Dr. Annika Michaels, PT, DPT is the founder of Evolve Physical Therapy + Personal Fitness, LLC. She graduated from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy and holds a Certification in Personal Training through the American College of Sports Medicine. Her combined experiences as both a physical therapist and personal trainer in various settings have provided her with a unique perspective on rehabilitation and wellness. Having previously worked in the traditional physical therapy model, Annika found that there were many limitations which often resulted in inefficient patient care. Traditional clinics were often more numbers-driven and less patient-centered, which led her to seek out a more integrative path.

She utilizes an eclectic approach to care, balancing patient education and lifestyle coaching with evidence-based rehabilitation techniques. She has extensive experience in the fitness and wellness industry and has also learned a great deal through her own injuries and rehabilitation process. Her own pain journey began at the age of 15 when she suffered a back injury that followed her throughout her collegiate soccer career and beyond. She spent a great deal of time, energy, and money seeking answers only to have the pain return and cause her to miss out on the activities she enjoyed most. Her own experience with low back pain has ultimately proved to be her greatest teacher, and it has enabled her to connect with patients in a deeper, more meaningful way. This experience also revealed to her the true resilience of the human body when it is provided with optimal conditions for healing.

Annika is a seeker and sharer of knowledge and works to provide up-to-date health resources to her clients in order to empower them in their own healing journey. When she is not working with her clients, Annika can be found out on the scenic trails of New England, cozied up with a nerdy neuroscience book, tending to her vegetable garden, or going on adventures with her partner and their two goofy Labradors.

CERTIFICATIONS + LICENSURE

• Licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Illinois

• Certified Personal Trainer - American College of Sports Medicine

• Functional Dry Needling (FDN) - Level 1

• Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) - Level 1

• Body Tempering

• Kinesiotaping

OTHER COURSEWORK

• Barral Institute - Visceral Manipulation 1

• Stop Chasing Pain - Lymphatic, Tongue, and Blood Flow “Mojo” Courses

• The Movement Rev - Locator Test Assessment Protocol Level 1