Meet The Team
Kate Nugent
MPT, FNCP
Kate opened Physical Wellness Lab in 2020 with the intention to treat physical therapy patients holistically. In her years of treating patients with chronic issues, Kate realized that pain and movement dysfunction is a multi-modal issue stemming most obviously from mechanical issues, but also nutritional deficiencies and emotional load as well. Her approach to treatment encompasses this three pronged approach to help patients understand and connect with their bodies as a whole rather than independent systems in order to restore movement, gain more body awareness, and return to a full life.
Kate graduated from Northwestern University Medical School Program in Physical Therapy in 1998. Kate has worked in various outpatient orthopedic settings since graduating and has extensive training in manual techniques. She has additional certifications in Functional Nutrition, Kinesiology, and Craniosacral Therapies. Kate served as the Clinical Coordinator for Northwestern Orthopedics as well as Adjunct Faculty at Northwestern Physical Therapy Program.
Outside of treating patients Kate’s biggest passion is her family. She is the mother of 2 daughters and stepmom to 4 bonus kids. She enjoys weight lifting, interval running, golf, yoga, time outdoors, spending time with loved ones and consistently learning more about the body to bring that back to her practice.
Shayne Welch
MPT, CHC
Shayne Welch graduated with a Masters in Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in 1999 with a focus in Manual Therapy. She has practiced at Northwestern Memorial Hospital NMFF Outpatient Clinic, Athletico Physical Therapy and most recently at Illinois Bone and Joint with a focus on Orthopedics and Metabolic Health. She received her Bachelor's degree from the University of Florida in Food Science and Human Nutrition and she currently holds her ACE Health Coach Certification. In addition to her career in the Allied Health Profession, she has coached in the Fitness industry at Orange Theory Fitness and instructing Spinning Fitness classes at Spynergy in Winnetka.
Utilizing a holistic, evidence based approach, her goal is to implement a skilled approach to reduce pain and movement deficits and thus improve patients quality of movement and activity to enable patients to maintain an active lifestyle promoting longevity.
Piotr Wojnowski
LMT
Peter graduated from the Academy of Physical Education and Sport in Gdansk, Poland in 2004 and The European Massage Therapy School in Skokie, Illinois in 2007. He is also former professional soccer player - Polish National Soccer Team Under 17, 18 AND 19.
Peter’s extensive massage therapy experience (over 25,000 hours of massages) and experience as a former professional soccer player has allowed him to help patients recover from various soft tissue muscle injuries, such as frozen shoulder, back pain, tennis elbow and all kinds of body pains. Every single massage he delivers is customized to achieve the best results. He brings a wealth of experience in various massage techniques including deep tissue, sports, trigger point therapy, medical and clinical massage.
Elyse Hochberg
MSPT, MLD-C
Elyse graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in 2000 with a Masters of Science in Physical Therapy. The majority of her career has been spent working at Athletico and other outpatient clinics, treating a variety of patients including pre and post-surgical orthopedics, sports injuries, body mechanics especially with runners, and workman’s comp with the patients being all ages. Elyse also is certified in the very specialized technique of Manual Lymphatic Drainage which is used to treat swelling and chronic pain. She is so excited to join the team at Physical Wellness Lab and share her skills and knowledge with patients who are seeking relief from pain, swelling and movement impairment issues.
When Elyse isn’t practicing physical therapy, she is spending time with her husband, 3 daughters and 2 dogs. She enjoys weight training, walking her dogs, cooking , playing pickleball and running. Elyse is always working on ways on how to better herself and become the best version of herself as a wife, mom, and therapist that she can!
Barbara Lincoln
RD
She completed her degree in Clinical Nutrition at NYU in 2007 and dietetic internship at North Shore University hospital now known as Northwell health soon after. She has worked for internists in New York City and Fairfield County before going into private practice in 2014. She has lectured on nutrition for various large companies including Disney, Google and Yahoo and spoken about Nutrition for Type 1 Diabetics at the JDRF world summit. She is a member of the American Dietetic Association and multiple practice groups including SCAN and has edited several journal and newsletter articles.
Barbara has extensive experience working with clients with cardiovascular disease and diabetes as well as weight loss. She does not believe in diets but an overall balanced approach to nutrition. She views her clients as individuals with specific needs and goals. Her specialties include sports nutrition, menopausal weight gain, digestive issues, and autoimmune disorders.
Catherine Slaastad
PT
Catherine Slaastad Is a 2022 graduate of The University of St. Augustine Doctor of Physical Therapy program with specialization in Primary Care. Catherine graduated from Oakland University's Master of Physical Therapy program in 2002. Catherine has experience in private practice
with specialization in women's health including pregnancy and postpartum related dysfunctions.
Catherine has extensive experience with the Kaltenborn/Evjenth Orthopedic Manual Therapy (OMT) System and has several years of experience with bariatric physical therapy. Catherine believes that Physical Therapy should focus on the holistic approach. recognizing the basis of dysfunction and tailoring treatment based on the patient's needs and goals. In her free time, Catherine enjoys traveling and being a wrestling mom for her three boys.
Emily Grimm
PT, DPT, COMT
Emily graduated physical therapy school in 2013 with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and has spent most of her career working at Rush Physical Therapy. She has experience in treating a variety of orthopedic conditions including sports injuries and runners, and specializes in pelvic health for all genders. She has her Certification in Orthopedic Manual Therapy (COMT) from the Ola Grimsby Institute and Active Release Technique (ART) and believes in using various manual techniques to help restore function.
In 2018 she began her extensive training in pelvic health and treats conditions including pregnancy/post-partum rehabilitation, urinary incontinence, dyspareunia, bowel and bladder dysfunction, constipation, pelvic pain, abdominal pain, peri-menopause/menopause related pelvic floor conditions, and pelvic floor muscle dysfunction for all genders.
Emily treats with a holistic approach and believes that many factors influence our physical bodies including lifestyle, nutrition/diet, mental health, and stored emotions. She views everyone as unique individuals and provides a comprehensive treatment plan in order to improve function, physical wellbeing, and empower patients.
In her free time, Emily loves spending time with her family, husband and two active young boys! She enjoys exercise including yoga, running, and strength training.
Christina M. Christie
PT, FAFS, FMR, CAFS, 3DMAPS
Christina is an Orthopedic and Pelvic Health Specialist for The Physical Wellness Lab, President of Pelvic Solutions, LLC, Global Educator and Yoga Instructor. She received her Degree in Physical Therapy from Rosalind Franklin University in 1990. She is a Fellow of Applied Functional Science, certified in FMR, FCR, CAFS and 3DMAPS as a GIFT graduate from the Gray Institute. She specializes in the evaluation and treatment of the orthopedic client and the pelvic health client including pregnancy, incontinence/pelvic floor dysfunction and orthopedics/sports performance related injuries. She developed the Female Chain Reaction(FCR) Course and is the Director of FCR for the Gray Institute, is the Inventor of the PelvicorePro and PelvicorePro Training methods including group fitness.
She is also ASTYM and BFR certified. Christina continues to educate medical, health and fitness professionals internationally for the Gray Institute, American Physical Therapy Association, IDEA Health and Fitness Association, SCW Fitness, Illinois Physical Therapy Association, as well as many other public and private organizations.
