Des Moines University Clinic Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy

515-271-1717

HOURS
Monday - Friday 7:00 am – 5:00 pm

Now seeing patients in West Des Moines

Call to schedule an appointment at the MidAmerican Energy RecPlex

Des Moines University Clinic Physical Therapy

Our providers are experts in movement and passionate about helping you improve function and performance

Through hands-on care and patient-focused movement assessment and treatment, DMU physical therapists optimize functional recovery and high level performance, and provide trauma-informed and equitable health care.

Our facility includes treatment rooms that ensure comfort and privacy and a gym space with state of the art equipment and technology.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we are now offering virtual health appointments. Find more information or call to schedule your appointment today.

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Contact
3200 Grand Ave - 8th Floor
515-271-1717

Upcoming Exercise classes

active-adult-exercise

Active Adult Exercise

An exercise class for all ages and abilities, focused on improving balance, strength and flexibility. Taught by Sharon Johansen, PTA, MS, ATC and Jane Solon. 

Starting September 2

Register for classes

Now Open!

Physical Therapy and Sports Performance Services at the MidAmerican Energy RecPlex

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Des Moines University Clinic Physical Therapy is the exclusive provider of physical therapy and athletic training services for the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex.

Conditions We Treat

  • Chronic pain recovery

    The DMU Clinic team will work with you to treat symptoms and pain associated with chronic conditions or injuries.
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  • General weakness, muscle and joint pain

    Our therapists assess and treat injuries and conditions all over the body, including the back and neck, shoulder, arm and hand, hip, knee, ankle and foot.
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  • Running and cycling injury rehabilitation and sports performance

    At the Running and Cycling Clinic, our experts will diagnose movement dysfunction utilizing wearable technology and motion analysis to assess the biomechanics of running or cycling. Improved mechanics will decrease strain and improve your performance.
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  • Vestibular disorders and dizziness

    We specialize in effectively treating dizziness, vertigo, lightheadedness, imbalance and other disorders of the vestibular system.
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  • Balance and fall prevention

    Physical therapy can help address changes in balance, strengthen muscles, and improve your overall physical health to keep you active and well.
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  • Dry needling

    In addition to physical therapy, dry needling is a treatment option that promotes blood flow to underlying tissues to treat pain, muscle impairments and movement disability.
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  • Diabetic care and injury prevention

    Physical therapy can help promote healthier mechanics by improving strength and range of motion to help reduce the risk of falling.

  • Pregnancy and postpartum care

    The musculoskeletal system changes significantly during and after pregnancy. Our therapists work with you to optimize function throughout your pregnancy and recover after your little one arrives. Common treatments include pelvic, back and hip pain along with urinary incontinence.

  • Pelvic pain and incontinence

    Pelvic health conditions, such as pain, incontinence, urinary urgency or frequency and constipation are all treatable with physical therapy and can improve quality of life. Our therapists are trained in biofeedback therapy to treat men, women and children with pelvic floor dysfunctions.
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  • Neurological conditions

    Our therapists can help you recover from and manage symptoms of neurological conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and others.

  • Concussion Rehabilitation

    The concussion management program includes base line testing, community education, and post-concussive assessments. Once concussed, each individual receives a custom treatment plan to facilitate return to learn, sport, and other activities.
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  • Manual therapy

    Through the use of manual, hands-on techniques, we will help you improve the mobility of your soft tissues and joints, decrease pain and sensitivity, and restore your ability to move and function at your best.
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  • Wellness exams and individualized instruction

    Physical therapy wellness examinations and personalized instruction and help ensure that you're strong, healthy and able to enjoy daily life.
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You are more than your imaging

By Nick Maeirs, P.T., D.P.T., CSMT, TPS

If you are like most people, you’ve likely experienced pain at some point in your life. Maybe that pain lasted only for a day or two, or perhaps you have pain now and it has been lasting for a while. …

You are more than your imaging Read More

Physical therapy treatments for pelvic pain

By Lauren Plum, D.P.T.

