My passion for helping people to achieve their goals and stay healthy developed from dealing with injuries myself throughout years of playing sports and training. I’ve felt first hand the difficulty and disappointment of not being able to participate in the activities that make me happy without pain. Most recently I was training for my first half Ironman and began experiencing significant low back pain and numbness down my left leg. I was unable to run more than 5-10 minutes without significant pain. The frustration of not being able to do the things that I love due to pain, forced me to learn more about how to train hard while training smart to reach my goals. The more I learned, the more I realized that with a good plan, pain did not have to stop me from striving towards my goals. This is exactly what I love to help my patients and athletes do every single day.
I graduated from Ohio State with an undergraduate degree in Nutrition and then went on to earn my Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Cincinnati in 2016. Since PT school, my primary focus has been working with patients and athletes with orthopedic and sports related problems. In my treatments, I utilize hands on manual therapy techniques including dry needling, joint mobilizations, and manipulations to address your pain first and then prescribe specific exercises to help you eliminate the pain for good. I always make sure my patients know the root cause of the problem and what things they can do in order to manage and eliminate the problem moving forward.
I love to treat neck, shoulder, low back and knee pain, but what I really love is putting the entire puzzle together. Pain is complex and requires a zoomed out approach in order to get to the root cause of the problem. Helping patients understand every variable that can play into their symptoms helps us to team up to systematically check each relevant piece to the puzzle that is their pain. This type of approach helps us to work together to come up with an individualized plan that addresses all of the problem areas and ultimately keeps you healthy and training towards your goals.
When I’m not helping patients, I love to stay active in both CrossFit and endurance sports. I’m currently training for my second Ironman 70.3. I live in Gahanna with my wife Megan where we love to check out new trails at the local Metro parks and spend quality time with our families.
Bachelor’s of Science in Nutrition, The Ohio State University, 2012
Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of Cincinnati, 2016
Cervical Spine: Manual Therapy Management, 2017
Lumbar Spine: Manual Therapy Management, 2018
Clinical Management of the Fitness Athlete, 2018
Rehabilitation of the Injured Runner, 2018
Persistent Pain: Comprehensive Management, 2019
BikeFit - The Foot/Pedal Interface, 2020
Integrative Dry Needling, 2021
Phone: 614-202-0723
Email: drpat@affiliatept.com
The decision to pursue a career as a Doctor of Physical Therapy was an easy one. As an undergraduate interested in the medical field, I shadowed various health care workers. Ultimately, observing a PT had a lasting impression on me when I saw a PT teach a patient to walk, who just had their leg amputated! I immediately thought to myself, “that’s it. That’s for me.” A PTs ability to build trust and encourage a patient to achieve the seemingly impossible, was something I wanted to emulate.
Fast forward a few years into the Doctor of Physical therapy program, I started CrossFit in 2015 at Peak 360 in Miami, FL. At that time, I received a lot of negative feedback from professors and classmates about the dangers of CrossFit. I knew they were wrong, and it quickly became clear I had an advantage over my peers when it came to analyzing movement and prescribing exercise.
In 2017 I moved back to Columbus and joined CrossFit Grandview. The transition was seamless, considering the caliber of the programming and coaching at this wonderful establishment. Because of my training at these two gyms, my understanding of how the CrossFit athlete functions and managing their pain, is unmatched. I also participated in competitive CrossFit when I had the honor of being the alternate for the CFGV regionals team in 2018.
In 2019 I decided to take a personal and career risk and began Travel PT. I had the opportunity to practice in many different states and settings from orthopedic, to pediatrics, women’s health/pelvic floor, to geriatrics, and intense inpatient rehab. Pulling from those unique experiences, I have developed an eclectic treatment approach that blends creativity and practical reasoning skills to develop an individualized plan of care to best meet your needs.
A cornucopia of hands-on manual therapy, pain relief, mobility, and strength will allow us to be successful in meeting your goals.
While CrossFit is my first love, in 2021 I made the transition into Olympic Weightlifting full time. I have since received my USA Weightlifting Level I coaching certification. I developed a passion for guiding CrossFitters to achieving their full potential in the Olympic style lifts.
Whether you want to lift heavy things or sleep on your right side (if you know, you know), together, we can get you there.
In my personal time you can catch me lifting weights, CrossFitting, hiking, skiing and maybe even stargazing on a clear night.
In Fitness,
Dr. Leah Vertullo, PT, DPT
Bachelor of Science, The Ohio State University, 2014
Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of Miami ,2017
Orthopedic PT Active PT, 2017-2019
Ohio Physical Therapy Association Membership Chair, 2018-2021
Certified Integrative Dry Needling, 2018
Travel PT (ask me how many states), 2019-2024
Herman and Wallace Women’s Health and Pelvic Floor Level I Certification, 2021
Clinic Management of the Female Athlete, 2022
USA Weightlifting Certification Level I, 2024
Clinic Management of the Fitness Athlete, 2024
