Expert care. Real results.
Leading the way in physical therapy.
Building Different.
A team of clinicians who study the science and live by it. Owners who build the systems behind it. All of it, for the patients in front of us.
Forward means Forward.

I swim 10 to 15 thousand yards a week and have had discomfort in my right shoulld and upper arm for many years. He put together a series of exercises that strengthened my shoulder and increased the range of motion. Within weeks these exercises successfully ended my shoulder pain and increased my strength and range of motion. After several weeks we added additionl exercises to maintain my balance and strengthen my core. I have been very pleased with the program Tyler has constructed for me.
He's an excellent instructor; knowlegeble, encouraging, supportive. I like that he teaches specific exercises and alternatives to achieve my goals. He puts together an individual written plan to achieve my goals. He's a good listener and very knowledgeable.











I've had some minor yet annoying back and hip issues, and Michelle has helped me work through them. After even one session, I noticed a significant improvement. Michelle took time to assess the problem, explain why it might be happening, and provide me an individualized exercise plan. The dry needling and cupping were new to me, so Michelle didn't rush anything. Now I'm a big fan of needling and cupping!
Michelle also took time to analyze my form while lifting weights and offered great tips on improving performance and avoiding injury.
The Forward method is both evidence-based and personalized. I highly recommend them!



I am very grateful to him and the entire staff at Forward Physical Therapy - they are truly THE BEST!
Conditions & Specialties
Whatever brought you here, we've seen it.
Spine & Pain
Foot & Ankle
Specialty Programs
We make it easy to get started
No referral needed. We accept most major insurance plans, HSA/FSA, and competitive self-pay rates.
Meet Our Team
1-on-1 orthopedic physical therapy — rehab that builds resilience.
Dr. Kristen Wellenkotter
PT, DPT, CF-L1
Owner | Head of Finance, HR & Scheduling
ICE Certified Specialist:
Orthopedics, Fitness Athlete
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Kristen also assumes a role as adjunct faculty for the Extremity division under the Institute of Clinical Excellence (ICE). Over weekend courses, she teaches physical therapists around the country on how to improve their skills with treating patients of all kinds.
Outside of the clinic, Kristen can be found training and pushing her own performance at CrossFit 608. She enjoys navigating the challenges of having a family and blending work and life with her husband, Jedd, 2 children and dogs.
Dr. Jedd Wellenkotter
PT, DPT, MS, EPC
Owner | Head of Clinical Operations & Technology
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Jedd built Lune and Return+ out of a conviction that physical therapists deserve tools that let them treat the way they were trained. Lune is a clinical operating system he built from the ground up that powers every note, every visit, and every outcome measure at Forward PT. Return+ is a proprietary testing platform built on nearly 100 peer-reviewed articles that gives clinicians and surgeons objective, data-driven proof of where a patient stands. For decades, the profession has lacked the technology to standardize what the best clinicians already know — that outcomes should be measurable, care should be individualized, and exercise science should drive every decision. He set out to change that by giving clinicians the platform to excel as individuals while holding the entire profession to a higher standard.
Before building full-time, Jedd competed at the highest level of endurance sport — multiple Ironman triathlons and marathons, including a top-100 finish at the Ironman World Championships in 2015. That same drive now goes into creating an environment built on professionalism, precision, and pushing the field forward.
Outside of work, Jedd spends his time with his wife Kristen, their two kids, and two dogs.
Dr. Michelle LaFave
PT, DPT, MBA
ICE Certified Specialist: Orthopedics
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Michelle has a special interest in treating fitness athletes of all ages. Outside of the clinic, you can find her mountain biking, hiking, playing basketball, and doing CrossFit.
Dr. Thomas Felstead
PT, DPT
ICE Certified Specialist: Orthopedics
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Thomas loves treating across the age spectrum to help individuals get out of pain and return to the activities they love and stay active.
Outside of the clinic Thomas enjoys spending time with his wife, three children and their dog Caesar. His hobbies include bass fishing, golfing and CrossFit.
Dr. Samantha Dawes
PT, DPT
ICE Certified Specialist: Orthopedics
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She loves creating a positive impact for athletes at the high school level and beyond with a newly developing passion for empowering those in need of pelvic health to improve quality of life in a fitness forward holistic approach.
Outside of the clinic you’ll find Sam participating in Hybrid athletics/racing and CrossFit. She loves exploring with her husband, Mitch, running with her dog, Hallie, reading and sourdough bread making.
Dr. Gabrielle Thomas
PT, DPT
Clinical Interest: Pelvic Health, Organizational Health, Extremities
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Her clinical interests cover a broad spectrum of ages and stages with special interests in extremities, pelvic health and organizational health.
Outside of the clinic you’ll find Gabby playing volleyball, weight lifting, spending time with her husband, Cory, hiking and fishing.
Dr. Tyler Wendt
PT, DPT, CF-L2
Clinical Interest: Older Adult, Fitness Athlete, Upper Extremity
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Tyler enjoys working alongside individuals of all ages to help them return to the activities they love. Additionally, he has a clinical interest in working with fitness athletes.
Outside of the clinic, Tyler enjoys spending time with his wife Carly as well as friends and family. His hobbies include backpacking, camping, CrossFit, and playing sports.
Dr. Melissa Castillo
PT, DPT
Clinical Interest: Adolescent Dancers/Athletes, Lower Extremity
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Her clinical interests lie with pediatric sports and performing arts!
Outside of the clinic she enjoys ballet, golf, pickleball, hiking, paddle boarding, and really anything to get moving and outdoors.
Shannon Coombs
Office Administrator
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She received her Bachelor of Science degree from UW-Eau Claire — Elementary Education K-9, Learning Disabilities K-12 and Masters of Science in Education from UW-Whitewater — Curriculum and Instruction.
Outside of the clinic, she enjoys spending time with her family (husband Mark and her 3 sons Connor, Drew and Mitchell), in addition to reading, knitting and hiking.
Our Standard
Jedd and Kristen Wellenkotter built Forward around one idea: every patient deserves better than what most people think physical therapy is. Thorough evaluation. Evidence-based treatment. Objective testing. Real time with a Doctor of Physical Therapy who knows your name, your history, and your goals.
Whether you’re rehabbing a torn ACL, managing chronic low back pain, recovering from shoulder surgery, or getting back to work after an injury — the standard doesn’t change. That’s why people drive past a dozen clinics to get here.
Ask anyone who’s been through it.