Our Physical Therapy Team
Meet Jessie
Jessie Podolak, PT, DPT, Fellow of Pain Science
Owner: Phileo Health, LLC
Jessie is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, graduating with her Masters of PT degree from the College of St. Catherine in 1998, and later completing her transitional Doctorate degree at Regis University in Denver, Colorado in 2011. She has experience as a PT in hospital, skilled nursing care, aquatic, orthopedic outpatient, and private practice settings. She has developed expertise in pain science and manual therapy, working extensively with people suffering from low back pain, neck pain, joint injuries, arthritis, fibromyalgia and other types of chronic pain. She uses an educational and hands-on approach with her clients, believing strongly in the healing power within her patients, facilitated through knowledge, the skilled use of touch/mobilization, and self-care tools.
Jessie has a passion for seeing her clients set free from the fear, helplessness and hopelessness that accompany living in pain. Understanding that humans are incredibly integrated, mind-body-soul-beings, she treats the whole person. Using techniques recommended in current research, she walks alongside people on their journey to a healthier life. Her treatments incorporate pain neuroscience education, manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, and strategies to calm the nervous system. She loves to share knowledge with clients, as well as students and other health care providers. She is currently on faculty with Evidence in Motion (EIM), and she is a past Program Director for EIM's Pain Science Fellowship program. As a part of EIM, she has participated in research and teaches other clinicians across the country how to best serve people living in pain. Jessie also enjoys working with athletes, in particular, runners. An avid (former) distance runner (now hiker) and race director herself, she strives to keep runners on the move through targeted manual therapy, strengthening, and video gait analysis. Her background in Pilates adds a fun and effective dimension to her therapeutic approach with all of her patients. Jessie is happily married and has two grown sons and a lovely daughter-in-law. She enjoys spending time with family, learning, traveling, cooking, reading, absorbing podcasts, and working out with her friends. She has a quirky sense of humor and firmly believes Jimmy Fallon IS her boyfriend (it's okay... hubby Rick is secure in their marriage). She has a keen interest in spirituality and justice, and she tries to act on those opportunities that arise to make her home, her community, or the world a more loving, peaceful place. Sometimes she succeeds; sometimes she falls short. In particular, she is passionate about ending modern-day slavery and human trafficking, and as such, she firmly supports the work of International Justice Mission globally and Fierce Freedom locally. Her faith has given her an optimistic outlook on life as well as hope for what comes after this particular phase of our journey. Jessie provides both PT services and Wellness services, including manual therapies, as well as coaching on sleep, movement, thriving despite pain and more. To schedule an appointment with Jessie, please call or text 715-271-0388, or email her at jessiephileohealthpt@gmail.com.
Meet Ben
Ben Reich, PT, DPT, CMTPT/DN, CAFS
Owner: Patient Centered Physical Therapy, LLC
Ben has been practicing Physical Therapy in the Eau Claire area since he graduated from Carroll University in 2009, earning his Doctorate in Physical Therapy. He has experience working in many different settings including: skilled nursing, hospital, aquatic, on-site therapy, and outpatient PT. Ben has advanced training in functional exercise, earning his Certification in Applied Functional Science in 2017. He also earned his Dry Needling Certification (CMTPT/DN) from Myopain Seminars in 2018.
Ben started Patient-Centered Physical Therapy to be able to deliver true patient-centered care.
