Dr. Elste completed her Doctor of Physical Therapy at Regis University in 2011. She began her career specializing in orthopedic physical therapy and vestibular rehabilitation therapy in a variety of settings in the Western States.
Dr. Elste is a former Division 1 gymnast at Bowling Green State University. As a former elite level athlete now turned rock climber, she understands the rigors of athletics and has a special interest in injury prevention. For the past 5 years she has used her expertise to treat sponsored, professional and local climbers. She is extremely passionate about collaborating with climbers to enable them to meet their goals.
Dr. Elste is is certified in Vestibular Rehabilitation with a special interest in the treatment of individuals post-concussion, whiplash and cervical injury. She is a Certified Myofascial Trigger Point Therapist, certified in Functional Movement Screening, Selective Functional Movement Assessment as well as instrumented soft tissue techniques and cupping.
Kari Elste would describe herself as a solid 5.13- sport junky, who enjoys long days in the alpine, climbs 5.11 trad and boulders sometimes.
Mission
To incorporate evidence based clinical treatments in an individualized physical therapy plan of care in order to optimize health and recovery. To help you reach your goals and aspirations.
Vision
My vision is to partner with you in your health care journey. To utilize my education and clinical expertise to get you on the road to recovery. And most importantly returning you to the activities you enjoy!
Values
Educate: educate you on the nature of your injury, the human body, your unique experience and plan of care. How to proactively self rehab and better care for your body.
Empower: Collaborate together in your GOALS and plan of Care. Offer useful tools for self care and progress toward goals and health.
Excite: Ultimately, get you back to what you enjoy doing!!
My Story
Being born an Elste, means that gymnastics is in my genetics. My Grandma, Meta Neumann Elste was an two time USA Olympic gymnast. By the age of 3, I was enrolled in tiny tot tumbling classes and went on to be an elite level and division one college gymnast. For 18 years, my identity and life was consumed by the sport. Injuries were numerous, including multiple knee surgeries, serious head traumas, spinal stress fractures and herniated discs. Not to mention the mental health issues, eating disorders and psychological trauma. These followed me into my adult life. My body was constantly breaking down injury after injury. And despite my education as a Doctor of Physical Therapy, I was making little progress. Hitting rock bottom, I made the decision to truly focus on my health. Within the last 4 years I have begun my own health care journey with an interdisciplinary team of providers. Although I have some major diagnoses to address, I would like to report, I now sleep at night, my energy has increased and for the first time in my climbing career I am climbing stronger with fewer injuries.
Part of my health journey includes beginning Arete Physical Therapy. With constantly changing health care costs and reimbursements, many physical therapists, including myself, work longer hours, with increase patient volume and little income growth. Beginning Arete PT means I am combining my passion for physical therapy, my climbing and outdoor athlete clientele while taking care of my health. Thus, I am passionate about partnering with you in your healthcare journey and your goals. My encouragement to all of you is to value and care for yourself, you are worth it!!