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Faculty

Michael Masaracchio

Associate Professor, Physical TherapyChairperson, Physical TherapyDirector of the Anatomy Lab

PhD – Physical Therapy, Nova Southeastern University, 2011DPT – Physical Therapy, Creighton University, 2005BS/MS, Long Island University, 2001

Description

Dr. Masaracchio is an alumnus of the Physical Therapy Program at LIU. He joined the faculty full-time in 2006 and has been a practicing physical therapist for over 20 years. He is currently an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy, as well as the Director of the Anatomy Lab. In addition, Dr. Masaracchio is the Co-Chair for the Interprofessional Education Task Force at the Brooklyn Campus. Clinically, Dr. Masaracchio is the Clinical Director at Masefield and Cavallaro Physical Therapy, where he specializes in the examination and management of orthopedic and sports related pathologies. He is a board certified orthopedic and prior sports clinical specialist from the American Physical Therapy Specialization Council and served on the Specialization Academy of Content Experts for the sports physical therapy examination from 2013-2016. He completed his Fellowship in Manual Therapy from Regis University in 2013 and is a Fellow in the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists. Dr. Masaracchio served as the Brooklyn/Staten Island Chapter Director for APTA New York from 2014-2018. During this time, he also was the member-at-large and sat on the Executive Committee for APTA New York in 2016. He recently became the Vice President of APTA New York and completed his Education Leadership Fellowship from the APTA. Dr. Masaracchio has published over 30 articles, two textbooks, and a book chapter. He has presented at local, national, and international conferences on the examination and management of various orthopedic and sports related pathologies, as well as certain areas of health services research related to costs of care. 

Specialties

Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy

Fellow American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists

American Physical Therapy Association Education Leadership Fellowship

Publications

Kirker K, O’Connell M, Bradley L, Torres Panchame R, Masaracchio M. Manual therapy and exercise for adhesive capsulitis: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy. 2023. Published online ahead of print.

Kirker K, Masaracchio M, Loghmani P, Torres-Panchanme R, Mattia M, States R. Management of lumbar spinal stenosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of rehabilitation, surgical, injection and medication interventions. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice. 2023;39:241-286.

Masaracchio M, Kirker K. The effects of platelet-rich plasma in conjunction with rehabilitation for lower extremity musculoskeletal pathologies: A systematic review with meta-analysis." Biologic Orthopedics Journal. In Press.

Kirker K, Masaracchio M. The effects of platelet-rich plasma in conjunction with rehabilitation for upper extremity musculoskeletal pathologies: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Biologic Orthopedics Journal. In Press.

Masaracchio M, Kirker K, Loghmani P, Gramling J, Mattia M, States R. The prevalence of tibiofemoral knee osteoarthritis following arthroscopic partial meniscectomy is variably reported in general, and over time: A systematic review with a minimum of 5-year follow-up. Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2022;25:1203-1218.

Masaracchio M, Kirker K. Resistance training in individuals with hip and knee osteoarthritis: A clinical commentary with practical applications. Strength and Conditioning Journal. 2022;44:36-46.

Drummond C, Lebedeva V, Kirker K, Masaracchio M. Sling exercise in the management of chronic low back pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal Strength Conditioning Research. 2021;00:1-12.

Kolber MJ, Purita J, Sterling B, Stermer J, Salamh PA, Masaracchio M, Hanney WJ. Stem cell injections for musculoskeletal pathology: An overview for the sports medicine professional. Strength Conditioning Journal. 2019;41;75-86.

Masaracchio M, Kirker K, States R, Hanney W, Kolber M, Liu A. Thoracic manipulation for the management of individuals with neck pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Plos One. 2019;14:1-28.

Kirker K, Masaracchio M, Freeland M. Examination and Management of a 4-year-old Following Surgical Fixation of a Femoral Aneurysmal Bone Cyst: A Case Report. Pediatric Physical Therapy. 2019;31:E1-E7.

Gordon-Handler L, Masaracchio M, Hassan L, Waldman-Levi A, Dimitropoulou K. An exploration of graduate health care student writing skills using transformational learning approach to a literary enrichment program. Journal of Allied Health. 2019;48:201-208.

Ojha H, Masaracchio M, Johnston M, Howard R, Egan W, Kirker K, Davenport T. Minimal Physical Therapy Compared with a Typical Number of Physical Therapy Visits for Patients with Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review of Randomized Trials. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice. 2019;36:1179-1200.

Gordon-Handler L, Masaracchio M, Hassan L, Waldman-Levi A. Is clinical competence context specific? An exploration of mental health, pediatric, and rehabilitative clinical practice settings. EC Psychology and Psychiatry. 2018;7:1-8.

Gordon-Handler L, Masaracchio M, Hassan L, Waldman-Levi A. Emotional intelligence and clinical performance across practice areas: Implications for health professions educators and practitioners. Asian Pacific Journal of Health Sciences. 2018;5:271-279.

Kaplan K, Hanney WJ, Cheatham SW, Masaracchio M, Liu A, Kolber MJ. Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy: An Evidence-Based Overview for the Sports Medicine Professional. Strength Conditioning Journal. 2018;40:61-71.

Gordon Handler L, Masaracchio M, Levi Waldman-Levi A, Hassan L. The relationship between students' self-perceived assessment of emotional intelligence and clinical performance across practice area. Psychology and Psychiatry. 2018;7:215-223.

Kolber MJ, Feldstein AP, Masaracchio M, Xinliang L, Hanney WJ.  The Influence of Femoral Acetabular Impingement on Squat Performance. Strength Conditioning Journal. 2018;40:47-53.