Ben believes it is very important to deliver care that is focused on what the patient wants and needs, versus what is dictated or allowed by health insurance and the health care industry. The direct-pay health care model allows Ben to be able to provide this care. He also believes in a holistic model, whereby looking at you, as a whole, not just treating the affected body part(s). Part of this process involves a thorough examination looking at comorbidities, medications, sleep patterns, diet, ergonomics, stress management, daily physical activity levels, body mechanics, and other environmental factors that could contribute to your symptoms. The direct-pay model better allows for this type of care due to less time constraints and no insurance constraints. Ben also believes in being able to try to restore patients back to their full function with all daily activities. Unfortunately, many insurance companies will stop authorizing care when a patient is able to perform the very basic functions in life and will not fully cover care for patients who want to get back to some of the activities they love like: running, golf, pickleball, tennis, Cross Fit, etc. He has worked with many athletes of all types throughout his career and has spent a significant time coaching and playing many sports himself. One of his passions in therapy is getting athletes of all types back on to the field/court and watching them succeed. He is an avid golfer himself and loves using his Physical Therapy principles with patients to improve their golf swing and to aid in injury prevention. Ben’s loving and supportive wife, Courtney, is a Dentist in Eau Claire. They have a shared interest in teeth, as Ben enjoys working with patients presenting with jaw dysfunction. Physical Therapy can be a great option for jaw treatment and it is often times overlooked. Soft tissue mobilization, dry needling, jaw mobilization/manipulation, neuromuscular re-education to improve jaw mechanics, posture re-training, use of an appliance, and jaw strengthening can help to ease jaw symptoms and restore normal jaw function. Ben also has two children, Luke, and Carolyn. When he is not working, he enjoys spending as much time as possible with them and his wife. He tries to instill an active lifestyle with his children by coaching them in sports, taking them skiing, going for bike rides, roller blading, playing pickleball, and getting them out on to the golf course. Ben would very much like to work with you on developing a treatment plan to help you get back to the activities you love. To schedule an appointment with Ben click "Schedule Now" on the top menu bar, email him at benreichPCPT@outlook.com, or call 715-834-3585.
Meet Curt
Curt Riley, PT, DPT, OCS, TPS
Owner: Turning Point Physical Therapy, LLC
Curt has worked as an outpatient Physical Therapist since graduating from Carroll University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program in 2009. Over the last 10 years he has challenged himself to stretch the status quo and find the very best physical therapy techniques. In 2012 he earned a board certification as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. He obtained his dry needling certification through Myopain Seminars in 2013, and completed the Therapeutic Pain Specialist certification through International Spine and Pain Institute in 2017. His passion for education and teaching has led to becoming a lead instructor for Myopain Seminars, which is one of the leading education groups teaching dry needling treatments to therapists across the United States and world. He is also on faculty for an Orthopedic Residency Program, Specialized Physical Therapy Education, which focuses on post-graduate education for physical therapists to obtain their specialty certification in orthopedic care.
Curt considers himself an eclectic physical therapist because the one size fits all approach does not work for the dynamic individuality of each person. This goal has been the drive to pursue top level continuing education to focus on manual therapy techniques including trigger point dry needling, as well as cutting edge developments in pain neuroscience. The goal of each treatment is to give the patient the tools to help self-manage their symptoms to help shift the control of the pain to the patient rather than the pain having control over daily activities. Curt loves family time with his wife and two small children, is a big Wisconsin sports fan, loves watching his daughter and son eat the vegetables he grew in his garden, and enjoys camping and hiking. He and his wife have always been active and hope to instill this love of nature in their children. It would be an honor to be entrusted as your physical therapist to help you get back to doing the things that bring you joy in life. To schedule with Curt click "Schedule Now" at the top menu bar, email CurtTurningPointPT@gmail.com or call 715-834-3585.
Meet Karissa
Karissa Paulsrud, PT, DPT
Owner: Balanced Life Physical Therapy, LLC
Karissa has practiced physical therapy since graduating from UW La Crosse in 2006. In 2011 she went on to further her education and specialize in Vestibular Rehabilitation and has since taken advanced courses and attended the International Conference for Vestibular Rehabilitation in 2018.
Vestibular Rehabilitation is a specialized type of physical therapy used to treat those experiencing dizziness and/or imbalance.
Helping those with symptoms after a concussion is also part of her training. She has worked and continues to work closely with the Aging and Disability Resource Center helping with programs like Stepping On and running fall risk screens at Senior Americans Day. Balanced Life was created as Karissa believes our general health is a balance between our physical, mental and emotional well being. She strives to treat the whole person. It is also in homage to her passion treating those with balance concerns. Her goal is to empower her patients by using a combination of exercise, hands on treatment and education to help patients reach their desired goals. In today’s insurance driven world, she understands the value of a cash-based practice and looks forward to being able to offer her specialty services. Karissa is a native of Eau Claire and enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 children. When she is not cheering or driving her kids to their various and abundant sporting activities, she is busy making memories. Her family enjoys camping, traveling, skiing and hiking. Personally, she enjoys yoga, volleyball and walking her dog, she has a love of boxers. Karissa looks forward to helping you live a balanced life and achieve your goals. Hours are limited as she continues to pursue a full-time outpatient career at Marshfield Clinic Health System, a division of Sandford Health.