EXPERIENCE
Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston SC
Research PT, study coordinator for Blue Sky Award study on transauricular vagal nerve stimulation in hEDS and hypermobility spectrum disorders, 2023-Present
Inner Awakening LLC, Chicago IL
Sole Proprietor, offering continuing education, physical therapy, wellness and consulting services, 2017 – Present
Chicago Physical Therapists, Chicago IL
Independently Contracted Orthopedic and Pelvic Physical Therapist, Yoga Therapist, 2017 – 2023
Development and presentation of continuing education inservices covering: evaluation and treatment of patients with connective tissue disorders, hypermobility spectrum disorders and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS,) dysautonomia and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS); chronic pain and trauma-informed care
Andersonville Physical Therapy and Wellness, Chicago IL
Orthopedic and Pelvic Physical Therapist, Assistant Manager, Yoga and Pilates Instructor, 2010 – 2017
Examination and treatment of 30-45 patients/week with orthopedic, neurologic, oncologic, pelvic, and perinatal diagnoses. Development and management Women’s Health, Pelvic PT and wellness services. General management of a team including 6 full-time staff PT’s and 2 full-time front desk support.
Growth of Women’s Health/Pelvic PT services from 0% to 25% of full-time caseload for three PT’s
Clinical instruction and mentoring for PT students and new graduates
Staff training and professional development
Interviewing and hiring of potential team members
Targeted marketing to physicians and patients
Relationship building with local gyms, yoga/pilates studios, childbirth education providers, etc.
Instruction, development, and marketing of classes including: Gentle Yoga, Mommy Baby Yoga, Pilates, and various yoga workshops.
Summit Professional Education, various locations throughout United States
Presenter/Instructor, 2014 – Present
Ongoing development and presentation of 6-hour continuing education courses and 2-hour webinars. Dynamic lecture and lab instruction for physical therapists, occupational therapists, and fitness professionals.
Bloom Yoga Studio, Chicago
Anatomy and Physiology Instructor, 2016 – 2020
Development and presentation of 20 hours of Experiential Anatomy and Physiology for 200 hour Yoga Teacher Trainees.
Amala School of Prenatal Yoga, Chicago
Presenter/Instructor, 2012 – Present
Development and instruction of Foundations of Prenatal Yoga: Anatomy, Physiology, and Exercise Science for yoga teachers who are working toward a prenatal yoga teacher certification.
Chi-Town Shakti: Yoga + Meditation, Chicago
Instructor, 2015 – 2018
Lesson planning and instruction of various weekly classes including Pilates with Props, Hatha +Restorative Yoga, Creative Core and Stretch, and Hatha Yoga Level 1-2. Workshop development, marketing, and instruction including: Core and Pelvic Floor, Physiology of Breath, Yoga for Balance, and Restorative Yoga.
Yoga Tree, Chicago
Yoga Instructor, 2012 – present
Instructor for Gentle Yoga, Restorative Yoga and other yoga formats. Developed 10-hour Aerial Yoga training for staff.
Cheetah Gyms Inc., Chicago
Group Exercise Instructor, 2011 – 2017
Instructor for various classes including: Pilates, Bosu Bootcamp, WERQ dance fitness, Yoga.
Fitness Formula Clubs, Oak Park
Certified Pilates Instructor, 2007 – 2010
Instruction of individual and group Pilates sessions.
Equability Yoga & Pilates, Forest Park
Founder, Owner, Lead Pilates Instructor, 2003- 2007
Instruction and management of full-time teaching schedule including small group and individual instruction.
EDUCATION
University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago
Doctorate of Physical Therapy, 2010
Electives in Urban Health and Women’s Health
Wake Forest University
Major in Sociology, Minor in Dance, 2001
CERTIFICATIONS
• Heartsaver CPR AED – American Heart Association, Chicago, 2015 – Present
• STOTT Pilates Instructor – STOTT Pilates, Chicago, 2007. Certified Instructor for Matwork, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, and Barrels
• Shambhava Yoga 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training, 2014, and 300 hour training, 2015.
• Prenatal Yoga Instructor – Amala School of Prenatal yoga, Chicago, 2016. Completion of 85 hours of Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training including Prenatal, Labor & Delivery, and Postpartum modules.
