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About Us

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Welcome to Optimal Movement Rehabilitation & Performance

At Optimal Movement, we are dedicated to enhancing your physical well-being and performance through specialized physical therapy services. Our mission is to empower individuals to achieve their optimal movement potential, whether it’s returning to sport after an injury or enhancing overall performance.

Our team of highly skilled and experienced Doctors of Physical Therapy specialize in performance physical therapy, focusing on movement analysis and re-education, manual therapy, and performance training to develop personalized treatment plans tailored to your unique needs. We understand that every individual and every injury is different, which is why we prioritize a comprehensive assessment to identify the root cause of your issues. We believe in treating the body as a whole!

Whether you’re an athlete looking to return to sport or someone seeking to improve daily function, our holistic approach to rehabilitation ensures that we address not only the symptoms but also the underlying factors contributing to your condition. We utilize cutting-edge techniques and evidence-based practices to optimize your movement patterns, prevent re-injury, and promote long-term health and performance.

At Optimal Movement, we believe in empowering our clients with the knowledge and tools they need to take control of their health and reach their goals. Our goal is not just to help you recover from injury but also to equip you with the skills to move better, perform at your best, and live life to the fullest.

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extensive training

Our Specialties

ACL
Return-to-Play

Video Jumping
& Running Analysis

Dry
Needling

ASTYM
(Soft Tissue Mobilization)

Throwing Athletes

Standard Physical therapy model
  • 20-30 minute appointments
  • Double or triple booked with other patients
  • Treatment performed by technicians or assistants
  • Physical therapist may be more of a “generalist”
  • Small facility with minimal equipment
  • Lack of time for patient education to assist in providing better long term outcomes
Optimal Movement Physical therapy Model
  • 1-hour sessions
  • One-on-one patient care
  • All treatments are with the same Doctor of Physical Therapy
  • Extensive sport rehab experience
  • More freedom to treat the body as a whole
  • Full weight room and 75 feet of turf
  • Better outcomes and faster results, the care athletes deserve

At Optimal Movement,
we know you have big goals.

We are here to help you move smarter, perform better, and live optimally.
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Optimal Movement

Meet Our Team

headshot of Taylor Summers PT, DPT DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY, owner and founder of Optimal Movement Rehabilitation and Performance

Taylor Summers PT, DPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy, owner
More About Taylor
headshot of Ed Pilgrim PT, DPT, CSCS DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY at Optimal Movement

Ed Pilgrim PT, DPT, CSCS

Doctor of Physical Therapy
More about Ed

Kelly Stilts MBA, CPT

Business Manager
More About Kelly

Mandy Birk PT, DPT, SCS

Doctor of Physical Therapy
More about Mandy
Why Choose A Membership?

Membership Benefits

Expert Therapists

Our physical therapists are up to date with all the current research and continue to seek out new learning opportunities to bring you the best possible care.

Trusted Practice

Our patients know that when they come to see us they will get our undivided attention for the entirety of their visit and their voices will be heard. We are confident no one provides a better service than us.

Goal Oriented

Whether you are looking to decrease pain, improve athletic performance, or prevent injury, we will tailor your program to your specific needs.

Passionate

Our number one priority is helping you achieve your goals and we will move mountains to do so! We LOVE what we do, which is why we have built this new facility to continue to change as many lives as possible!

Experienced Staff

Our staff has worked with some of the top athletes on the planet, including those in the MLB, NFL, NHL, and UFC.

Performance Gym

Our state-of-the-art facility allows you to train for whatever your goals may be with top of the line equipment such as Keiser, Rogue, Sunlighten Infrared Sauna and Cold Plunge.

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headshot of Taylor Summers PT, DPT DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY, owner and founder of Optimal Movement Rehabilitation and Performance

Taylor Summers PT, DPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Taylor Summers is the owner and founder of Optimal Movement Rehabilitation and Performance. Taylor is a St. Louis native who specializes in ACL rehab and has a passion for the weightlifting/crossfit community as well as bridging the gap between rehab and performance for high school and college athletes.

She tore her ACL her junior year of high school, initially sparking the interest in becoming a physical therapist after a long and gruesome rehab process that allowed her to continue to play college soccer at Quincy University.

After playing 4 years of college soccer, Taylor went on to Washington University in St. Louis to earn her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Taylor has extensive training in ACL return to play, video jumping and running analysis, dry needling, and ASTYM (soft tissue mobilization).

Her goal is and has always been to provide exceptional care to clients and patients while helping them achieve all of their goals. She believes in a true holistic rehab process and is passionate about providing clients with all of the education and tools necessary to move smarter, perform better, and live optimally.

headshot of Ed Pilgrim PT, DPT, CSCS DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY at Optimal Movement

Ed Pilgrim PT, DPT, CSCS​

Doctor of Physical Therapy

In March of 2023, Ed Pilgrim joined our team.  Ed is a St. Louis native who specializes in shoulder and end stage ACL rehab.  After suffering a career ending baseball injury as a sophomore in college, Ed obtained his Bachelor’s in Exercise Science from Missouri Baptist University and his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Missouri.  Since completing his schooling, Ed has gone on to rehabilitate and train athletes from the MLB, NFL, UFC, and NCAA.  Ed’s love for the city of St. Louis and his passion for being able to provide patient-centered care is what brought him back home to join the Optimal Movement team.  When Ed’s not working, you can find him grilling, golfing, or enjoying a St. Louis sporting event.

Kelly Stilts MBA, CPT

Business Manager

Kelly is a dynamic professional with a robust background in corporate management and strategic leadership. Armed with an MBA from Fontbonne University, Kelly has spent over a decade navigating the intricate landscapes of business, consistently driving growth and innovation in various sectors.

Her journey into the realm of fitness and wellness stems from a profound personal passion for health optimization and holistic well-being. Recognizing the critical intersection between corporate success and individual vitality, Kelly has made a conscious pivot towards merging her expertise with her passion for health and fitness.

With her unique perspective and unwavering commitment to excellence, Kelly is poised to redefine standards and inspire meaningful change in the physical therapy landscape.

In her free time, Kelly and her husband, Cory, are shuttling their 3 boys to baseball diamonds, basketball courts, football and soccer fields. Kelly embodies the role of mentor and role model for her sons. Instilling values of sportsmanship, teamwork, and perseverance, she encourages her boys to strive for their personal best on and off the field.

Mandy Birk PT, DPT, SCS

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Amanda Birk, better known as Mandy, is a native of St. Charles, MO. Growing up with older brothers and as a 3 sport athlete, sports & fitness have always been a source of comfort and passion. Naturally, a career helping people regain the ability to do what they love, achieve goals that may seem impossible after injury and to live a long healthy life was a perfect fit.

Mandy graduated from Washington University in STL with her Doctorate in
Physical Therapy in 2015 & chose to pursue specialization by completing
a Sports Physical Therapy Residency in Houston, TX. While there, she treated a highly sports focused population, worked in training rooms at the University of Houston & with HS athletics, and did research on ACL return to sport & multi ligament knee injuries. After residency, she moved home to St. Louis and became a Board Certified Sports Physical Therapy.

Specialist in 2017. She now specializes in treating overhead athletes and both operative and non-operative hip & knee rehab. After working in a fast paced environment for the past 8 years, Mandy is excited to get back to the art of physical therapy & performance in a 1:1 environment at Optimal Movement.

When not working, you can find her working out, playing volleyball, making memories with family, friends & her 8yr old puppy, or attending sporting events or whatever concert she can find.

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