Dr. Caitlin Vela, PT, DPT, CSCS, CF-L1

Owner, Lead Physical Therapist

With a background in strength and conditioning, and doctorate level training in rehabilitation of injuries, Dr. Caitlin is a game-changing clinician for rehab and recovery.

 

"I was always interested in helping people and trying to find a way to make their lives better, or their days happier. I have always loved anything active - playing sports, workouts, watching sports - I just wanted to be part of it. Now, I love CrossFit and Olympic weightlifting.

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Originally from Kentucky, I applied to graduate school to specialize in physical therapy after college and moved to Texas. Went through rigorous training in physical therapy school and got my first job - two jobs in fact. I was working all the time, burning the candle at both ends, and still wasn’t getting to provide the quality care, time, and value that I knew my patients deserved. I felt guilt for working with multiple patients at once- someone was always waiting on me.

 

That was the sacrifice - to get paid, we had to crank up the volume, decrease quality care and time with our patients, and decrease the value of our profession as a whole.

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That’s when I started researching: to start my own private practice. Ultimately, I quit both of my jobs to pursue this dream. 

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In April 2021, I opened Forged Physical Therapy and Performance, PLLC. 

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And here we are - I’m a licensed physical therapist, focusing on my niche of functional fitness-ers and recreational activity-based adults who prioritize health and exercise. I get to treat YOU, and offer one-on-one sessions with my clients. I can offer value and time to my clients. They spend LESS time at physical therapy each week, and can get back to their sports more quickly. They’re happier, and I’m happy with being able to do what I wanted to do in my career all along - make people’s lives better."

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Licenses, Certifications, and Credentials:

• Bachelor's Degree (BA) in Psychology by Bellarmine University

• Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) by UT Health San Antonio

• Licensed Physical Therapist (PT) by Texas Board of PT Examiners

• Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) by National Strength and Conditioning Assn.

• Level 1 CrossFit Coach (CF-L1) by CrossFit, LLC

• Dry Needling Certified by Institute for Athlete Regeneration

• Advanced Manual Therapy Skills by Institute for Athlete Regeneration

• Pelvic Floor Skills by Alcove Education

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