Karen Munger, PT is an experienced pelvic health, spine and TMJ physical therapist with more than 25 years’ experience helping people overcome pelvic health, spine and orthopedic conditions. She is a certified pelvic rehab practitioner, certified McKenzie Institute spine and extremity specialist, certified Pilates mat instructor and has also been an arthritis foundation instructor.
Experience
Karen became interested in learning more about pelvic health, after experiencing the pregnancy and labor & delivery of her 3 children. She views the pelvis and spine as complicated and fascinating and intricately connected to the rest of the body. Her passion is to pass on the knowledge and treatments that she has cultivated over many years of advanced practice post-graduate training to help patients feel their best. Curious by nature, she enjoys the puzzle of figuring out what is going on for a person’s condition and has also learned so much in search of healing her own body, which informs her treatment plans. She values the team model and holistic approach that Purple Mountain PT provides patients and is appreciative to have the time and space to dedicate her full attention with a patient to optimize their recovery, while also collaborating with a colleague to develop the best treatment plan for each person.
Treatment
As a certified McKenzie spine and extremity practitioner, she is able to consider the strong role that the spine plays in many of the pelvic, hip and TMJ conditions that our patients may experience. She works with all ages and genders and finds it rewarding and meaningful to assist someone back to feeling good again. She also is energized and passionate about finding the why for pelvic pain and collaborating with her colleagues and patients to effectively treat these drivers. She enjoys working to help optimize pregnancy, delivery and recovery process for improved outcomes and function for moms, knowing that life is demanding and we need our bodies to perform. Pelvic pain and pregnancy & postpartum recovery are usually a puzzle with many different pieces and figuring these out is rewarding. Her post-graduate education and additional learning is too extensive to list here and, yet, includes advanced coursework related to menopause transition, male pelvic health, pelvic pain, herniated discs, differential diagnosis for spine conditions, hip conditions, treatment of many orthopedic conditions, visceral mobilization and more. Helping individuals find a path for healing is fulfilling to Karen and she considers having chosen to become a physical therapist to have been one of the best decisions of her life.
Karen has extensive experience working with individuals across the lifespan who struggle with all types of pelvic health, spine, TMJ and orthopedic conditions. She and Dr. Maureen first met in 2018 attending an International Pelvic Pain Society Annual conference and have stayed in touch as colleagues since then, sharing a passion for pelvic health and serving patients. She is a lifelong learner and enjoys ongoing post-graduate education to best help her patients receive the best care possible. Upon joining Purple Mountain PT, Karen has been closely mentored by Dr. Maureen in advanced concepts in pelvic, spine and TMJ care using our holistic model and treatments.
Interesting Facts
Interesting facts about Karen:When Karen is not working she enjoys running, biking, hiking, lifting weights, Pilates, and yoga. She has run several 5K-25K races and has also completed several sprint triathlons. She spends most of her summer camping, boating and enjoying the outdoors with family and friends. In the winter she enjoys downhill and cross country skiing. She likes to walk outside in all weather with her dog and enjoys a good book. Her patients will tell you that she is amongst the kindest people you can know.
