Penelope Van Osten

I grew up in Wauwatosa and am a graduate of Wauwatosa East High School. I then attended UW-Madison and graduated in 1998 with a BS in Zoology. I returned to UW-Madison two years later to start my physical therapy education, and graduated with the degree of Master of Physical Therapy in 2002.

After graduation, I moved to San Diego and spent the first 10 years of my career treating very diverse populations in outpatient clinics, hospitals and rehab facilities, as well as performing rehab care to the city’s law enforcement, SWAT teams and lifeguards. This diversity cultivated a great library of reference for many different levels of function and care for different populations. In 2013, life brought me back to the midwest, and I returned to Wauwatosa with my husband and toddler. Back in Wisconsin, our family expanded to include one more child, and we now raise our two children in my childhood community.

I pair more than 20 years of clinical experience with extensive continuing education course work. My core treatment approach is based on my training through the Institute of Physical Art (IPA), whose foundation is restoring alignment, motor control of movement, and function. For pelvic floor treatment, I have advanced training through Herman & Wallace for both male and female pelvic health conditions. My IPA and Herman & Wallace training integrate wonderfully to address the whole of the individual, and equip me to successfully treat complex pelvic, back and hip pain. I also have advanced training in TMJ dysfunction and craniofacial pain, having been mentored by leading local and national experts in the field. Additionally, I am certified in dry needling through Myopain and have received training in osteopathic visceral manipulation through The Barral Institute. I'm also trained in whole body kinesiotaping techniques.

I value collaboration with other providers and strive to work in cooperation with them for the best outcomes. My goal for my patients is to have them not only feel better, but to also better understand their circumstances and how to manage them. 

See me for: Second opinion, general orthopedic, acute and chronic musculoskeletal injuries, sports-specific injuries, post-surgical, TMJ/D, male/female pelvic health, prenatal/pregnancy/postpartum, Ehlers-Danlos/hypermobility conditions, chronic pain conditions, osteopathic visceral manipulation, dry needling, kinesiotaping

Why I chose to become a PT: I chose to become a PT and change my track from medical school when I was referred to PT for my own shoulder injury at age 19. I was fascinated by what a great PT could assess, discover, and treat with only their hands as tools. 

Worst injury I ever suffered: I broke my femur at age 16 months with full leg cast. Very weird and not common, but don’t remember that one, so I’ll add my worst as an adult.  This isn’t an injury in the traditional sense, but it was a significant physical event for me…the birth of my first child led to some debilitating function that I had to work very hard to recover from. Looking back, it was really a helpful experience I can now draw from in treating my pelvic health population. 

Craziest injury I have treated: That’s a hard one because I’ve seen many complex health cases over the years…but, I can tell you a collection of the most memorable: it was during one of my student clinical rotations in a traumatic brain injury rehab department. I will never quite forget many of the circumstances that led those patients there. It was a humbling and powerful experience. 

My favorite food to cook/bake: Really any of the traditional Greek dishes passed down from my grandmother and my dad. The smell brings back the memories of them making those same dishes in our home, with the added bonus of having my own family now enjoy them. 

If I could visit anywhere in the world: I would probably always go back to Greece. Again, reminds me of family. 

When I am not at work, I am (hobbies, interests, volunteering, etc.): I spend my time with my husband, two kids, and our dog. We love any all things about traveling. I am also very active in our great neighborhood and school communities, as well as in our Greek church community (I guess there’s a theme here!). 

Bucket List Confession: This is simply to be able to continue to spend more time with my family as my kids get older. 

Best advice I’ve ever received: I wish I had a nice one-liner to sum this up, but the real truth is that I have been fortunate to have many brilliant people on my path along the way, all of whom have contributed to my ethos. Essentially put, it would summarize as this: do the best you can do for those in your care with what you have, and never stop trying to do better.