Shamash K, Hanney WJ, Cheatham SW, Masaracchio M, Liu A, Kolber MJ. Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy: An Evidence-Based Overview for the Sports Medicine Professional. Strength Conditioning Journal. 2017;40:61-71.

Liu A, Zhao M, Spalding A, Gabriel M, Hanney W, Kolber M, Masaracchio M Immediate Physical Therapy Initiation is Associated with a Reduction in Downstream Healthcare Utilization and Costs among Patients with Acute Low Back Pain. Physical Therapy. 2018;98:336-347.

Masaracchio M, Hanney W, Liu A, Kolber M, Kirker K. Timing of rehabilitation on length of stay and cost in patients with hip or knee joint arthroplasty: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Plos One. 2017;12:1-22.

Luna EG, Hanney W, Rothschild CE, Kolber M, Liu X. Masaracchio M. The influence of an active treatment approach in patients with low back pain: a systematic review.  American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. 2017;1-15.

Masaracchio M, Kirker K, Collins CK, Hanney W, Liu A. An Intervention-Based Clinical Reasoning Framework to Guide the Management of Thoracic Spine Pain in a Dancer: A Case Report. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. 2016;11:1135-1149.

Castrillon T, Rothschild CE, Kolber MJ, Hanney W, Liu X, Masaracchio M. The effects of a standardized belly dance program on perceived pain, disability, and function in women with chronic low back pain. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation. 2017;30:477-496.

Kolber MJ, Hanney WJ, Cheatham SW, Salamh PA, Masaracchio M, Xinliang L. Shoulder joint and muscle characteristics among weight-training participants with and without impingement syndrome. Journal Strength Conditioning Research. 2017;31:1024-1032.

Hanney W, Masaracchio M, Liu X, Kolber M. The influence of physical therapy guideline adherence on healthcare utilization and costs among patients with low back pain. A systematic review of the literature. Plos One. 2016;11:1-18.

Lectures and Presentations

Kirker K, Masaracchio M, States R. Management of lumbar spinal stenosis. A systematic review and meta-analysis of interventions. Poster Presentation: Combined Sections Meeting American Physical Therapy Association, San Antonio, TX, February 2022.

Drummond C, Lebedeva V, Kirker K, Masaracchio M. Effects of Sling Exercise on Muscle Activation Compared to Usual Care in Chronic LBP Population. Poster Presentation: Combined Sections Meeting American Physical Therapy Association, Orlando, FL, February 2021.

Sze M, Masaracchio M, Burns S. Management of an 18-year-old Male Status Post Partial-Thickness Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair Using Thermal Shrinkage. Platform Presentation: Annual Orthopedic Meeting, Denver, CO, April 2019.

Kirker K, Masaracchio M, Freeland M. Examination and Management of a 4-year-old Following Surgical Fixation of a Femoral Aneurysmal Bone Cyst: A Case Report. Poster Presentation: Combined Sections Meeting American Physical Therapy Association, Washington, DC, January 2019.

Masaracchio M, Kirker K, States R, Hanney W, Liu A, Kolber M. Thoracic Manipulation for the Management of Mechanical Neck Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Poster Presentation: Combined Sections Meeting American Physical Therapy Association, Washington, DC, January 2019.

Hanney W, Kolber M, Stock M, Liu A, Masaracchio M. Characteristics of recreational weight trainers that utilize weight-lifting belts. Poster Presentation: National Strength and Conditioning Association, Las Vegas, NV, July 2017.

Liu X, Masaracchio M, Hanney W. Impact of timing of physical therapy on health care utilization and costs among patients with acute low back pain: evidence from NYS. Poster Presentation: International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research, Washington, DC, May 2016.

Liu X, Hanney W, Masaracchio M, Kolber M. Utilization and payments for office-based physical rehabilitation services, among patients with commercial insurance in New York State. Poster Presentation: Combined Sections Meeting American Physical Therapy Association, San Diego, CA, February 2016

Masaracchio M, Comet S, Godwin E. Management of an anterior cruciate ligament tear in a 5 year-old. Poster Presentation: Combined Sections Meeting American Physical Therapy Association, Indianapolis IN, February 2015

Masaracchio M, Hagins M, Cleland J, MacDonald C. Short-term combined effects of thoracic spine manipulation with cervical mobilization in individuals with mechanical neck pain. Platform presentation: International Federation Orthopedic Manual Therapy Conference, Quebec City, Quebec, October 2012

Honors/Awards

Grants

Collins, CK, Masaracchio M. The Role of the Pelvis in Gait and the Effect of Core Stability on the Gait Pattern of Individuals with Non-Specific Chronic LBP. FMT Foundation. December 2015-December 2019 ($15,000).

Liu X, Hanney W, Masaracchio M.  The Timing and Sequencing of Physical Therapy Services on the Costs of Care in New York State. NYPTA. September 2014-December 2017. ($300,000).

Awards/Honors

  • 8/22: Keynote Speaker Physical Therapist Assistant Pinning Ceremony Kingsborough Community College
  • 5/22: Graduation Ceremony Speaker DPT Long Island University
  • 4/19: Keynote Speaker 13th Annual Evidence-Based Practice Poster Day Hunter College
  • 5/18: New York Physical Therapy Association Marilyn Moffat Distinguished Service Award
  • 4/18: David Newton Award for Excellence in Teaching
  • 12/16: International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy’s Best Case Study of the Year Award. Masaracchio M, Kirker K, Collins C, Hanney W, Liu A. An Intervention-Based Clinical Reasoning Framework to Guide the Management of Thoracic Spine Pain in a Dancer: A Case Report. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. 2016;11:1135-1149.