Actify - Empowering You Through Movement

Actify - Empowering You Through Movement Helping Individuals with Joint Hypermobility & Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes to Take Control of Their Lives Dr. Marcia C.

Perretto, is a Doctor of Physical Therapy with advanced training in orthopedic manual therapy, movement sciences, Yoga Therapy, and Redcord®. She specializes in treating patients and working with clients that present with joint hypermobility and Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes as well as with all those who present with inherited and acquired connective tissue disorders. She has a special focus to the studies of human movement sciences as well as the neurosciences of pain and its impact on peoples lives, and has developed a special approach to address the neuromyofascial pain syndromes with the use of scientific proven processes of brain training. ​Her goal is to help those with joint hypermobility to take control of their lives by strengthening their bodies and learning how to live s a healthier and more fulfilled life. A one-time semi-professional figure skater who had to undergo three hip surgeries due to multiple hip subluxations and joint instability, and has hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome herself, knows first hand the pain of hypermobile joints, and all other systemic symptoms brought about by hEDS and the challenge of full rehabilitation when experiencing such symptoms. Dr. Perretto is an active researcher in Ehlers Danlos Syndromes and joint hypermobility disorders in partnership with several medical professionals in the areas of movement science and hypermobility syndromes. She has served as a clinical instructor for Nova Southeastern University and Florida International University for the Entry Level Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. She is a book author, educator and recognized speaker both nationally and internationally in the areas of orthopedics, neurosciences, Ehlers-Danilo’s Syndromes and hypermobility spectrum disorders. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy at a recognized catholic university in south Brazil, Dr. Perretto completed her transition to Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Perretto continuously develops her knowledge and training in the movement sciences, neuroscience of pain and hypermobility syndromes. She completed her Orthopedic Manual Therapy Certification at the Ola Grimsby Institute in California and a Health Coach Training program with the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York, where she learned more than 100 dietary theories and a holistic approach to wellness. Dr. Perretto is certified as a yoga therapy instructor (YTT200) and holds several certifications in Neurac Redcord® and Redcord® Active. Redcord® Is a unique suspension training process, born in Norway, that offers a specialized skill set in kinetic-chain assessments and corrective exercise programs proven to be extremely efficient in the treatment of joint hypermobility, musculoskeletal and neurological issues. ​

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) can make procedures like epidural injections more complex. Fragile connective tissue, poor ...
10/31/2025

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) can make procedures like epidural injections more complex. Fragile connective tissue, poor dural integrity, and delayed healing raise the risks of failed injections or CSF leaks.
Always seek care from experienced providers who understand these unique challenges and can take the necessary precautions.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always discuss your specific situation with a qualified healthcare professional.


You can be disabled without using a mobility aid. Disability isn’t defined by what you carry or wear—it’s defined by the...
10/30/2025

You can be disabled without using a mobility aid. Disability isn’t defined by what you carry or wear—it’s defined by the lived experience. ✨ Let’s break the stigma.



Cranio-cervical instability doesn’t just affect the spine, it can impact blood flow from the brain, worsening dysautonom...
10/29/2025

Cranio-cervical instability doesn’t just affect the spine, it can impact blood flow from the brain, worsening dysautonomia symptoms like dizziness, brain fog, and unstable heart rates.
Dynamic imaging is often needed to assess jugular vein compression and guide treatment.

Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional experienced in CCI and autonomic disorders for evaluation and treatment.

Pain in EDS is complex and multifaceted, involving tissue irritation, nerve dysfunction, and nervous system hypersensiti...
10/28/2025

Pain in EDS is complex and multifaceted, involving tissue irritation, nerve dysfunction, and nervous system hypersensitivity. Each mechanism contributes differently, which is why one-size-fits-all approaches rarely work. A physical therapist trained in EDS understands how to identify these pain types and address them together, helping patients move with confidence while reducing chronic pain.

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome doesn’t always follow the “typical allergy rulebook.” Triggers can be physical, emotional,...
10/27/2025

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome doesn’t always follow the “typical allergy rulebook.” Triggers can be physical, emotional, or environmental—sometimes all at once. Understanding your unique sensitivities can reduce inflammation and improve quality of life. If you suspect MCAS, work with a provider experienced in dysautonomia, EDS, and immune regulation to build a comprehensive management plan.

Post-surgical rehab isn’t “one-size-fits-all” for hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS). Fragile connective tissues ...
10/24/2025

Post-surgical rehab isn’t “one-size-fits-all” for hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS). Fragile connective tissues and delayed healing demand modified PT protocols that prioritize stability, slow progression, and careful load management.


Bladder dysfunction is often one of the first signs of Tethered Cord Syndrome — sometimes appearing long before back or ...
10/23/2025

Bladder dysfunction is often one of the first signs of Tethered Cord Syndrome — sometimes appearing long before back or leg pain. Because the tethering puts tension on the lower spinal cord and sacral nerve roots, it can quietly disrupt bladder control, pelvic floor function, and sensory feedback before pain becomes noticeable.

This is where having a specialized physical therapist can make a crucial difference. A PT trained in neurological, pelvic floor, or connective tissue disorders understands how subtle nerve tension, posture changes, and pelvic dysfunction can point to underlying spinal cord involvement.

