About Us
Catherine is a dedicated physical therapist with a niche expertise in dance medicine, foot and ankle rehab, and hypermobility spectrum disorders. She has been taking care of patients in a clinical setting in the Pittsburgh region for the last 17 years while providing care for some of the regions biggest names in Dance and theatre on site, on the road, and in the theatre. She has a significant background in helping those with Ehlors-Danlos Syndrome and hypermobile spectrum disorder gain understanding of these conditions, injury prevention strategies, and preventative care techniques.
She is board certified in Orthopeadics and Sports physical therapy through the American Board of Physical Therapy specialties. She is also an adjunct associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh in the physical therapy department assisting in the musculoskeletal series among other courses.
Catherine is a frequent presenter at national and international conferences on performing arts and dance medicine. She has also spoken to numerous community groups and dance schools throughout the region on injury prevention, dance anatomy and cross training and would be happy to work with your group on your specific education needs.
Our approach emphasizes personalized treatment plans and open communication. We believe that sharing our story and experience in this niche field helps us connect with our clients, fostering an environment where everyone feels heard and understood and supported in their healing process.
We would love to be your partner in health.
Scientific Conference Presentations
IADMS 2023 (Columbus, Ohio): Presentation of interactive session “Pre-Participation Screenings: a practical approach” highlighting practical logistics of creating a screening day including consideration of stakeholders, practical recommendations and examination of evidence based screening items.
PAMA 2023 (New York City, NY): “Pre-Participation Dance Screens: Are they one size fits all?” A panel presentation discussing pre season dance screening in the adolescent, collegiate and professional dance populations. Content expert in professional dance. Also, represented DanceUSA Taskforce on Dancer Health and its current mission of increasing awareness on the need for cross training and strength training in the professional dance population.
IADMS 2022 (Limerick, Ireland): “Interdisciplinary Care of Chronic Ankle Instability: a panel discussion”, “Hidden Hip Dysplasia: a case report” and “Cross-training considerations for Dancers” Panel discussion with physicians and PTs addressing the need for comprehensive care of dancers with a challenging diagnosis (selected for AGJ Howse Memorial Lecture). Case report highlighting need for collaborative care of young dancers. Cross training movement session/workshop utilizing current evidence-based recommendations for strength/resistance training for dancers
IADMS 2021 (Virtual): Movement session “Experiential Anatomy: how an understanding of anatomy can improve your performance” and case report “Treatment of anterior knee pain in an Bharatanatyam dancer: a case report.” Movement session highlighting anatomy of lower extremity and connecting dance specific movements to anatomical function to improve dance performance. Case report of a unique dance population highlighting how traditional ballet techniques can improve performance across a variety of dance styles
IADMS 2019 (Montreal, Canada): “Power and Grace: Improving your performance with sports medicine. A community education project in practice.” Peer reviewed poster presentation
IADMS 2015 (Pittsburgh, PA): “Manual Therapy Techniques Specific to the Dancer Population: a movement session.” A movement session with focus on teaching safe manual therapy interventions for various levels and providers of dance medicine
APTA Combined Sections Meeting 2015 (Indianapolis, IN): “The effects of lower extremity dysfunction on pelvic pain and incontinence.” Co-sponsored session between Orthopedics and Womens health sections
Community Education Development
Dance Medicine: What do I need to know
Dance history, technique, injury education, prevention strategies and dance specific interventions taught to UPMC Aut Even Physical Therapists (Virtual with live pt demonstration September 2022, In person: Kilkenny, Ireland October 2022)
Day of Dancer Health- a community engagement program with educational sessions, screening, and dance workshops for community based dancers from 6-18 years of age. (Aug 2022)
UPMC Sports Medicine Presents Power & Grace: Improving Your Performance with Sports Medicine
Collaboration with Pittsburgh Ballet Theater (March 2018)
Licensure/Certifications
Pennsylvania PT License # PT01899 and Direct Access Certificate # DAPT002059
American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) Certification in Orthopaedic (June 2011, Renewed 2022) and Sports (June 2015) Physical Therapy
Collaborative Institute of Training Initiative (CITI) Responsible Conduct of Research- Basic course May 2024
Clinical Certifications
American Red Cross CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and Health Care providers (May 2014-current)
American Red Cross Emergency Medical Response (May 2014- current)
Graston Trained Practitioner (February 2017)
Blood Flow Restriction Therapy provider (March 2021)
PAMA Essentials of Performing Arts (July 2023)
Professional Associations
American Physical Therapy Association (2005-present)
Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Association (2005-present)
Orthopedic Section of APTA
Sports Medicine Section of APTA
Performance Arts Special Interest Group (PASIG)
International Association of Dance Medicine and Science (IADMS)
DanceUSA TaskForce on Dancer Health- current co-chair/Treasurer, past Chairperson of Informational Papers
Performing Arts Medical Association (PAMA)