Abby King's passion for physical therapy was ignited by her personal experience as a high school and college athlete. Having played both softball and volleyball throughout high school, she continued her softball career at the Division III level in college. However, persistent shoulder pain during her later high school years and early in college affected her performance. It wasn’t until she worked with a dedicated physical therapy team that Abby was able to throw pain-free, which sparked her interest in physical therapy, specifically for athletes.
During her college years, Abby began working as a physical therapy tech, solidifying her desire to be on the other side of rehab, treating athletes rather than being a patient. While attending physical therapy school, she herself underwent multiple ACL surgeries and experienced the value of sports-specific rehabilitation. This personal experience further solidified her decision to specialize in sports physical therapy, where she could help athletes recover and return to competition stronger than before.
Abby’s academic journey started at Lake Forest College, a small liberal arts school north of Chicago, where she studied neuroscience and psychology. During her undergraduate years, she conducted extensive research, which cultivated her academic rigor and solidified her path toward physical therapy. She later attended Northwestern University in Chicago for her Doctorate of Physical Therapy, choosing a program with a strong focus on musculoskeletal and neuro physical therapy.
Since graduating, Abby has pursued numerous continuing education courses in manual and manipulative therapy, focusing on enhancing her hands-on skills. She is currently pursuing a Diploma of Osteopractic, which encompasses certifications in dry needling, vestibular and concussion rehabilitation, spinal and extremity manipulation, and advanced manual therapy techniques aimed at improving movement quality and reducing pain.
Abby has been practicing since 2022 in the sports and orthopedic field, with a special interest in treating athletes—particularly overhead athletes and those with knee injuries, given her personal history with injuries. While working in Texas, Abby collaborated with her company’s baseball medicine program to collect data on throwers throughout their seasons, aiming to identify high injury risks and reduce injury incidence. She has also worked with local baseball programs to develop in-house treatments and arm care programs to reduce injury risk in young athletes.
Her specialties include treating athletes with knee injuries, overhead athletes (such as throwers), concussion rehabilitation, and those with neck and back pain. Abby combines her extensive knowledge of manual therapy, including osteopractic techniques, to provide tailored care that optimizes recovery and athletic performance.
Abby is a proud member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Therapists (AAOMPT). She continues to stay engaged with the latest research and evidence-based practices to provide the best care for her patients.
