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PT/PTA/Support Staff
email us your resume or give us a call
phone: (707) 762-7678
fax: (707) 762-7679
Professional Services
We are an integrative healthcare organization that combines both mainstream and complementary healthcare providers in a holistic setting. We have done so in a way that best empowers you to take control of your health, fitness, and wellness for both rehabilitation and preventive care in a very positive environment. We are here to communicate to you, as an educated and informed patient/client, the ways in which you can become the best you can be, and we do so in the most cost-effective means possible.
We offer a wide variety of yoga classes, including integrative yoga, power vinyasa, hatha flow, Iyengar-inspired, various offerings for beginners, as well as chair yoga and yoga nidra/restorative.
Physical Therapy
Since 1989, we have been providing quality physical therapy rehabilitation for orthopedic and sports injuries as Petaluma Orthopaedic & Sports Therapy (P.O.S.T.). In 1997 we broadened our mission and services in response to the expressed needs and wants of the patients and clients we serve, forming P.O.S.T.-Wellness by Design. We believe that the variety of therapies we offer can be used for rehabilitation as well as preventively. We provide a wide variety to allow patients and clients to choose the options that best meet their individual needs.
The care we provide is integrative, patient-centered, culturally sensitive, and through education, the patient is empowered. We offer treatment that is holistic, considering the entire person: psycho, social, spiritual. We offer mind/body education.
Ask about our services providing reasonably priced Custom Orthotics, and our Cycle Therapy and Bike Fits to accommodate your injury and/or increase your performance.
Our Wellness Team
Mitchell Kauk, PT OCS Director
Mitchell has been a practicing physical therapist for more than 30 years, treating orthopedic & sports injuries primarily. He emphasizes manual therapy and a holistic approach which individualizes treatment for each patient and incorporates acupuncture, biofeedback, chiropractic, feldenkrais, massage, and pilates as needed.
Mitchell opened Petaluma Orthopaedic & Sports Therapy in 1989 and has treated over 10,000 patients and clients from the greater Petaluma area. He was the first physical therapist in Sonoma County to be board certified as an Orthopaedic Specialist (OCS). In addition, he is a Registered Yoga Instructor (RYT) and incorporates yoga principles in a patient’s treatment plan when appropriate.
Karen Hall, PTA
Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant
Karen is a licensed physical therapy assistant extraordinaire! She has worked with us at P.O.S.T. – Wellness by Design for more than 20 years (although she doesn’t look old enough for that to be possible!). Karen will challenge you, but always with a smile. If you need an individualized exercise program for the gym, she would be happy to meet with you to teach you how to do the exercises safely and effectively.
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
Lizanne Pastore PT, MA, COMT enhances her physical therapy skills with cutting-edge orthopedic manual therapy skills and a holistic somatic philosophy. As one of only a select few Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapists in the United States, Lizanne is able to treat a wide variety of patients, even those with complicated histories or conditions. Since 2004, Lizanne has specialized in women’s health and the pelvic floor and treats the pregnant and post-partum community as well as men and women with pelvic pain, incontinence, prolapse, and many other issues.
Acupuncture
“Sit and Serve” Meditation: The format is quite simple – come and meditate – silently with us in your own style. If you care to donate to COTS (Petaluma’s Shelter for the Homeless) you can – we’ve raised over $8,000 since 2005. “Sit and Serve” Meditation (Thursdays, donation only)
Soul Circle: Journey within and remember your divinity in an embracing and healing women’s circle. The circle is a fundamental form for expression and community, one that helps develop insight, wisdom, and compassion. This sacred space will use elements of movement, music and dance, imagery and writing, sharing and active listening.
Soul Circle (Sundays, monthly)
Yoga Nidra Meditation: Yoga Nidra meditation is a guided practice in which each moment is greeted with mindfulness, acceptance, and loving kindness, allowing one to walk through life with ease and stay present to what is.
Yoga Nidra Meditation (Thursdays)
Women’s Spring Equinox Circle and Celebration
March 22 – see their page for details
Chiropractic Care
Treatments are a blend of traditional, but gentle, chiropractic spinal adjustments, soft tissue mobilization, myofascial release, craniosacral and trigger point inspired therapies. A typical treatment will consist of relaxing hot packs, massage and/or myofascial release, passive stretches, manual traction, trigger point therapy and a series of gentle, yet effective chiropractic adjustments. Adjustments are based primarily on the Diversified chiropractic technique. Because of the gentle nature of his treatments, Dr. Scott Kandler sees infants to seniors.
Our goal is to give you the most effective treatment by integrating chiropractic, physical therapy, and other interventions as needed for your individual circumstances. Once chiropractic techniques have achieved optimal movement, you will be directed toward physical therapy or other movement therapies to work on strength and stability. We work as a team, combining our years of experience and expertise to design the treatment plan that is the most appropriate for you.
Dr. Kandler has been practicing chiropractic for 14 years, emphasizing gentle chiropractic spinal adjustments, and integrating soft tissue mobilization, myofascial release, craniosacral and trigger point inspired therapies. He is happy to be joining the team at P.O.S.T.-Wellness by Design. Together, we strive to guide you on your path toward wellness.
Certified Hand Therapy
Tracey has been working with patients at P.O.S.T.-Wellness by Design since 2008. She is a licensed Occupational Therapist with special certification as a hand therapist. She grew up in Canada, and has been practicing as an OT since 1988.
Our Management Team
Christina Kauk
Co-Owner
Christina has been helping oversee operations at P.O.S.T. since its inception in 1989. She manages contracts, public relations, and programming. She would be happy to help you understand your insurance coverage or answer any other questions you may have regarding our program offerings or scheduling.
Cindy Collins
Operations & Billing Manager
Cindy has been a valuable team member at P.O.S.T. – Wellness by Design since 2003. She has assumed many roles, but currently is in charge of billing and patient satisfaction. We affectionately refer to Cindy as our “insurance angel.” If you have questions about your insurance or any other issue, Cindy will be happy to help you.
Our Staff
Karen
Mitch
Tracey
Justin
Darlene
Heather
Resources & Links
“Mitchell Kauk is an extraordinary physical therapist and he leads a great team. The new facility is beautiful. This is one of my favorite businesses in town. I did not believe anyone could help me with the pain in my back. The pain is gone.” - Lambeth, Petaluma, CA
“I had sciatica last year and I cannot recommend P.O.S.T. and Mitchell enough. He is an extraordinary person with extraordinary skills, and so many years of experience. And his new facility is beautiful. The consummate professional. No more pain! It doesn’t get any better than this.” - MS, Petaluma, CA
