FOUNDER / OWNER :: PT, DPT

Helen Owens is the founder and owner of Orthopedic Physical Therapy Services and has been in Private Practice her entire PT career since 1977. Her emphasis is in Orthopedics and Sports Injuries and practices as a manual physical therapist with a hands-on approach to patient care. In addition to Manual Therapy, she incorporates CranioSacral Techniques, Class IV Laser, Kinesiotaping, and Foot Levelers custom Foot Orthotics with her care. She has a passion for TMJ and associated Head and Neck disorders and SacroIliac joint pain, areas she feels are challenging yet rewarding to treat. She has publications related to shoulder, elbow, head, and neck dysfunction, TMJ, and connective tissue changes due to joint immobilization.

In her free time, Helen enjoys spending time with family and friends, hanging out by the lake, going to the theater and museums, collecting art, and traveling. She is currently not treating patients, but it still very involved with the operations of the clinic!

CO-OWNER :: PT, DPT, CSCS, DNcert. CST, Certified Pilates Instructor

University of Miami: Doctorate of Physical Therapy :: Emory University: B.S. in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology

Certifications: Pilates For Rehabilitation :: Polestar Pilates (One of the World’s Leading Pilates Programs). Strength and Conditioning Specialist :: National Strength and Conditioning Association. Dry Needling (DNcert) :: Master Dry Needling and Intricate Arts. CranioSacral Therapy (CST) Certified :: the Upledger Institute.

Dr. Owens-Burkhart is committed to treating the patient in a holistic manner, using a variety of techniques, such as manual therapy, identifying and correcting muscle imbalances, Pilates and yoga-inspired exercises, as well as functional movement screening, and sport-specific training/rehab programs. As an athlete herself, she is well educated on developing treatment programs to both rehab existing injuries and prevents future injuries. With her broad skill set, she is focused on developing an effective and individualized plan of care for her patients. Stephanie loves traveling, pilates, weight lifting, yoga, meditation, trying new restaurants, drinking good wine, and going on every new adventure that she can! Her favorite activity is spending time with her husband, Peter, and children, Stevie & Pearson.

PT, MPT

University of St. Augustine: Health Sciences Masters of Physical Therapy Program

Susan has been a part of the Orthopedic Physical Therapy Services team since 2001. She treats orthopedic and sports-related injuries, including but not limited to: back and neck injuries, shoulder dysfunction, rotator cuff repairs, frozen shoulder, tendonitis, pre and post-operative hip, and knee replacements, plantar fascitis, TMJ dysfunctions, balance dysfunction, much more.

Sue believes in using a holistic approach and enjoys treating patients one-on-one. She utilizes modalities as appropriate, manual therapy techniques, and individualized exercise programs to help her patients achieve their therapy goals while minimizing their risk of re-injury. Sue is a busy mother to four children. She enjoys attending her children’s activities, running, biking, reading, and making memories with her family in her spare time.

PT, DPT, DNcert.

Governor State University: Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program :: University of Dayton: B.S. in Health Sciences

Member of:

• The American Physical Therapy Association

• GSU Women’s Golf Team (for 3 Seasons)

Certifications:

• Restriction-Based Approach Manual Therapy System :: Lumbopelvic and Hip Complex and Dry Needling

Anne is dedicated to holistically treating all individuals, promoting healthy lifestyles, and incorporating all aspects learned in her education to enhance a patient’s quality of life better. She specializes in vestibular rehab to help treat vertigo, dizziness, and lightheadedness. She is passionate about golf, enjoys traveling, fine wine/dining, playing with her dog Rory, and spending time with family.

PT, DPT, DNcert, PRPC

The University of Illinois at Chicago: Doctor in Physical Therapy :: Eastern Illinois University: B.S. in Biology

Ashley has worked both in outpatient physical therapy and home health. This has given her a unique perspective allowing her to treat patients from the day of surgery to the completion of the plan of care. Ashley specializes in treating patients post-joint replacement and also those who participate in trampoline, tumbling, gymnastics, and dance. She was a member of the U.S.T.A National Trampoline and Tumbling team and a judge for 10 years. Ashley also has an interest in treating patients diagnosed with autoimmune conditions and those who suffer from chronic pain. She has her certification in treating pelvic floor (PRPC) and specializes in women’s health and pelvic floor therapy.

Ashley enjoys treating the entire individual and understands the importance of one-on-one care. She is a busy mom of two little boys and a puppy. Outside of work, Ashley loves getting outdoors and spending time with family and friends. Her two boys love sports, parks, and going to the zoo.

PT / DPT / CMTPT/DNcert / Astym Cert

Nikki obtained her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Governors State University in 2019. She has her B.S. in Physiology from the University of Iowa. Nikki has certifications in myofascial trigger point dry needling and Astym treatments. Her professional interests include manual therapy, vestibular rehabilitation, sports medicine, and post-op care.

Nikki believes in providing an individualized, hands-on approach to maximize therapeutic outcomes. She enjoys working one-on-one with her patients to achieve their goals holistically, through her knowledge of biomechanics, and patient education while having fun throughout the process!