• Certified Personal Trainer – American Council on Exercise, 2002 – 2008
• Indoor Cycling Instructor – Reaction Cycling, 2004 – 2006
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Women’s Health Foundation, Chicago
Total Control Program Instructor Training, 10/2006
American Physical Therapy Association, Chicago
Pelvic Physical Therapy Level 1, 2011
Shirley Sahrmann PT, PhD, FAPTA @ Children’s Memorial Hospital, Chicago
Movement System Syndromes of the Lumbar Spine and Hip, 2011
12 Continuing Education Hours
STOTT Pilates, Chicago
Rehabilitation Level Mat and Reformer, 2011
American Physical Therapy Association, Orlando
Pelvic Physical Therapy Level 2, 11/2011
American Physical Therapy Association, Online
Physical Therapy in Obstetrics, 12/2011
2 Contact hours
Hands-On Seminars, Chicago
A Comprehensive Manual Therapy Approach for Cervical Spine Pathology, 02/2011
15 Continuing Education Hours of lab and lecture
North American Orthopedic Institute of Manual Therapy, Andrews University
NAOIMT Level 1: Intro to Fundamentals of Ortho/Manual Therapy, 2012
48 contact hours of lecture and lab focused on post-doctoral clinical reasoning and manual therapy.
American Physical Therapy Association, Chicago
Combined Sections Meeting, 2012
2 days including:
Integration vs Isolation: Dynamic Pelvic Floor for Core Programs, Julie Weibe PT
From Hips to Lips: A Multi-systems Approach to the Treatment of Performing Artists, Mary Massery PT, DPT, DSc
Ankle Instability: Current Concepts for Evaluation and Management, Todd E. Davenport PT, DPT, OCS
Treating Chronic Pelvic Pain From a Functional Medicine Perspective, Nikol Margiotta DN, ABAAHP, FAARFM
The International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease, Chicago
21st Biennial Conference on Diseases of the Vulva and Vagina, 2012
Participated in 5.5 contact hours and functioned as a lab assistant for Dee Hartmann, PT.
American Physical Therapy Association, Chicago
Pelvic Physical Therapy Level 3, 11/2012
23 Contact hours of lecture and lab
American Physical Therapy Association, Online Course
Using the Clinical Performance Instrument, 2013
Yapana Life Supported Yoga, Moksha Yoga Chicago
Restorative Yoga Training, 02/2013
3 days of Restorative Yoga Teacher Training
Chicagoland Pelvic Floor Research Consortium
Functional Bowel Disorder Lecture and Annual Meeting, 2013
Rush University Medical Center, Chicago
9th Annual Abdominal and Pelvic Health Symposium, 10/2014
6.5 Continuing Education credits
North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy, Andrews University
NAOIMT Lumbopelvic Spine II-Hip, 03/2014
21 Contact hours of lecture and lab
North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy, Andrews University
NAIOMT Knee-Foot-Ankle, 04/2014
21 Contact hours of lecture and lab
University of Illinois at Chicago
Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy Management of the Sacroiliac Joint and Pelvis, 04/2015
4 Contact hours of lab and lecture
University of Illinois at Chicago
Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy Management of Cervical Spine Dysfunction, 02/2015
4 Contact hours of lab and lecture
North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy, Andrews University
NAIOMT Cervical Spine II, 09/2015
21 Contact hours of lecture and lab
Zen Shiatsu, Evanston
Lymphatic Drainage & Visceral Organ Manipulation, 05/2015
12 Contact hours of lab and lecture
Summit Professional Education, Rolling Meadows
Joint Replacement, 08/2015
6 Contact hours of lab and lecture
Summit Professional Education, Zion
Manual Therapy and Therapeutic Exercise, 03/2015
6 Contact hours of lab and lecture
North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy, Andrews University
NAIOMT Shoulder- Elbow- Wrist- Hand, 09/2015
21 Contact hours of lecture and lab
Northeast Seminars, Rosemont
New Concepts and Treatments for the Pelvic Floor, Abdominal Wall, Female Chronic Pain, Sexual Health and Function for Women and Men, 11/2015
13.5 Contact hours instructed by Diane Lee BSR, FCAMPT, CGIMS, Kathe Wallace PT, BCB-PMD, Deborah Coady MD, FACOG and Hollis Herman PT, DPT, OCS, BDB-PMMulti-Specialty Orthopedic Workshop, 09/2016
6 Contact hours covering hip labral tears/microinstability and ankle instability with Dr Shane Nho, MD and Dr Robert Lim, MD
