Kelly Has Been Treating Musicians And Other Performing Artists Since 1991 She Also Has Expertise In Treating Multiple Orthopedic And Neurological Disorders Especially Of The Upper Extremities
Kelly is the owner and founder of Performing Arts Occupational Therapy. In 1997, she conceived the idea of a private OT practice which specializes in treating musicians, after spending the previous twelve years working to refine her skills and therapies specific to the needs of those in the performing arts.
Kelly has been a practicing OT since 1985 and an OTR/L since 1989. Prior to founding Performing Arts Occupational Therapy, she spent seven years working at Brigham and Womens Hospital. The majority of her tenure was spent in out-patient hand therapy. She also gained experience on a variety of in-patient floors including neurology, orthopedics, burns and trauma.
Kellys other experience includes working in the Brigham & Womens Muscular Sclerosis and Neuromuscular clinics, various Rehabilitation Centers and school systems. Kelly has been a welcomed guest speaker at several Boston area music schools presenting lectures on injury prevention for musicians. She has also presented at professional development seminars for her fellow OTs interested in learning about her approach to treating injured musicians.
Kelly is an active member of the American Occupational Therapy Association and the American Hand Therapy Association. She received her Masters Degree in OT from Tufts University and her Bachelors Degree from The University of New Hampshire. She is married with two children, enjoys skiing, biking, and spending time with her family.
Brigham And Women’s Hospital Rehabilitation Research Paper Awards
Perry, B., Richburg, B., Pomahac, B., Bueno, E., Green, J. The Effects of Lip-Closure Exercise on Lip Strength and Function Following Full Facial Transplantation: A Case Report. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, June 2017 26 , 682-686.
Rydingsward JE, Horkan CM, Mogensen KM, Quraishi SA, Amrein K, Christopher KB. Functional Status in ICU Survivors and Out of Hospital Outcomes: A Cohort Study. Crit Care Med. May 2016 44:869-879.
Can I Get An Antibody Test To Determine My Level Of Immunity Against Covid
Per CDC guidelines, we are not recommending antibody testing at this time. We are still testing the best methods to determine immunity. We do not know what level of antibodies would provide protection in transplant patients. Furthermore, antibody testing does not measure the other type of immune response, which we call cellular immunity. We hope to have more information soon.
You May Like: What Is Cupping Therapy Good For
Why Should I Consider Getting My Child Vaccinated When Kids Do Not Usually Get Very Sick From Covid
It is very important that children get vaccinated. Vaccinating children will protect them, their families, and their communities. Although children are less likely to develop serious illness than other age groups, it can still make children very sick. COVID-19 cases in children can lead to hospitalizations, inflammatory syndromes, and long-term complications, such as “long COVID.” Children have died from COVID-19, even those who are otherwise healthy. COVID-19 has caused more deaths in children of all ages than all other currently vaccine-preventable diseases combined. It is the 5th leading cause of death in children 1-4 years of age.
Coordinated Care For Injury Prevention And Treatment

Specialists from the Sports Medicine program are working together to coordinate all aspects of injury prevention and treatment, including nutrition, performance improvement, surgery and rehabilitation. In a break from past practice, cross-referrals within the Mass General Brigham network are both encouraged and facilitated.
As Dr. Lattermann explained, Sports Medicine now routinely refers patients to more convenient locations to do their physical therapy.
While I would have previously kept my patient in the Brigham system, we now refer to Massachusetts General Hospital, North Shore Center for Outpatient Care, Cooley Dickinson Health Care or Wentworth-Douglass Hospital to accommodate the patient better, he said. By tearing down walls between institutions, were adopting a much more patient-friendly orientation. Patients have shorter waits and get the treatment they need closer to home, so were really aiming to improve the patient experience. Weve also incorporated virtual care for the first time.
One of Sports Medicines top priorities was to create a new call center system to get patients access to treatment within 48 hours a significant reduction from the prior standard of two weeks or more.
Read Also: Benchmark Physical Therapy Canton Ga
Mass General Brigham Introduces New Integrated Sports Medicine Program
Ensuring seamless, multidisciplinary care for patients from pre-injury wellness to diagnosis all the way through rehabilitation and healing is the mission of Mass General Brighams new integrated sports medicine program.
