About Better Days

Recover. Build Strength. Keep Doing What You Love.

Better Days is a highly personal, evidence-driven physical therapy and strength practice for active Northern Michiganders who want to recover from injury, perform at their best, and stay strong for life.

We help people build the strength, mobility, balance, and confidence to keep doing the things they love—from golfing, skiing, hiking, biking, curling, and pickleball to traveling, staying active, and living independently.

At Better Days, we believe your physical health is something worth investing in for the long term. The work you put in today builds capacity for tomorrow. With consistent attention to strength, mobility, balance, and resilience, you can create more freedom, confidence, and independence throughout every stage of life.

Our goal isn’t simply to help you recover from an injury. It’s to help you build and preserve the physical capacity to live the life you want—today, tomorrow, and for years to come.

Build your physical capacity today. Let it compound into strength for life.

Dr. Sara Gartland

Dr. Sara Gartland at Better Days Physical Therapy in Traverse City MI provides one on one exercise guidance, manual therapy, cupping and dry needling..

  • 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 is a physical therapist at Better Days Physical Therapy in Traverse City, MI.

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.