Kristinn I. Heinrichs,
Senior Contributor

Kristinn Heinrichs is the only PhD-trained, dual-board certified (neurology, sports) physical therapist and athletic trainer in the US; has over 10 years of demonstrated success in treating military service members with complex injuries, including traumatic brain injury, PTSD, pain, and trauma.

She is a creative leading edge integrative rehabilitation mentor whole health / postgraduate program development / mentor clinical researcher / author / educator / global citizen

She has proven bottom-line in patient care excellence (highest productivity with lasting impact), bringing clinical innovations in traumatic brain injury care and return to full performance.

Her Ph.D. and MeD were awarded by The Raven Honor Society. She earned a degree in Exercise Physiology at The University of Virginia's School of Sports Medicine and a BSPT from Marquette University.

Among Dr. Heinrichs’ professional achievements:

Integrative rehabilitation of more than 8,000 Soldiers with traumatic brain injury and complex trauma; led efforts to establish state-of-the-art concussion and vestibular physical therapy assessment facilities; Whole Health approaches in rehabilitation, recognized excellence in patient care across all military metrics; contributed subject matter and research design expertise to achieve $507,000 funded 12-week pilot study of neck strength.

She led academic graduate program creation and accreditation to candidacy status within six months with $2,000,000 funding for the first entry-level problem-based learning Master in Athletic Training Program in the United States, Graduate Certificate in Strength & Conditioning, Advanced Master's Degree in Sports Medicine; Founding Doctoral Physical Therapy Expansion Program Director; Established International sports medicine educational exchange programs: Firenze, Italia; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Magdeburg, Germany.

Dr. Heinrichs contributed to athletic success on the global stage: provided leading-edge multilingual performance assessment, training, and rehabilitation to recreational, Division I University, semi-professional, Olympic, golf, equine, and military athletes across the spectrum of biomechanical and physiological performance analysis, Mind-Body skills (performance quadrants, visualization, meditation) to improve health and sport success

During her career, Dr. Heinrichs has been a contract physical therapist at US Army Health Center, Vicenza, Italy, where as a dual board certified neuro-orthopedic physical therapist she delivers integrative rehabilitation services in an interprofessional traumatic brain injury team.

She has also been the sole proprietor of Peak Sports Performance International since 1988. Her consultancy offers multi-lingual global medical education development and delivery; human performance analysis, athlete development, competition event medical coverage (Olympic Games, International World Cup, Ironman); equine rehabilitation-horse and rider team; Golf performance biomechanical performance analysis collaboration with LPGA teaching professional; Author, Sleep & Human Performance in Rehabilitation and Healthy Aging; Integrative physical therapy practice including Mind-Body Skills, neuroscience in movement practices (Pilates, Tai Chi, Yoga), heart- rate variability training. Certified in Mind-Body Medicine, The Center for Mind-Body Medicine; Tai Chi EASY™ certified. Musician.

As an Associate and Adjunct Professor, at multiple institutions Dr. Heinrichs has directed programs including innovative curriculum design integrating problem-based learning and critical thinking into entry-level Master’s and doctoral programs; led the nation’s first interdisciplinary Master in Athletic Training Program to candidacy status within 6 months; Founding Director of the Doctor of Physical Therapy expansion program responsible for budget, facility design, hiring actions, faculty development, and policies; international initiatives; flat classroom global collaboration and education; rehabilitation consultant to Arizona State University Harrington Department of Bioengineering: sustainable rehabilitation device design and construction (The Malawi Project) and Human Factors Design research projects; negotiated international studies agreements; research collaborator: effect of music-oriented movement on neuroplasticity and brain structure; International Masters’ Degree in Performance Analysis, Otto von Güricke Universität Magdeburg Germany.