Summit Physical Therapy, Inc.

05/01/2026

Who says we have to wait until tomorrow? Let’s start our Book of the Month today and get a little head start together 📚

04/24/2026

She’s back—and just in time for summer adventures ☀️

Our favorite Georgia peach has returned! Melissa is bringing her signature blend of energy, expertise, and adventurous spirit back to Summit Physical Therapy for the season.

After a 4,700-mile journey to Alaska (because of course she would!), she’s ready to dive into everything this beautiful place has to offer—from outdoor exploration to helping our community move, feel, and live better.

With 15 years of experience as a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Melissa is passionate about building strength, resilience, and confidence in every patient she works with. Her fitness-forward approach and belief that movement is medicine make her an incredible guide for anyone looking to get back to doing what they love—or push beyond what they thought was possible.

Want a chance to meet Melissa? Come check out her talk with Joanna on May 29th at 2 PM for our Summit Strong Series: Breathing and Core for the Pelvic Floor at Summit PT!

We’re so excited to have her back on the team and can’t wait for you to work with her again (or meet her for the first time)!

Welcome back, Melissa 💪🌿

04/14/2026

Summit Strong Series: Running Strong 🏃‍♀️

This past weekend, we hosted our Running Strong workshop at Summit. Thank you to everyone who spent their Saturday morning with us!

One of the biggest takeaways:
Running isn’t just about logging miles. It’s about how your body handles the demand of running.

Every step involves:
A force of 2–3x your body weight, happening in a fraction of a second, requiring strength, control, and coordination.

And yet, most of us were taught to just… go run.

I’ll be the first to admit, as a PT, I used to turn my brain off and just run too. My body definitely let me know when that wasn’t working.

That’s why I put this workshop together to help people:
👉 move better
👉 train smarter
👉 stay in it long-term

We talked about:
• what actually defines a runner
• why form looks different for everyone
• common myths (like needing a specific shoe for your foot type)
• and simple ways to start improving your movement today

One of my favorite takeaways:
Your body adapts… but adaptation doesn’t always mean improvement.

The goal isn’t just to run more. It’s to run better so you can keep running.

Thanks again to everyone who came out! I loved the energy in the room😁

Next up in the Summit Strong Series:
Breathing and Core for the Pelvic Floor
with Joanna Owen, PT, DPT & Melissa Laye, PT, DPT
📅 May 29th at 2:00 PM

Stay tuned for more!

Your friendly neighborhood runner,
Christina

04/06/2026

Christina De La Torre, PT, DPT, is a physical therapist with over a decade of experience in orthopedic care, helping patients of all ages return to the activities that matter most to them. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Florida State University in 2009 and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from University of Central Florida in 2012.

Christina began her career in a skilled nursing facility before transitioning fully into orthopedic care, where she has spent the past 11 years developing a strong, movement-based, and evidence-driven approach to rehabilitation. She has a special interest in shoulder and upper extremity conditions, with ongoing continuing education in hand-to-shoulder rehabilitation, as well as running mechanics and injury prevention.

Her treatment philosophy emphasizes not only recovery, but long-term understanding, helping patients build strength, improve movement quality, and confidently return to their daily lives, work, and recreation.

Originally born in Japan and raised in Florida in a military family, Christina moved to Homer, Alaska in 2015 while her husband served in the U.S. Coast Guard. What began as a temporary assignment quickly became home. She is deeply connected to the community, sings in community choir and actively serves on the boards of the Kachemak Bay Running Club, Pier One Theatre, and of course Summit.

Outside the clinic, Christina is an avid runner and has progressed from 5Ks to completing her first marathon in 2025. She values the freedom running provides, both physically and mentally, and brings that same perspective into her work with patients. She also enjoys traveling, hiking, and exploring the history and culture of places around the world with her husband and two children.

03/27/2026

Did you know physical therapy can help with TMJ (temporomandibular joint) dysfunction? 😊

If you’re dealing with jaw pain or tenderness, clicking or popping, limited mouth opening or locking, headaches or ear pain, or even neck and shoulder tension—you’re not alone, and you don’t have to live with it.

Our latest blog breaks down what TMJ dysfunction is, why it happens, and how physical therapy can provide real relief. ✨

Ready to feel better? 🙌

Read the blog to learn more and reach out to schedule an appointment with one of our skilled TMJ specialists—

Kristin James PT, DPT, Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist
Aidan Philpott PT, DPT, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
Nick Peterson, PT, DPT

We’re here to help you get back to comfortable, pain-free movement! 🦷💙

03/13/2026

🚨 Happening Today at 4 PM — Don’t Miss It! 🚨

Join us for the first presentation in the Summit Strong Series featuring Amanda Cherok, PT, DPT, Cert. MDT.

