Neil McKenna DPT, FAAOMPT, OCS, TPI Medical 3 Certified
Neil McKenna DPT, FAAOMPT, OCS is a board-certified orthopedic physical therapist and fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy. He has over 16 years of clinical practice since graduating from the #1 ranked Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of Southern California. This program is ultimately what took this New Yorker out West.
Dr. McKenna began his practice at the prestigious Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago where he worked with various health care professionals in a team-based environment. From RIC, he moved to San Diego and worked as a clinician and educator. He was an adjunct faculty member for five years at Chapman University until he opened his private practice “Elevate Physical Therapy and Wellness” in 2010.
Dr. McKenna has learned over the years that a majority of our pain syndromes stem from faulty movement patterns. This may have occurred for many reasons with trauma, repeated stress/strain, and non-optimal movement strategies being just a few examples. He has come to realize that there is no “cookie cutter” approach to movement dysfunction. Individual screening needs to be emphasized due to the unique patterns of each person. This is one of the main reasons he employs state of the art technology to help with the evaluation and treatment of these impairments. The changing of the clinic name from “Elevate” to “The Center for Movement Dysfunction” parallels Dr. McKenna’s further specialization in movement dysfunction assessment and treatment.
When not at the clinic, Neil cherishes his time with his family. His wife, Dr. Wendi McKenna is a pediatric physical therapist and runs two companies (“Strides Physical Therapy” and “Move Play Grow”). When not goofing off at home with their three amazing children and a rather large Rhodesian Ridgeback ("Boba Fett"), they can be found on the soccer field, baseball diamond, and basketball court coaching their kids. When not on the sports field, the McKenna’s try to get outdoors as much as possible with their kids. Outside of these events, Dr. McKenna participates and competes in functional lifting, running, cycling, and golfing.
Dr. McKenna's Professional Bio:
- Completed a fellowship with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT)
- Recognized as a board-certified specialist in orthopedics by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
- Was a committee member for the APTA for four years
- Was a part-time faculty member at Chapman University for five years
- Certified by the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) as a Level 3 Medical Provider
- Published in Orthopedic Rehabilitation Clinical Advisor, 2009 ("Sacroiliac Joint") and Rehabilitation for the Postsurgical Orthopedic Patient, 2013 ("Bunionectomies").