Lena Quarles
Physical Therapist
- Physical Therapist · KY Lic. 000000
Owns Ironbark and sees many of the people sent by spine and hip surgeons. Leads the team's weekly case review.
Orthopedic physical therapy in St. Matthews
Careful hands, and every credential explained
Ironbark is a therapist-owned practice of five physical therapists, each trained in manual therapy. We examine you slowly, tell you what we find in plain words and report back to the clinician who sent you.
Sample letters
The letters after our names, spelled out
Each of our five physical therapists has completed a manual-therapy fellowship. Here is who awards each letter you may see, and what it asks of a clinician.
State license
Lena Quarles, Physical Therapist
KY Lic. 000000 · Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy
Examines, treats and plans care for people with injuries and movement problems
Norman Ashworth, Physical Therapist
KY Lic. 000000 · Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy
Examines, treats and plans care for people with injuries and movement problems
Xiu Zeng, Physical Therapist
KY Lic. 000000 · Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy
Examines, treats and plans care for people with injuries and movement problems
Najla Suleiman, Physical Therapist
KY Lic. 000000 · Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy
Examines, treats and plans care for people with injuries and movement problems
Kellen Fenwick, Physical Therapist
KY Lic. 000000 · Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy
Examines, treats and plans care for people with injuries and movement problems
Degree
DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy. A degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
Fellowship
FAAOMPT
Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists, awarded after a clinical fellowship at a program the Academy credentials. It is training in manual therapy, not a state license.
Board certification
OCS
Orthopaedic Certified Specialist, a title granted by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) after documented clinical practice and a written examination.
Course credential
Cert. MDT
Certificate in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy, from the McKenzie Institute USA. A course credential, not a board certification.
How we assess
From your first question to your plan
Every first visit follows the same five steps, in this order. You can stop us or ask a question at any point.
1. We start with what you tell us
Your therapist asks what changed, what a normal day asks of your body, what you have already tried and what your surgeon or doctor has said. If you bring notes or imaging reports, we read them with you.
2. We watch you move
You show us the movements that bother you and the ones that do not. We look at how you stand, walk, reach and bend, and where the movement changes.
3. We test one structure at a time
Our hands do most of the work here. We test joints, muscles and nerves one at a time, gently, and we stop when you tell us to.
4. We tell you what we found
In plain words, with our reasons. We say what is likely behind the problem, what an exam cannot tell us and when you should see a physician or have imaging first.
5. We agree on a plan, and write it down
The plan names your goals, what we will do in the clinic and what you will do at home. How many visits you need depends on your exam, your goals and how you respond. Your referring clinician gets a note from us.
The people who treat you
Five physical therapists, each with a manual-therapy fellowship. Each name carries its license.
Norman Ashworth
Physical Therapist
- Physical Therapist · KY Lic. 000000
Treats shoulders, elbows and the neck, and people rebuilding the arm after surgery.
Xiu Zeng
Physical Therapist
- Physical Therapist · KY Lic. 000000
Works with hips, knees, feet and ankles, and with people returning to physical jobs.
Najla Suleiman
Physical Therapist
- Physical Therapist · KY Lic. 000000
Works with the neck and the back, and with the neck as a source of headaches.
Kellen Fenwick
Physical Therapist
- Physical Therapist · KY Lic. 000000
Sees people after knee and hip replacement and after a fracture has healed enough to move.
Four areas of care
Each is led by the therapists who see it every day.
Neck and back
For neck and back pain that limits sitting, driving, lifting or sleep, and for people recovering from spine surgery.
Read more
Shoulder and elbow
For shoulders and elbows that hurt, catch or weaken, and for care after rotator cuff or elbow surgery.
Read more
Hip and knee
For hips and knees that ache on stairs, walking or getting up, and for care after a joint replacement.
Read more
After surgery
For people whose surgeon has sent a protocol, with each precaution followed and each step reported back.
Read more
For referring clinicians
Sent by your surgeon or doctor?
We follow the protocol and precautions your clinician sends, and we write to them after your first visit and whenever your plan changes.
A referral by phone, fax or secure form
A written note back after the first visit
Your surgeon's protocol followed as written
Patients say
What it is like to be examined here
“Each step of the exam was explained before it happened, and I knew what my surgeon would hear back.”
Vernon P.Referred by a surgeon
“I asked what the letters on the website meant, and my therapist went through every one of them.”
Janie R.Referred by primary care
“My home program was written down in plain words, and it changed when something bothered me.”
Travis H.Came on his own
Sample reviews.
Questions people ask first
Do I need a referral?
In Kentucky, you can start without a referral. Your plan may still ask for one. Many people come with a referral from a surgeon or primary care clinician, and we send that clinician a note after the first visit.
Does my plan cover this, and do you take Medicare?
We bill many kinds of plans, including most PPO plans, Medicare Part B, Medicaid, workers' compensation and auto injury coverage. Your plan decides what it pays. We check your benefits and call you before your first visit.
How long is the first visit, and who treats me?
About an hour, with a physical therapist who stays with you for the whole exam. Later visits can be shorter.
What do the letters after your names mean?
PT is the state license to practice, DPT is the doctoral degree, FAAOMPT is a manual-therapy fellowship from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists, and OCS is board certification from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. Your therapist will explain any letter you ask about.
Send us a message
We answer on the next working day. For anything urgent, call us.
Phone(502) 555-0104
Emailhello@
Hours
- Monday – ThursdayToday
- 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- FridayToday
- 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Saturday – SundayToday
- Closed