ABOUT ignite
Ignite Physical Therapy and Sports Performance has three locations:
West Loop: 1101 W. Monroe St. Chicago.
Inside On Your Mark Studios. On Your Mark website
Ravenswood: 4510 N. Ravenswood ave Chicago.
Inside Feast Fitness. Feast Fitness website
Old Irving Park: 3800 N. Milwaukee ave Chicago.
Inside Chicago Elite Volleyball TrainingCenter. Chicago VB website
Sarah and her coaches collaborate for physical therapy, return to sport rehabilitation/strength and conditioning, body composition/nutrition counseling, personal training, small group fitness training, and youth and elite athletic development programming.
Ignite Physical Therapy and Sports Performance accepts Blue Cross Blue shield, cash based packages which an HSA can be used for purchase as well as cash, check, or credit card. If you do not have BCBS Sarah will work with you to come up with a comparable in network rate for physical therapy.
Meet Sarah
OWNER AND PRESIDENT
Dr. Sarah Plumley PT, DPT, ATC, COMT, CAFS is a dual credentialed physical therapist and certified athletic trainer earning her doctorate degree from Midwestern University. Sarah comes from a strong orthopaedic and sports medicine background as she was the United States Women's National Soccer Team's Physical Therapist and worked in Division I athletics at DePaul University. She was also the physical therapist for the Broadway Show "Riverdance" and worked with the independent professional baseball team the Windy City Thunderbolts. Post operative care, injury prevention, return to workouts/sports, corrective exercise, dry needling, and manual therapy are Sarah's strongest skill set.
MEET MASON
Physical therapist
Dr. Mason West PT, DPT received his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine in St. Augustine, FL in December of 2017. Previously, he received his Bachelor’s of Science in Neuroscience from Trinity College and Masters in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. While at Trinity College he participated in wrestling and lacrosse however, during his Junior year, he suffered an ACL tear which changed his career trajectory emphasizing the marriage between science and sport when he underwent physical therapy. Mason has taken extensive advanced coursework which allows him to blend manual therapy, dry needling, manipulations, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, and cranial mobilizations to create an environment for the body to maximize its potential. He employs research-driven technology such as blood flow restriction training, Senaptec Vision trainers, and Blazepods to narrow the gap between performance in the clinic and performance on the field. Some of his passions include rehabilitation and performance training for those suffering from ACL tears, concussions, and overall maximizing performance across the full spectrum of athletes.
MEET Erin
Physical Therapist
Dr. Erin Short, PT, DPT, COMT, CSCS received her doctorate degree from Washington University in St. Louis. She has over six years of experience working in the Chicago area with significant experience working with Endurance and Cross Fit athletes. Erin is trained in Women’s Health, the McKenzie Technique, Dry Needling, Graston, Video Gait Analysis and Manual Therapy. As a former division one swimmer at the University of Illinois and a semi-elite marathon runner, Erin relates to her clients from her own athletic background. Erin lives in Lincoln Square with her husband and enjoys running, CrossFit, and checking out the Chicago food scene in her free time.
MEET August
PHYSICAL THERAPIST
August Winter PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT received his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign in 2013 and his Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2016 from the University of Illinois in Chicago. He then completed his Orthopedic Residency at the University of Virginia in 2017 before most recently completing his Manual Therapy Fellowship at Northwestern University in 2021.
August has treated professional, D1 NCAA, club, and high school level athletes as well as patients dealing with chronic joint pain looking to regain their every-day mobility and function. He is passionate about patient education and believes that helping patients better understand their bodies and healthy motion is the most important aspect of physical therapy. August's clinical interests include joint manipulation, spine and radiating pain, and injury risk reduction. August is a mentor for the Northwestern University Manual Therapy Fellowship as well as an adjunct instructor for Malcolm X College. Outside of the clinic August enjoys cycling, weightlifting, and spending time with his wife Amelia in the Lincoln Square area.
Meet Kristen
Physical Therapist
Kristen Neisler Med, PT, ATC joins Ignite with over 20 years of experience in division I athletics at DePaul University in the sports medicine department. During this time she developed return to play protocols and testing for athletes, as well as injury prevention programs for basketball, softball, and soccer. Kristen enjoys pushing her athletes to return to their highest potential, returning them to their sport better than when they left. In the past 5 years, her focus has shifted to Postural Restoration (PRI) theory and practice, which has provided a large impact and guidance in her treatment. Kristen is certified in PRI®, Trigger point dry needling, cupping, IASTM, therapeutic taping, and has taken multiple courses in high level sports performance and return to play.
Meet Amanda
Physical Therapist
Amanda Montbriand PT, DPT, SCS, FAAOMPT received her Doctor of Physical Therapy at the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2019. She went on to complete a Sports Physical Therapy Residency program at the University of Illinois at Chicago in Division I athletics. She is a Sports Certified Specialist and Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists.
