Dr. Karena Wu, a distinguished New York State licensed physical therapist, stands as a beacon of excellence and innovation in the field of physical therapy. She is the Owner and Clinical Director of ActiveCare Physical Therapy® in NYC and Mumbai. A native of Los Angeles, California, Dr. Wu holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of California at Riverside. She has been practicing physical therapy for over 24 years in New York City, having graduated with a Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy from the Program In Physical Therapy at Columbia University and receiving her Clinical Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Temple University.
Dr. Wu is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy and a Fellow of the International & American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists. She is a Maitland Australian Physiotherapy Seminars (MAPS) Faculty member and a lecturer at NYC’s Hunter College Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program. Additionally, she is a Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist, Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Graston Technique Specialist, and Pilates Instructor. Dr. Wu also holds LSVT BIG, FMS, and SFMA Level 1 certifications, and she is a Certified Kinesio Tape Practitioner, having served as the Director of Education for SpiderTech Kinesiology Tape. Dr. Wu and her team specialize in advanced manual therapies, as well as vertigo and temporomandibular joint disorders.
A Journey of Passion and Dedication
Dr. Wu’s journey into physical therapy was profoundly influenced by personal experiences and the guidance of mentors. Initially aiming to become a doctor, her path took a pivotal turn when she worked at a PT facility and volunteered with Disabled Sports USA, assisting sit-skiers and paraplegics. The encouragement from Stella, a physical therapist she admired, helped Karena realize her passion for the field. Her hands-on experiences in helping disabled persons and witnessing the transformative power of physical therapy solidified her decision. This profound journey has shaped her into a practitioner who not only relieves pain but also educates and empowers her patients.
Dr. Wu recalls her undergraduate years at the University of California at Riverside, where she pursued pre-medicine. Her aspirations to become a doctor were influenced by personal experiences, particularly her father’s journey as a below-knee amputee. Working in the front office of a PT facility, where her father’s friend Stella worked, introduced her to the world of physical therapy. Volunteering with Disabled Sports USA, where she helped guide blind skiers and assisted sit-skiers, further deepened her commitment to working with disabled persons. Stella’s mentorship played a crucial role in steering her towards physical therapy, recognizing Karena’s active and engaging personality as a perfect fit for the profession.
ActiveCare Physical Therapy: A Benchmark in Quality Care
As the Owner and Director of Physical Therapy at ActiveCare Physical Therapy in the Greater New York City Area, Dr. Wu has established a practice that attracts a diverse clientele, including celebrities, athletes, and sports personalities. Her clinic stands out for its one-on-one holistic approach, focusing on individualized exercise prescriptions, sports-specific rehabilitation, and the latest progressive treatments. Services at ActiveCare include a range of manual therapies like the Maitland Australian Approach, McKenzie Method, and Strain Counterstrain, along with Kinesiology and McConnell Taping, Myofascial Release, Pilates Rehabilitation, and functional movement training.
Expanding Horizons: ActiveCare in Mumbai, India
Recognizing a gap in high-quality therapeutic options in India, Dr. Wu extended her expertise by opening ActiveCare Physical Therapy’s first clinic in Mumbai. The clinic operates with the same philosophy as the New York office, offering top-notch manual therapy techniques, Pilates-based rehabilitation, and cutting-edge progressive therapies.
Joining Dr. Wu in this initiative is Dr. Kinjal Shah Anandpara, the Owner and Clinical Director of ActiveCare Physical Therapy Pvt Ltd. With extensive training and clinical experience in both India and America, Dr. Anandpara brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Mumbai clinic. Trained at the original ActiveCare Physical Therapy in New York City, she excels in advanced techniques such as the Maitland Australian Approach, the McKenzie Method, and Mulligan’s Mobilization with Movement techniques. Additionally, she possesses skills in kinesiology taping, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, myofascial decompression (cupping), and ergonomics. Licensed in both New York and India, Dr. Anandpara is also a member of the Indian Association of Physiotherapists.
Together, Dr. Wu and Dr. Anandpara are dedicated to showcasing the best physical therapy practices in Mumbai. Their focus on pain relief, edema control, and neuromuscular activation, coupled with their holistic approach and expertise, ensures that ActiveCare Physical Therapy in Mumbai maintains the same standards of excellence as its counterpart in New York City.
Vidyut Jammwal’s Endorsement and Dr. Wu’s Expertise
Bollywood star Vidyut Jammwal, a world-class martial artist, rock climber, and yogi, has praised Dr. Wu’s holistic practice philosophy and her profound understanding of biomechanics and functional movement. “I can tell the difference in the level of quality and service ActiveCare Physical Therapy brings to the table,” says Jammwal. “When I experienced Dr. Wu’s holistic practice philosophy and the depth of education given to me regarding my prognosis, I was immediately impressed. Dr. Wu has vast knowledge and awareness about the biomechanics aspect of movement, along with the function al, psychological, and social components involved. This is something that is not found in India.”
A Holistic Approach to Healing
Dr. Wu firmly believes in a holistic approach to physical therapy, treating the person as a whole rather than just focusing on the injured body part. She has a copyrighted methodology that emphasizes her holistic care philosophy in ‘walking her way toward the injured segment’. This allows for the entire kinetic chain to be addressed when a client comes in for treatment and has demonstrated a faster reduction in pain, increase in range of motion and longer-lasting effect, as reported by patients. She trains all of the therapists working in the NY and Mumbai locations with her holistic practice philosophy. She actively collaborates with a team of physicians, chiropractors, acupuncturists, massage therapists, personal trainers, and Pilates instructors and other holistic providers. Her patient population consists of high net worth professionals, international royalty, professional athletes, dancers, celebrity chefs, celebrity Broadway/TV/film stars, and NYPD/FDNY. Dr. Wu actively practices in both clinics and provides house calls.
Dr. Wu is Chairman of the NYC Arthritis Foundation Local Leadership Board. As an individual with osteoarthritis and as a healthcare provider who works with clients with arthritis, she understands this condition well. She volunteers her time in fundraising and advocacy for this important cause.
Dr. Wu is also the Medical Director for the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP), the premier US professional beach volleyball tournament series in America. She has worked on the medical board for over 10 years. She oversees a multidisciplinary medical team at the nationwide tournaments that showcase America’s elite and Olympic level athletes.
Dr. Wu is a regular healthcare expert on local and national news channels and podcasts. She has appeared on ABC, CBS, NBC, NY1, PIX11, Fox News, The Doctors and Dr. Oz. She has also appeared on Good Morning America and is a regular on The Today Show.
Dr. Karena Wu’s influence on physical therapy is profound and widespread. Her unwavering dedication to holistic, patient-centered care, coupled with her efforts to expand access to high-quality therapy globally, is truly commendable. With clinics in both New York City and Mumbai, Dr. Wu, alongside Dr. Anandpara, continues to redefine the field, offering relief, education, and empowerment to patients across continents. For those in search of exceptional physical therapy care, Dr. Wu and ActiveCare Physical Therapy stand as epitomes of excellence.
Source Credits: activecarephysicaltherapy.com
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