Lisa Blackburn is a seasoned physical therapist who provides exceptional manual physical therapy and a unique approach to patient care. A B.S. degree in biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill prepared her for success in graduate school at Hahnemann University where Lisa earned her Masters in Physical Therapy in 1993. At that time, Lisa was nationally recognized as a Mary McMillan Scholar, awarded for superior scholastic ability and potential for future contributions to the field of Physical Therapy. Lisa started her PT career at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington D.C. where she took advantage of the widely available mentoring and professional development, and grew to manage an outpatient satellite clinic in suburban Maryland. In 2001, Lisa opened her own private practice, Blackburn Physical Therapy, in Annapolis, MD, which afforded her the freedom to lengthen treatment sessions and the opportunity to master her manual therapy skills.
A compelling drive to be a lifelong learner has fostered Lisa’s deep engagement in continuing education. Lisa had the good fortune to study under two of the original five tutorial students of Fred Mitchell, Sr. D.O., the creator of Muscle Energy technique.Learning manual therapy from Phillip Greenman, D.O. at Michigan State’s School of Osteopathy and from Edward Stiles, D.O. transformed Lisa’s approach to patients, making it a PT experience unlike most others. This manual therapy training, extensive continuing education in foot biomechanics and gait, combined with Lisa’s experience with complex neurological and musculoskeletal patients from National Rehabilitation Hospital, has created a clinician that prioritizes a systems based approach to PT rather than a reductionist view. Lisa is dedicated to finding and treating the root cause of the problem in the system rather than simply treating the area of pain.
In 2012, Blackburn Physical Therapy relocated to Hanover, New Hampshire where it is now a thriving practice nestled in the heart of the Upper Valley and dedicated to keeping its residents healthy and active.
“I have seen many physical therapy groups and chiropractors over several years and I still had persistent back and sciatica pain. My internal medicine doctor said that Lisa Blackburn came highly recommended by patients who didn’t get pain relief from other providers. Lisa was very kind and listened to my concerns. After reviewing my medical records and an exam, she developed a plan for my body. She takes care of the whole body and person. So much pain relief for me. Thank you, Lisa.”
– Pam G.