Kyle Atwell PT, DPT, OCS, COMT, CMTPT, FAAOMPT
What do all those letters behind my name mean?
PT - Physical Therapist
DPT - Doctor of Physical Therapy
OCS - Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist
COMT - Certified Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapist
CMTPT - Certified Manual Trigger Point Therapist (Dry Needling Certified)
FAAOMPT - Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists
A little bit about my background
I was born in DC and raised in MOCO. I have amazing parents one of whom was a school teacher and one who worked for the University of Maryland, University College.
I wasn’t alone coming into this world as I have an identical twin brother. We grew up pretty much inseparable as you might imagine. My twin brother is a fire fighter/EMT so I suppose we ended up in careers that both help people.
Everyone always asks me if it’s fun being a twin? Of course it is! Although, I don’t have any other experience to compare it to.
Everyone also asks, who’s older? Well we didn’t actually know until we turned 18 as my parents didn’t want the “older" one to be able to hold it over the “younger” one. Turns out I’m the youngest and now my brother will now occasionally introduce himself as my “older” brother for a laugh.
I grew up playing a lot of sports. Football, basketball, baseball, and lacrosse. Lacrosse would be my main focus as I got older.
My fascination with sports, athletics, and the amazing feats that the human body is capable of most certainly led me to study Kinesiology at the University of Maryland (Go Terps!).
After graduating from the University of Maryland I soon entered Physical Therapy School at the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
Physical therapy school was a great time for me. It is where I met my wife (who is amazing and also the co-owner of GOfit), made lasting friendships with other like minded professionals, and found my passion.
Why did I become a physical therapist?
Certainly my background in sports and my love for physical activity played a part. But, I also wanted to do something with my life that would help others.
In my undergrad years I started learning how truly amazing the human body is and what it is capable of. The human body has an amazing ability to heal itself given the right circumstances and I wanted to do my part to promote that.
I think 200 years from now future generations will look back at all the surgeries and pills and ask what were we thinking? Much like we look back on procedures like lobotomies or bloodletting.
Future generations will ask, why didn’t they take care of themselves through proper diet, exercise, and natural therapies? There is obviously a place for surgery and medication but by no means at the current rate.
Physical medicine, diet, exercise, and lifestyle are the future. I want to be a part of the future.
What have I done with my time as a physical therapist?
I have experience working with all different types of people. Truly, I have worked with all ages, races and socioeconomic classes. Just saying that I have only worked with athletes throughout my career would be a lie.
I remember on one particular day I treated a homeless man, a federal judge, and a collegiate athlete. I honestly enjoyed working with each one of them equally. That's one of the perks of the job, meeting and learning from different people in every corner of society.
As far as working with athletes, I have worked with professional athletes, Collegiate athletes (Division 1, 2, and 3), high school athletes, and weekend warriors.
GOfit is geared toward treating the athletic population through a holistic approach, but almost anyone can be considered an athlete. From professional athletes to the person who is trying to run their first 5k or even walk a mile again after a bad accident. We love working with people who take their health as seriously as we do. We have the expertise to help each one of our patient’s achieve their goals.
Click here to see what some of my clients have said.
What have I done to continue my training?
I have more training than 99% of physical therapists in the country. I am considered a “one-percenter” in the physical therapy world, meaning I am both an orthopedic clinical specialist(OCS) and a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT).
I believe it is my responsibility as a health care professional to continue my education and further my skills. I am committed to lifelong learning.
I have also completed the Janet Travell, MD Seminar Series dry needling training program instructed by internationally renowned Jan Dommerholt and others, earning a certification as a Certified Myofascial Trigger Point Therapist (CMTPT) through Myopain Seminars.
I have three different manual therapy certifications. I am a Certified Manual Physical Therapist (CMPT) and Certified Orthopedic Manipulative Therapist (COMT) through the North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy. I am also a certified Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapist (OMPT) through internationally renowned Physical Therapist Jim Meadows.
I am a board certified clinical specialist in orthopedics (OCS) through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties.
I completed a fellowship program through the North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy and I am recognized as a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT).
WHat else do I do besides physical therapy?
Although it may not seem like it from the bio above, I do enjoy some non-work related activities.
I love staying active and challenging myself. These days that usually means weightlifting, yoga, paddle boarding and surfing (when I can break away for a drive to the beach).
I also love spending time with my family and friends.
If you want to read more on GOfit’s story, click here.
Click here to meet Cara