CHRISTOPHER FORD, PT, MPT
Chris Ford, PT, MPT founded ABC on April 1st, 2001. He graduated from the University of Puget Sound in 1995 with a Masters of Physical Therapy. His specialty is back pain, neck pain and migraines. He has developed an extremely accurate alignment technique for the spine called the “Leveling Technique.” He has been in several articles in “Advance for Physical Therapy and Rehab Medicine,” featuring his unique plan of care. Chris’ goal is to teach the “Leveling Technique.” and his philosophy of care around the globe. He is a member of APTA, PTWA, Tacoma Executive Association, ToastMasters, Tacoma Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce, and a former member of Tacoma Rotary 8.
Chris is proud of the fact that our clinic gives relief to patients who haven’t had results anywhere else. The ability to positively change people’s lives for the better is the biggest motivator. Chris lives in University Place with his wife Carole. He has two daughters, Jordan and Tara.
DUSTIN HENDRICKS, PT, DPT
Dustin Hendricks PT, DPT earned his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University or New England in Maine and his Bachelors of Science from Cleveland State University in Ohio. His clinical rotations took him all over the country allowing him to get exposure to a wide variety of diagnoses and treatment styles, shaping his approach to physical therapy. He enjoys getting to know his patients and their goals inside and out of the clinic to promote long-term success. Dustin’s treatment philosophy involves addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of health. He believes this is the best way to get you back to doing the things you enjoy most. Dustin is passionate about helping others and would take pride in helping you today!
AARON LATIMER PT, DPT
Aaron Latimer PT, DPT earned his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the Arizona School of Health Sciences in 2008 and his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Eastern Washington University in 2005. His clinical experience includes outpatient Physical Therapy with the Spine Team in Spokane and Aaron served as a Physical Therapist in the US Navy. While in the Navy, Aaron had exposure to a wide variety of diagnoses and treatment styles at the Naval Hospitals in Portsmouth and Bremerton and while serving aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. He was also the Tactical Athlete Sports Medicine Manager with SEAL Delivery Vehicle TEAM ONE in Pearl City, Hawaii. He decided to join Alternative Back Care because he was eager to learn the “Leveling Technique” and apply it to patents to improve their quality of life. Aaron’s treatment philosophy is a simple one…”If it is supposed to move and doesn’t, move it” and “If it’s not strong enough, strengthen it.” He believes this is the best way to reduce pain and to get you back to doing the things you enjoy most.
TAMI ROEHR, PT, MPT, DPT
Tami Roehr, PT, MPT, DPT, is a doctor of physical therapy with over 26 years of vast experiences. Tami has a Masters and a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the US Army-Baylor University Graduate Program in Physical Therapy and the US Army-Baylor University Transitional Doctorate Program in Physical Therapy. She says she was born to be a PT, for her it is fun to be able to help people feel better and add quality to life. Her patients says she has magic hands!
Tami lives in Gig Harbor with her son and cat. She is an Air Force brat, have lived all over the world, and is an Army veteran. She went to grade school and high school in University Place and her undergrad degree is from WSU. In her time off work she loves to be with her family.
RANDY CRESSLER, PT, DPT
Randy Cressler, PT, DPT earned his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Puget Sound and his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Biology from the University of California, Davis. His clinical rotations provided him with experience treating a wide variety of patient populations and diagnoses, from sprained ankles to spinal cord injuries. His passion in physical therapy is helping patients get back to what they love to do, be that a sport, gardening, walking, or any other activity! He strives to tailor treatments towards patients’ favorite activities to not only help them get back to their lives, but to thrive as well.
Randy lives in the North End of Tacoma. Although originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, he feels right at home in the Pacific Northwest. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer, board games, and Dungeons & Dragons with his friends.
KARL ALBERT, PTA
Karl is a Tacoma native, born and raised, who loves his hometown. He has attended the University of Washington, College of Forest Resources and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1981 and is a recent graduate of Green River Community College: Associates in Applied Science in 2014.
Helping his patients become pain free and able to return to their normal activities is what brings him joy and purpose to his job as a PTA here at ABC Physical Therapy. He is a firm believer in the full circle approach to resolving back pain that we utilize here at ABC Physical Therapy. Once he aligns a patient, seeing how dramatically their back pain is relieved and posture improved keeps him enthralled in the work that he does. In addition to our specialties, Karl has completed continuing education on comprehensive knee rehabilitation.
KARINA BAYAUA, PTA
Karina is a recent graduate of Olympic College Physical Therapy Assistant program. She is driven by results, and it motivates and excites her to see patients achieve their goals. She enjoys working at ABC PT for the team approach when it comes to treating each patient and seeing their reactions when they achieve a state of pain relief. She enjoy teaching patients how to achieve and maintain a pain-free lifestyle that allows them to get back to doing what they love. Since starting in August 2017, she has grown more knowledgeable in the different techniques ABC has to offer and look forward to continuing my education in manual therapy and neurological treatment concepts, such as NDT for stroke patients.
Karina was born in the Philippines and has lived in Washington since 2004. In her down time, she enjoys journaling, swimming, trying out new recipes and browsing the bookstore.
SHANNON GARRETT, PTA
Shannon Garrett, PTA, graduated from the Physical Therapist Assistant program in 2011 with an Associates in Applied Science. Since graduating she has had many opportunities to work in multiple physical therapy settings. She spent several years in an out patient setting working with a multitude of injuries and people of all ages. Along with that she was spending a couple days a week doing home health care where she found that she also really loved working with the geriatric population and developing her skills as a well rounded therapist. She then took a job as a civilian contractor for the Army working on a study focusing on multidisciplinary treatment for rehabilitation of active duty soldiers with chronic pain. She found her job there very rewarding. When that contract ended it brought her here, to ABC physical therapy where she is very excited to join this team and embrace a new innovative approach to reducing peoples back pain.
Shannon is a proud mother of two grown kids and had her first granddaughter in January 2018. She enjoys being active with yoga, backpacking and being outside as much as possible.
JEREMY KOWALSKI, PTA
Jeremy Kowalski, PTA, earned his associates degree in applied science from Pima Medical Institute in Denver, Colorado and his Bachelors of Science from the University of Colorado in Boulder. Originally from Colorado, Jeremy grew up with a passion for body mechanics and the body’s capabilities through martial arts. This, coupled with his natural compassion for others, made physical therapy a perfect fit. Jeremy enjoys seeing his patients make progress on their road to recovery. He is dedicated to his craft, expanding his knowledge and enhancing his skills in order to provide ABC Physical Therapy clients with the highest quality of care possible.
Jeremy and his family moved from Westminster, Colorado to Gig Harbor in October 2019. Jeremy, his wife and daughter look forward to having new adventures in their new home state.
JACYLN ALEXANDER, PTA
Jacyln Alexander, PTA, is a recent graduate of Kent State University where she earned her Associates of Applied Science. She previously graduated from Ohio State University with her Bachelors of Arts in 2010. Originally from Ohio, she recently moved with her husband to Washington and is excited to pursue her career in Physical Therapy. Jaclyn has a passion for helping others achieve their personal and functional goals so they may participate in activities which mean the most to them. Her interests include hiking and running while exploring the beautiful areas of Washington. She is thrilled to be a part of the ABC PT Family and looks forward to helping those in the community achieve their health goals.