Senior Physical Therapist | Advanced Manual & Vestibular Specialist
Shelley Olsted, a 1996 graduate of Russell Sage College, has been a cornerstone of Clifton Park Physical Therapy since 2005. Following an early career in Kansas City specializing in orthopedic injuries, Shelley returned to New York, where she has spent two decades mastering advanced clinical techniques to provide her patients with lasting, life-changing results.
Shelley is highly specialized in two distinct areas of care: Advanced Vestibular Therapy for complex balance and dizziness disorders, and the Hesch Method. Utilizing the Hesch Method, Shelley treats the lumbopelvic-hip complex as a “single unit system,” integrating the hip, pelvis, and lumbar spine to effectively correct pain originating from the sacroiliac joint (SIJ).
To ensure she is treating the root of the problem and not just the symptoms, Shelley utilizes the Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA Level 1). This movement-based diagnostic system allows her to systematically find the true cause of pain—not just the source—by logically breaking down dysfunctional movement patterns through a structured, repeatable assessment.
Her Comprehensive Clinical Toolkit Includes:
- SFMA & The McKenzie Method: Advanced diagnostics for spinal and movement disorders.
- Hesch Method & MET: Specialized alignment and Muscle Energy Techniques.
- Manual Therapy: Expertise in Myofascial Release and Trigger Point Release.
- Advanced Vestibular Rehabilitation: Expert care for vertigo and balance issues.
Life Outside the Clinic Shelley brings the same focus and detail to her personal passions as she does to her practice. She is an avid artist who enjoys painting and various crafts. Her favorite way to spend her free time, however, is on the sidelines of a track meet, proudly cheering on her son as he competes.