They can help by:

Recognizing early red flags like bladder urgency, retention, or new pelvic pain

Using gentle, nerve-safe movement strategies to avoid further traction on the cord

Coordinating care with neurosurgery and pelvic health specialists

Supporting safe recovery and retraining after surgical untethering

If you’re noticing bladder changes, unexplained leg weakness, or pelvic floor tension — especially with EDS or Chiari — it’s important to see a PT who specializes in tethered cord and neurological instability. Early recognition and protection can make all the difference.


Fatigue is often blamed on “deconditioning,” but for many patients — especially those with EDS, POTS, MCAS, or other chr...
10/22/2025

Fatigue is often blamed on “deconditioning,” but for many patients — especially those with EDS, POTS, MCAS, or other chronic conditions — the cause is far more complex.

Nervous system dysregulation, poor oxygen delivery, mitochondrial dysfunction, and autonomic instability can all contribute to persistent fatigue. In these cases, pushing harder or exercising “through it” can actually make things worse.

A skilled physical therapist can help identify why fatigue is happening, tailor activity to your body’s capacity, and safely rebuild endurance without triggering crashes.

✨ Healing starts with understanding your body — not blaming it.

Clavicle instability can mimic thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) because both can affect the same neurovascular bundle that...
10/21/2025

Clavicle instability can mimic thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) because both can affect the same neurovascular bundle that runs between the neck, shoulder, and chest. When the clavicle loses its normal alignment—whether from joint hypermobility, trauma, or muscular imbalance—it can narrow the thoracic outlet space and cause nerve or vascular compression. The result? Arm tingling, heaviness, numbness, weakness, or pain that feels exactly like TOS.

This is where physical therapy plays a crucial role. A skilled PT can help determine whether symptoms are coming from true thoracic outlet compression or from joint instability higher up. Through a detailed movement assessment, we look at:
✔️ Scapular control and shoulder mechanics
✔️ Muscle imbalances in the neck, chest, and upper back
✔️ Postural habits that increase clavicular strain
✔️ Core and ribcage dynamics that affect upper-body alignment

Treatment focuses on restoring stability and optimizing movement—strengthening the muscles that anchor the clavicle, retraining posture and breathing mechanics, and improving the way the shoulder girdle functions as a whole. For many patients, these changes alone can drastically reduce “TOS-like” symptoms.

If your “TOS” symptoms come and go, shift with posture, or are paired with a feeling of popping or slipping at the collarbone, clavicular instability could be the missing piece.

Tethered Cord Syndrome is often misunderstood as “just back pain,” but it’s actually a serious neurological condition. I...
10/20/2025

Tethered Cord Syndrome is often misunderstood as “just back pain,” but it’s actually a serious neurological condition.

In TCS, the spinal cord is abnormally attached to surrounding tissues—preventing it from moving freely as the body bends, grows, and stretches. Over time, this tension can damage the nerves, leading to pain, weakness, and bladder or bowel changes.

While surgery (untethering) is often needed to release the cord, physical therapy plays an important role in recovery and long-term management. A skilled PT can help improve mobility, strengthen weakened muscles, retrain posture and gait, and reduce compensations caused by nerve tension.

Early recognition and intervention can make all the difference. Awareness is key—because the sooner it’s caught, the better the outcomes.

Hypermobility affects more than flexibility — it impacts how the body controls and stabilizes movement. When joints move...
10/17/2025

Hypermobility affects more than flexibility — it impacts how the body controls and stabilizes movement. When joints move beyond their normal range, surrounding muscles and connective tissues must work harder to maintain alignment and support. Over time, this can lead to pain, fatigue, joint instability, and altered movement patterns in daily activities.

Trauma and MCAS are more connected than most people realize.When the body stays in a constant state of “fight or flight,...
10/16/2025

Trauma and MCAS are more connected than most people realize.
When the body stays in a constant state of “fight or flight,” stress hormones and nerve signals can directly activate mast cells—leading to flares, inflammation, and worsening symptoms.

By addressing both the nervous system and the immune response, we can start to break the cycle.
A trauma-informed physical therapist can help regulate the stress response through gentle movement, breathwork, and somatic awareness—supporting the body’s ability to calm and heal.

It’s not “just stress.”
It’s a physiological loop we can retrain. 🧠✨


Address

7000 W Palmetto Park Road, Ste 220
Boca Raton, FL
33433

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+15613662435

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Our Story

We Help Individuals with Hypermobility Take Control of Their Lives and Get Back to Doing What they LOVE.

The name ACTIFY developed out of our passion for wellness of both the body and the mind. The activation of our minds is essential to the success of our physical health. In rehabilitation of the body, neuroplasticity allows our brains to create new positive and powerful neural connections to override painful, ineffective and self-limiting habits and movement patterns. Neurons that fire together, wire together. So, if we focus on new efficient and effective functional movement patterns, we will build stronger, positive neural pathways. We can re-educate your nervous system through a hands on approach that creates uniquely chosen therapeutic activities for you. From restoring your posture to re-creating functional and pain-free movement patterns, when we activate the connection between body and mind, you get better quicker.

​Rather than focus only on your injury, we treat your whole body. Pain and injuries often come from imbalances, misalignment, or instability in the muscles, joints, soft tissue, and bone throughout the body and not just at the site of pain. If your body isn’t treated as a whole, you run the risk of having the same injury again or worse. From your first session, we get to work releasing muscle restrictions and restoring natural movement. For you, the impact is immediate, and it lasts.We work together with you to provide you with a multilayered treatment. We take the time to get to know you and ensure that our treatment will evolve as you get stronger. And when injury is no longer a limitation, we can help you optimize your body’s function with the same high level of attention using advanced methods of training.