Chelsea Teel, PT, DPT, OCS, PCS
Founder | Clinical Director
“I absolutely love what I do. I’ve always felt driven to help people and am grateful that I can take the unique life I’ve lived thus far and turn those skills into the ability to connect with my patients on every level.”
Chelsea’s pathway to physical therapy began at the end of a long career as a professional ballet dancer and aerial performer. After dancing and performing for nearly 20 years with Kansas City Ballet, Ballet Arizona, Quixotic, and Cavalia, Chelsea underwent extensive physical therapy following multiple procedures to address injuries in her hips and feet. It was during that time that her mentor, Itamar Stern, PT, noticed her interest and innate skill for observing biomechanics, and encouraged her to pursue a career in physical therapy. Although obtaining a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Northern Arizona University was sufficient to achieve her goal, Chelsea wanted to continue to develop her expertise to better serve her patients. In the three years following her graduation, she pursued advanced education in the field by obtaining APTA Clinical Specialist certifications in both Orthopedics and Pediatrics. Coupling her experience with her B.S. in Psychology from Arizona State University, Chelsea believes in caring for the whole person. Whether treating dancers, athletes, or the general population, she incorporates principles of pain science and the interaction between mental health and fitness to every patient she works with. While she loves working with patients of all ages and backgrounds, Chelsea has spent her life in the performing arts and is continually driven to providing specialized care to a population that is generally not well-cared for. She has unique understanding of the demands and technique of varying dance styles and uses this to break down the root cause of injuries that are often misdiagnosed by other healthcare professionals. She is also intimately familiar with the culture of the field that drives the motivations and struggles of dancers at every level, from young recreational dancers to professionals, and understands the impact it has on this population.
Adrian Durham, CPT-NASM, PES
Clinical Associate | Personal Trainer
"I am passionate about creating thoughtful, individualized training programs that help people reach new levels of physical performance and mental confidence, drawing from my background in athletics, sports medicine, and strength training."
Adrian’s journey in strength training began in 2017 after joining Ballet Arizona as a professional dancer. Prior to moving to Phoenix, he experienced recurring shoulder injuries that ultimately required surgical repair and months of physical therapy. As a rookie professional working to establish himself within the company, Adrian quickly realized the critical role that strength training plays in both performance and longevity. By lifting weights and conditioning outside of daily classes and rehearsals, he was able to develop important aspects of athleticism that are not directly trained in the ballet studio. This approach not only helped Adrian remain injury-free throughout his entire professional dance career, but also allowed him to become a stronger, more reliable athlete that could be trusted with demanding opportunities. During the nationwide shutdown of the COVID-19 pandemic, Adrian’s life as an artist was temporarily put on hold. With the latter half of his season cancelled, he decided to channel his energy into his growing interest in health and fitness. During this time, Adrian earned his personal training and performance enhancement certifications through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Returning to the studio for the 2021 season, he applied this knowledge to restore himself to the peak physical condition required of professional dancers. Through that process, Adrian realized that his true passion had shifted toward strength training and human performance. Adrian made the decision to step away from professional dance, enroll in school, and pursue a career in health and fitness. Since then, he has completed his Associate of Arts in Exercise Science and is currently working toward a B.S. in Kinesiology at Arizona State University. Throughout this transition, he has worked as a physical therapy technician alongside Chelsea Teel, supporting the rehabilitation of countless patients ranging from the general population to professional dancers and athletes of all ages. This experience continued to deepen his understanding of injury recovery, injury prevention, and the psychological aspects of rehabilitation and lifestyle change.