It is estimated that over 25% of cis-gendered women and 17% of cis-gendered men will experience pelvic pain at some point in their lives, and if you find yourself somewhere within that statistic, know that you are not alone. Pelvic …

Physical therapy treatments for pelvic pain Read More

Constipation and kids: physical therapy can help

By Kari Smith, P.T., D.P.T., BCB-PMD

As a mother, I know first-hand how awful it is when your child can’t poop. The struggle is real and is common in many households with kids holding their stool, for a variety of reasons. Connecting with the right professionals …

Constipation and kids: physical therapy can help Read More

COVID-19 and the role of physical therapy

By Taylor Illg, D.P.T.'22

In the past year of COVID-19, health care teams around the world have provided care to many patients in various stages of the disease. But what is the role of a physical therapist in this health care crisis? Here, I …

COVID-19 and the role of physical therapy Read More

High Impact Athletes and Urinary Incontinence

By Courtney Harms

Imagine flying through the air—thinking about your position, your landing, whether someone will catch you—when you suddenly begin leaking urine while wearing skin-tight clothing made of thin material for the audience, teammates and judges to see. This is the embarrassing reality for many high-impact athletes during practice and performance. does …

High Impact Athletes and Urinary Incontinence Read More

Working From Home Ergonomics

By Lauren Plum, D.P.T.

Many of you have been working from home during this pandemic and whether you’ve returned to the office or you continue to work from your kitchen table, we wanted to give you a little refresher course on basic ergonomics. Here …

Working From Home Ergonomics Read More

What is pelvic floor dysfunction and how can physical therapy help?

By Lauren Plum, D.P.T.

Consider this: Other than our feet, which support us in standing and walking during the day, the pelvic floor is the next most complex system in the human body that also runs parallel to the floor. The pelvic floor includes anything …

What is pelvic floor dysfunction and how can physical therapy help? Read More

Running and Injury prevention

By Shane McClinton, D.P.T., Ph.D., OCS, FAAOMPT, CSCS

Whether you’re a seasoned runner or training seriously for the first time, the way you structure your workout regimen is important in protecting you from injury. Most running-related injuries occur at the knees, feet, shins, Achilles tendon and calves; hip, …

Running and Injury prevention Read More

Falls and Concussions in Older Adults

By Paige Vaden, D.P.T.'21

“Help, I’ve fallen and can’t get up.” Many of us have heard this catchphrase from the Life-Alert commercials, but for some older adults these commercials touch on a very real fear: falling. Falls are the leading cause of fatal and …

Falls and Concussions in Older Adults Read More

Returning to Physical Activity After a Concussion

By Jordan Wachter, D.P.T.'21

While concussions are often considered a sports injury, they can occur any time a force acts upon the head. Avoiding physical or mental exertion has historically been the prescribed treatment plan for individuals recovering from a concussion, but research has shown …

Returning to Physical Activity After a Concussion Read More

7 Concussion Myths and Misconceptions

By Brittney England, D.P.T.'21

This article was co-authored by Des Moines University students Brittney England, D.P.T.’21 and Jordan Wachter, D.P.T.’21. Concussions are a hot topic in our society that affects children, athletes, and adults of all ages. Understanding the best care and treatment is …

7 Concussion Myths and Misconceptions Read More

Concussions: What do parents need to know?

By Lauren Mach, P.T., D.P.T., ATC

Concussions are defined as a traumatic brain injury usually caused by a blow to the head, whiplash, or an abrupt stop of the head. What is a concussion? Contrary to what you may have heard, concussions are not “brain bleeds.” …

Concussions: What do parents need to know? Read More

Let’s talk about sex…ual dysfunction?