🦴 Topic: Bone Stress Injuries and REDs in the Athlete

Amanda graduated with honors from Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania in 2009 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science and minors in Neuroscience and Psychology. She went on to earn her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Saint Francis University in 2011, graduating magna cm laude.

Amanda is Certified in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) through the McKenzie Institute and has completed advanced coursework in Craniosacral Therapy through the Upledger Institute. She is currently completing continuing education focused on bone stress injuries, runners, and endurance athletes—further strengthening her ability to support active individuals in reaching their goals.

She is passionate about helping patients understand their diagnosis so they can take an active role in achieving the best possible outcomes. Outside of the clinic, Amanda enjoys running, spending time with her kids, and hiking across the bay and throughout Alaska.

📅 Today
⏰ 4:00 PM at Summit Physical Therapy, Inc.
or
💻 Join on Zoom:
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/79575575749?pwd=eMDUvbSkD1VfVvnNLQGm4malbRbCk6.1

Open to clinicians, coaches, athletes, and community members interested in athlete health and performance.

👉 We hope to see you there for the kickoff of the Summit Strong Series!

03/05/2026

📚 Introducing the Summit Bookshelf

We’re excited to launch something new at Summit! Each month, our team will be sharing a book that has inspired us, helped us grow, or offered valuable insights into health, mindset, and living well.

Our goal is simple: to pass along ideas that can support your journey to better health and wellbeing — inside and outside the clinic.

Each month we’ll feature a new book recommendation for our patients and community. If you’re looking for something meaningful to read, check out the Summit Bookshelf and join us!

✨ Have a favorite book that’s inspired you? We’d love to hear your recommendations.

02/26/2026

🌬️ Struggling to Breathe? What could it be ... 🤯

Our latest blog dives into how asthma, anxiety, and the way you breathe are connected — and how posture plays a huge role too!

🔍 In this short read, you’ll learn:
✨ How anxiety-triggered breathing can mimic or worsen asthma symptoms
✨ Why posture and rib motion matter for proper lung function
✨ The role of your nervous system (fight-or-flight vs. rest-and-digest) in how you breathe
✨ Practical tips — from breathing exercises to postural awareness — to help you breathe better and feel better overall 💪

Whether it’s asthma flare-ups, stress breathing, or inefficient mechanics, understanding the root of the problem can make all the difference.

👉 Read more and take control of your breath + body →

Breathing is one of the most fundamental aspects of life, yet it's often taken for granted. When difficulties arise in breathing, it can be challenging to determine the root cause. Is it asthma? Anxiety? Or could it be a matter of not knowing how to breathe properly? This blog post delves into the i...

02/18/2026

🌟 New on the Summit PT Blog! 🌟

Ever wondered why your pelvic health evaluation starts with an external assessment? 🤔 Our newest post breaks it down.

External exams are more than just a warm-up — they help your therapist:
✨ See how posture, breathing, and movement impact pelvic health
✨ Understand core and hip strength & mobility
✨ Identify contributing factors in the lower back or SI joint
✨ Build a personalized, comfortable plan

Starting with an external assessment means safer, more effective care designed around your comfort and goals. 💪❤️

👉 Learn more and feel confident in your pelvic health journey:
https://www.summitptalaska.com/post/understanding-the-effectiveness-of-pelvic-health-external-exams

12/29/2025

🚨 Things You Should NOT Ignore in 2026 — Reach Out to a PT If You Have Any of These 👇

• Pain that keeps coming back (even if it “goes away”)
• Stiffness when you wake up or after sitting too long
• Clicking, popping, or grinding with movement
• Pain during workouts that you’ve learned to “push through”
• Loss of strength, balance, or mobility
• Old injuries that still limit how you move
• Pain that’s changing how you walk, train, or sleep

💡 Pain is information — not something to normalize.
Ignoring it now can turn small issues into long-term problems later.

📩 If this sounds like you, it’s time to reach out to a Physical Therapist.

Early help = faster recovery, fewer setbacks, and better performance.

👉 Save this post & share it with someone who needs to hear this.

12/26/2025

Merry Christmas from all of us at Summit!