Were reorienting our entire approach to sports medicine, said Christian Lattermann, MD, director of research at Mass General Brigham Sports Medicine and chief of Sports Medicine at Brigham and Womens Hospital. Were moving away from a siloed, provider-accommodative approach and toward a collaborative, patient-accommodative approach that goes beyond treating injuries to include things like wellness and injury prevention. The idea is to be more proactive rather than waiting for patients to come to us after theyve already had overuse injuries or other injuries.
The new Sports Medicine program brings together more than 200 specialized physicians and surgeons along with hundreds of allied health care professionals. Patients can now access knee, shoulder, hip, hand and arm, and foot and ankle specialists from across the system through one centralized point of contact. Services are available at 19 Mass General Brigham sites in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Will The Vaccine Affect Menstrual Periods
Stress, changes in weight and exercise, and other major lifestyle changes can affect periods. All of those changes are common during the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies have also shown that some women who had COVID-19 experienced changes in the duration and flow of their menstrual cycles.
Recently, some people have reported changes in their period after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. People have reported changes in duration, flow, and symptoms such as pain. The NIH is funding studies to better understand these changes.
This does not mean there is any link to miscarriages. There is now data from many women who have been vaccinated which suggests there is not an increased risk of pregnancy loss.
Recommended Reading: Best Online Therapy That Takes Insurance
Should I Get Vaccinated If I Am Actively Receiving Cancer Treatment Or Should I Wait Until My Treatment Course Is Done
If your current treatment includes chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapies, or radiation therapy, you should talk with your care team in deciding when to get vaccinated.
In making your decision, you should consider your risk of exposure to the virus, what your chances of getting very sick might be if you do get the virus, and when you will finish treatment.
If you are done with treatment, you should get vaccinated. This includes patients who are still being seen as part of post-treatment or are thought of as being in the survivorship part of their journey.
Can Vaccinated People Still Get Covid
While vaccinated people can still be infected, the good news is the vaccines will give you excellent protection. Infections in vaccinated people so-called breakthrough infections tend to be mild or with no symptoms. However, infected people, even if they have had the vaccine, can still spread the disease to others.
If you have or have been exposed, follow public health guidance regarding isolation, quarantine, and .
Vaccination is still the best protection against the virus.
You May Like: Acoustic Wave Therapy For Ed Reviews
Will Getting Vaccinated Affect My Chance Of Getting Pregnant In The Future
Studies of mating animals have demonstrated no evidence that COVID vaccines affect fertility. Follow-up data from vaccinated individuals of reproductive age as well as studies on patients before and after vaccination do not show any evidence that the COVID-19 vaccines cause fertility problems in women or men.
Leading Sports Medicine Research To Advance Patient Care
Mass General Brigham sports medicine specialists pioneer research breakthroughs to drive medical innovation and improve patient outcomes. To enhance this work, the Sports Medicine team is setting up its clinic space with research in mind.
Equipment like cell analysis machines and minus 80 freezers will allow clinicians to examine and monitor patients in a way that facilitates the translation of research findings into the clinic and the collection of outcomes data and biologic samples that inform therapeutic decisions.
Mass General Brigham is one of the foremost research institutions, Dr. Lattermann said. Our emphasis going forward in Sports Medicine will be to align our approach to patient care based upon basic and clinical science. Thats what we do, and thats what were good at.
To refer a patient to Mass General Brigham Sports Medicine, please call 617-726-0500.
You May Like: Performance Physical Therapy Wayne Nj
What Information Should Appear On The Prescription From My Doctor
Minimally, prescriptions must contain the following information: your name, your specific diagnosis, and the service you need .
A prescription may also include specific treatments your physician wishes you to have, as well as the frequency and duration of treatment.
Prescriptions presented at the time of your evaluation must be signed and dated within the past 30 days.
Referrals for physical therapy services in the pool must state “pool therapy” or “aquatic therapy.”
What About Masking And Social Distancing

The CDC has . The CDC recommendations on masking, and other measures, depend on the COVID-19 community level. You can check the COVID-19 community level with the CDCs tool. Please check your state or town resources for details as rules that govern required masking can vary.
