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.
Cynthia Reeder
MPT
Cynthia has been working in the physical therapy field for over 20 years. Her experiences over this time have allowed her to grow within the sports and orthopedic field of physical therapy, specializing in manual therapy techniques. Her practice focuses on improving the efficiency of movement pathways to overcome symptoms, optimize function and heighten performance. She believes that the body does most of its healing on its own and strives to improve her clients’ connection to their own bodies to aid in the healing process and prevent future injuries.
Early in her career, Cynthia was exposed to both everyday acute and chronic conditions as well as high level performance injuries incurred by elite level professional athletes in the NFL, NBA, MLS, MLB, WTA and professional dance companies. As she grew professionally working in Los Angeles, Cynthia started her own practice in 2008 and eventually created a niche position in television performance productions as an on location physical therapist and consultant. She worked on America’s Best Dance Crew, Skating with the Stars and Dancing with the Stars. In 2015, Cynthia moved to the suburbs of Chicago where she continues her orthopedic practice both in clinic and on location for touring performances such as So You Think You Can Dance.
Cynthia likes to engage in her own movement therapy through dance studio classes, yoga and paddle tennis. She enjoys watching her own daughters progress their skills in soccer, basketball and dance. Cynthia is excited to join the Physical Wellness Lab Team to provide individualized care and grow a healthier community.
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.
