About Better Days
Better Days physical therapy in Traverse City, MI is catered to you. When you arrive, you are greeted by a friendly face, where your doctor of physical therapy is working only with you, and where each session is with the same doctor of physical therapy.
Better days was designed with a one on one concept in mind. Just like when you see your physician, you are the only patient they are seeing at that time. As a doctor of physical therapy, this same model will be used when working with you!
Additionally, your treatment will be designed around what you want to focus on. If you are having pain while doing squats, we will work on your squats and find ways to relieve that pain. If you are having elbow pain after playing tennis, we will work on your elbow pain with the goal of not having elbow pain after playing tennis. The goals we work towards are your goals!
Long term relief is an area often missed in the traditional physical therapy model, but often, is the most important. Making sure you have the tools to prevent the return of pain or you know how to manage if it does return is just as important as relieving the pain.
Dr. Sara Gartland
Dr. Sara Gartland graduated from Michigan State University in 2017 with her Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology, before continuing on to Grand Valley State University and Graduating with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2020.
Dr. Sara is a local to Traverse City who has always been interested in sports and general physical activity. To this day, Sara continues to bike, paddleboard, lift and snowboard regularly.
Injury prevention is what interested Dr. Sara when getting into physical therapy. Unfortunately, the current health care model does not usually include this important part… hence why the idea of Better Days started! If you are looking to learn about injury prevention, you are in the right place!
Additionally, Dr. Sara is certified in LSVT BIG and able to provide intense physical therapy to individuals living with Parkinson’s Disease or other neurological conditions affecting balance.
Dr. Katia Skarupinski
Dr. Katia Skarupinski is a proud native of Leelanau County and a graduate of Leland Public School. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Ferris State University before going on to receive her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Belmont University.
Dr. Katia brings a diverse clinical background to her practice, with experience in dry needling, working with long-term neurological patients, and treating high school and collegiate-level athletes. She is passionate about helping individuals of all ages and activity levels regain strength, mobility, and confidence in their daily lives.
Outside of the clinic, Dr. Katia enjoys spending time on the water, hiking along the lakeshore, running, and reading.