In her spare time, Nikki loves walking her dog, Murphy, hiking, gardening, and crafting a good charcuterie board.

PTA, Certified Pilates Instructor

Fox College Physical Therapist Assistant Program

Certifications

• BASI Pilates Instructor

• Restricted-based Approach Manual therapy system for the lumbopelvic and hip complex

• Scoliosis - Therapeutic Interventions

• Myofascial Release techniques for the upper quarter complex

• Kinesiology Taping

Rena is a Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant and a Basi Certified Pilates Instructor. She is highly skilled in manual therapy, pilates-based rehab techniques, KinesioTaping, ISTYM, and much more.

She is passionate about empowering patients or clients to take control of their health and wellness and reach their full potential. She uses a holistic treatment approach and individually tailors each treatment session. She is a hands-on practitioner with the main goal of getting you out of pain.

Rena is a doting Dog Mom to her German Shepard – Mocha. She enjoys boating, traveling, and spending time with her husband, Dave.

PTA, Women’s Health Practitioner, DNcert

James Madison University: BS - Kinesiology

Fox College Physical Therapy Assistant Program

Following graduation, Jessica began working at the largest pelvic health physical therapy practice in New Jersey where her passion for women’s health and one-on-one orthopedic care continued to grow. She is a Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant and is Certified in Pelvic Floor Therapy through the American Physical Therapy Association.

Jessica became interested in pelvic health physical therapy from dealing with her own urinary voiding issues at a young age. As a result of her past adolescent experiences, her passion for becoming a Women’s Health Physical Therapy Specialist became her professional priority. Jessica specializes in working with women dealing with bladder issues, pelvic pain, and pelvic organ prolapse. In addition to pelvic health, she also treats orthopedic and sports-related injuries.

When she’s not treating patients, Jessica is most likely on hikes with her husband and two dogs (Tucker + Rizzo), traveling, or at the gym.

Office Manager / Billing Specialist

I have worked in healthcare for over 20 years- including my 9 years here at Orthopedic Physical Therapy Services as a billing specialist and office manager.

I love shopping, gardening, and going to concerts.

Physical Therapy Technician / Health Coach

Certifications:

• Institute for Integrative Nutrition, Health Coach

Specializing in a holistic approach to overall wellness and fitness to help lose weight, increase energy, and improve confidence so you can live happy, fit, and confident for the rest of your life.

Having an Autoimmune herself, Dani specializes in gut health and nutrition to help you feel your best while reducing inflammation.

Dani loves dancing, and sunshine, and believes in living with passion and a positive attitude.

LMT / SPTA

Anne is passionate about providing the best possible massage therapy. She has a strong interest in working with people in pain or with injuries – both old and new. She communicates with the client to tailor a comprehensive, individuated treatment that will meet your every massage therapy need.

She is a graduate of The Soma Institute: The National School of Clinical Massage Therapy, a Licensed Massage Therapist, and a member of The American Massage Therapy Association. She is certified in Pre and Post-Natal massage as well as IASTM (Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Manipulation). Anne enjoys being outside in nature and being as active as she can with both friends and family.

Pilates Instructor

Certifications:

Peak Pilates and The Physical Mind Institute

Favorite Food: Chocolate

Hobbies: Painting, Cooking, and of course, practicing pilates.

Pilates is for everyone, regardless of age or shape. Pilates is a way of life!

Pilates Instructor

Certifications:

• Group Fitness: Strength, Spin, Aqua, Mat Pilates, Step, Older Adults, Conditioning, Parkinson’s, and Yoga

• Trained in Stott Pilates

• Fitbodies Resort Instructor

• 26 Years of Fitness Experience with a specialty in function fitness

Favorite Food: Coffee

Favorite Hobby: Reading

Life Philosophy: Do your best and forget the rest!

Physical Therapy Technician, NPTI Personal Trainer, Pilates Instructor

Stephanie is one of our Pilates instructors who loves to inspire people to feel and do their best. Trained by BASI Pilates in 2014, Stephanie has enjoyed teaching classes at REFRESH and working with our wonderful, devoted clientele. She loves inspiring clients to reach their fullest potential while providing guided breathwork and meditation. Stephanie also became a Certified Personal Trainer through NPTI’s Chicago branch in 2021.

Stephanie loves working out, teaching/coaching, being outdoors, playing guitar, reading, going to concerts, and traveling, among many other hobbies.

Through many years dedicated to exercising and creating healthy habits, Stephanie takes great pleasure in motivating others to do the same.

Fun and fitness. That’s what I love about my job. For the past two decades, I have had the pleasure of sharing my passion of health and wellness as a fitness professional helping people become the best version of themselves. I have guided others to increase their strength and mobility through weight training, stretching, water work, and 7yrs ago, I was so thrilled to add pilates to my toolbox. As a former ballet dancer, I always loved the precise movements of pilates that made me stronger in ways lifting weights didn’t. It also made me a stronger runner and helped me during my ultra marathon training. Pilates has truly added another dimension to my strength and wellness. I am so excited to be sharing that power with everyone.re