Amanda’s professional experience is in care of the complex orthopaedic patient, Division I athletes, high school athletes. She has advanced training in manual therapy, dry needling, dry cupping, and blood flow restriction. As a runner and fitness athlete herself, Amanda believes in an active approach to physical therapy that gets you back to doing what you love faster.
reviews
Sarah is hands down one of the best in this field! I could not believe how much effort she puts in for my recovery. She always bring something new every session and its never boring. In just a couple of months after my shoulder surgery I was back to lifting weights that I never thought I could. She challenges and motivates me to push myself in and out of therapy. Ignite has a really nice facility! If anybody that I know needs therapy I will definitely send them to Sarah!
VonAt age 33, tearing an Achilles is not something I was prepared to endure. But Ignite changed all of that doubt for me. My training team was led by Erin, August, and Sarah. Erin and Sarah set up a swift referral for surgery, and the plan was pretty much set from that day onward. The medical and PT staff were in alignment to which I began my physical recovery 2 weeks after wearing a non-moving, non-weightbearing splint.
Every part of the physical therapy plan was curated to my specific healing and progress. We never cut corners. All emphasis was put on how the heel, Achilles, and calf were activating together. The technology of the blood flow restriction unit (BFR), force plate outputs with actual data, and foundational fitness progressions led to a worthwhile recovery and outcome.
Today, I am nearly 3 months post-graduation of physical therapy and medical clearance. I've been able to play hockey at the recreational level again. I'm also fully confident in returning to high intensity CrossFit-focused trainings, while still working on important movements for both of my legs.
If Google had a rating of 6.0, I'd certainly give it to Ignite. This experience, while it was a physical setback, has led to a very fortunate and most positive outcome because of the Ignite team. I am indebted to their elite service and intentionality in this recovery journey. They deserve all highest marks as a physical therapy fitness provider and partner.
MichaelI finally started going to PT after 12+ years of intense calf and arch pain, within a few weeks of working with Mason I was seeing improvements. Six months later I am feeling and seeing improvements I didn’t even think were possible for me. Overall a really nice, knowledgeable staff. I’d recommend them.
MallorySarah is the most insightful PT I've ever seen. She gets to the root cause rather than just addressing the symptoms of an issue. I got injured at the beginning of marathon training and with her help, after not running at all for 9 weeks, I was able to safely increase my training and qualify for Boston!
ChristinaAmanda was a phenomenal PT, she was very thorough and detailed in diagnosis and provided a knowledgeable and realistic care plan. I saw noticeable results and she was always very friendly and welcoming. I’d highly recommend her to anyone who needs physical therapy.
RachelSarah is the best!!! After a 2 year ACL injury, I trained with Sarah and with her help I was able to avoid surgery completely!! Feeling better than ever now!
JadaSarah has been my physical therapist for many years. I've completed rehab after hip and knee surgeries with Sarah. Prior to the diagnosis I had seen other PTs for my hip pain. When I went to Sarah for a consult she identified the issue within a visit and set me on the course for surgery and recovery! I am always impressed at how Sarah treats patients holistically - looking at individual goals and piecing together all other injuries, etc... to create a plan to get back to desired exercise and activity.
JannieI spent two years trying to figure out my lower back pain during squats, believing it was a mobility issue based on most online tips. Despite a thoughtful mobility routine, I had a particularly painful set, and I realized I needed professional help as something else was amiss. That's when I turned to Ignite Physical Therapy and Sports Performance and met Amanda. Right off the bat, Amanda figured out that my issue wasn’t mobility at all but a weak core.
Amanda is not just incredibly knowledgeable; she’s a pleasure to work with. She's been a great motivator, especially for our 6am sessions. She’s really helped me strengthen my core and transform my training routine, as well opening my mind up to incorporating excercises I never really considered previously. Now, not only am I stronger at the gym, but I also sit straighter, enjoy pain-free bike rides, and can actually feel my core be engaged in lifts/normal life.
If you’re considering physical therapy to help with your fitness goals, I highly recommend Ignite. And ask for Amanda—her friendly approach and expertise will make a huge difference in your life/training, just like they did for me.
KacperAfter my running season came to an abrupt stop with a tear to my plantar fascia, I was convinced I would never run again. A friend recommended Sarah and from my first appointment on I was blown away. She's extremely knowledgeable in her field and explains things so you understand what she's doing and why she's doing it. She challenges you to push your body safely. She's extremely hands on and spends your entire appointment focused on you. She's professional yet personable. Four months after my first appointment, I was back on my feet running pain free! I recommend Sarah for any and all physical therapy needs!
Abigail