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About Me..

Kendel Lipe
Doctor of Physical Therapy

I am committed to a lifetime of learning, expanding my toolbox every day so I can better serve my patients.  The following is a more detailed explanation of some of the skills and specializations I have acquired in my career. 

 

The bottom of the page holds a bit about my story and what drives me to do what I do. 

Specializations, Certifications and Skills

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Pelvic Floor Specialist for Males and Females

  • Courses by the Herman & Wallace Institute, Lynn Schulte and more. 

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Certified Advanced Myokinesthetics Practitioner  

  • A powerful neuromuscular rebalancing technique helpful for postural imbalances and  resetting the function of various organs and systems. Visit their website for more information and research.

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Johns Barnes Myofascial Release​

  • Learn more about what sets this type of therapy apart here

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Visceral Manipulation​

  • The use of gentle manual techniques to the areas surrounding the organs to free up fascial restrictions, increase blood flow and improve their function. A powerful tool for IBS, UC, gall bladder, liver or stomach dysfunction, Endometriosis, and many other muskuloskeleteal issues. Our bodies know we can survive without a knee or ankle, but we can't survive without our liver! So if the liver or other organs are restricted, your body will often twist and turn your limbs to make sure your organs can function as they need to.

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Craniosacral Therapy

  • A subtle but powerful and deeply relaxing type of massage centered around freeing up the cranial bones, sacrum, and the spinal cord in between. It can have powerful effects throughout the body and brain. Common conditions treated include ADHD, autism, dysautonomia, cervical instability, sacral pain, migraines and headaches, and many more. I have received training from the Upledger Institute as well as John Barnes. 

 

Microcurrent Point Stimulation​

  • The Dolphin MPS is a powerful modality that delivers current at very high frequencies and is relatively pain-free. It can help with scar tissue release, TMJ, fibromyalgia, dysautonomia, low back pain, and more.

  • It can also be used as a vagal nerve stimulation device, powerful enough it was approved for acute and post-COVID relief in Canada.  It helps reset the autonomic nervous system for those stuck in high stress, sympathetic overdrive, or those suffering with chronic fatigue. â€‹â€‹

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Trauma-Informed Practitioner​​

  • I also integrate concepts from Peter Levine's somatic experiencing, myofascial release, targeted mindfulness exercises and left/right brain integration to help one to reassociate with their body after trauma, and free traumatic energy stored in the tissues.​

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Trigger point Dry Needling​

  • The use of small acupuncture needles to directly penetrate and release tense points in muscles. I use it in conjunction with Microcurrent Point Stimulation (see above) for more effective and lasting results. 

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Mindfulness & Meditation Training​

  • I have studied various Eastern & Western meditation techniques and the physiology behind them. I believe teaching patients to integrate these techniques into massage and exercise leads to more permanent , complete and impactful changes

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Cupping​

  • Uses silicone cups to create a vacuum around dysfunctional tissuse, increasing blood flow and freeing up fascial restrictions to decrease pain and improve function. ​

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Kinisiology Taping​

  • This tape can help increase blood flow, decrease swelling, promote postural realignment and decrease pain. 

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Nutrition Counseling

  • The gut is known as the 'final frontier' of medicine and controls much of the body's immune and hormone systems. I have advanced education in nutrition protocols for inflammation, autoimmune disease, gastroparesis, ehlers-danlos syndrome, interstitial cystitis, mast cell activation syndrome, and bladder dysfunction. 

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Custom Orthotics Casting​

  • Our feet are our foundation!  I have advanced training using plaster casts to custom orthotics for a wide variety of patients. I then take functional measurements of how the foot moves in standing, walking or running and use these measurements in conjunction with the mold to create an orthotic that facilitates greater symmetry in movement and gets you back to the activities you love!

  • Affordable and guaranteed to last a lifetime

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Other Specialization and Skills: 

  • Treatment for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome & Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

  • Treatment for Acid Reflux, IBS, and other gut imbalances

  • Lymphatic massage (I do not do wrapping)

  • Strain/Counter-strain soft tissue release

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Education 

  • Bachelors of Science, Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University

  • Doctorate of Physical Therapy; George Washington University, Washington D.C.

