Dr. Helen Goldfrank, PT, DPT, OCS
Founder, Physical TherapistBoard Certified Orthopedic Clinical SpecialistPost-doctoral specialties: Orthopedics, Pelvic Health, Clinical PilatesIn 2011, Helen earned her Bachelors of Science in Mathematics from Georgetown University in Washington, DC where she volunteered as an EMT-Basic. She explored her passion for human movement through coaching Crossfit, Olympic weight-lifting and teaching Spin classes.
She earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2017 and soon after completed a residency focused on biomechanical functional relationships at The Jackson Clinics in Northern Virginia. Following this, she became Board Certified Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy through the APTA.
She has taken additional coursework on Neurodynamics, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, the Running Athlete, and has advanced training in pelvic floor health through the Herman&Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute.
Helen is passionate about orthopedic injuries and pelvic health, as they can be intimately connected. She strives to provide holistic individualized care, and considers a person's entire movement history, abilities, story, experiences, and preferences when developing their treatment plan. She considers interregional dependencies as well as the effects of stress and fear. Her treatment approach emphasizes education and active techniques so that clients are empowered throughout their recovery.
Helen grew up in Falls Church, VA and spent the first two decades of her life in the Northern Virginia region. She currently lives in Rochester, NY with her husband and golden retriever. Her favorite ways to move right now include Pilates, Yoga, hiking, trail running, and strength training; though she is admittedly partial to the sauna during the winter. She is an aspiring 46’er and has completed 22 of the ADK’s high peaks.
Specialties
Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist
Dr. Helen Goldfrank is a Board Certified Specialist in Orthopedics thought the APTA. Her residency program focused on orthopedic manual therapy and functional relationships of the musculoskeletal system.
The program emphasized the importance of looking at the body holistically and highlighted when and how foot dysfunction can affect the pelvis and lumbar spine
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist
Dr. Helen has over 100 hours of advanced training in this area through the Herman and Wallace Institute, the Institute of Clinical Excellence, and Julie Wiebe. She integrates her background from Pilates and orthopedics in order to uniquely meet the needs of the individuals who come to her for help.
Certified Pilates Instructor
Dr. Helen completed a contemporary mat, reformer, cadillac, and chair Pilates training through Evolution Pilates, where she teaches group and private classes on reformer & other apparatus. She blends the Pilates principles of using breath to facilitate the core, balanced movement in all planes, and controlled focused intentional movement with modern rehab and exercise science. She has completed Scolio-Pilates Modules 1 & 2 to deepen her ability to provide individual modifications and cueing to those with Scoliosis.
Strength & Conditioning
Dr. Helen brings 15 years of experience with traditional strength & conditioning to her Physical Therapy & Pilates practices. Her love affair with strength training began the first time she touched a barbell, and she went on to coach Crossfit & complete in Olympic Weightlifting. Her current strength endeavors are focused on unilateral & asymmetric loading to support the runner. She utilizes strength training of all sorts in her practice to help her clients build resilience and ease.
