Carolyn Dolan Physical Therapy was founded on a simple but powerful belief: the body has an incredible capacity to heal when it is supported as a whole system. Dr. Carolyn Dolan is an integrative physical therapist who blends advanced clinical training with nutrition, lifestyle awareness, and nervous system regulation to help patients move past pain and back into full, active lives.
Her approach is rooted in evidence-based physical therapy while expanding beyond traditional models that focus only on symptoms. By addressing how movement, nutrition, stress, sleep, and daily habits interact with the nervous system, Dr. Carolyn Dolan provides care that is personal, intentional, and designed for long-term results.
A Foundation in Science and Clinical Excellence
Dr. Carolyn Dolan's academic path reflects both depth and curiosity. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biological Systems Engineering from the University of California, Davis, building a strong foundation in biomechanics, systems thinking, and problem-solving. This engineering mindset continues to shape how she evaluates movement, injury patterns, and recovery processes.
She went on to earn a Master of Science degree from the University of California, San Francisco, followed by a post-professional Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Massachusetts General Hospital. These experiences provided extensive clinical exposure and advanced training in orthopedic and neuromusculoskeletal care.
In addition to her doctoral training, Dr. Carolyn Dolan holds certification in Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment (MDT) through the McKenzie Institute of America. MDT is a globally recognized system for assessing and treating musculoskeletal pain through repeated movement testing, mechanical loading strategies, and patient education. This approach allows for precise diagnosis, efficient treatment, and empowers patients to understand how their bodies respond to movement.
At Carolyn Dolan Physical Therapy, care considers how movement, the nervous system, and daily habits like sleep, nutrition, stress, and recovery influence healing. This approach is especially helpful for chronic pain, recurring injuries, and activity limitations that haven’t improved with traditional care.
Dr. Carolyn Dolan is trained in Integrative (neurologic) Dry Needling, which targets nervous system-driven pain patterns rather than only muscle trigger points. It can help reduce irritation, inflammation, muscle guarding, and sensitized pain, and is used as part of a broader treatment plan to improve movement and recovery.
Nutrition is integrated into rehab to support inflammation control, tissue repair, and pain regulation. Dr. Carolyn Dolan holds a Master of Science in Holistic Nutrition and uses that background to help patients connect what they do outside the clinic to long-term outcomes.
Her work in nutrition and recovery led to the development of VitaKinetics, a supplement line designed to support healing during injury, created with quality and safety in mind.
Dr. Carolyn Dolan returned to hands-on care to build a practice that combines clinical expertise, nutrition support, and advanced techniques like dry needling. The practice is cash-based and one-on-one, allowing more time, individualized planning, and care driven by goals rather than insurance limits.
Her philosophy centers on practical habits: eat well, move well, sleep well, supplement well, and connect well. This mindset shapes how she supports patients who want to stay active while managing pain and real-life demands.
This practice is for people who want personalized care and more than short-term relief. It’s a strong fit for active adults with chronic or recurring pain who feel they’ve tried everything and want clear answers, better self-management, and lasting progress.
When You Are in Pain, You Are Not Alone
Pain can be frustrating, limiting, and isolating. At Carolyn Dolan Physical Therapy, care is grounded in listening, understanding, and addressing the full picture of what contributes to pain and recovery.