable asset for Therapy in Motion and is a key member of our team. She is highly qualified and dedicated to the recovery of our patients.
Jon Kern MSPT, Received a Bachelor's Degree in Human Biology from Stanford University in 1993, followed by a Master's Degree in Science in Physical Therapy from The University of the Pacific in 1998.
Jon has 26 years of experience and extensive training working with the Acquired Brain injury population including stroke and traumatic brain injury. He has developed deep ties in the San Diego region including the San Diego Brain Injury Foundation and has worked to set up individualized programs with his clients working with caregivers, students, and PT programs to coordinate the best care for this underserved population.
Ever since graduating from physical therapy school, Jon has most enjoyed working with individuals rehabilitating from acquired brain injuries. Jon's greatest challenge working with this patient population is getting the patients to effectively follow through with the appropriate frequency of supervised practice that will produce encouraging results. Jon realized that the only way to ensure effective follow through was to make sure each patient has the appropriate supervision, equipment, and encouragement as they perform their home program after their skilled therapy session with Jon. Jon immediately realized the potential of the Envision System Guided Therapy and for him was a welcome addition to his practice.
Jon learned and integrated the Envision system into his practice since 2022 and his proficiency in using the guided system is at a master level. As such he is a Clinical Specialist for Therapy in Motion,TN, P.C. and works as our liaison in San Diego county. He also consults with Rehabit Health, LLC which developed the system and will continue to do so. He is a valued member of our team.
