Tell us a little about yourself.
I am Cari, the owner of Release Physical Therapy and a physical therapist. I grew up in Glastonbury, CT, and have lived in the DC area for 14 years. I am married with two kids and two dogs. I love to spend time with my family and friends. I enjoy being active, and in the winters, I love to ski.
What inspired you to become a physical therapist, and what motivates you to continue in the field?
I originally started my career wanting to work in physical therapy for pediatrics because I loved kids. However, early on, I learned about manual therapy and discovered that I enjoyed it more. Now, I love everything related to physical therapy. I stay current with new techniques and devices in the field, and I’m inspired when I learn new things. I truly enjoy helping people.
What sets you apart from other physical therapists? What is your unique approach or philosophy?
What sets me apart as a physical therapist is my commitment to tailoring each session to the individual client. I adapt my approach to work within their comfort level while striving for the best results. My passion for physical therapy drives me to continually learn and stay current in the field. If I’m not seeing the desired results, I actively seek out new knowledge and techniques.
“I had the pleasure of working with Cari for my tennis elbow, and I can honestly say she’s the best Physical Therapist I’ve ever had”
How do you stay current with the latest advancements and techniques in physical therapy? Are you learning anything new right now?
I enjoy learning about all things related to physical therapy, so I try to stay current with the research. Right now, I am focused on learning everything I can about shockwave therapy. I recently attended a national course in Chicago.
Can you describe a moment when you felt particularly proud of helping a patient?
I always feel proud when my patients start to feel better. This is why being a physical therapist is an amazing job; we get to help people for a living. I particularly love working with individuals in chronic pain or pain that truly limits their quality of life. I find these cases to be the hardest yet most rewarding. My proudest physical therapy experience was when I helped rehabilitate my dad. This was not a typical client for me; he was severely debilitated after being intubated for 37 days due to Covid in March 2020. He was wheelchair-bound when we started. Today, you will see him walking around the clinic if you happen to be there when he visits.
What are your goals for the future, both professionally and personally, in the field of physical therapy?
My professional goals include continuing to understand shockwave therapy and exploring everything we can add to clients’ outcomes with these devices. Next, I want to look into EMTT, which uses magnetic energy. I also want to expand the office slightly to bring in another therapist. Personally, I want to be more active and get back into shape. I recently started playing tennis again, and my goal is to continue playing 1-2 times a week.
“10 stars if I could. Cari saved me!!! Drop your other PT and make an appointment here”
How do you maintain work-life balance, and what do you do for fun?
That’s hard for me. I love what I do and the clinic, so I am pretty much always available for my team and clients. I am working on putting my phone away more so I’m present for my family, too. For fun, I enjoy spending time with my family and prefer to be outdoors.
