“I am a believer in the power of education and of course acting on this education, and the amazing power specifically in leading a healthy lifestyle.”
PHOTO CREDIT: DEBORAH RICZO
Deborah B. Riczo, PT, DPT, MEd
Hi, I am Deborah, a physical therapist and author of 2 books written for consumers on pelvic girdle pain, which includes sacroiliac pain. These books are based on my life’s work as a physical therapist over 30 years at a large county urban hospital, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, OH. I have taught this method to physical therapists and physical therapist assistants and students at the national, state and district levels since 2011.
My first book, "Sacroiliac Pain: understanding the Pelvic Girdle Musculoskeletal Method" 2018, OPTP, MN is a straightforward book with color pictures and links to videos fundamental and unique to this approach. There is a section on anatomy to help with understanding the "why" of the exercises. The PGM Method (Pelvic Girdle Musculoskeletal Method) is an approach that is holistic, multi-faceted yet simple physical therapy approach.
My second book is "Back and Pelvic Girdle Pain in Pregnancy and Postpartum: find relief using the Pelvic Girdle Musculoskeletal Method," 2020, OPTP, MN. This book provides a great deal of information regarding back and pelvic girdle pain as well as other painful conditions that are common during pregnancy and postpartum, advice and appropriate exercises. There are over 100 color photos of exercises for pregnancy and postpartum, video links, and a step-by-step approach to pelvic girdle pain, set in a holistic framework.
You can find Dr. Deb being interviewed in podcasts and television, and teaching webinars, and speaking at conferences. Check out the Press section for recent events.
Both books are available on Amazon and OPTP.com. For "Sacroiliac Pain" Amazon, OPTP.com. For "Back and Pelvic Girdle Pain in Pregnancy and Postpartum," Amazon, OPTP.com.
I am a true believer in the power of education and empowering the individual to take control of their health, to make healthy choices and lead a healthy lifestyle.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any comments, questions or suggestions.
The Board of Advisors
Gail Conners
PTA
I have been affiliated with fitness and education for over 35 years. Women's health has always been a passion of mine. I co-owned a business with Deborah that offered a variety of fitness classes beginning with pre-natal exercise and continuing to post-partum exercise, senior fitness and exercise for the general public. We were and still are advocates for movement throughout a woman's life span. I taught sports medicine and exercise science for 18 years at the high school level. It was important to me to spread my passion and knowledge to a younger generation and motivate them to enter the field. I have been a physical therapist assistant for 40 years helping people be as active and independent as possible after an injury or with a disability. I have continued to stay updated with current fitness trends and research through continuing education, workshops and teaching exercise classes. I am excited to be a part of this board to share my experience with Deborah.
Alexa Lee
Alexa is first and foremost the very proud daughter of Deborah Riczo, founder of Riczo Health Education. She is very grateful to be in Cleveland and working as a daytime TV Host for WKYC-TV 3. Alexa also specializes in fitness and lifestyle modeling for Wilhelmina Models, NYC. She has been deeply influenced by her mother's passion for wellness and health. She has witnessed Deborah change the lives and restore function to many of her friends and teammates in her youth. After 30 years of service as a physical therapist at MetroHealth Medical Center, Alexa is so proud to see her mom take this next step to continue to share all her acquired knowledge of the human body. Alexa was humbled to be the model in Deborah's 2 self-help books that allow the reader to gain empowerment through easy to grasp strengthening exercises and mindset. Alexa believes that the best gift her mom has given her is a passion for overall wellness, a gift she will now pass on to her daughter. She is grateful to have the opportunity to help Deborah reach as many women as possible that are in search of reclaiming their health.
Maribeth Gibbon
PT
I am a physical therapist who practiced at the Cleveland Clinic for 38 years. During my career I was involved in Women’s Health throughout the life span. Most recently I specialized in the treatment of women with bone density and balance issues. Patient education was always a central part of my focus. Retirement has given me the opportunity to prioritize my health including exercise and diet. I am also a breast cancer survivor and recognize the importance of exercise in the prevention of recurrence.
Mary Saloka Morrison
PT, DScPT, MHS, RYTP
Mary is a physical therapist dedicated to the profession and a committed life-long learner in order to best serve the people with movement issues. She is a close colleague and friend of Dr. Deborah Riczo and has been an assistant in her continuing education courses and has been on the review committee for her two books related to the pelvic girdle. She received a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Cleveland State University in 1980, a Master of Health Science from University of Indianapolis in 2002, and a Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, in 2010. She received American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Board Certification as a Geriatric Clinic Specialist in 2014. She also is a registered yoga teacher and uses yoga as another form of exercise through which to help people. Mary is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy at Hanover College with a teaching focus on exercise and recovery from neurological issues. For the prior 18 years, Mary was employed by the Cleveland Clinic Rehabilitation and Sports Therapy as a Clinical Specialist and worked in an outpatient clinic that served the neurologic and complex geriatric populations. She was on faculty for the CCF Neurological Residency Program and teaches continuing education courses related to neurological rehabilitation and osteoporosis. She was a content expert for the Cleveland Clinic Arthritis Advisor. During her career, she has worked in acute care, adult neurological and pediatric rehabilitation, and subscribes to the vision of the APTA: “Transforming society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience.”
