Physical Therapy

Heather McWilliams | PT, DPT, MS

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Heather McWilliams, PT, MS graduated cum laude with a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering in 1987 from Texas A&M University. She graduated magne cum laude with a M.S. in Physical Therapy in 1990 and a specialization in neurology from Texas Woman’s University. In 2023, she completed her clinical doctorate in physical therapy. She has over 30 years experience as a physical therapist working with patients of all ages, from infancy to upper 90’s. She integrates myofascial release and visceral manipulation into every session.

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Heather has experience working with all types of patients ranging from those acutely post surgery, trauma, or accident as well as patients with chronic pain and disability with multiple and complex diagnoses. Heather has excellent results treating neck pain, shoulder pain, thoracic pain, back pain, pelvic pain, hip pain, knee pain, and foot/ankle pain. She has extensive experience working with both neurologic and orthopedic conditions. Heather has helped many competitive athletes excel at their sport.

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Heather has been interested in fascial work since very early in her career.  As early as 1991, she was using a form of myofascial release with her patients with neurological conditions.

 

Heather found John Barnes Myofascial Release through her own journey with disabling chronic pain following an over the handle bar bicycle wreck in 1996. She sought treatment from many different practitioners, from physical therapists to chiropractors to acupuncturists, but truly began healing when she discovered JBMFR. She began taking John Barnes’ classes in the year 2000 and now has over 360 hours of coursework, including the Women’s Health Course and a 40 hours skill enhancement working side by side with John Barnes. She has assisted teaching JBMFR courses including the fascial pelvis, pediatrics and myofascial release I. 

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In 2011, Heather began studying Visceral Manipulation with the Barral Institute.   Myofascial work in the abdomen proved very effective at addressing not only visceral pain but also orthopedic pain/dysfunction remote from the abdomen. Heather wanted to understand the anatomy and treatment of the viscera more deeply. She also wanted to increase her understanding of the organs in the pelvic region to increase her skillset for treating pelvic pain and incontinence.   Heather has over 440 hours of training in visceral manipulation and has completed the entire curriculum. Work with the viscera is often the key to addressing back, pelvic, hip, neck, shoulder pain and other orthopedic symptoms.  

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Heather also studies Craniosacral Therapy with the Upledger Institute.  These techniques are very complementary to John Barnes Myofascial Release and Visceral Manipulation and her studies are further improving her manual skills.

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Heather is also specialized in orofacial myofunctional therapy and breathing re-education for the treatment of jaw pain/dysfunction and mild to moderate sleep apnea.

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Heather is a compassionate and intuitive practitioner who fosters a healing and cooperative environment during her sessions. She enjoys getting to know each patient and loves to share her expertise, participating in a person’s healing journey. Every session and person is unique and each session flows guided by the individual in order to uncover and address the underlying causes of their symptoms. Working together with patients who are invested in their health and well-being makes every work day a joy for Heather.

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