Also Check: Does My Health Insurance Cover Therapy
Checking In For Your Appointment
When arriving for your appointment please check in with the Practice Assistant. We make every attempt to run our clinic on time. This however, may be altered if our patients are not on time or if we have unforeseen emergency situations. If you arrive more than 10 minutes late please make sure to identify yourself to the Practice Assistants. Depending upon how late you are and the flow of the clinic during that particular time, we may need to reschedule your appointment.
Should My Booster Be The Same Vaccine I Received Initially Or Can I Mix And Match
The CDCs recommendations allow for adults 18 years and older to receive a different booster than their original vaccine. Teens ages 12-17 may also get a Pfizer booster if they received the Moderna or Novavax vaccine for their primary series. Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax vaccines are now preferred over Johnson & Johnson vaccine for the booster. However, Johnson & Johnson vaccine may be used in the following situations:
- When there is a contraindication to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines .
- When a person would otherwise remain unvaccinated for COVID-19 due to limited access to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.
- When a person wants to receive the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine despite the safety concerns identified.
Also Check: Best Ultrasound Therapy Machine For Home Use
I Am Pregnant Should I Get The Covid
Vaccinations are considered a safe and routine part of prenatal care. For example, the flu shot is not only offered during pregnancy but recommended.
Based on data that demonstrates that pregnant people are at increased risk of severe illness with COVID-19 and new data that shows that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective in pregnancy, the two largest OB/GYN organizations, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal and Fetal Medicine , now strongly recommend this vaccine for all pregnant people.
Reviews Forbrigham And Women’s Rehab Services
Thanks – Your review has been submitted!
There are currently no reviews forBRIGHAM AND WOMEN’S REHAB SERVICES Be the first to .
Read our reviews / comments about this provider to help you decide if they are right for you. Share your experience by posting a comment or review about this provider to help others decide which is right for them.
AHC Facilities
Don’t Miss: Intense Therapy Leave-in Treatment
Are There Concerns About Serious Side Effects From The Johnson & Johnson Vaccine
The FDA and the CDC amended information about the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine because of a potential safety concern. There have been very rare reports of a type of blood clot called thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome among patients that have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Though very rare, the risk of certain blood clots appears to be highest in women aged 3049.
Helping Patients To Regain Strength And Ability
The physical therapy staff worked closely together to offer patients individual therapy sessions, walking programs and exercise groups.
We created group exercise classes, decorated the walking park area with hundreds of posters and signs with words of encouragement and assisted in switching out hundreds of beds, Kaprielian said. Our team was able to adapt in the moment to new tasks.
Laufer agreed. I had not completed pulmonary rehabilitation since school, but my amazing fellow PTs and I jumped right in, learning as we went and helping each other, she said. We quickly realized how much we were needed, since the virus took such a toll. Many of the patients were very happy to see us because they were so appreciative of our efforts to help them feel better and go home.
Monica McDonagh, OTR/L, was part of the Occupational Therapy team that helped patients regain functions required for daily living activities, including bathing, dressing, preparing meals, shopping and other activities.
Many of the patients recovering from COVID were deconditioned and required oxygen, said McDonagh, who works at the Mass General/Brigham and Womens Health Care Center in Foxborough. Part of the therapy included teaching pacing and breathing techniques while performing these activities in order to prevent fatigue and oxygen desaturation.
Recommended Reading: What Are The Benefits Of Red Light Therapy
Brigham Athletic Trainers Develop Nationwide Infection Control Policy For Athletic Facilities
In their work as athletic trainers and physical therapists, Michael Belanger ATC, PT, MSPT, and Jim Zachazewski, ATC, PT, DPT, both of the Sports Medicine Service in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Brigham and Womens/Mass General Health Care Center, Foxborough, can often be seen sprinting onto the field to assist an injured athlete, attending to players on the sidelines or collaborating with physicians to provide injury treatment and prevention programs.
Michael Belanger
During the pandemic, their role as liaisons between student athletes and their care providers has taken on added importance and, like many other health care professionals, expanded in scope to meet their communitys rapidly evolving needs.
