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Dr. Karina Paonessa joined the NHST team in 2020 with a holistic approach to treating her patients. She believes that movement is medicine, and that every body has the potential to heal itself given the correct environment. Her goal is to provide patients the tools they need in order to help them reach their therapy goals. She does this through education, manual techniques, movement, and motivation while fostering a fun and healing environment.
Dr. Paonessa earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from West Coast University following her studies in Zoology with a minor in Spanish at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her interest in physical activity and movement started at a young age when she participated in many sports, landing on soccer, cross country, and track in high school. While attending UCSB, she joined the triathlon club team, intramural soccer, and completed 6 half marathons. She now fills her free time walking her dog by the beach, lifting weights, exploring hiking trails, attending concerts, and traveling.