STRETCH Physical Therapy has deep specialties in spine, sports, custom orthotics, movement retraining, and chronic injuries. We listen with our ears and our hands. Our unique practice offers eclectic skills to help you achieve your highest level of physical well being. Our clients run the gamut from professional athletes to injured workers, from circus performers to Olympians, from elders to toddlers. You don’t have to be hurt in order to utilize our services. Stretch is about expanding capacities, pushing boundaries; it’s about regaining lost ground, improving balance, and maximizing well being. We are about wellness. We love helping people walk farther and with more confidence. We can help you hit the golf/squash/base/croquet ball straighter, farther and without pain.
Therapist Team
Wolfgang Brolley
I’ve been in the PT game for 20+ years and continue to be absolutely passionate about providing the highest, most effective level of care to our patients. I have remained a voracious consumer of medical/healing information from all corners of the medical world and have dedicated myself to learning everything I can to become a better therapist and healer. Rigorous (and eclectic) western medical training, years of formal zen study, acupressure, cranio-sacral, myofascial release techniques blend into my unique practice. I have specialties in advanced spine care, custom orthoses and high level sports and balance training. In my spare time I run ultra-endurance events and do medical relief work overseas. My own physical background is diverse and intense: Circus Arts, Endurance Athlete, Strength Trainer, Alpinist, Martial Artist. I look forward to working with you!
Gene Kopyt, MPT
I am a Russian born, long time resident of Seattle. I received my Bachelors of Science degree from Western Washington University in 2000 and my Masters in Physical Therapy from Eastern Washington University in 2003. Like the other clinicians at STRETCH, I have a specific interest in manual therapy and have taken classes through the University of St. Augustine in the Stanley Paris technique.
I believe my greatest role as a physical therapist is to empower my patients with the tools and the education they need to continue the healing process away from the clinic. The greatest success is achieved when the patient no longer has to rely on the therapist.
When away from the clinic, I can be found at various venues around town enjoying concerts and other benefits of city life, playing any and all games placed in front of me, camping, travelling or mostly just spending time with friends.
Jan Shaffer
I graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BS in Physical Therapy in 1977. I moved to Seattle in 1980 and have spent most of my career in the greater Seattle area. I enjoy patients of all ages – realizing that you must treat not only the current injury, but its underlying causes. I continue to study a wide variety of manual therapy styles, therapeutic exercise and movement re-education techniques – which allows for a customized treatment plan for each patient. I listen carefully to patients, helping them to interpret and understand the body’s message so they can help themselves speed toward better health.
Carrie Helminger, MPT
I received both my Bachelors of Clinical Science and my Masters of Physical Therapy from Ithaca College in New York. My interest in outpatient and sports rehabilitation stems from my love of sports and the outdoors. I rowed on the varsity crew team all four years of college. Here in the Northwest I enjoy running, cycling, skiing, backpacking, and mountaineering.
I believe in providing one-on-one care using both a manual and an exercise therapy approach to encourage body awareness and proper body mechanics. Some of my training includes: 1 month in southwestern China studying Chinese traditional medicine and massage, Strain Counter-Strain treatment (spine and extremities), a year-long sports-specific rehabilitation mentorship with Bob Donatelli PhD, PT, OCS, and a thoracic spine and rib course with Mark Comerford. I am also certified through NAIOMT (North American Institute of Manual Therapy).
We live in a great part of the country and it is my passion to help people return to the activities they love.