International Pelvic Pain Society Annual Meeting, Chicago
3 days of lecture and interdisciplinary learning, 08/2016
Pelvic Neurodynamics @ Entropy Physiotherapy and Wellness, Chicago, IL, 09/2016
7.5 Contact hours of lecture and lab with Sandy Hilton PT, DPT, MS
Chicagoland Pelvic Floor Research Consortium, 02/2017
Transgender Implications Lecture with Dr Alix Leader-Cramer, MD
Oncology and the Female Pelvic Floor: Female Reproductive and Gynecologic Cancers, Chicago IL, 4/2017
15 Contact hours of lecture and lab with Michelle Lyons PT, MISCP
Integrative Restoration Institute iRest Level 1 Teacher Training, Woodstock IL, 10/2017
30+ Contact hours with Senior iRest Teacher Trainer Molly Bikram
A Chronic Pain-Management Conference for Healthcare Professionals: Shifting the Paradigm, Lennox, MA, 10/8-10/13, 2017
30+ Contact hours with various presenters including Lorimer Moseley, DSc, PhD, Neil Pearson, PT, Marlysa Sullivan, PT
The Evaluation and Management of Tempromandibular Disorders, Skokie IL, 11/2017
6 Contact hours of lecture and lab with Stephen Shaffer, PT, ScD, FAAOMPT
Lumbar Nerves Manual Assessment and Treatment, Chicago IL, 5/2018
21 Contact hours of lecture and lab with Nari Clemmons, PT, PRPC
Pain Coach, Chicago IL, 9/2018
6 Contact hours with Richmond Stace, MCSP, MSc, BSc
Integrative Restoration Institute iRest Level 2 Teacher Training, Banff, Alberta CA, 10/2018
30+ Contact hours with Senior iRest Teacher Trainer Ann Douglas
The Neck: Clinical Rehabilitation, Chicago IL, 11/2018
12 Contact hours with Christopher Worsfold, PT
The Ehlers-Danlos Society Global Learning Conference Professionals Day, Nashville TN, 8/2019
8-hour multidisciplinary CME event with lectures by Drs. A Hakim, A Maitland, Q Aziz, C Francomano, B Tinkle, S Raj covering genetics, autonomic dysfunction, physical therapy treatment, GI manifestation, and pain in hypermobility/EDS
Cervical Spine and Dizziness, Tampa FL, 11/2019
16 Contact hours with Drs. Harrison and Danielle Vaughn, PD, DPT including assessment and treatment of cervical dizziness, cervical instability, vestibular and proprioceptive deficits
Fundamentals of Rehabilitative QiGong and Tai Chi, 4/2020
7 Contact hours of online learning through the Institute for Rehabilitative QiGong and Tai Chi
Explain Pain Online 2020
16 Contact hours of online learning through Noi Group
COVID 19 Long-haulers: potential long-term physical problems 1/2021
2.5 Contact hours of live online learning with Mary Massery, PT, DPT, Dsc
Bradcliff Long COVID Weekend Course 4/2021
12 Contact hours of live online learning
From Cytokine Storms to Feedback Loops: An Overview of Inflammation for Yoga Therapists
1 Contact hour (completed 1/2022) self-paced
The Role of Trauma in Chronic Pain
3.5 Contact hours (completed 2/2022) self-paced
Motivational Interviewing for Manual and Exercise Therapists 3/2022
6 Contact hours with Allison Sim, Osteopath
Master Dry Needling- Level 1, 4/2022
27 Contact hours
Moving from “Fixer” to “Facilitator”: the Hardest Step in Adopting a Biopsychosocial Approach 5/2022
6 Contact hours with Lara Desrosiers, OT
Biopsychosocial Reframed: Using Questionnaires to Create a Psychologically Informed Practice 6/2022
12 Contact hours with Carolyn Vandyken, Osteopath
Trauma Conscious Yoga Method Certification 7/2022
25 Contact hours with Nityda Gessel, LCSW E-RYT
Better Outcomes Through Accurate Pelvic Floor Muscle Assessment 7/2022
5 Contact hours with Beth Shelly, PT DPT WCS
Mechanisms of Manual Therapy 9/2022
10 Contact hours, self-paced, APTA Academy of Orthopedic Physical Therapy
PT Management of Concussion 9/2022
15 Contact hours, self-paced, APTA Academy of Orthopedic Physical Therapy
Reframing MSK Health: Beyond Local Inflammation to Systemic Inflammation 10/2022
4 Contact hours with Sinead Dufour, PT PhD
Core Clinical Research Training 12/2023
PRESENTATIONS and INVITED LECTURES
Lewan C, Waegelein K, Ownbey C. Evidence Based Practice Speaker Panel: Division of Physical Therapy, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC. July, 2023
Lewan, C, “Treatments for Patients with Long COVID,” Summit Professional Education. 6 hour webinar. 2022-2023. Live presentation for UVA Health Culpeper Medical Center, August 2023.
