Biographies
Denise Schwartz, PT, CIMT, CAFS
Owner and Founder, The Manual Touch Physical Therapy
Denise has been a physical therapist since 1988. She spent fourteen years at a Level I trauma hospital before co-founding a manual therapy practice that specialized in complex medical issues and chronic pain. In 2010, she opened her own practice, The Manual Touch Physical Therapy, where she uses a whole-body approach that blends traditional and non-traditional techniques to meet people where they are and find the root of the problem.
That whole-body philosophy is the thread running through everything Denise does. Early in her career she trained in Integrative Manual Therapy, a gentle approach that works with the body’s own ability to heal rather than forcing tissue to change. She went on to study under the creator of the work, teach it to other physical therapists, and spend years learning to listen with her hands to what a patient’s body is actually asking for. She treats the whole person, not a single sore joint, because in her experience that is where lasting relief comes from.
Denise works with chronic pain, spinal conditions, running and triathlon injuries, balance and vestibular issues, and a range of manual therapy needs. Patients come to her for careful listening and thorough evaluations, and they stay because she helps them understand what is happening in their bodies so they can move forward with less fear and more confidence.
Outside of work, Denise is a mother of two. She loves long walks at the Botanic Garden, traveling, and telling stories at open mics around the city. Whether she is on a treatment table or on a stage, she is doing the same thing she has always loved: paying close attention to people and helping them feel more at home in their own bodies.
Dr. Shital Kothari, PT, DPT
Graston Certified | Yoga Trained | 20+ Years of Experience
Healing deepens when movement, understanding, and compassion come together.
Dr. Shital Kothari believes everyone deserves to move freely and feel strong in their body. With over two decades of experience, she helps patients reduce pain, rebuild confidence, and return to the activities that make life meaningful.
Her approach blends the science of physical therapy with mindful movement and personalized education. Each session is shaped around the individual—listening closely to their story, identifying the root of discomfort, and creating a clear, sustainable path toward healing.
Patients often describe their work with Shital as encouraging, energizing, and empowering. She has practiced across outpatient, private, and home-health settings, supporting people recovering from surgery, managing chronic pain, healing from athletic injuries, and improving balance and strength. She meets patients where they are and guides progress at a pace that feels both supportive and effective.
A lifelong learner and former Clinical Coordinator of Clinical Education, Shital also mentors future physical therapists who share her commitment to compassionate, patient-first care.
Having lived abroad and traveled extensively throughout Southeast Asia, Shital brings a broad, global perspective to health and movement. Outside the clinic, she ran a half-marathon with Team Asha to support school-building efforts overseas, participates in a local pickleball community, leads a monthly book club, and teaches yoga—reflecting her belief that true wellness connects the whole body.
