It’s great to
meet
you!
Kelli Barton Schneider, PT, DPT, OCS
I'm a licensed physical therapist and board-certified specialist in orthopedics dedicated to maximizing the movement potential for dancers and those with hypermobility.
As a young dancer, I felt discouraged when posterior tibial tendinitis caused me to sit out of class and rely on anti-inflammatories to get through performances. I also vividly remember struggling to nail a quadruple pirouette leading up to a competition, despite hours of rehearsal. Little did I realize, my limited ankle mobility was what prevented me from maintaining balance during the turn.
Experiences like these are what inspired me to pursue a career helping dancers learn what I wish I would have known about preventing injuries and optimizing performance. I’ve had the opportunity to work with dancers at top studios and companies in Chicago and LA, providing physical therapy both in-clinic and backstage. I’m also passionate about providing education to dancers through injury prevention lectures and furthering dance medicine research by presenting at international conferences.
My passion for treating patients with hypermobility started during my final clinical rotation of physical therapy school. This rotation provided me with an opportunity to learn the impacts of hypermobility and the nuances of how I can most effectively treat patients with hypermobility. Within two years of graduating physical therapy school, I opened and managed a clinic for a nationwide physical therapy company based in Chicago. By creating a safe place for patients with hypermobility, it quickly became one of the clinic’s primary specializations. Since moving to LA, I’ve continued my involvement with the hypermobility community as a recommended clinician from The Ehlers-Danlos Society. I also continue to learn in this space, having completed the EDS ECHO program which explores a multidisciplinary approach to managing hypermobility.
While I enjoy treating injured dancers and those with hypermobility as a physical therapist, I believe there is a lack of wellness services for these populations. I’m dedicated to providing preventative interventions that decreases risk of injury and performance-enhancement training to get the most out of their bodies. I pride myself on the ability to problem solve through complex cases, make progress measurable, celebrate the small victories, and address the source - not just the symptoms - by seeing the body holistically.
I look forward to learning more about you and your journey!
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education
University of Cincinnati | Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences
University of Cincinnati | Doctor of Physical Therapy
Evidence in Motion | orthopedic residency
Polestar Pilates | certified mat Pilates practitioner
The Ehlers-Danlos Society | EDS Echo program participant
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performing arts experience
Dancing with the Stars LIVE | 6-week tour coverage through Minchella Physical Therapy (2022)
Joffrey Academy of Dance | weekly onsite coverage, injury prevention lectures (2015-2019)
Columbia College of Chicago | in-clinic treatment, monthly onsite coverage, injury prevention lectures (2017-2020)
A&A Ballet | in-clinic treatment, injury prevention lectures (2017-2020)
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago Summer Intensive | injury prevention lectures (2016-2019)
Momenta, Giordano Dance Chicago, Goodman Theatre, DanceWorks Chicago, Broadway in Chicago | intermittent onsite coverage (2015-2017)
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memberships
International Association of Dance Medicine and Science
Performing Arts Medicine Association
The Bridge Dance Project
National Dance Coaches Association
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academic roles
adjunct instructor | University of Cincinnati | Motor Learning and Movement Control (2014-2017)
graduate assistant | University of Cincinnati | Musculoskeletal Anatomy for Dancers, Kinesiology, and Introduction to Biomechanics (2012-2014)
clinical instructor | performing arts specialty clinical rotation for various physical therapy students (2017-2020)
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publications
Filipa A, Barton K. Physical Therapy Rehabilitation of an Adolescent Preprofessional Dancer Following Os Trigonum Excision: A Case Report. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2018;48(3):194-203. doi:10.2519/jospt.2018.7508
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presentations
Schneider K. Reach New Heights with Strong Jumps! Presented at: National Dance Coaches Association Zoom Education (Aug 2023)
Janowski J, Hrubes M, Schneider K. Sets, Costumes, and Props: Oh, my! Concerns for the Stage Performer in 2023. Presented at: Performing Arts Medical Association International Symposium (July 2023)
Schneider K, Janowski J, Hrubes M. Closed Chain Stabilization Exercises for the Hypermobile Performer. Presented at: Performing Arts Medical Association International Symposium (July 2023)
Schneider K. Power Up! Unique Exercises for Higher Jumps and Leaps. Presented at: National Dance Coaches Association Conference (May 2023)
Schneider K. Keep Your Dancers on the Dance Floor: Simple and Impactful Ways to Reduce Injuries. Presented at: National Dance Coaches Association Zoom Education (Nov 2022) and National Dance Coaches Association Conference (May 2023)
Hrubes M, Janowski J, Schneider K. Injury Prevention in Partnered Lifting: An Exercise Program for Performers. Presented at: Performing Arts Medicine Association International Symposium (June 2022)
Hrubes M, Schneider K, Janowski J. When Breakers Break Down: Common Injuries and How to Manage Them. Presented at: International Association of Dance Medicine and Science Annual Conference (October 2021) and Performing Arts Athletic Trainers’ Society Annual Symposium (February 2022)
Janowski J, Schneider K, Hrubes M. Breaking Down Breaking: The New Olympic Sport. Presented at: International Association of Dance Medicine and Science Annual Conference (October 2021) and Performing Arts Medicine Association International Symposium (June 2022)
Hrubes M, Janowski J, Schneider K. Integrating Dance-Specific Demands into a Post-Concussion Return-to-Dance Protocol. Presented at: International Association of Dance Medicine and Science Annual Conference (October 2019)
Janowski J, Hrubes M, Schneider K. Establishing a Safe Turn Progression for the Injured Dancer. Presented at: International Association of Dance Medicine and Science Annual Conference (October 2019)
Schneider K. Rehabilitation of an Adolescent Preprofessional Dancer Following Os Trigonum Excision. Presented at: Performing Arts Medicine Association International Symposium (June 2019)
Hrubes M, Janowski J, Schneider K. Integrating Turn Progression for Safe Rehabilitation in Ballet/Contemporary Dancers. Presented at: Performing Arts Medicine Association International Symposium (June 2019)
Janowski J, Hrubes M, Schneider K. A Lifting Progression for Safe Rehabilitation in Male Ballet Dancers. Presented at: Performing Arts Medicine Association International Symposium (June 2019)
Hrubes M, Janowski J, Schneider K, Wise R. Defining the Functional Job Description of a Professional Ballet/Contemporary Dancer Work. Presented at: International Association of Dance Medicine and Science Annual Conference (October 2017)
Janowski J, Hrubes M, Schneider K, Wise R. Utilizing the Job Description of a Professional Ballet/Contemporary Dancer for Successful Return to Work. Presented at: International Association of Dance Medicine and Science Annual Conference (October 2017)