Cornerstone Physical Therapy was started over 10 years ago by Joel and Kristin Rauser. Their vision was to create a clinic that offered specialty services to the people of Colorado in a warm and caring setting. The standard of practice that was chosen was a treatment approach that Physical Therapists would demand for themselves. Because of this high expectation Cornerstone is a manual therapy, hands-on based practice. There are many forms of treatment modalities possible when attending Physical Therapy, we use the ones that work and work quickly. Out of this passion our vision came together.
Hope was added as we began to hear this word used by our patients. Hope that their problem that had been previously treated unsuccessfully could be corrected. Hope of a return to pain free function and a lifestyle long left behind. It was our vision being acted out that our patients came to confirm in their own words.
One of the best parts of Cornerstone is walking in the front door and seeing the smiling faces that greet you. You feel like you are family.
Read moreAn integral part of the Cornerstone Team is our front desk and administration. Kristin, Christine, Beth and Kendra are the hearts of Cornerstone. You feel like family and you are seen as a person the moment you speak with them. Whether on the phone or in person they listen and care.
Physical Therapist, manual therapy, vestibular and balance.
Read more Gina Martorana, a native of Michigan, calls Colorado Springs her new home. She received her bachelor's degree in Clinical Exercise Science. She then went on and graduated from Midwestern University with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Gina is passtionate about serving others and getting individuals back to their prior level of function. She enjoys getting to know her patients and interacting with them each session. When Gina is not in the clinic she loves skiing, biking, hiking, and going on adventures in the mountains.
Physical Therapist, sports injuries, shoulder and back pain, manual therapy and dry needling.
Read more Jono graduated from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas with an undergraduate degree in Athletic Training and Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT). Jono has also completed a Doctorate of Science (ScD) in Physical Therapy through the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. A native of Texas, he now calls Colorado Springs home with his wife and two daughters. Jono's background as an athletic trainer, soccer coach, and marathon runner have him well prepared to assess and treat sport-related and running injuries. For his second doctorate he did his thesis on Diagnosis, Management, and Treatment of Cervicogenic Headaches which is another one of his passion areas of treatment, identifying how neck issues can cause headaches. He has worked at Cornerstone Physical Therapy since late 2011.
Physical Therapist, manual therapy, dry needling, headache, TMJ and complex spinal injuries.
Read moreSamantha Gonzales, a native of New Jersey, now calls Colorado Springs home, and lives here with her husband Matthew and two dogs. Samantha has experience with playing multiple sports including collegiate lacrosse, which led to her affirmation of wanting to be a physical therapist. She completed her bachelor’s degree in biology with minor in psychology and continued on at Rutgers University for her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. She enjoys working with various diagnoses and improving her patient’s quality of life. Currently, she is pursuing her craniofacial certification. Outside of the clinic, she enjoys hiking and traveling.
Physical Therapist, manual therapy and dry needling, exercise coaching and nutrition.
Read more Meridith Norwood, physical therapist, is the most recent addition to the CornerStone Family. She is a Southern transplant from the Carolinas, where she graduated with her BS of Science-Teaching Biology from Clemson University. She went on to receive her Masters of Physical Therapy at the University of Alabama, Birmingham. Meridith has worked in a variety of settings – acute and subacute rehab, skilled nursing and home health. After being in geriatrics for many years, she is excited to be in a setting which encourages correct movement, therefore preventing some of the long-term disabilities she has seen over the years. Being a Pilates Instructor with the Australian Physiotherapy and Pilates Institute, Meridith is passionate about the core and its effect on back, hips and knees. She has been married to Ken Norwood for 25 years, and together they have reared three young men. In her spare time Meridith loves using her teaching skills in Pilates, Barre, and Jazzercise classes as well as consulting in the area of nutrition.
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Laura has provided a caring and professional presence at CornerStone's front desk for years. She has recently transitioned to working from home managing CornerStone projects, referrals and authorizations. Her continued perseverance with insurance and billing makes her a great advocate for our clients and a resource to create a smooth process. Laura has an amazing laugh and smile. Laura loves to bake and travel with her husband Cameron. We are proud to have Laura call CornerStone her 'home'.
Our hospitality director, planning committee, as well as decorator, and many other aspects of Cornerstone.
Our hospitality director, planning committee, as well as decorator, and many other aspects of Cornerstone are from the hands and imagination of Kristin Rauser, Joel’s wife and co-founder of Cornerstone Physical Therapy. You will feel blessed having an opportunity to spend time with Kristin. “The happiest person I’ve met” is a constant statement we have heard in regarding the experience people have with her. The warmth that you experience in Cornerstone is partly the décor but also the personality of Kristin in the clinic. Kristin is always available to help meet your needs and assist you with a part of your care, feeling better and lifting your mood. Kristin met Joel in Canada where she captured his heart, marrying him 20 years ago. She is a “Mom” of two children, her only priority higher than our guests at Cornerstone. She loves Colorado, calling Colorado Springs home.
Physical Therapist, Owner Cornerstone Physical Therapy, headaches, TMJ, vision, vestibular, manual therapy and dry needling.
While Joel is no longer treating clients the Cornerstone Team continues to care and succeed through their collaborative approach.
Read more “Cornerstone Physical Therapy, a leader for excellence, creating HOPE. Cornerstone will be recognized for the passion of its people and practitioners in providing quality, Christ centered, innovative care to the patient’s we serve in our community. Our strength is our unique, specialized, manual therapy approach and our one to one treatment in a caring and warm setting. We will continue to lead through education, research, mentoring and teaching. Our passion for what we do will be noticed in our clinic as well as in the community.”
The Cornerstone Team Approach
One of the most important values at CornerStone Physical Therapy is how we work together as a team. We believe that utilizing the strengths of each team member is the best possible way to approach each problem. This approach not only allows us treat problems that have failed previous attempts at treatment but to speed up recovery from injury. Through combining our strengths and working together, problems that were previously difficult to treat, there is now hope.
Physical therapists receive 6-7 years of academic training for treating musculoskeletal dysfunctions. Current PT programs offer a doctorate degree in physical therapy. Once they earn their degree, Physical Therapists are required to be licensed in the State that they practice.
Physical Therapists are experts in "the science of healing and the art of caring." They provide services that help restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities. Physical Therapists treat people of all ages who have medical issues that limit their ability to move and perform functional activities (sitting, standing, walking, running) or activities of daily living (dressing, bathing, cleaning a home, driving).
Physical Therapists are used for conservative management of a wide variety of conditions. Patients are sent to physical therapy to either aide in improving a condition or to avoid a surgical procedure. We utilize a "hands on" approach that promotes the ability to move, reduces pain, restores function and prevents disability.
Therapists examine the patients' medical history, test and measure strength, range of motion, balance and coordination, posture, muscle performance, respiration and motor function. They can order tests specific to assisting in developing their treatment plan, such as neck x-rays for neck pain or headaches. Physical Therapists establish a treatment plan and strategy with specific anticipated outcomes taking the patient's own goals into consideration.
It is important to note that physical therapy can only be provided by a qualified physical therapist, or a physical therapist assistant working under the supervision of a physical therapist. When choosing a Physical Therapist, you have the freedom to choose your own physical therapist. In Colorado, you have access to Physical Therapy without seeing your physician (Direct Access). You can always check with your insurance carrier to make sure they are in-network and a referral from a physician is not necessary.
Mobility keeps you engaged with life. Restoration of lost function is the key to getting back into the game. We are professionals dedicated to your recovery.
