Melissa Winterhalter, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS

• Melissa (Mel) Winterhalter first became interested in physical therapy as a patient when she had foot surgery in 8th grade, with a goal of returning to level 10 club gymnastics. Her childhood physical therapist was also a gymnast and was able to provide sport specific exercises within the clinic and specific instructions on how to progress back to sport.  This fueled her interest in the field. 

​

• Melissa was a high school gymnast at Stevenson High School and a 3x team state champion. She went on to compete for the University of Illinois women’s gymnastics team.  During her time as a high school and college gymnast, Melissa sustained many injuries, each requiring extensive physical therapy.  She learned from each experience and draws upon her athletic background when helping athletes return to the sports that they love.

​

• Melissa graduated from Northwestern University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program in 2009. She worked for Athletico Physical Therapy for the next 15 years, building a strong foundation in outpatient orthopedics as a clinician and leadership development as a clinic manager. She completed the Evidence in Motion orthopedic residency program and passed the Orthopedic Clinical Specialist exam. Melissa has worked as the team physical therapist for local gymnastics clubs. She has provided injury screens, injury prevention services and lectures for youth athletes throughout the Chicagoland area.

​

• Melissa is the mom of two very active boys who love football, soccer, basketball, lacrosse, karate and wrestling.  Melissa's husband, Matt, is a former Illini wrestler and current youth wrestling coach. Their boys wrestle folkstyle, freestyle, Greco and all over their house.  Her family spends most weekends at wrestling tournaments, where Melissa has taken an interest in the biomechanics of wrestlers.  You can find her mat side, watching nervously.