If you ask ten people what a physical therapist does, you’ll probably get ten slightly different answers. Some will say we help people after surgery. Others might describe stretches, exercises, or “manual therapy.” And most people only experience physical therapy inside a busy insurance-based clinic, which doesn’t always reflect what the profession actually is capable of.

So today, I want to set the record straight:

What exactly is a physical therapist? What training do we have? What is our scope? And how does my approach at Empowered Athletics PT differ from the traditional model?

Because understanding this helps you make informed choices about your care and helps you know exactly where to go when you want to recover from injury, improve performance, and stay in the game for life.

What is a Physical Therapist?

At the simplest level, a physical therapist (PT) is a licensed healthcare professional who specializes in movement, function, biomechanics, strength, and recovery. But our scope is much broader than most people realize.

Our Training

Physical therapists complete extensive education and clinical training, culminating in a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. This includes:

Advanced anatomy and biomechanics
Physiology, neuroscience, and pathology
Pain science and movement science
Exercise prescription and load management
Clinical reasoning, manual therapy, and rehabilitation principles
Multiple supervised clinical rotations in orthopedic, neurological, and specialty settings

After graduation, we pass a national licensing exam and meet state licensure requirements to practice. Many PTs, including myself, continue training through advanced coursework, certifications, and specialized clinical practice.

Our Scope Of Practice

In general, PTs are trained to:

Evaluate movement, strength, mobility, and functional limitations
Identify the root cause of pain or dysfunction
Create individualized treatment plans
Guide people through recovery, training, and performance progressions
Prevent injuries before they start
Help people of all ages and abilities move with strength and confidence

In short: we’re movement experts who help people get out of pain, restore function, and perform at their best.

Who I Am As a Physical Therapist

I’m Kait, the founder of Empowered Athletics PT, and helping people move, feel, and perform their best is what lights me up.

My approach as a PT is shaped by:

My clinical training and Doctorate in Physical Therapy
Years of experience working with active individuals and athletes across the lifespan
A strength & performance background, including a Masters Degree
A deep belief that movement is medicine
A coaching-based philosophy that empowers clients rather than treating them passively

At Empowered Athletics PT, I take a whole-body, root-cause approach. I don’t just treat the painful area; I look at biomechanics, strength, training habits, postpartum considerations, stress, sleep, and the bigger picture of your athletic or everyday life.

I also believe that you should understand why something hurts, what your body needs, and how to maintain your progress long after you leave my office.

How Empowered Athletics PT Differs From Typical Insurance-Based Clinics

Most people’s experience with PT comes from high-volume, insurance-driven clinics. These clinics often do an important job, but their structure can limit the quality of care.

Here’s how my practice is different:

1) One-on-One Care, Every Session

No bouncing between providers. No being handed off to an aide.
It’s you and me, the entire session, every time.

2) Longer Sessions For Deeper Assessment & Better Results

I take the time needed to understand your body, your goals, your training, your history, and the true drivers of your symptoms.

3) Individual Programming, Not Protocols

You won’t find cookie-cutter “hip protocol Week 1–6” here.
You’ll get a plan that matches your goals, your sport, your season of life, and your unique movement patterns.

4) Performance + Rehab Under One Roof

I don’t stop at “you’re out of pain.”
My goal is:

stronger
more resilient
more confident
performing at a higher level than before the injury

5) A Holistic, Whole-Body Approach

Pain rarely comes from just one place. I look at:

strength imbalances
mobility restrictions
training load
technique
life demands
postpartum considerations when relevant
recovery and lifestyle factors

This approach consistently delivers long-term, sustainable results.

What Kind of Issues I Help With

People come to me for a wide range of concerns, including:

Injury Recovery

Sprains, strains, overuse injuries, tendon issues, postpartum injuries, and post-surgical rehabilitation.

Pain That Keeps Coming Back

Low back pain, hip pain, knee pain, shoulder pain, neck pain, especially when it’s chronic, recurring, or feels “mysterious.”

Performance Optimization

Running mechanics, strength programming, jumping, lifting, mobility, speed, power, and returning to sport.

Prevention & Longevity

Helping you stay in the game, at every age, through every season of life, with assessments, prehab, load management, and smart training plans.

Postpartum & Women’s Health Considerations

Guiding active and athletic people during pregnancy, postpartum return to sport, and beyond.

When You Should See Me vs. When To See A Medical Doctor Or Other Provider

Come To Me (a Physical Therapist) When:

You have pain with movement or daily activities
You’ve had an injury and want to recover fully (not just quickly)
You want to return to lifting, running, jumping, or sport safely
You feel “tight,” “unstable,” or “weak” and don’t know why
You want to prevent future injuries
You want guidance on safe progression or performance goals

You don’t need a referral to see a PT in most cases, you can come directly to me.

See A Medical Doctor First If:

You have red flags: unexplained weight loss, fever, night pain, sudden neurological changes, or signs of infection
You may need medication or imaging
You have a systemic medical issue unrelated to movement
You need clearance for surgery or an advanced medical procedure

See Another Practitioner When Appropriate:

A registered dietitian for detailed nutrition support
A psychologist or counselor for mental health
A pelvic floor PT for internal assessment if needed (I can help determine this)
A chiropractor, acupuncturist, or massage therapist for complementary techniques if indicated

Part of my job is to help you navigate this and make sure you get the right care at the right time.

How This Ties Into the Mission & Vision of Empowered Athletics PT

Everything I do is grounded in the mission and vision behind my practice.

My Mission

To empower athletes of all types — at all stages of life — with expert guidance and support to recover from injuries, reach their full potential, and stay in the game, whatever their game may be.

Our Vision

To revolutionize the way active and athletic individuals are supported across their lifespan, through care that is:

personalized
empowering
whole-body
effective

This is physical therapy the way it should be:
individualized, comprehensive, and rooted in helping people thrive, not just survive injury.

Ready to Start Your Recovery or Performance Journey?

If you’re dealing with pain, navigating postpartum changes, trying to return to sport, or simply wanting to move and perform better, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

I’d love to help.

Book a Consult or Session Today

You deserve care that truly empowers you.