The Compassionate Physical Therapist in Gainesville Who Sees The Whole You
My journey to TMJ care
Kayla was a mechanical engineering student when her TMJ pain became so severe that she had to leave school. She couldn’t chew. All her food had to be blended and sipped through a straw. By the time she found me, she had already seen two physical therapists, three to five general dentists, two oral surgeons, and a neurologist - who told her what so many of you hear: that what she needed was psychology.
She was exhausted, in pain, and carrying the weight of medical trauma from being dismissed over and over. In our first round of care, we got her pain under control and got her back to school within six months.
But when she returned six months later, her condition had progressed. Her jaw joints were beginning to fuse to her skull, a condition called ankylosis. Her jaw opening had narrowed to only five millimeters. Her only path forward was major surgery. She would need:
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Custom bilateral joint replacements
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A Le Fort procedure to move her maxillary bone
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A genioplasty (chin reconstruction).
In total, 44 screws would be placed in her face.
When I heard her diagnosis, I realized I didn’t know enough.
I needed to do better for her.
Becoming a Craniofacial Physical Therapist
So I called the craniofacial continuing education board and asked how I could get certified before her surgery in February. They told me it wasn’t possible to complete the training in under a year. I told them: “Watch me.”
I completed the coursework and became a certified craniofacial physical therapist in just nine months - from April 2016 to January 2017 - specifically to prepare for Kayla’s post-op care.
Without that certification, I wouldn’t have known the precautions, swelling protocols, or the full complexity of her surgical recovery. That knowledge gave me the confidence to say, “We can do this.”
Today, Kayla is thriving. She’s earning her master’s degree and working in the aerospace industry.
Her case is what led me to become one of 75 board-certified craniofacial physical therapists in the U.S. and Canada,, and it’s why I now serve on the board that certifies others.
Because Kayla’s story, being passed from provider to provider without answers, shouldn’t be typical. Being believed, supported, and healed should be the norm.
TMJ Advocacy & Professional Boards
Advocating for integrative approaches and education in PT across the state.
American Academy of Orofacial Pain
Membership
Physical Therapy Board of Craniofacial & Cervical Therapeutics
Membership & Marketing Vice Chair
Florida Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
Assembly Representative
Education
PT, DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy)
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2011, University of Florida
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Born and raised in Gainesville, FL, I’m passionate about helping my community stay out of pain and return to the activities they love.
Cert. DN (Certified in Dry Needling)
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2021, American Academy of Manipulative Therapy
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This certification involved over 75 hours of hands-on training and supervision. I’m state-licensed to perform dry needling across all body regions, especially the head, neck, and face.
OCS (Board-Certified Orthopedic Specialist)
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2021, American Physical Therapy Association
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This board certification demonstrates my proficiency in orthopedic physical therapy and is maintained annually to reflect the most current treatments.
CCTT (Certified Cervical & Temporomandibular Therapist)
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2023, PT Board of Craniofacial & Cervical Therapeutics
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Recognized by the American Academy of Orofacial Pain, this certification reflects my advanced expertise as a facial pain specialist in physical therapy.
CMPT (Certified Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapist)
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2015, Florida Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy
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This year-long program covers manipulation, soft tissue mobilization, taping, and exercise—allowing me to target treatment to each patient’s specific areas of dysfunction.
Vestibular Specialist
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2019, Emory/Duke Universities
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Focused on treating both peripheral and central causes of dizziness. I also collaborate with ENTs to support accurate diagnosis and comprehensive care.
CFC (Certified Craniofacial Physical Therapist)
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2017, University of St. Augustine
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This foundational certification includes hands-on education in imaging, diagnostics, and treatment of head, neck, jaw, and upper cervical conditions.
Adjunct Clinical Faculty – University of Florida
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2016–present, Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program
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I teach Exercise Prescription and Integrated Cases, and previously taught Medical Screening, Differential Diagnosis, and currently lead the Dry Needling class.
Teaching
University of Florida – Clinical Adjunct Lecturer
Teaching exercise prescription, integrated cases and complex cases. These classes help to educate the student on how to view the patient as a whole person and all their needs and not just the area they have pain.
Santa Fe College – Guest Lecturer
Invited guest speaker on head, neck, and TMJ dysfunction in physical therapy practice.
The Human Behind the Credentials
When I’m not in the clinic, I’m usually on a morning walk with my husband, Travis, and our two dogs Trigger, our feisty 4-year-old Mini Schnauzer and our Cavapoo puppy, Penny who’s still learning the ropes… so yes, house training is very much a team sport right now.
Travis and I have been married for 17 years, and if you ask him, he’ll joke that he is my best mistake, because he scooped me up when I still made questionable choices. Still, he proudly tells everyone about what I do before I’ve even introduced myself. He’s definitely my best friend and we have a lot of fun boating and paddleboarding whenever we can.
I’m also a mom to two incredible kids, one navigating the preteens, the other in elementary. As a family, we’re happiest near the water: kneeboarding, tubing, and launching into splash wars. When we’re not soaking wet, we enjoy kicking our way through Taekwondo class, which doubles as stress relief and family bonding!
On a personal front, living with autoimmune dysfunctions has taught me how much early support matters. I’m here to give others the kind of care, tools, and knowledge everyone deserves. That’s why I’ve built my practice to be different, a place where where chronic pain, complex conditions, and TMJ dysfunction are finally taken seriously and patients feel supported from the start.
