Dr. Trista Larson grew up in Green Bay, WI with a passion for sports, a love of animals, and a dedication to volunteer and help others. Through high school and college she trained service dogs and their inmate handlers on the dog’s journey to finding “their person”, giving them independence. She played volleyball her first 2 years of college as a setter. As she focused more on preparing for graduate school, she volunteered at a hippotherapy clinic where children received their physical and occupational therapies on horses.
She was accepted at the Mayo Clinic to pursue her doctorate in physical therapy. Graduating in 2009, she had a passion for patients experiencing chronic pain, neck and back pains, as well as abdominal pains. She soon discovered classes through the Institute of Physical Art (IPA) where they had developed Functional Manual Therapy ®. It was through the passion of the instructors, the changes she saw in her patients and herself, and drive for continuous improvement that she signed up for testing to become a certified functional manual therapist (CFMT). In preparation for certification, she was taking 8-10 courses per year, acquiring over 1,000 continuing education hours. In 2020 she travelled to Steamboat Springs, CO for a rigorous week of testing for a certification that a limited number of PT’s have achieved.
She passed her certification, with honors. It was in 2020 that she was honored and humbled to learn that she would receive the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) -Wisconsin PT of the Year Award.
Throughout her life, she has battled through several health challenges. It was those challenges that motivated her to continue to find ways to think outside the box to assist patients in achieving their potential. Trista and her husband, Todd, live on a hobby farm outside of Green Bay. They have 2 horses, 2 dogs, and 3 fainting goats. Outside the clinic, they enjoy kayaking, horseback riding, gardening, and spending time with family.
APTA Wisconsin 2020 PT of the Year
Certified Functional Manual Therapist with honors (2020)
Member American Physical Therapy Association (2008-present)
Doctor of Physical Therapy - Mayo Clinic (2009)