DISCRETE GEEK - Key Persons
Elaina received her bachelor's degree in science from the University of Maryland at Baltimore in 1987. In 2012, Elaina's love for manual therapy led her to become a certified functional manual therapist (CFMT) with the Institute of Physical Art (IPA). She continues to focus her attention on the evaluation and treatment of spine patients, use of manual techniques, spinal stabilization exercise, biomechanical foot and ankle evaluation, pelvic dysfunction evaluation and treatment.
Elaina is a co-owner/member of Encompass Physical Therapy, LLC. Her rehabilitation experience includes working with patients of varying ages in a variety of settings: acute care, home care, outpatient orthopedics and sports medicine.
Julia takes a holistic approach toward physical therapy, noting that problems in the body are often interrelated. Julia combines her knowledge of physical therapy, manual therapy, therapeutic exercise and yoga. In her treatments, Julia focuses upon evaluation of the spine and seeks unique methods of increasing strength and mobility. Julia is a certified physical therapist and yoga teacher.
Julia completed her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at the University of Maryland, Baltimore where she completed rotations and gained experience in functional manual therapy, physical therapy for Ehlers Danlos syndrome and hypermobility syndromes, and in-patient shock trauma spine & orthopedics.
Karson originally graduated college with a B.S. in Criminology from Florida State University in 2012 and then had a brief career as an agricultural statistician working for the USDA in Nebraska. After meeting his wife in Nebraska, Karson decided to move to his wife's home state of Maryland to pursue a career in physical therapy. He earned his Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore in 2021. Karson was first introduced to Functional Manual Therapy (FMT) during a clinical rotation at Encompass while treating patients under Christine Ro and Elaina McNeill. After being inspired by the professional mentorship and impressive results seen in the clinic, he decided to strive for an FMT certification while working at Encompass.
Having lifelong involvement in sports and fitness, Karson hopes to blend the FMT approach with an emphasis on ideal athletic movement. Karson is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with experience in football, basketball, track, skiing, volleyball, golf, ultimate frisbee, powerlifting, rock climbing, kayaking, backpacking, hockey, pickleball, baseball, soccer, and cycling. When not treating patients, you can find him cheering on the Florida State Seminoles or Tampa Bay Lightning, eating tasty food, or adventuring outdoors with his wife, Grace, and their dog, Scout.
Kristy joined Encompass in May 2017, which shares her passion for treating patients holistically, fixing the real problem, not the symptom. She received a Bachelor's degree in General Science and a Certificate in Gerontology from Gannon University in Erie, PA in 2002. While working towards her undergraduate degree, she was a scholarship athlete on the women's basketball team, which made the Division II NCAA tournament 3 out of 4 years. Kristy graduated with a master's degree in physical therapy from Gannon University in 2004.
Since graduating, Kristy has completed continuing education in: Functional Manual Therapy, Neural Manipulation, Spinal Mobilization and Manipulation, and Dry needling. In 2020, Kristy completed her Manual Therapy Certification (CFMT), through the Institute of Physical Art with Honors.
When she isn't working with patients, Kristy can be found outdoors and spending time with her husband, Eriks and son, Henry.