Meet Summit Physical Therapist Lana Schultz Krumwiede

Medicine has fascinated Summit Orthopedics Physical Therapist Lana Schultz Krumwiede since her advanced anatomy classes in high school led to a physical therapy mini-internship in college.

“I worked at the clinic, where I interned as an aide, for three years,” she recalls. After that, pursuing a doctorate in physical therapy seemed the natural choice.

“You can have any undergraduate degree that you want, as long as you meet the science-based prerequisites for physical therapy school,” she explains. “Majors attracted to physical therapy represent a wide variety of sciences, including kinesiology, health and exercise fitness, biology, and some psychology majors. Physical therapists study for three years, including clinical internships, so a DPT represents seven years of rigorous scientific study.” 

During her five years with Summit, Lana has handled several roles. In addition to being a staff physical therapist at Summit’s Vadnais Heights location, she also serves as physical therapist staff development lead, connecting physical therapists to continuing education opportunities, and promoting evidence-based practice among her colleagues. Recently, Lana also earned her Orthopedic Specialist Certification (OCS), which is awarded to physical therapists who have demonstrated advanced clinical knowledge and skills in orthopedics.

With advanced training in mobilization with movement and tool-assisted soft tissue mobilization therapies like the Graston Technique, Lana develops physical therapy programs for a wide variety of orthopedic conditions. Approximately half of Lana’s patients have non-surgical issues including athletic injuries and pain related to the spine, hip, shoulder, knee, or ankle. The remaining half is composed of post-surgical patients recovering from procedures like ACL reconstructions.

“I thrive on variety,” she says, “and there’s a lot of variety with physical therapy. My patients range in age—from teenagers to seniors—with a wide range of diagnoses. At Summit, patient education is one of our mainstays. The better patients understand their condition and its treatment, the more likely it is that they’ll invest and follow through with their therapy plan.”

“One of the most exciting aspects of physical therapy is that you get to see results,” Lana smiles. “When you work with a patient once or twice a week for two months, you really get to know them. It is such a pleasure when patients send us cards after they have completed their therapy. Some send photos. One of my patients recently sent a picture of herself back in her karate gear after she had recuperated following an ACL reconstruction. That was great to see!”

Summit Orthopedics offers proactive wellness services

At Summit Orthopedics, we are committed to providing the resources, tools, and expertise you need to achieve your personal fitness goals. Our Summit wellness center is home to proactive wellness classes and training services for you and the whole family. Wellness experts can work with you or your physician to design an exercise program that supports lifelong health through exercise.

Start your journey to a more active self through our wellness services offered at the HealthEast Sports Center. Schedule a free wellness consultation online or call (651) 968-5766. Find the group fitness class that works with your schedule. Visit our Facebook page to learn all about the wellness events we offer to safely promote good health throughout your life.

More resources for you

• October Is National Physical Therapy Month
• The Graston Technique: An Innovative PT Treatment

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