San Andreas, CA…“Never stop learning.” That’s the motto of the Physical Therapy team at Mark Twain Medical Center (MTMC) – and Genevieve Dominguez is a great example of how it works. Like her colleagues, she has taken advantage of educational opportunities throughout her years at MTMC.

That has resulted in her proficiency at Myofascial Release and the many grateful patients it has benefited. She explains, “The John F. Barnes’ Myofascial Release Approach® is considered to be the ultimate mind/body therapy that is safe, gentle and consistently effective in producing results in reducing pain, headaches, fibromyalgia symptoms, and increases range of motion and function.”

Genevieve has attended many workshops in the technique during her 13 years at MTMC. “It’s amazing, she continued, “during these classes, students work the technique on each other and I have felt the results myself. I have passed that knowledge on to my colleagues here – as we all do when focusing on a particular technique. We are always learning new things from each other.”

Gary Arvin, MTMC Vice President of Ancillary Services notes, “Continuing education keeps our Physical Therapy team at the top of their game. We are proud of their dedication to assuring that state-of-the-art physical therapy options are available in our community. Their impact is apparent every day as they provide excellent inpatient and outpatient services to our patients.”

In addition to Genevieve, the team includes Physical Therapist Leo Castleberry who has 38 years of experience and specializes in strain and counter strain techniques. Karen Peterson has 42 years’ experience as a Physical Therapist Assistant and has also been schooled in the Myofascial Release technique, along with body mechanics instruction. Occupational Therapist Susan Wright is a certified hand therapist and Speech Therapist Teresa Dell ‘Orto recently joined the team. Several traveling therapists and PT Assistants also see patients.

Genevieve’s patients quickly learn that Myofascial Release involves long, sustained pressure which she applies with her hands. “It has to last at least five minutes for maximum impact,” she says. “As consistent pressure is applied soft tissue beings to move on its own and I follow it to relieve pain. It is an uninterrupted system which the patient can feel from head to toe.”

“It’s powerful and you feel immediate results,” she adds. “It is effective in relieving chronic pain and can help patients who may have stalled out in their recovery from injuries or chronic conditions.” Genevieve is a native of Huntington Beach, California, and began her a PT career after serving in the U.S. Army. Stress fractures in both legs sidelined her military service. “I’d always thought about getting in to physical therapy,” she adds. “But I was 28 when I left the Army and thought that was too old to go back to school and get a degree.”

It did not take long for her to realize she could do it, so she enrolled at San Diego Mesa College earned her Associate of Science Degree. She says, “After I graduated I saw an ad in a professional magazine recruiting PT Assistants for positions in Maui. I’d never been to Maui. I had lived in Oahu in the military, but that seemed like a
cool place to start the new chapter in my life.” She worked in early intervention and home health there for three years before she returned to California. Genevieve and her husband Robert live in Jamestown with their pets – three dogs, a cat and three chickens.

She joined team at MTMC in 2009. “It was my first time working with inpatients and I was less confident about that,” she recalls. “One way I built confidence in myself was by starting to attend workshops and classes. Thanks to MTMC and my union SEIU West we have generous opportunities for continuing education. I’ve probably been to 11 workshops by now and always am learning something new to share with my colleagues and benefit our patients.”

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About Mark Twain Medical Center
Founded in 1951, Mark Twain Medical Center is a 25-bed, critical access hospital providing inpatient acute care, outpatient services and emergency services. The Medical Center’s Medical Staff represents a broad range of specialties that ensure access to high quality medical care in a rural community. In addition to being a major provider of health services, Mark Twain Medical Center is also one of the area’s largest employers. More than 300 people are employed at the hospital and its four Family Medical Centers. The Medical Center is a member of Dignity Health and a part of CommonSpirit Health, one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the nation dedicated to advancing health for all and serving communities in 21 states. For more information, please visit our website. Mark Twain Medical Center is also on Facebook.