Doug Junge
PT, ATC, SCS, CSCS, Cert MDT
Doug attended the University of Nebraska Lincoln and graduated with a BS in Athletic Training and Health Education. While at UNL, Doug was a Student Athletic Trainer for the Husker Athletic Department and served on the staff his final year. Doug was accepted into the Physical Therapy program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and graduated with a Master of Physical Therapy degree in May 1993. Since graduation, Doug has continued his education through numerous post graduate courses in Orthopedic Physical Therapy. He has achieved a Certificate in Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment of the Spine through the McKenzie Institute of North America and also is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. In 2005, Doug received his Board Certification in Sports Physical Therapy from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. Doug is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, the Nebraska Chapter of the APTA, the National Athletic Trainer’s Association, the NSATA and the National Strength and Conditioning Association
Alison Pfeifer
Physical Therapist Assistant
Alison is a native of Madison, Nebraska. She attended Northeast Community College where she earned her Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant degree and soon after joined the Norfolk Physical Therapy team in 2014. Her areas of interest include sports rehabilitation, geriatrics, and general orthopedics. Alison has continued her education by recently becoming certified in Kinesiology taping. Her goal in the clinic is to create a relaxed and enjoyable environment while providing quality care to her patients. Ali and her husband, Jesse, have lived in Norfolk since 2014. In her spare time she enjoys being outdoors, spending time with family, and napping.
Brenna Sokol
PT, PCES, Cert.DN
Brenna has been in the PT profession for 10+ years, beginning her professional journey focusing on orthopedic and sport patients. Along the way she was exposed to pelvic floor rehab and quickly realized how important and needed this area of therapy is. During her first pregnancy, she experienced firsthand how much confusion exists in the pre/postnatal world in regard to exercise, nutrition, and rehab. This provided further motivation for continued education to obtain certifications as a pelvic floor practitioner and pre and postnatal rehab and exercise specialist. Brenna approaches treatment with her patients based on the notion that they are a team: she can help them discover the power they have over their symptoms and limitations, celebrate breakthroughs big or small, and methodically work through any setbacks that may arise. It is Brenna’s goal to help advance the accessibility and awareness of pelvic floor and obstetric care so that it becomes standard of care.
Brenna received her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Baylor University. She has completed additional post doctorate certifications in orthopedics, spinal manipulation, dry needling, men and women’s pelvic floor therapy, and obstetric physical therapy. She is currently a fellow in training in manual and orthopedic therapy. Brenna lives in Verdigre with her husband, daughter, and two dogs. She enjoys cooking, being active outdoors, reading, and cheering for the Huskers and Packers.
Lianne Lawson
PT, DPT
Lianne is a physical therapist from Neligh, NE. She graduated with her Bachelors in General Biology and minor in Biochemistry from Northwest Missouri State University then went on to graduate from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 2015 with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy. Lianne has attended many physical therapy courses and has special interests in orthopedics and balance training. Lianne enjoys spending her free time with her husband and 2 children, attending family events, going to concerts and watching Husker sports and Kansas City Chiefs football.
Rhiannon Herstedt
PTA
Rhiannon ‘Rhi’ is from Alliance, Nebraska. She moved to Norfolk to attend Northeast Community College and received her PTA degree in 2020. Rhi and her husband Luke along with their cat named Will, have made their home in Norfolk. Rhi would like to expand her knowledge in physical therapy by focusing on neuro and balance issues. She enjoys reading, traveling anywhere and baking.
What do all those abbreviations mean?
A Physical Therapist is a health care professional who evaluates and treats people with health problems resulting from injury or disease. Physical Therapists assess joint motion, muscle strength and endurance, as well as performance of daily living activities. Treatments vary based on the practice setting but include therapeutic exercise, cardiovascular training, joint mobilization, modalities such as e-stim, ultrasound and home exercise programs. Physical therapists typically complete an undergraduate program of study prior to acceptance into an accredited Physical Therapy program. Most programs require three years of further training.
A Certified Athletic Trainer is a highly educated and skilled member of the health care team. In cooperation with physicians and other allied health care professionals, the Athletic Trainer functions to provide services to secondary schools, colleges, universities and professional athletic programs. Certified Athletic Trainers have completed the requirements for certification through the National Athletic Trainers Association Board of Certification.
A Sports Credentialed Specialist is a Physical Therapist who has completed at least five years of practice, 2000 hours of direct patient care in the area of sports physical therapy as well as a course in CPR and emergency care. In addition, the Physical Therapist must pass an examination administered by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. They must re-certify every 10 years to keep current on trends relating to the specialty.
A Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist is a professional who applies scientific knowledge to train athletes for the primary goal of improving performance. They conduct sports-specific training sessions, design and implement safe and effective training programs and provide guidance regarding nutrition and injury prevention. A CSCS holds, at minimum, a Bachelor’s Degree by an accredited institution. The CSCS is the only strength and conditioning certification nationally accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.
A Cert MDT is a Physical Therapist who specializes in the treatment of the spine utilizing the McKenzie Method. The McKenzie Method is a comprehensive evaluation; treatment and prevention program utilizing fundamental movement patterns and developing a treatment plan based on the results. In order to become certified, the therapist must complete a four part series of instruction along with a written and practical examination.
Astym treatment is used only by those who have completed comprehensive training and certification. Training consists of pre-reading and tests, specific thorough treatment, lab time and certification testing.