Dr. RikkiLynn Shields, PT, DPT, CLT, E-RYT 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 where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature and Religious Studies. She was also a member of the Division I Cross Country and Track and Field team.
Dr. Shields is a marathon runner and has been a competitive long-distance runner for over 10 years. In addition, Dr. Shields is an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT) with Yoga Alliance and enjoys practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. She is also a certified Reiki Master/Teacher.
While preparing her portfolio and filling out applications for graduate school to obtain her Master of Fine Arts in Poetry in 2017, Dr. Shields was simultaneously watching her late grandmother’s rehabilitation journey following a fall that resulted in a pelvic fracture.
It was during this time that Dr. Shields became deeply fascinated by the body’s complexity, and ability to heal itself. Almost instantly, Dr. Shields 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), Postural Restoration Institute (PRI), and Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI).
She is passionate about and specializes in treating orthopedics, pediatrics, lymphedema, and pelvic health. She utilizes a combination of a traditional and holistic approach to rehabilitation, with an emphasis on manual therapy, breath work, and exercise. Dr. Shields also offers private one-on-one or small group yoga classes, as well as reiki healing sessions at home or virtually. For more on her services, click here.
Dr. Shields 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. Dr. Shields is an 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.