By Clare Wasmuth, D.P.T.'21

Sex. A topic that for myself, personally, growing up was not a topic of conversation in our house. Yes, I had sex education courses throughout school that taught basic anatomy and the general logistics of what sex is. My sex …

Let’s talk about sex…ual dysfunction? Read More

How does pain work? Understanding the truth behind the hurt

By Taylor Joens

When you take a second to think about it, pain is truly quite the concept to wrap your brain around. Why does my shoulder hurt? Why can’t I move my back? When will this go away? As a third year …

How does pain work? Understanding the truth behind the hurt Read More

Running is bad for your knees, right? Not so fast…

By Shane McClinton, D.P.T., Ph.D., OCS, FAAOMPT, CSCS

Many of us have heard the common perception that running is hard on your knees and that runners will eventually “ruin” theirs if they keep it up. Or, when a runner suffers an injury, the simplistic solution of just stop …

Running is bad for your knees, right? Not so fast… Read More

Running Incontinence and the Pelvic Floor

By Samantha Janssen, DPT 2021

When you are running, walking or just doing other daily movements, the pelvic floor plays a major yet often silent role. What is the pelvic floor? The pelvic floor consists of muscles at the bottom of your pelvis that help …

Running Incontinence and the Pelvic Floor Read More

Slow and Unsteady: What is Parkinson’s Disease?

By Courtney Harms

Some families pass down recipes, others pass down neurological disorders. On my maternal grandmother’s side, approximately 50% of people in the last five generations have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and/or a similar, but more rare and mild disease called …

Slow and Unsteady: What is Parkinson’s Disease? Read More

Physical therapy and pregnancy: As one little body grows, yours doesn’t need to fall apart

By Rebekah Trost

As I get further into my twenties, it has been such a treat to be surrounded by more pregnant women than ever before. Having never been pregnant myself, I always have many questions about what it is like to carry …

Physical therapy and pregnancy: As one little body grows, yours doesn’t need to fall apart Read More

Physical Therapy and Telehealth

By John Lang

No longer are patients waiting in waiting rooms, holding doors open, and shaking hands with their health care providers. Health care is no different than any other industry, and rapid changes have occurred in how patients are seen since the …

Physical Therapy and Telehealth Read More

Catch some rays: The role of Vitamin D in a healthy lifestyle

By Danae Holtman

Summer sun is here, and as we lather on the sunscreen to keep our skin safe, we can also reap the benefits of giving ourselves a little more Vitamin D. Why is Vitamin D important for your health? Vitamin D …

Catch some rays: The role of Vitamin D in a healthy lifestyle Read More

Meet Our Providers

Our therapists and staff strive to make your time at DMU Physical Therapy Clinic personalized, comfortable, and informative. We want you to return and tell your friends and family about us. If you are pleased with our services, please “like” and follow us on Facebook and give us a review on Google.

Michelle Brown, Des Moines University Clinic Physical TherapyMichelle Brown, P.T., D.P.T., CCVT
Physical Therapist
Brad Earp, Des Moines University Clinic Physical TherapyBrad Earp, P.T., D.P.T., ATC
Physical Therapist
Sharon Johansen, Des Moines University ClinicSharon Johansen, PTA, M.S., ATC
Physical Therapy Assistant
Lauren Plum, Des Moines University Clinic Physical TherapyLauren Plum, P.T., D.P.T., OCS
Physical Therapist
Tracy Porter, Des Moines University Clinic Physical TherapyTracy Porter, P.T., D.P.T., EdD
Physical Therapist (limited availability)
Kari Smith, Des Moines University Clinic Physical TherapyKari Smith, P.T., D.P.T., WCS, BCB-PM
Manager and Physical Therapist
Katie Stevermer, Des Moines University Doctor of Physical Therapy ProgramCatherine (Katie) Stevermer, P.T., D.P.T., Ph.D.
Physical Therapist (limited availability)

“Following GCS my surgeon referred me to Kari Smith for pain that I was still experiencing six months after surgery. After the first couple sessions I realized that I wasn't going to have to live with the pain forever. From the very start she put me at ease and explained what was happening to my body, and gave me exercises that I could do at home. In less than two months I'm back to doing the activities, pain free, that I was doing before surgery. I cannot thank her enough!”

D. C., Clinic patient

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