Dr. Suzanne Martin
Dr. Suzanne Martin, PT, DPT is a physical therapist and Pilates expert with a private physical therapy practice in Marietta, Georgia. She has authored four titles on fitness for DK Publishing, a division of Penguin Group, and her latest book is Spinal Asymmetry and Scoliosis: Movement and Function Solutions for the Spine, Ribcage and Pelvis (2018, Handspring Publishers). She has written regular columns on health topics for Dance Magazine, Pilates Style and Dance Studio Life.
Certifications | Qualifications
- Doctorate of Physical Therapy, 2004
- Masters of Physical Therapy, 1997
- Pilates Method Alliance: Master Pilates Trainer (Gold Certification) and PMA®-CPT, 2005–present
- American College of Sports Medicine, Specialist in Exercise for Cancer; Fitness Trainer, 1988–present
- St. Francis Memorial Hospital; Pilates Rehabilitation Trainer, 1988
- American Council on Exercise; Group Fitness Trainer, 1988–present
- Moms on the Move, Pre-& Post-natal Exercise, 1988
- State of California Teaching Credentials: College-level Dance; Physical Fitness Older Adults, 1980
Go here for a full, downloadable Curriculum Vitae, and here for a short Bio, suitable for inclusion in publicity materials.
25
years
Physical Therapist
40
years
Movement Education
50
years
in Dance Industry
BFA Dance – University of Louisiana in Lafayette (U-La-La!)
MA Dance Mills College: It was here that a hard fall on my right pelvis set off back spasms and began a lifelong journey seeking spine health
- Independent Dancer SF Bay Area/ traveling guest artist;
- Founding Director: Julia Morgan Center for the Arts;
- Grant writer-Performance Alliance;
- Publicist East Bay Center for Performing Arts
CA credential in Physical Fitness for Older Adults/ College Dance Instructor Credential for Life
Center for Dance Medicine St. Francis Hospital certification and invitation to join Pilates staff: It was here that training from Pilates Master Michelle Larsson helped to identify my scoliosis.
ACSM and ACE certification as trainer; created private client training business: The Custom Body.
Studied psychology, movement, and neuroscience pre-requisites for physical therapy professional school at CAL Berkeley
Purchased Pilates equipment suite from Current Concepts, now Balanced Body, and continued mat and private client training (working 4 other dance/fitness jobs) throughout PT school
First professional presentation at Performing Arts Medical Association conference in Aspen, CO on Functional Range of Motion in Elite Female Ballet Dancers Hips.
License achievement after completion Masters of PT; publication of PT research in Journal of Dance Medicine and Science, accompanied by APTA student award.
Private Practice: Total Body Development; Smuin Contemporary Ballet Lead Physical Therapist
First public video offerings of The Pelvic Core and The Upper Core
Establishment of Pilates Therapeutics, a continuing education company focusing on the therapeutic application of the Pilates system
Presentations by invitation from Nora St. John for Body Mind Spirit conferences.
Doctorate in Physical Therapy, Rocky Mountain University
ACSM Cancer Exercise Specialist/ Exercise Physiologist
Academy of Lymphatic Studies certification
Presentation invitations from Indiana APTA, Body Technic in Cleveland, PMA, CA APTA, CA Education Connection, BB, Mbodies
Publications:
Stretching, 15 minute Stretching, 15 minute Better Back: Penguin
Dance Magazine: monthly health column, Dance Studio Life: A Better You bi-monthly column
Journal of Dance Medicine and Science: 1998 (Functional Range of Motion in Elite Female Ballet Dancer Hips)
Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation:
Optimizing Function for the Older Adult with Degenerative Scoliosis through Pilates Environment Intervention
Filling the Breast Cancer Survivor Gap of Care through Pilates-based Exercise
Pilates Therapeutics Live Courses
Establishment of Spinal Asymmetry and Cancer Restoration Tracks
Establishment of Foot Management and Performing Arts Track
Asian (S. Korea and China), Dutch and UK presentations
Publication of
- Spinal Asymmetry and Scoliosis (Handspring Publishing);
- Scoliosis: Chapter 11, The Scoliosis Specific Orthopedic Test ™ ;
- Creating Conservative Streams of Care for Youth (Nova Medicine and Health)
Spinal Asymmetry courses in Grand Rapids, San Mateo, San Jose, Alameda, New York, Shanghai, London, Survivor Gap in Monterey
Virtual Zoom course presentations to present (2024)
- Spinal Asymmetry Essentials
- Foot Management Essentials
- Survivor Gap Essentials
- Performing Arts Enhancement Essentials
- Inspiration for Expiration
- Moves that change bodies: Fascia in the Pilates Environment
- Fascia -informed Hip Replacement
- Aging with Asymmetry
- Pelvic Health Series
- Pre and Post Natal in the Pilates Environment
- Hypermobility
- Prolapse
- Osteopenia and Osteoporosis
Live in-person courses in London, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, China
Live in person courses in London, Shanghai, Shenzhen
Five Master On- Demand Achievement Tracks:
- Spinal Asymmetry and Scoliosis
- Cancer Survivor Restoration
- Performing Arts Enhancement
- Foot Management
- Pelvic Health
