Physical Therapy in Ballard

Jim has a background as an International Player. Born in Indiana, he moved to Turkey where he learned to walk and speak, but his favorite activity was jumping into the pool. He then lived in California for 4 years before moving to Belgium for his formative elementary schooling. His next destination was North Carolina for his angsty teenage years, but he eventually settled in Seattle, where he has lived for the past 25 years. He received both his BA and DPT degrees from the University of Washington. For some reason, he also obtained an Associate of Applied Arts degree in Culinary Arts from the Art Institute of Seattle.

Having fun is important in life, and Jim is passionate about helping his patients get back to doing all of the things that bring them joy and fun in this world. He is always striving to learn new things so that he can have more tools to work with while helping his patients. He has completed Residency and Fellowship training in Manual Physical Therapy with the Ola Grimsby Institute. He is a board certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists. His treatment philosophy is centered on understanding what is important to his patients, and working collaboratively with them to achieve their goals. He also thinks that life is more fun when you have fun, so we might as well do our best to have fun while working together in the clinic.

When not busy helping his patients heal, you can find Jim crossing his fingers and hoping he doesn’t hurt himself skiing, surfing, running, cooking, or playing with friends, family, and dogs.

Emma grew up just outside of Seattle and attended the University of Washington, receiving a degree in Biology with an emphasis in Physiology. During college she participated in an internship with the UW athletic training staff, which gave her a first real taste of patient care, and a penchant for making strong Gatorade. Wanting to stay within the realm of patient care and appreciating the variety of specialties possible within physical therapy, Emma later decided to pursue PT. She received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC. She soon realized the humidity and cockroaches were too much, and moved back to the Northwest after graduation. Emma believes it’s important to come alongside patients as they set off on their journey toward healing. She crafts collaborative treatment plans by listening to her patients so she can understand what is important to them. Emma uses a combination of treatment approaches including patient education, movement analysis, therapeutic exercise, manual therapy and encouraging mindfulness and relaxation. She has experience treating a variety of conditions including shoulder, hip, knee and back pain, as well as sports and overuse injuries.

Outside of the clinic, Emma likes to bake, thrift, and spend time with family and friends. To stay active she enjoys hiking, taking a variety of fitness classes, doing virtual workouts with long-distance friends, and the occasional trampoline park.

Henna’s interest in natural approaches to healthcare, combined with prior studies in mental health wellness, drew her to Therapydia. Having received physical therapy herself, she has unique insight into the patient experience, fostering a greater level of understanding and quality of care for patients. When not in the office, Henna enjoys exploring towns in the pacific northwest, going to dance class and trying out local coffee shops.

Sharon received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Drexel University in Philadelphia. She believes that her role is to advise and guide her patients while ensuring that they are still the leaders of their own journey. She wants to understand the patient’s goals and be a resource as they achieve them. Sharon utilizes a variety of treatment techniques including, but not limited to, individualized exercise prescription, myofascial release, and mobilizations. She enjoys treating people of all ages and abilities. Sharon is glad to be back in Seattle and enjoys spending time with family and friends, trying new restaurants, traveling, baking, and indoor and outdoor cycling.

Leah received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Marquette University in 2024. During her time in PT school, she was actively involved with research looking at the etiology of muscle fatigue with aging and received various awards for her involvement including the APTA Mary McMillian award. Leah takes a holistic approach to patient care and focuses on finding and treating the cause impairment and treating this using exercise and manual therapy to improve function for her patients. She just moved here from Wisconsin and is excited to explore everything that Washington has to offer. In her free time, you can find her out on trails hiking, running, or backpacking, rock climbing, traveling, and exploring the city!