Hands On Physical Therapy
Hands On Physical Therapy
312 East Dupont Road Suite 101, Fort Wayne, IN 46825    Get Directions
Hands On Physical Therapy - Physical Therapists in Fort Wayne

Physical Therapists in Fort Wayne

And Our Amazing Staff



Tonya Windsor, PT, LMT (Co-Owner)

Tonya has been a licensed physical therapist since 2000. She first attended Ball State University before receiving her BS in Physical Therapy at the Indiana Purdue University of Indianapolis in 2000.Tonya has worked in a variety of settings including orthopedics, pediatrics, women's health, aquatics, and sports physical therapy while focusing on manual therapy. She has a real passion for continued learning and growth, and loves to soak up new knowledge from continuing education courses.

Since 2003 she started training extensively with John F. Barnes, founder of Myofascial Release. Tonya also continues to take craniosacral therapy courses with Upledger Institute. She has also really enjoyed additional training in Functional Dry Needling with Kinetacore. Her other interests include yoga, biking, swimming, dancing, and playing with her three children and family.

Tonya and Heather founded Hands On Physical Therapy, LLC. in May 2008. Starting their own clinic allowed them to continue to treat each patient with a holistic approach using their manual skills. The team approach and one-on-one attention for a full hour was essential to help their patients reach their goals of attaining a pain free, active, vibrant lifestyle.

Heather Christlieb, PT, MTC, CLT (Co-Owner)

Heather was born in Fort Wayne and graduated from Physical therapy school at Indiana University in 2001. She got married in 1999 and has two children that keep her very busy with school and sports. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and traveling. Heather enjoys trying new things and learning anything that contributes to her journey.

Heather has been in outpatient orthopedic her entire career in many different roles and titles. In 2006 she received her manual therapy certification from St. Augustine University. For the majority of her career now, she has focused on manual therapy emphasising myofascial release. She has really enjoyed the "Hands-on" experience and healing touch that comes with a one-on-one session. In 2016 she received her certification in lymphedema(CLT). She treats anything from the head to the toes, pediatrics, women's health, chronic pain, systemic diseases and problems, post-surgical, migraines, TMJ, and lymphedema.

What she loves most about her job is finding that missing piece to the puzzle that makes it all click and leads to a healthy and symmetrical system/body. The team approach at the clinic offers many perspectives and helps create the balance and direction needed to achieve this goal. "I would have the perfect job, if it weren't for the paperwork." "Everything happens for a reason. While staying positive I am always curious where the next path is going to take me."

Karen Short, PT

Karen grew up near Defiance, Ohio and graduated from the University of Toledo and earned her BS in Physical Therapy from the Medical College of Ohio in Toledo, Ohio in 1998. She has lived in the Fort Wayne area since graduation and has worked in a variety of settings in the Decatur, IN area during that time. Those settings have included inpatient, outpatient orthopedics, home health, and skilled rehab. She has attended various courses in manual therapy as well as obtaining certification as a Sole Supports custom orthotic fitter. She has enjoyed expanding her treatment options through continuing education, and feels blessed to have found a profession that provides her with the opportunity to assist clients in feeling better.

Karen enjoys staying busy with her husband and three sons and all the activities they find to be involved in. She enjoys quilting, sewing, hiking, cooking, baking, and spending time at the lake in the summer or out in the shop with all the boys during the fall and winter. She is looking forward to expanding her techniques while joining this wonderful team of therapists.

April Vachon, PTA

April graduated with her associate's degree in physical therapy in January of 2011. She began training in myofascial release under John F. Barnes, PT in July of 2011. She has been with Hands On Physical Therapy since August of 2011. In her free time she enjoys swimming, reading, shopping and spending time with family and friends.

Justing Herring, PTA

Justin Herring is a Physical Therapist Assistant at Hand's On Physical Therapy and specializes in myofascial and craniosacral therapy. Before starting at Hands On, Justin completed his undergrad at the University of Saint Francis attaining his bachelors in Exercise Science and his associates in Physical Therapy. He was also a member of the University Saint Francis football team from 2016-2020. Justin found myofascial release therapy to be very beneficial to his own health and recovery from previous surgeries/injuries and had a passion to assist others who also suffered from chronic pain.

Justin is originally from Indianapolis, IN. In his free time, he enjoys watching sports, participating in intramural sports, and is a movie buff.

Lauren Champion PT, DPT

Lauren earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Indianapolis in 2020 after attending Purdue University for her undergraduate degree in Nutrition, Fitness, & Health. After graduating, she moved to Ft Wayne to join the Hands On Physical Therapy team. Since then, she has attended additional training courses in myofascial release, craniosacral therapy, and functional dry needling. In her free time, Lauren enjoys doing anything outdoors, watching sports, and traveling around the country to visit friends and family.

Front Office

Our wonderful front office staff members are very friendly, and are here to assist you with any questions you may have.