Belanger and Zachazewski two of the 10 staff supporting the Brighams Athletic Training team are now not only evaluating injuries, providing immediate and rehabilitative care for injured high school athletes or taping ankles, but they are also educating local school system administrators, athletic directors, coaches, parents and student athletes on how to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Additionally, they have played an integral role in creating national policies to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among student athletes across the U.S. for the National Athletic Trainers Association .
Jim Zachazewski
Can Children Get Vaccinated

The CDC recommends that patients ages 6 months and older receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are approved and recommended for patients in this age group.
Children older than 6 months old need a signed by a parent to receive a vaccine at a Mass General Brigham location. Patients age 16 and over do not need a consent form because the Pfizer vaccine has been approved by the FDA. However, patients 16 and 17 years old must have a completed consent form to receive a booster dose.
You May Like: How Much Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Pay For Therapy
Are The Vaccines Safe And Effective
We will not recommend any vaccine that has not been shown to be safe and effective. All COVID-19 vaccines have proven to be effective in preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. These results were consistent across gender, age, race, and ethnicity. It is important for everyone ages 18 and older to get a booster shot as studies have shown that vaccine effectiveness against infections declines over time. See more information on the CDC website.
The FDA has granted full approval to two COVID vaccines: Pfizer and Moderna.
- The FDA granted the Pfizer vaccine full approval for patients over age 16 on August 23, 2021. It is now called Comirnaty. The vaccine is still available under emergency authorization for children ages 5-15 and for the administration of an additional primary dose to certain immunocompromised patients.
- The FDA also granted the Moderna vaccine full approval for patients 18 years and older on January 31, 2022. It will now be called Spikevax.
The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is being used under emergency authorization by the FDA.
Every vaccine goes through a strict regulatory review process. We continually monitor any clinical or safety concerns for all vaccines.
Does The Mrna Covid
Myocarditis has been reported as a very rare side effect after the second dose or booster dose, mostly in males ages 12-39 years old. The risk of getting myocarditis from the vaccine is much lower than getting myocarditis from COVID-19. Myocarditis after vaccination is also milder than after getting COVID-19.
In children ages 12 and older who did get myocarditis from the vaccine, cases were mild and got better quickly. This is compared to about 75% children who got myocarditis and MIS-C from COVID-19, in which their cases were severe with long-term effects.
Read Also: Does Electric Shock Therapy Work
Should I Take Ivermectin To Prevent Or Treat Covid
There are reports in the media that some people may be using Ivermectin to prevent or treat COVID-19. Ivermectin is a medication used to treat parasites. There is no data that supports using Ivermectin for prevention or treatment of COVID-19. It is not approved by the FDA for prevention or treatment of COVID-19. There are reports of people being harmed when they take Ivermectin to prevent or treat COVID. Please see the FAQ by the FDA and the NIH COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines for more information.
Hope Healing And Teamwork: Rehabilitation Services Staff Reflect On Experiences At Boston Hope
Danielle Kaprielian, PT, DPT, was just getting settled in as a new physical therapist at the Brighams main campus earlier this year when she was temporarily relocated to Boston Hope in April to care for COVID-19 patients.
Suddenly, my co-workers consisted of Brigham, MGH and Spaulding staff, as well as physical and occupational therapists from the U.S. Army. I thought getting familiar with new staff from different workplaces was going to take some time and be challenging, but we seemed to mesh naturally, said Kaprielian, who began at the Brigham in January. Im extremely grateful for my experience at Boston Hope, for the people I met, the friends I made and the hope I was able to help bring to people during this crisis.
Boston Hope opened in April as a 1,000-bed medical center for patients recovering from COVID-19 and unsheltered individuals infected with the virus. Built at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center within a week, Boston Hope was led by Brigadier General Jack Hammond, with Mass General Brigham leaders overseeing most clinical operations and working in partnership with Boston Health Care for the Homeless, the Baker Administration, Boston Mayor Martin J. Walshs office and regional hospitals.
Danielle Kaprielian and Rachel Laufer
Also Check: Do Therapy Dogs Get Paid