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Laura Opstedal, PT, DPT
Laura began her physical therapy career in 2001 after graduating from University of Puget Sound in her hometown of Tacoma, WA. She is dual board certified in Orthopedics & Sports and holds a USA weight lifting level 2 coaching certification. Laura has extensive expertise in sports injuries, predominately ACL and knee injuries. Her 21-year career has provided many opportunities for unusual cases, complex cases, surgical revisions and really anything one can think of. She has worked with novice, recreational, high school, division 1, elite and professional athletes. As her caseload became referral and word-of-mouth only, she felt supported enough to open Build Physio & Performance in 2019.
Laura empowers her patients through sharing knowledge and intervenes as little as possible– this is largely the difference between “doing physical therapy” and “being a physical therapist”. Laura believes in evidence-informed medicine and avoidance of interventions with limited efficacy. Her undergraduate degrees in biology and math, also from Puget Sound, inspired her respect of scientific process and criticism of cause / effect. “Test, don’t guess” is the driving force behind the many tools she has in the clinic. She believes this best practice creates transparency in documenting progress, motivating her patients, and questioning her chosen interventions. Laura is a wife and mother of four kids. She lives outside of Bozeman, Montana and loves skiing Bridger Bowl with her kids, hiking, live music, reading and watching her kids’ many activities.
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