Physical Therapy and Sports Performance Services at the MidAmerican Energy RecPlex

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

Call: 515-271-1725

Fax: 515-271-7135

NEW — DMU Foot and Ankle Clinic Now Seeing Patients at the RecPlex!

The RecPlex Physical Therapy and Sports Performance Center Space

The Center occupies 5,000 square feet with a dedicated 2,000-square-foot gym space to support physical therapy services, group and individual sport specific training, community education and wellness programming. The space also has two semi-private and two private treatment rooms, allowing our therapists to meet the diverse therapy needs of patients seen at this location.

DMU has invested in state-of-the-art equipment including high speed treadmill and harness system, Biodex isokinetic testing, functional weight training and balance equipment.

Contact Us

To schedule an appointment or talk to a provider, please fill out the form below.

Join us for classes

Click on a class to learn more and the dates offered.

Sports Performance Training

Sports performance classes focus on strength training, mobility and flexibility, speed and agility, core strength, and power development (both rotational and linear). During the 60 minute session, athletes will work to improve their weakness and maximize strengths to become fast, strong, and resilient in the sport of their choice!

Register for Classes

Monday through Thursday, multiple times offered
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Active Adult Exercise

Soccer Development for Middle & High School Athletes

Soccer Development for Middle School & High School Athletes

Classes are held at the Des Moines University Clinic Physical Therapy in the RecPlex. Each class is designed and coached by a PT or ATC with focus upon motor control, coordination, and development of movement patterns to decrease risk of injury and improve sports performance.

Register for Classes

Mondays and Wednesdays, multiple times offered
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Softball/Baseball Arm Care Camp

Softball/Baseball Arm Care Camp: Bullet Proof Your Arm!

Raise your hand if you peform band work and still end up with shoulder or elbow pain by the end of your season! Believe it or not, the shoulder isn’t the only important factor when throwing a ball. Energy and power are built in your legs, transferred through your core, and dissipated out the shoulder. Join us for a 2-hour arm care camp to help bullet proof your arm this spring!

Register for Classes

View Classes and Register

Register for classes

Step 1: Create an Account

Step 2: View Classes and Register

For more detailed instructions, view our registration guide.

Single Class per Week

$70

for 4 weeks

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Two Classes per Week

$125

for 4 weeks

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Four Classes per Week

$200

for 4 weeks

View Classes

Scene from a women's soccer match. A player in white takes a shot on goal, while a defender in black bears down. A goalkeeper in bright green stands in the net.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury: Can This Injury Be Prevented?

By Des Moines University

Athletes, especially females, in soccer, basketball and other sports are susceptible to ACL injury. The DMU Physical Therapy Clinic offers training to help prevent this injury.

Untwisting the Knot: What New Parents Should Know About Torticollis

By DMU Clinic

Torticollis, which can affect up to 16% of infants, can lead to developmental delay if left untreated. Physical therapy can help with this highly treatable condition.

Senior woman strikes a sliced backhand volley during pickleball game in autumn

Pickleball: Could America’s Fast-Growing Sport Be an Achilles Heel?

By Des Moines University

As the popularity of pickleball has increased, so have injuries, presenting risks that players should understand.

Shouldering the Weight of Swimming Pain

By Ashleigh Houlette, D.P.T.'23

The beginning of spring typically means the end of club team, high school, and collegiate swimming seasons, yet athletes continue to train year-round. During peak training periods, elite swimmers swim upwards of 7,000-10,000 yards a day in addition to strength […]

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. […]

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 […]

Des Moines University Clinic Physical Therapy, Pediatric Pelvic Health and Incontinence

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 […]

Des Moines University Clinic Physical Therapy and COVID-19

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

Des Moines University Clinic, Physical Therapy and Concussion Management and Rehabilitation

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 […]

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 […]

Des Moines University Clinic, Physical Therapy and Head Injuries

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.” […]

Des Moines University Clinic, Physical Therapy and Male Incontinence

Male Incontinence and Prostate

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

General information on pelvic health for males is more difficult to find than for females, and guys certainly don’t sit around the coffee shop talking about their urinary incontinence after having prostate cancer. However, information should be available since prostate […]

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 […]

Des Moines University Clinic, Physical Therapy and Pain Science

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 […]

Des Moines University Physical Therapy Running and Cycling Clinic

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 […]

Meet the team

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

Site Supervisor, Head Athletic Trainer and Physical Therapist

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

Physical Therapist

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

Manager and Physical Therapist

Brad Earp, P.T., D.P.T., ATC

Physical Therapist

Athletic Trainer

Athletic Trainer PRN

Athletic Trainer PRN

Athletic Trainer PRN

Athletic Trainer PRN

Athletic Trainer PRN

Athletic Trainer PRN

Alberto Ortega Garcia, B.S.

Athletic Trainer PRN

Breana Schuiteman, B.A.

Athletic Trainer PRN

Services we provide

Athletic and Sport Performance

Our experts diagnose movement issues using wearable technology and motion analysis to assess the biomechanics of sports activity. Improved mechanics decrease strain and improve movement and overall performance.

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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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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Concussion Rehabilitation

The concussion management program includes baseline testing, community education, and post-concussive assessments. Once concussed, each individual receives a custom treatment plan to facilitate a return to learning, sport, and other activities.
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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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Expert Foot and Ankle Care

DMU’s doctors of podiatric medicine treat all conditions of the foot and ankle, including lower-limb injuries, pain and chronic conditions. Physicians from the DMU Clinic – Foot and Ankle have regular hours at the RecPlex location to treat sports-related injuries.
Call to Schedule

Manual Therapy

Through the use of manual, hands-on techniques and therapy, 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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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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Running Injury Rehabilitation

At the Running Clinic, our experts will diagnose movement dysfunction utilizing wearable technology and motion analysis to assess the biomechanics of running. 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 vestibular system disorders.
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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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ACL Management

Our therapists specialize in ACL management from prevention to post-operative management and return to play assessments. Our athletes deserve the best, that’s why we take an individual approach to training. Once appropriate, each athlete is assessed via Biodex isokinetic testing and function performance drills to restore confidence and return them to the activity of their choice.

Long COVID Recovery

The effects of long COVID can cause muscle weakness, balance deficits, limited lung capacity, pain, and overall decreased function. Physical therapy can assist with addressing these impairments and providing education to improve your overall quality of life.

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.

Surgical Recovery

Our therapists help clients recover from surgeries to regain mobility and improve their strength, balance and overall well-being.

ASTYM Therapy

ASTYM is an augmented soft tissue massage used to restore movement and reduce pain following soft tissue injury/dysfunction.

“I’ve had past experience with several physical therapy clinics but never with Des Moines University. I have to say that my experience with Des Moines University was, by far, the best I’ve ever experienced. The support staff personnel, both in the downtown and West Des Moines locations are extremely proficient, kind, and caring. They are top notch!

My physical therapist, Sharon Johansen, was the best therapist I have ever had the privilege of working with. She offered a wealth of information, exercises, and practical tips that, in short time, brought me significant improvement and pain relief. She not only took a sincere interest in my case, but she was also very personable and kind. I cannot recommend her enough to anyone seeking competent and effective physical therapy with a personal touch.”

Bill Mogolov, Clinic patient

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