Dr. Diedra R. Manns

“Life is truly an adventure…”

Diedra Manns began her physical therapy career after receiving an Associate’s degree in Physical Therapy from New York University. She has been employed in prestigious institutions such as the Hospital for Joint Diseases and the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries in New York City and the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington, DC as a Physical Therapist Assistant. Diedra continued her education in physical therapy resulting in a Master’s of Science and Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Marymount University. With 20 years of experience in the physical therapy profession, Dr. Manns has had a wide variety of clinical experiences, participated in several advanced postgraduate courses in multiple therapy methods and received her Certification in Orthopedic Manual Therapy.

Diedra was introduced to the Pilates Method while employed at the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries. She became a Pilates Rehabilitation Practitioner after completing her comprehensive Pilates training through Polestar Pilates®, where she is now an Educator for those entering the Pilates profession.

Returning to her passion for movement studies, Dr. Manns completed the American Physical Therapy Association approved Fellowship in Movement Science through Kaiser Permanente. Continuing her work as a Clinical Specialist in Movement Science at Kaiser Permanente in the Los Angeles region, she established a therapeutic Pilates group exercise program designed to improve movement skills and transition patients from the rehabilitation environment to community-based fitness.

Diedra has been an Instructor for the Physical Therapist Assistant programs at New York University and Concorde Career Colleges, where she taught: Applied Anatomy/ Kinesiology, Orthopedics I and II, Neurology, Fundamentals of Physical Rehabilitation and Physical Agents courses. She continues to create and present state accredited post-graduate courses to the physical medicine and wellness communities in her region. Dr. Manns has great interest in research and has presented case reports on improving postural stability through Pilates at multiple international conferences.

“Just when the caterpillar thought life was over, it turned into a butterfly.” D.R.Manns