Lewan, C, “Pelvic Floor Training to Improve Outcomes with Older Adults,” Ensign Therapy Services. 7-13.5 hours. Various onsite locations. 2018-present.
Lewan, C, “Innovative Interventions to Reduce Fall Risk and Improve Balance Outcomes,” Ensign Therapy Services. 7-13.5 hours. Various onsite locations. 2019-present.
Lewan, C, “Therapeutic Yoga: Biopsychosocial Considerations for Rehabilitation,” Summit Professional Education. 2 hour webinar. May, 2023.
Lewan, C, “Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders: Identification and Management Throughout the Lifespan,” Summit Professional Education. 2 hours. Webinar. 2021.
Lewan, C, “Pelvic Floor Update: Neuro Focus,” Summit Professional Education. 2 hours. Webinar. 2021.
Lewan, C, “Orthostatic Vitals in Primary Care,” Dysautonomia Support Network. 1 hour. Webinar. 2020.
Lewan, C, “Functional Pelvic Floor Training,” Summit Professional Education. 6 hours. National tour, various locations. 2017-2019.
Lewan, C, “Therapeutic Exercise: Yoga and Pilates for Older Adults,” Summit Professional Education. 6 hours. National tour, various locations. 2015-2019.
Lewan, C, “Musculoskeletal Considerations in Midwifery,” American College of Nurse-Midwives Annual National Conference. 4 hours, Chicago, IL. May, 2017.
Lewan, C, “Evidence-based Pilates for Orthopedic and Geriatric Populations,” Summit Professional Education. 6 hours. National tour, various locations. 2014-2015.
HONORS & AWARDS
• Presidential Scholarship for Distinguished Achievement in Dance – Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC
VOLUNTEERISM
• 2020 Creation and presentation of “Orthostatic Vitals in Primary Care” to Medical Students–screening for dysautonomia, hosted by the Dysautonomia Support Network
• 2019 APTA task force on Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Modulation (PTNM): contributed to a scientific literature review that was presented to the APTA Board of Directors for review in September of 2019 and led to APTA’s recommendation that PTNM be included in PT scope of practice nationally.
• Dysautonomia Support Network: volunteer training and Professional Advisory Board service
• Ehlers Danlos Society International Consortium Review Board
MEMBERSHIP
• American Physical Therapy Association, 08/2007 to Present. Orthopedic and Women’s Health Sections
• Chicagoland Pelvic Floor Research Consortium, 05/2011 to Present
• International Association of Yoga Therapists, 06/2016 to Present
• Global Pelvic Health Alliance Membership, 08/2018 to Present
• Ehlers Danlos Society International Consortium Review Member, 02/2019 to Present
• American Autonomic Society, 06/2019-2020
MENTORSHIP ACTIVITIES
• Orthopedic Mentoring – Stephen Shaffer, PT, ScD, FAAOMPT, 2008- present. 40+ hours of one-on-one mentoring, discussion of complex cases and practice with patients
• Women’s Health Mentoring – Jennifer Hungate, PT, WCS, MS, 2011-2012. 20+ hours of one-on-one mentoring and practice with patients
• Yoga Therapy Mentoring- Lela Beem, E-RYT 500, PYT, C-IAYT, 2014-present.
• Pelvic Health and Persistent Pain Mentoring- Entropy Physiotherapy facilitated by Sarah Haag, PT, DPT, and Sandra Hilton, PT, DPT, 2018. Monthly group discussion of evidence, case presentations, and clinical application.
• EDS ECHO, presented by Ehlers Danlos Society and facilitated by Dr. Clair Francomano, 2019. 9 weeks of weekly participation in group learning and lecture/discussion with experts including Drs. F Henderson and P Rowe. Individual case presentation on 7/22/2019.
RESEARCH/PUBLICATION
Lewan, C, Stott P, and Purdin H. “Pain in Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders ad Ehlers Danlos Syndromes.” In Textbook Taming the Zebra: It’s More than Hypermobility. Compiled and Authored by P. Scott & H. Purdin. 2023 (Pending Publication).