Dr. Molly Gearin, PT, DPT

Molly Gearin is a Cincinnati native, having attended Sycamore High School before pursuing physical therapy at the University of Dayton. She graduated from UD with a degree in Pre-Physical Therapy in 2019 and stayed there to complete her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2022 (Go Flyers!). While in college, she was a member of the Women’s NCAA D-1 Rowing team, as well as the club gymnastics team. She also was fortunate enough to work as an aide at a local, privately owned clinic in Dayton, which helped grow her interest in human performance. Upon completion of her undergraduate degree, she earned her Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certification through the NSCA. She worked as a strength coach through grad school, learning how to implement principles of strength programming and periodization, and continues to use those skills with patients today.

Molly worked at an outpatient sports medicine facility near Dayton for four years, where she primarily treated female athletes and active adults beginning a wellness journey. She uses a multimodal approach to therapy, combining principles of manual therapy and strength and conditioning to create a well-rounded treatment. She is passionate about educating her patients on the power of movement and physical therapy, but also educating future healthcare professionals by pursuing teaching roles at UD and taking on clinical students at her practice.

Background

I grew up playing every sport I could get my hands on, but fell in love with competitive gymnastics. Unlike many PT’s, I never had a significant injury myself, but watched countless gymnastics teammates deal with career-altering injuries. Combining my love of sports and science, PT felt like the perfect middle ground for me. After my gymnastics career ended and I started exploring options in the medical field, I found that PT truly is the science of healing and the art of caring. What better role in healthcare is there than that?!
I have been formally practicing PT since 2022, but have spent the last ten years working in clinics in various roles, including as a strength coach. I have never been far from PT! I have spent much of my time learning manual therapy techniques such as soft tissue and joint mobilization, muscle energy techniques, cupping, IASTM, blood flow restriction training, and dry needling. However, my positions have also afforded me experience working in weight rooms with athletes of all ages and stages. I also teach in the University of Dayton undergraduate Health and Sports Science department in their kinesiology lab, as well as guest lecture in multiple Doctor of Physical Therapy courses including the Sports Residency (SCS) program and orthopedic lab modules.
I have been fortunate enough to have many colleagues and professors that I have learned immensely from. My first boss was trained primarily as an osteopathic manual therapist, but also had a heavy background in human performance. I owe a lot of my knowledge and interest base to his training and expertise! I feel that I was able to pick up bits of wisdom from each therapist and professor I have worked beside and melted it into my own brand of PT. I would be remiss not to mention the late Dr. Anne Crecelius, who empowered me to take on a role in healthcare with tenacity and a sense of adventure.
Building lasting relationships with patients and getting to see them on a regular basis, and really get to know their story, is truly the most rewarding part of this job. I feel that PT’s are in an incredibly unique position to not only be an integral part of a patient’s life, but also be like their quarterback. Someone who can take the time to sit with them and understand their story, but also direct care as needed. I love taking a whole-body approach to wellness, viewing injury as just one part of the puzzle.

INTERESTS/SPECIALITIES

I love working with those with any type of orthopedic injury, especially lower extremity injuries. However, with my background, I feel that I am well suited to work with adolescent athletes and active adults. My personal interests lie in working with female athletes, especially gymnasts and overhead athletes.
I care deeply about my patients’ wellbeing. I see my patients for more than just their injury- they are humans with lives that deserve to be well lived. I feel grateful to play a role in patients getting back to anything that makes their lives whole. I also believe my background in manual therapy, sports, and strength training allows me to provide a very well rounded approach to therapy and lifelong wellness.
My mission is to provide person-centered care and ensure each patient knows they are getting individualized care for their unique situation. I also want to use my skills to encourage movement as medicine and help people understand that health is wealth. Finding good providers can change the trajectory of your life.

HOBBIES

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends and attending sporting events. I am very active, as I love working out, and am often training for triathlons! Riding my bike on the local bike trails and spending time outside is one of my favorite things to do.