About

Physical Therapist & Owner

Hi! I am so glad you are here.

The start

By my sophomore year in college, I knew I wanted to be a PT, but the seeds were planted years before. My grandfather’s leg was amputated when he was a child, and I grew up watching him walk with a large and clunky prosthesis, much different than the ones we have today. Although I knew very little, I kept thinking of ways to help him to move more efficiently. I played sports as a child and danced throughout my childhood and teen years, so I was used to various types of movement (and injuries including fractures, sprains, and strains!). I enjoyed learning, and in college and graduate school, I loved anatomy, physiology, kinesiology and biomechanics. The human body is complex and amazing! I was fascinated by the way it heals, compensates, gets stuck in patterns and adapts. As I began to walk beside patients through the rehab process and get them moving again, I knew that physical therapy was the right career choice for me.

Pelvic PT

After several years of practice in orthopedics, I was drawn to more postgraduate training in women’s health, and I initially worked with pregnant patients or women with urinary incontinence. In 2005, I started a pelvic health program at a local hospital in Athens, GA and have been working in pelvic physical therapy for the past 18 years. During this time, I have treated over 5,000 people with all types of pelvic / pelvic floor dysfunction as well as abdominal, hip, and spine conditions. I am honored to work in this specialty area, assisting and empowering women to become comfortable navigating their own journey to pelvic health and wellness.

Part of my journey

My own persistent pain as a hypermobile dancer paved the way for learning about muscle imbalances and movement patterns. I’ve had knee pain, back pain, migraines, sacroiliac pain, pubis symphysis pain, plantar fasciitis, hip impingement, and Bell’s palsy. I have had six pregnancies and four births. You learn so much when you walk the path through your own healing. I am grateful for my personal and clinical experience as well as the effective treatments and solid training I have received. I love to learn….from the latest research in my field, from other practitioners in the healing arts, from my patients, from books, and from extensive specialty coursework.

Some of my clinical passions

Postpartum. Whether you have a 3 day old or a 30 year old! Fueled by my own experiences through pregnancies, births, and beyond, I am passionate about taking better care of birthing women, including treatment and prevention of pelvic floor / core dysfunction. I believe all postpartum women would benefit from a consultation with a pelvic physical therapist.

Wellness. Our physical, mental, and emotional health are connected. Our bodies were made to MOVE. Our bodies also need restoration and recovery, as well as good nutrition and hydration. I am passionate about helping people get stronger and find enjoyable ways to move without pain. Although our time, motivations, abilities, and resources can change throughout the various stages in our lives, we can all find a way to get moving. As we renew our minds, with gratitude for our bodies, we take the next step towards health.

Excellent care. I am passionate about offering patient-centered care, the kind of care I would want for my own friends and family. I enjoy educating my clients, as well as collaborating with them and their healthcare team. Because each person is different, offering a variety of treatment strategies is important to me. I enjoy treating simple and complex issues.

Personal life

I am a wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. I enjoy exercising outdoors, music, dancing, reading, cooking, and spending time with family and friends. I love the cool fall weather and outdoor festivals. My husband, Farris, is an Athens native, a University of Georgia alum, and he also works for UGA...so we cheer for the DAWGS! We have four children, and we are actively involved in our local church.

Education:

• Master of Physical Therapy, University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, 1998

• Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Wellness, Belmont University, 1994

Certifications:

• Certified Pelvic Rehabilitation Practitioner

• Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist

• Certified Personal Trainer

Physical Therapist

The start

My interest in physical therapy began soon after my involvement in a traumatic motor vehicle accident in 1999, resulting in my sister experiencing a complete spinal cord injury. Following her rehabilitation journey at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, I became passionate about helping individuals rehab from injury and disability. I saw the obstacles my sister had to overcome, yet the hope of a fulfilling life despite her new way of life dependent on a wheelchair. In my sophomore year of college, I decided to pursue a career in physical therapy and never looked back.

My Journey and Pelvic PT

My interest in pelvic health physical therapy stems from injuries I experienced in the accident, resulting in back and pelvic pain. I sought help from a few pelvic health physical therapists and realized how much could be done to address these issues through manual therapy, exercise, and more. Through my own pregnancy, I became even more interested in specializing in women’s health physical therapy to help others through their own journeys.

I worked in an outpatient orthopedic clinical setting for several years after graduating physical therapy school, where I began to implement pelvic health physical therapy into my practice. I realized that there was a big overlap between orthopedics and pelvic health and wanted to provide more holistic care for women before, during, and after pregnancy.

Some of my clinical passions

Pain. We all will experience physical pain in life, whether from injury, postural/positional stress, caring for children, work related tasks, or otherwise. Throughout my clinical experience in orthopedics, I felt that I saw far too many people undergo surgical procedures to address pain only for them to experience little to no change in the surgical outcome. I believe in considering all contributing factors of pain including anatomy, posture, movement strategies, mechanical errors, mental health, etc. A large part of my practice to treat musculoskeletal pain includes dry needling, which can help address muscular, neural, connective tissue, and joint dysfunction that contributes to pain.

Pregnancy/postpartum. I am passionate about helping women throughout pregnancy meet their goals - whether preparing for delivery, addressing pain and joint dysfunction, or maintaining optimal strength and function. Incredible changes happen throughout pregnancy, and while new issues may develop or linger postpartum, the right interventions help our bodies to heal and recover.

Quality care. I believe the best physical therapy practice involves continuous evaluation according to the needs and responses of the individual. Taking a whole-body approach to physical therapy care is important to tailor interventions according to your goals. Each rehabilitation process is unique and should be treated as such.

Personal life

I am originally from Eastman, Georgia and a UGA alum. My husband, Daniel, and I have lived in the Athens area for over 10 years and we have one daughter. We are active members of Green Acres Baptist Church in Athens. I enjoy outdoor walks and activities with my daughter, participating in missional community projects with our church, and quality time with family and friends.

Education:

• Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of North Georgia, 2014

• Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Science, University of Georgia, 2010

Certifications:

• Certification in Dry Needling

• Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist

Administrative Support Specialist