Physical Therapy in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Strength. Flexibility. Resilience.
Resilient Physical Therapy & Fitness provides individualized physical therapy in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for people seeking thoughtful, unrushed care.
Rather than trying to “fix” your body, my role is to help you understand it, trust it, and build capacity over time, with care that can be both supportive and challenging.
I believe people are more resilient than they’re often given credit for.
Care at Resilient Physical Therapy & Fitness is highly personal and collaborative.
Sessions are one-on-one and guided by your goals, history & comfort level, assessment, and movement rather than a rigid protocol. Sessions are typically about one hour (or longer) and scheduled no more than once per week, allowing time for home practice, learning, and integration between visits. For those pursuing strength training or longer-term coaching, a hybrid option is available, with periodic one-on-one sessions supported by individualized programming through a training app.
Depending on your needs, our work may include thoughtful assessment, education, gentle hands-on manual therapy, movement exploration (both accessible and challenging), strength training, and lifestyle coaching — all woven together rather than delivered as isolated parts.
This approach works best for people who are curious about their bodies and willing to participate actively in the process. You don’t need prior experience with physical therapy, exercise, or strength training — just openness to learning, practice, and collaboration.
Our Milwaukee physical therapy services are designed for people who want more than quick fixes. Care is appropriate for those managing pain, recovering from injury, returning to sport, navigating pelvic health concerns, or building strength safely with guidance from a licensed physical therapist in Milwaukee.
Examples of who I help:
I work with people of all ages, abilities, and sizes, from those just getting started to athletes and pole or aerial performers. What matters most is a willingness to engage, learn, and do the work between sessions.
Pain, Injury & Recovery
Persistent or recurring pain
Back and neck pain
Hip and knee pain
Shoulder, elbow, and wrist issues
Hypermobility and related pain
Flexibility and mobility limitations
Movement confidence after pain or fear of re-injury
Pole & Aerial Athletes
Rehabilitation and performance support for pole and aerial artists navigating pain or injury.
In person, hybrid or online rehab coaching options available.
Pelvic Health
Pelvic floor and core-related concerns, including urinary leaking, frequency, pelvic pain, and pelvic organ prolapse
“Next-step” pelvic rehabilitation — integrating strength training and fitness after completing pelvic physical therapy elsewhere
Strength Training
Strength training for injury recovery
Barbell-based rehabilitation — modifying and building lifting programs around current pain or injury
Strength training for fitness and health goals (with an emphasis on learning, confidence, and independence in the weight room)
Gradual return to challenging or feared movements, guided at a pace that feels supportive and appropriate
Community & Access to Care
Community-supported care: Stacy has provided free or significantly reduced-cost physical therapy to underserved patients through Bread of Healing Clinic and other area free and low-income clinics for many years. Cash-pay services from other clients at Resilient Physical Therapy & Fitness help support the continuation of this important work for people with no other access to physical therapy.
Our Services
Physical Therapy
Depending on your needs, our work may include thoughtful assessment, education, gentle hands-on manual therapy, movement exploration (both accessible and challenging), strength training, and lifestyle coaching — all woven together rather than delivered as isolated parts. Sessions generally are about 1 hour of one on one time no more than once per week.
Strength Training
Strength training doesn’t have to be intimidating or all-or-nothing. I work with people across a wide range of experience levels to learn how to strength train safely and effectively, with an emphasis on independence and confidence over time. Whether you have access to a full gym, a few dumbbells at home, machines, barbells, or other gym equipment, programs are built around what’s available and appropriate — always adapted to pain, injury history, and individual goals.
Pelvic Health Physical Therapy
Pelvic health physical therapy in Milwaukee can support people experiencing pelvic pain, urinary leakage, prolapse symptoms, or core concerns — especially those looking to move beyond symptom management and return to strength training or full-body movement with confidence.
Meet Stacy Scherzer, DPT
My relationship with movement has been lifelong — and evolving.
From early years as a gymnast to rediscovering strength training later in life, my own experiences with pain, injury, and growth have shaped how I practice physical therapy today.
I earned my bachelor’s degree in physical therapy in the 1990s and completed my transitional doctorate in 2018, but my education has never stopped — and neither has my curiosity about how people learn to move with more confidence and less fear.
My clinical work and coaching are shaped as much by lived experience as by formal training — informed by science, grounded in listening, and refined through years of working one-on-one with people navigating pain and real lives.
My role is not to be the boss of your body.
Instead, I work as a guide — helping you understand what’s happening, explore movement safely, therapeutic touch as a conduit and build strength and confidence over time. Part of that process can include being challenged — especially with strength training or movements you may be avoiding due to pain — always introduced thoughtfully and adjusted to what your body and nervous system are ready for.
What Makes My Therapy Different?
About Our Space
Resilient Physical Therapy & Fitness is located within Pole Factory MKE, a smaller studio setting that offers privacy, calm, and room to move.
The space is quiet, comfortable, and intentionally uncluttered — designed to feel safe, supportive, and unhurried. It’s a place where you can settle into your body, ask questions, learn, and challenge yourself without feeling rushed.
This environment allows sessions to feel less like a clinic visit and more like dedicated time for healing, exploration or training, and growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No- Resilient Physical Therapy is a cash pay clinic. Many people today have high deductibles and still end up paying out of pocket for physical therapy — often while receiving shorter visits, less one-on-one time, and care shaped by insurance company rules rather than individual needs.
