Dr. RikkiLynn Shields, PT, DPT, CLT earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Dominican University New York where she served as the president of the Student Physical Therapy Association, earned the Leadership Award and Clinical Education Award, as well as an award for her doctoral research focusing on pelvic asymmetry assessment. She attended Manhattan College for her undergraduate studies, and was a member of the Division I Cross Country and Track and Field.
RikkiLynn is a marathon runner, and has been a competitive long distance runner for over 10 years. In addition, RikkiLynn is a 200-hour Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT).
While preparing her portfolio and filling out applications for graduate school to obtain her Master of Fine Arts in Poetry in 2017, RikkiLynn was simultaneously watching her late grandmother’s rehabilitation journey following a fall that resulted in a pelvis fracture.
It was during this time that RikkiLynn became deeply fascinated by the bodies complexity, and ability to heal itself. Almost instantly, RikkiLynn felt compelled to pursue physical therapy.
She has clinical experience in outpatient orthopedics, outpatient pediatrics, inpatient rehabilitation, subacute rehabilitation, and women’s/men’s/ pediatric pelvic health settings. She is also a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT) through Klose Training, received a Certification in Applied Functional Science through the Gray Institute, and has completed extensive pelvic health continuing education coursework through Herman and Wallace, Primal Reflex Release Technique (PRRT), and Postural Restoration Institute (PRI).
She is passionate about and specialize in treating lymphedema, pelvic health, orthopedics, and pediatrics. She utilizes a combination of a traditional and holistic approaches to rehabilitation, with an emphasis on manual therapy, breath work, and exercise.
RikkiLynn is deeply fascinated by the body’s ability to heal itself, and draws upon her athletic background to treat a variety of conditions. As a physical therapist, she believes successful treatment comes from viewing the whole person– the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual being– not just the diagnosis. RikkiLynn is a advocate for each of her patients, and understands the importance of balancing life while honoring your body. While her treatment methods are always evolving as she continues to learn and grow, her ultimate goal is to provide her patients with the means to initiate healing, optimize function, move better, breathe better, and live more vibrant lives.
RikkiLynn created this space to educate and empower individuals, and wishes to use this platform to share her knowledge, experience, tools, and tips to inspire and assist the next generation of physical therapists and connect with and learn from other individuals and healthcare professionals.
