Restore your body. Restore your life.

You CAN overcome your health concerns and return to a life of vitality and resilience. There is hope for a better future.

 

 

 

Combining advanced Integrative Manual Physical Therapy with Functional Medicine to treat the whole body — not just the symptoms.

 

 

Jennifer Shepherd, PT, CFMT, FFMT, FAAOMPT, FMCP

 

If you continue to struggle with symptoms despite seeing many practitioners, you’re in the right place.

Your body was designed brilliantly to adapt to life. That is, until it has reached a tipping point and the body becomes overburdened: tipping into disease, degeneration, symptoms from out of the blue, and injuries that are not healing. Most practitioners are only looking at your symptoms or, only at one system of the body, without the understanding of the big picture of the human body, as it was designed as whole, integrated and interconnected.

We help you identify your body’s priority list on what it most needs to get back to a better state of balance and health.

The human body is complex, but is doesn’t have to be complicated.

Jen Shepherd workout

Integrative Manual Physical Therapy: Unburdening the body and reconnecting pathways

The trained human hand can precisely identify and restore structures in the body that have lost their healthy functioning due to past and present impacts, old injuries, surgeries, inflammatory conditions, and birth trauma.

By precisely improving the mobility of a structure, be it a joint, a fascial interface, membrane, a nerve, vessel, or organ, we are able to improve the function of the that structure and how it works within the whole interconnected body.

But it starts with assessment and identification of your body’s priority list. Often there are other areas of the body and factors that are driving your symptoms.

Your journey to better health begins with you.

Even the best treatment plan can fall short if your daily habits at home aren’t supporting your healing. I’ve seen many patients plateau in the clinic — not because the treatment wasn’t working, but because underlying inflammation, structural imbalances, or nervous system stress kept pulling them back.

Many people believe they’re healthy, until their bodies say otherwise. And once something feels off, most people respond by doing more — another supplement, another diet, another program — without ever learning which of it actually helps.

That’s the piece I teach differently. I created the Foundations for Functional Health program to address these basic needs of our human bodies to keep them working optimally and efficiently. I don’t just tell you what to do. I help you understand how your body was designed to function and how you how to read your own body’s response, so you know what’s actually working for you — not just what’s working in general…or not.

Through our growing understanding of disease through the lens of Functional Medicine, along with my 26 years of working with patients with complex health issues and orthopedic issues, here are the areas that I find consistently in my patients that negatively impact a their health and opportunity for healing:

    • mindset and nervous system imbalance
    • inflammation and toxicity
    • structural imbalances from sitting and inefficient exercise

This is the work that finally moves the needle for so many of my patients.

How the Process Works

This is not a typical PT practice. We are focused helping your restore your body to better functioning, inside and out, helping you achieve resilience and not reliance on a practitioner.

Getting results requires a multi-phase approach:  education, what we do in the clinic and how you support this work at home.

Begin with our Discovery Call — 

We require all potential patients to begin with a 30-minute, online, Discovery Call. On this call, you will discuss your health concerns and needs, as well as brief history and past treatments, and what course of action may be best for you. While this call does not establish care, most people receive significant insight into their conditions.

 

Phase 1 — Foundations in Functional Health (Required Online Program for Most Patients)

To prepare your body and maximize our time in the clinic, we require that most patients complete our Foundations in Functional Health program. This online program teaches you how to care for your body at home and for a lifetime— reducing inflammation, supporting your nervous system, and preparing you to get the most out of in-person treatment.

The results we have been seeing of those who have completed the program prior are outstanding, with many of them experiencing improvements prior to their first in-person visit.

The course work can take between 6-12 weeks depending on recommendations and the time you are able to dedicate to your health. Our clinic consistently has a 2-4 month waitlist for new patients, making it the perfect time to prepare your body for in-clinic work.

Learn more about what your experience will be as you learn, practice, and incorporate lifechanging skills in The Foundations for Functional Health.

 

 

Phase 2 — In-Clinic Hands-On Care

Once you have registered and started for the Foundations for Functional Health programs, you can then schedule in-person evaluation and appointments. Together we’ll dig deeper into your health history and address remaining symptoms using precise, whole-body manual assessment and treatment. Depending on your needs, this may include assessing posture, movement, joint and fascia mobility, nervous system function, fluid and lymph flow, and stored physical and emotional trauma.

As your body releases tension and finds better balance, each session will look a little different — reflecting your progress.

Learn more about what Integrative Manual Physical Therapy Assessment and Treatment may look like for you.

This is a premium, highly personalized program, requiring investments of both time and finances. We will discuss this in your Discovery Call.

Our Philosophy

LISTEN

Your story matters. Understanding your history helps us understand your body.

IDENTIFY

We quickly pinpoint which structures and systems aren’t functioning at their best.

PROBLEM SOLVE

We connect those findings to your history to understand the deeper relationships of your symptoms.

RESTORE

We restore mobility and function of your structures and pathways, integrating them into your whole body.

EQUIP & EMPOWER

We build on the awareness you’ve developed in Foundations with self-care that keeps adapting as your body — and your needs — change.

Why patients come to me after trying everyone else

Most physical therapists treat one joint, one muscle, one diagnosis at a time. Most functional medicine providers focus on labs and supplements. Doctors offer medications, surgery, injections.

