Our Team

Schedule with Dr. Mariel

As a professional ultimate frisbee player, Dr. Mariel knows how important it is to be able to move well and often! She has brought her experience and expertise to advance The Movement program into what it is today, and her class programming and personal attitude live up to our modo Built for Purpose, Backed by Science, Powered by Passion!

Dr. Mariel has studied many realms of physical therapy assessment, including, Postural Restoration Institute, McKenzie, Maitland, Sahrmann, Myofunctional Therapy, Functional Range Systems, and Pelvic Pain Program that allow for a full body approach to assessment and treatment. She utilizes movement screening approaches such as the FMS and SFMA for return to sport performance and life, that ensures your treatment will help reduce future risk of injury and pain.

Approach to treatment

Every person is different, in the way that they move, heal, and respond to feedback. Dr. Mariel makes education a priority to ensure that patients take responsibility for their own care and understand the amazing power of self-healing that the body can achieve when placed in the right environment. Touching on foundational topics such as sleep, recovery, nutrition and stress management are also pillars of her treatment approach, as she understands the vital role these play in total body wellness and function.

Dr. Mariel meets patients at their fitness level, treating the weekend warrior all the way up to the semi-professional athlete. Learning first how to move appropriately, and then load the body optimally, each patient will leave their appointments with a better understanding of how resilient and powerful our bodies can be.

Education

Dr. Mariel obtained her undergraduate degree at the University of Central Florida, specializing in anatomy, biomechanics and fitness training. She continued her education, getting her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree at Duke University, where she worked under some of the best physical therapists in the world. Learning from them had been a profound lesson, and she strives to continue her education through courses that spark her passion, and keep up with the ever-changing evidence based practice.

Her secondary physical therapy certifications include the Pelvic Pain Program, Functional Range Assessment, and Functional Movement System.

She is currently working towards a Certified Sleep Coaching degree that will allow her to take her practice further as she recognizes the intimate relationship between sleep and recovery.  She also is undergoing an intensive training cohort in Myofunctional Therapy, allowing her to better assess and treat the relationship between the nose, mouth, and throat to improve outcomes for sleep, breathing and TMJ dysfunction.

Outside of Work

Dr. Mariel is an avid adventurist, exploring the many wonders that the PNW provides. Growing up in Florida, she did not have access to beautiful mountains and enjoys the hiking, backpacking and climbing that nature provides. She is also an avid Ultimate Frisbee player, playing since college for 10+ years and was a part of Worlds Ultimate Disc Association tournament in 2014 representing the USA. She will also travel with Team USA to Amsterdam in July 2021 to participate in the WFDF World Championships. She has continued her career with the Oregon Women’s club team, Oregon Schwa, which placed 3rd in the nation last year. Don’t hesitate to find out how you can get involved with your local league as she loves to talk shop!