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Muscles of the Pelvic Floor

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Visceral & Myofascial Massage

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Microcurrent Point Stimulation on C-section Scar

Outdoor Yoga Meditation

Mindfulness & Meditation Training

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Trigger Point Dry Needling with Microcurrent

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Cupping Technique

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Kinesiology Taping for Improved Alignment & Circulation

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DC Vagus Nerve Stimulation via Dolphin MPS

Healthy Meal

Nutrition & Supplement Advice 

Running Up

Custom-Casting of Orthotics with Walking/Running Analysis for improved alignment throughout the body.

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Why I Do What I Do

My Story...

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I grew up in the small town of Boerne, TX, spending most of my time outdoors and playing every sport I could. I always had a passion for problem solving, and decided to pursue a degree in Biomedical Engineering from Texas A&M.

 

About a year into my engineering work, my body began to fall apart and I had no idea why - my ribs would spasm and dislocate, I had constant brain fog and fatigue, I developed chronic pelvic pain and significant gut problems. I later learned that all of these things were because of a genetic condition called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome that affects your connective tissue, but at the time most Doctors told me to take a lifetime disability card, high dose pain meds and lie in bed. Even several PT's I went to were unable to help. I withdrew from school, clinically depressed and feeling very hopeless.  It wasn't until I found a highly specialized PT, one who looked at the body holistically, had a deep understanding of the biomechanics of the joints, and who problem solved with me to find the root causes of my symptoms, that I started to have hope - and with hope started the long journey of becoming well again.  

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It was a long process that ended up requiring a whole team of knowledgeable health professionals - a functional nutritionist, myofascial release therapist, pelvic floor therapist, and an EMDR therapist. It also required learning valuabel meditation tools to break through the dissociative and disabling thought patterns common in chronic pain, and to start believing in my body's ability to heal itself again. Step by step, often two steps forward and one step backward, I regained my function, my love for my own body, my life. 

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Service Work 

 

Giving back has always been very important to me. In particular, I have spent significant time living in and traveling to impoverished countries around the world, and my goal is to spread awareness of both pelvic floor therapy and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome to these countries, treating patients and also equipping the local healthcare workers with the knowledge and skills to provide sustainable care. I have spent time working in clinics in Guatemala and developing continuing education for Guatemalan Physical Therapists. I currently have contacts in Mexico and Ecuador and am planning trips to begin this process this year, depending on the state of the pandemic. 

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I am also working to help local underserved populations. In particular, I use my Spanish-speaking skills and trauma-training to treat patients who might otherwise not have access to care. 

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10% of all proceeds from the clinic go towards supporting these causes. 

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This journey instilled in me a passion for helping others overcome disability and pain. I finished my degree in Biomedical Engineering, honing my problem solving and biomechanical skills, but ultimately endeavored to apply those problem solving skills to the most complex and beautiful machine ever made- the human body. I attended George Washington University in DC and received my Doctorate in Physical Therapy.  Then and now, my goal is be a highly specialized physical therapist – I don’t want to be a generalist who can treat most patients, I want to be an expert PT for the right patients, the patients like myself who had tried other types of treatment and needed specialized, one-one one care. To that end, I have worked to develop specific knowledge and skill sets that set me apart, attending many continuing education, training under experts in the country, and every day researching, asking questions, reading and learning. I also am not afraid to say ‘I don’t know’ about the things I am not an expert in, and point you to other amazing professionals ore recourses which may be able to help you more in that arena.

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My own healing journey never ends, as my body is prone to instability and inflammation and I am constantly finding new ways to adapt, heal and grow. I am truly grateful for the trauma and disabilities life has thrown at me - they have shaped my passions and led me to this amazing career, and they have given me empathy and compassion for patients struggling through their own hardships.  

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If you believe I may the right therapist for you but have questions, or would like to discuss your case further before booking an initial evaluation, I offer free 10 minute phone consultations. Text or email me to set up a time!

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