Physical Therapy Locations

Jacob Unger, PT, DPT

Area Director

Raleigh, NC|

Jacob majored in exercise science at Valparaiso University in NW Indiana for his undergraduate schooling. He then attended Duke University where he earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Jacob enjoys working with patients of all ages and has a passion for optimizing performance whether it be on the playing field or in everyday life. He has extensive experience treating a variety of orthopedic conditions including:

• Post-operative, especially total joint replacements
• Rotator cuff repairs
• Labral repairs
• Meniscal repairs
• ACL reconstructions
• Scopes
• Microdiscectomies
• Spinal Fusions

Jacob was a Division 1 soccer player and particularly enjoys working with other athletes, whether it is to help them recover from an injury or optimize their performance.

One of his favorite things about physical therapy is being able to help patients take control of their rehabilitation using a combination of manual and exercise-based treatments as they increase their function and achieve their goals. He enjoys being able to connect with patients and hear about how physical therapy has changed their lives.

Jacob has ten siblings and grew up in Appleton, Wisconsin before moving to Apex, North Carolina with his family in 2008. He enjoys playing and watching soccer and other sports (Go Packers!) in addition to spending time with his family and friends.

Certifications

• Level 1 Dry Needling Certified

Alexandra Rine, PT, DPT, CSCS

Physical Therapist

Raleigh, NC|

Alexandra Rine, PT, DPT completed her undergraduate studies at UNC-Greensboro, where she received a Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology. She then earned a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Duke University. She is experienced in treating all musculoskeletal-related injuries, especially hip, knee and shoulder injuries. Alexandra has a special interest in athletes of all ages and sport, and experience treating both high school and college athletes.

She enjoys being able to work alongside her patients throughout their entire rehabilitation journey and hopefully help them create a positive outlook and appreciation of all the amazing things our body can do! When she’s not working, Alexandra can be found watching and playing sports with her husband, hiking with her dog, weightlifting, or reading.

Certifications

• Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
• Certified in Dry Needling through the American Academy of Manipulative Therapy

Brent Young, PT, MPT

Physical Therapist

Raleigh, NC|

Brent graduated with a Masters Degree in Physical Therapy from East Carolina University. He has a B.S. in Biology from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is experienced in treating a variety of conditions, including:

• Orthopedics: neck, back, shoulders, hips, knees, foot/ankle
• Orthopedic post surgical
• Overhead athletes
• Concussion

Brent enjoys the process of developing lifelong relationships with patients in the surrounding community and investing in their lives and physical well-being. His main treatment philosophy rests on empowering patients through education. He enjoys helping patients identify their needs and incorporating manual therapy along with exercise program development to promote healing and safe return to activity. Brent loves watching his patients’ confidence grow and excitement build as they progress from dysfunction to life changing function.

In his free time, Brent enjoys quality time with family and friends and spending time outdoors hiking, camping, biking, or doing yard work.

Certifications

• Functional Dry Needling Level 1
• Mulligan Concept
• Evaluation and Treatment of Temporomandibular Disorders
• Concussion
• Selective Functional Movement Assessment Levels 1 and 2
• McKenzie A, B

Jennifer Hyatt, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist

Raleigh, NC|

Jennifer A. Hyatt, PT, DPT completed a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from UNC-Charlotte, then attended D’Youville University, where she earned a Doctorate of Physical Therapy. She has extensive experience treating a variety of conditions, including:

• Balance and Coordination Deficits
• Fall Management
• Neuromuscular Reeducation
• Musculoskeletal Conditions
• Gait Dysfunctions
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Chronic Neck/Back Conditions
• Total Knee/Hip Arthroplasty
• Rotator Cuff Repair
• Total Shoulder Repair
• Other Post Surgical Conditions
• General Tendinitis/Tendinosis Conditions
• Multiple System Atrophy
• Cerebral Palsy
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Stroke
• CRPS

Jennifer believes that one of the best parts about being a physical therapist is having the opportunity to work with a multitude of people from all different backgrounds and guiding them through their rehabilitation journey. She feels privileged to be a part of a a specialized sector of the healthcare system that helps patients to restore their prior level of function and continue to lead the life they want.

Certifications

• LSVT BIG

Nicole Small, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist

Raleigh, NC|

Nicole Small, PT, DPT grew up in a small town in central Illinois and moved to the St. Louis, MO area to attend Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville (SIUe), where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science and a Master’s Degree in Exercise Physiology. She then moved to North Carolina where she earned a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Methodist University.

As a physical therapist, she hopes to help bring a fun new insight into her patients’ rehabilitation. She has clinical experience in sports and recreational injuries, geriatrics, post-operative rehabilitation, work-related injuries, and spine rehabilitation. Her treatment style incorporates a very functional approach to help her patients meet their goals and return to the activities they love. Her favorite aspect of being a physical therapist is working together with patients to solve each individual problem, overcome each barrier, and eventually see her patients reach their goals.

In her free time Nicole enjoys reading, healthy cooking, and enjoying the outdoors by hiking, kayaking, and visiting the beach. She has a dog that she loves to spoil.

Ryan Swiezy, PT, DPT, CSCS

Physical Therapist

Raleigh, NC|

Ryan Swiezy, PT, DPT completed his undergraduate coursework at UNC-Wilmington, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. He then attended Campbell University, where he earned a Doctorate of Physical Therapy. He has experience treating patients of all ages and with a variety of conditions.

Ryan’s interest in weight lifting and sports related injuries led him to pursue becoming a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). This advanced training enables him to better serve the needs of athletes with the goal of improving athletic performance.

As a physical therapist, Ryan enjoys the opportunity to communicate with and spend time educating patients, empowering them to improve their overall health. He especially loves seeing his patients return to everyday tasks without pain – especially the activities we take for granted when uninjured.

Certifications

• Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
• Dry Needling Level 1

Sarah Irwin, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist

Raleigh, NC|

Sarah Irwin, PT, DPT earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Duke University. She has clinical experience working with the full range of populations, from infants with torticollis and delayed motor milestones, to adult post-operative patients and the geriatric population. Her favorite part of being a therapist is connecting with patients, hearing their stories about their lives, and watching their transformation from the evaluation to discharge.

In her free time, Sarah enjoys woodworking, home design and renovation, and playing pickleball and volleyball.

Certifications

• LSVT BIG (Parkinson’s Disease Therapy)
• Trigger Point Dry Needling Certified

Terry Kramer, PT, MPT

Physical Therapist

Raleigh, NC|

After completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Terry Kramer, PT, MPT earned a Master’s of Physical Therapy from Western Carolina University. A lifelong learner, he has completed the series of 5 McKenzie continuing education courses and is credentialed in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy. The McKenzie courses deal primarily with evaluation and treatment of the spine but the techniques can also be applied to the extremities.

Terry has worked in a variety of physical therapy settings but enjoys the outpatient orthopedic setting the most.  He has a wide range of clinical experience, including post-concussion, vestibular, and the full range of orthopedic injuries and conditions from teenage to geriatric patients. Terry incorporates patient education to help patients understand what is causing their symptoms and how to correct their problems to improve their functional mobility and independence.

“I like being able to help a patient feel better and return to whatever activity they enjoy participating in without pain. Whether it is a manual technique that I perform or an exercise that I give to them to do on their own, seeing that light come on when the patient recognizes the benefit of what we are doing is very rewarding to me.”

Certifications

• Certified MDT
• Mulligan  Trained
• McKenzie Certified (MDT)