My education, skillset, experience, and gifts equip me to assess ad treat the whole body as one integrated system: musculoskeletal, visceral, neural, vascular, and functional medicine — together, in one visit.

There are very few Physical Therapists with advanced manual therapy training and only one in the country with the added certification in Functional Medicine.

That means I can find connections between your symptoms, history, lifestyle, and structure  that other providers miss entirely. 

Jen Shepherd

Jennifer Shepherd, PT, CFMT, FFMT, FAAOMPT, FMCP

  • Integrative Manual Physical Therapist
  • Certified Functional Manual Therapist
  • Fellowship Trained in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
  • Advanced Training in Visceral, Vascular and Neural Manipulation
  • Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner
  • Two time Ironman Finisher
  • D1 Tennis Player

REAL RESULTS

“By taking the time to do a very thorough history, Jen helped me work through traumatic events — figuring out how to support my whole body so I can heal and get back to living. She has changed my life.” — Krista Kyle

In January, with Jen’s support, Krista lost weight, cleared up skin issues, significantly reduced IBS symptoms, reduced headaches and allergy symptoms, and reduced pain in muscles and joints. Her hematologist noted her best autoimmune lab results in over 10 years.

Jonathan Koenig profile picture
Jonathan Koenig
5 months ago
Jenn is the best physical therapist I have been to. I came in with chronic shoulder pain, numbness in both pinkies and joint pain in my knees. She has a holistic approach and is very in tune with what the body needs and how to slowly and gently open things up and allow for healing. She also has great online courses for core strengthening and nervous system regulation.

I would recommend Jenn to anyone looking for a holistic and welcoming approach to healing the body.
Sandy Tusick profile picture
Sandy Tusick
1 year ago
Jen is a phenomenal , holistic therapist
Has been treating my husband every week since last fall! Highly recommend ….
A Friedman04 profile picture
A Friedman04
1 year ago
Jen is great at finding the root cause of injuries and truly fixing them in ways other PT couldn’t.
My experience with Dr. Jennifer Shepherd has been exceptional! I've been working with her for approximately eight months now and word's can't explain the impact her services have had on my overall health and well-being! Her extensive knowledge, transparency, compassion, and willingness to hear your concerns is what makes her a pleasure to work with! I've worked with several individuals in my past but The Most High sent me the correct "Shepherd" this time to shepherd her flock! I am actively still working with her and when there appears to be a lack of hope she brings it! I HIGHLY recommend if you're in need of a spark in your health and wellness she's the individual to see! A true answer to my prayers! All glory and esteem to Yahuah The Most High!!!
Kevin Wang profile picture
Kevin Wang
2 years ago
Jen helped me with my hip pain after my surgeries did not address things. She's got a deep knowledge of athletes and physiology and helps you restore your function.
Brynna Wasserman profile picture
Brynna Wasserman
2 years ago
As someone who has been to pelvic physical therapy before I thought I knew what to expect. But Jen does so much more! She focuses on the entire body, and works on my back to help my pelvis. While most PTs will tell you how all the muscles are connected to each other, they don’t always follow through on that. Jen does - she tries to trace the pain back to the source and go from there. Genuinely treating the problem and not just the symptom. She is truly a miracle worker. I would recommend her to anyone.
Sara profile picture
Sara
2 years ago
Jennifer has been such an amazing therapist. I have suffered severe TMJ issues for the last 15 years. I have seen multiple dentist, physical therapist, and TMJ specialists. None of which have looked at the root cause of the issue to try to heal every reason behind my TMJ like Jennifer has. I am so thankful for her in-depth knowledge of the human body as a whole.
Jessie K profile picture
Jessie K
2 years ago
Healing with a science-based approach. I originally came to The Center for plantar fasciitis. We are working on getting to the root of way more than the pain in my feet. Everything is connected. I highly recommend The Shepherd Center for Integrative Health.
Katherine Barto profile picture
Katherine Barto
3 years ago
Working with Jennifer has been a one of a kind experience! I’ve done PT for an injury in the past but this is so much different. She really takes her time to get to know you and works with your whole body to correct numerous issues. After just a short time of working with her my quality of life has improved so much and I am grateful to be in her care!
Reagan Bass profile picture
Reagan Bass
3 years ago
She is very knowledgeable and helps with my speedy recovery and performance with an intense and demanding division 1 basketball season. Her expertise allows for full self healing that leads to injury prevention.
Cindi Theodore profile picture
Cindi Theodore
4 years ago
My family and I have been going to see Jenn for over 2yrs now since we were recommended to her. Our results are amazing! She has a wealth of information on how the body works and how to restore wellness. She has helped all of us to overcome the issues Covid left behind.
Sarah Bass profile picture
Sarah Bass
5 years ago
Jen has been working with my 3 basketball players and myself. She has completely eliminated my back pain and given me a regimen to remain pain free. As for my athletes, she significantly decreased or eliminated their knee, back and hip pain, but most importantly Jen has worked to increase their mobility and develop a plan to achieve the most efficient responses from their bodies which makes each one a better athlete.

Are you a Physical Therapist ready to do more for your patients?

Many Physical Therapists have untapped skills and passion to help people overcome health issues — but lack the training to go deeper. When you have the knowledge of whole-body anatomy, the relationships between systems, and the freedom to think outside the box, both you and your patients thrive.

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