Today we’d like to introduce you to Alli Moore.
Hi Alli, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
When I was a kid, I wanted to be a doctor. My 6th grade teacher told me I would make a good physical therapist. I really liked her and started telling people I wanted to be physical therapist, even before I knew what it was. When I learned more, I realized it would be a profession I would really enjoy. I was always into sports and athletics and I liked that physical therapists helped people recover from injury, pain and dysfunction.
As a physical therapist for 18 years, I worked mostly in outpatient orthopedics, treating the entire body from head to toe. It was through my own health journey with sleep apnea, that lead me to become more specialized in myofunctional therapy, the jaw/TMJ, the tongue, breathing, and the head/neck/shoulders.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been a challenge opening up and running a business. I thrive in patient care, seeing patients, and interacting with them. The business piece has been more of a struggle. Marketing, getting my name out there, connecting and getting to know other providers (although I have really enjoyed getting to know other providers in my area to connect with a collaborate with). I really should have reached out to a health care business coach, but when I initially started my business, I didn’t even know they existed.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Align PT?
I am a private, airway focused physical therapist. This means, I prioritize one on one care as well as breathing and maintaining an open airway with each one of my patients. Each of my sessions are with just me and the patient. Patients have my cell phone number and my email address and they can contact me anytime in between sessions if they have any questions or concerns. Each session is dedicated to any questions/concerns the patient may have, manual therapy including cranium/head/neck/jaw mobilizations, massage inside the mouth and around the jaw/face/neck, visual exercises, breathing exercises, tongue exercises, and postural exercises. The sessions are individualized to the patient’s needs, concerns and goals.
I specialize in something called Myofunctional Therapy. It is a specific therapy that focuses on the interaction of the tongue, the mouth, the jaw, breathing, the face, and the neck. This therapy can help people with breathing problems during sleep like sleep apnea, UARS, and snoring- all extremely common and highly under-diagnosed disorders. Myofunctional therapy can help reduce, if not eliminate, these issues. I was able to resolve sleep apnea by doing myofunctional therapy (along with several other therapies). I tried and failed CPAP and it was just not the therapy of choice for me. So on a random google search, I discovered myofunctional therapy. As a physical therapist I knew this type of therapy would be great for me. Give me exercises, I will do them. I worked really hard on my exercises, tongue posture, and breathing exercises, and resolved sleep apnea after about 6months-1 year. Along with myofunctional therapy, there are numerous therapies that can help manage sleep apnea. I help guide the patient through these therapies, including CPAP, oral appliances, dental maxillary expansion, ENT referrals and other therapies. I provide referrals to airway focused providers as needed, with the ultimate goal of helping patients sleep better. I give the patient the options that are available, they decide which route they would like to try, and I offer continuous support throughout this journey.
I also specialize in the jaw/TMJ. I do a thorough evaluation and see how I can help resolve the issue with my physical and myofunctional therapy skills. I collaborate with several dentists in the area who can also help with various therapies.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I am a patient too! As I mentioned earlier, I was diagnosed with sleep apnea a few years ago and was able to resolve it with the help of a great team of providers. Because of my journey, I want to help others who struggle to breathe at night. I continue to do my myofunctional therapy exercises including tongue exercises, neck exercises and breathing exercises daily. It is a continual journey.
I am also a lifelong learner. In the past few years, I have taken over 40 continuing education courses. I am always learning and implementing something new.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://align-pt.square.site/
- Instagram: Allitmjpt
- Facebook: AlignPT
