Katie Bacarella

PT, DPT, CF-L2

Dr. Katie Bacarella is a physical therapist and certified CrossFit Level 2 trainer. Beginning at Albion College, she earned a bachelor of arts in Athletic Training while running at the Div. 3 collegiate level. Shortly after beginning her studies for a her doctorate of physical therapy degree at the University of Michigan- Flint, she passed her athletic training certification exam.

Katie has always lived an active life, including swimming, horseback riding and running from a young age. In high school she was exposed to weightlifting and fell in love. However she wouldn't return to weightlifting until 5 years later, when her boyfriend at the time (now husband) exposed her to CrossFit. In August 2014, shortly before Katie's PT school graduation, they opened their own CrossFit affiliate in Monroe, MI.

Specialties

Katie’s background as a collegiate runner, CrossFit athlete and CrossFit coach helps shape her clinical practice. She specializes in a “fitness forward” rehab approach - perfect for CrossFit athletes, athletes (return-to-sport), is an internal-trained pelvic floor physical therapist and has a special interest in treating & working with pregnant and postpartum women.

In addition to a “fitness forward” approach, Katie also utilizes techniques such as kinesiology taping, dry needling, cupping, IASTM, and pelvic MET to optimize results for patients.

Katie is a Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism coach, a CrossFit Level 2 trainer and enjoys coaching & running workshops at Light the Fire CrossFit. In addition to coaching CrossFit classes, Katie also programs & coaches pre-hab/accessory work classes.

Background

Katie graduated from Albion College with a degree in Athletic Training in 2011, and graduated with a doctorate of physical therapy from the University of Michigan-Flint in 2014.

In her free time, Katie enjoys spending time with her husband and daughters Victoria, Julianna & Natalia, working out, riding horses and reading.