A cash-based model allows for:
Longer, one-on-one sessions
Less frequent visits, with more emphasis on what you do between sessions. Or the visits can be spread out less frequently but over a longer period of time, for conditions that may take months to resolve.
Care that is guided by your goals, not insurance limitations
Flexibility to spend time where it matters most (education, movement, gentle manual therapy, strength, problem-solving)
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Resilient Physical Therapy & Fitness is intentionally small and personal.
My role is not to simply tell you what’s wrong and what to do — it’s to help you understand your body, build capacity over time, and regain confidence in movement.
You work directly with Stacy for your entire session — no hand-offs
Visits are typically about one hour, not rushed
Care is collaborative and adaptive, not protocol-driven
Strength training and challenging movement are used thoughtfully, not avoided
Progress is supported through understanding and confidence, not dependency on frequent visits
This model works especially well for people who want to be active participants in their recovery rather than passive recipients of care.
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No. Wisconsin is a Direct Access state, which means you can see a physical therapist without a referral or prescription from another healthcare provider.
If you already have a referral or would like coordination with another provider, that can certainly be incorporated — but it is not required to get started.
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Pricing is based on single visits or visit packages, depending on your goals and needs. In some circumstances, sliding-scale fees may be available (adult students or low income).
Because care is highly individualized, pricing is not listed publicly. I’m happy to discuss options and help you determine what makes sense — please reach out to start a conversation. (contact me button)
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Yes.
HSA/FSA: Physical therapy services are eligible expenses. A receipt can be provided for your records.
Out-of-network reimbursement: If your insurance plan offers out-of-network benefits, a detailed receipt (superbill) can be provided for you to submit to your insurance company.
Please note that while superbill documentation can be provided, I do not contact insurance companies or manage reimbursement on your behalf.
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Pelvic health physical therapy focuses on how the pelvic floor works as part of the whole body — including its role in bladder and bowel function, core support, breathing, and movement.
Sessions may include:
A detailed conversation about symptoms, goals, and concerns
Education about pelvic floor function and how it relates to pain or symptoms
Assessment of movement, breathing, hips, and spine
Internal pelvic floor assessment only if appropriate and only with your consent. This will be thoroughly explained, and take place in full privacy with draping. It does not need to happen on the first visit (or at all) if you do not feel comfortable right away.
Exercises, movement, and strength training tailored to your goals and working around or with your symptoms and worries.
You are always in control of what is included in your care. Internal exams are never required, and alternative approaches are always available.
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Before your first appointment, you’ll receive intake paperwork via email. Completing this ahead of time helps Stacy understand your history, goals, and concerns — and allows more time for movement and discussion during your visit.
Please wear or bring:
Comfortable exercise-type clothing
Shoes you can move in
Clothing that allows access to the area being assessed (for example: shorts for hips or knees, a tank top for shoulder concerns)
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Resilient Physical Therapy & Fitness is located within Pole Factory MKE, at:
117 W Walker St, Milwaukee
Street parking is free in the area, though it can sometimes be limited
Please plan to arrive a little early to allow time for parking
Specific entry instructions will be provided with your intake paperwork before your first visit
What People Are Saying About Resilient Physical Therapy
“I have been working with Stacy on my lower back pain on and off for about 3 years now. When we started, I was in pain constantly - it was so bad I was worried I wouldn't be able to continue doing sports and was really affecting my well being. Because of the mobility, strength and nutrition program she organised for me, I now feel confident that I understand what triggers my back pain and how to manage it - not just as a bandaid, but an actual long term healing plan. Thanks to Stacy, my pain is significantly better and I have progressed so much that I can actually do full back flexibility training now! Stacy is passionate, well educated, and easy to talk to - I recommend her to all my loved ones and to you as well!.”
— Terri S“Through her close partnership with patients, Stacy’s clients gain strength, stamina, pain relief, and self-awareness. Over the past 5 years of referring patients for work related injuries, chronic pain, and incontinence due to pelvic floor conditions, I have witnessed their transformation under Stacy’s care. Through careful, thoughtful understanding of patients, Stacy crafts a plan addressing essential components of movement, nutrition, stress, and sleep, tools for good health. What makes Stacy exceptional is how she uses her talents with kindness and commitment to each person. Individuals who are motivated to improve their function, relieve pain and live their best life will discover Stacy a gifted physical therapist. Stacy has my highest recommendation as a physical therapist.”
— Dr. Margie Dunn, MD
Family physician, staff of Bread of Healing Clinic
Clinical Adjunct Assistant Professor,
Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
“Meeting Stacy was a blessing. She is very committed and inspiring woman who pushes you to be the best version of yourself. I am able to run like I used to before and became a more resilient woman thanks to her. Now I don’t worry too much and just try to listen to my body and work with it.”
— Laura S
“Stacy is truly an extraordinary human being, someone who doesn’t just do a job, but genuinely believes in making a positive impact in peoples’ lives. I am grateful for the commitment that she brings to work every day. Her encouragement made an incredible difference in the recover of my mother and fathers conditions and remarkable improvement in my parents’ overall well being.”
— Saba K