About
I know what it's like to plan your week around going to the grocery store
I also know there is light on the other side.
If you're like most people with chronic conditions, you are trying to find a health professional who will actually listen to you and help you. You want to be able to get your life back, and be there for your loved ones.
But it's not as easy as it seems.
The traditional healthcare system is intended to serve patients with acute issues rather than chronic patients.
- It's hard to find someone who will listen, let alone help.
- It's disheartening to be accused of fabricating your symptoms or exaggerating your pain.
- You're tired of hearing the same old advice, such as “think positive thoughts” or “lose weight.“
I know how it feels.
I became a physical therapist due to feeling a calling in two ways: working with a physical therapist in college with folks with developmental differences, and my own self-rehabilitation from chronic fatigue and Fibromyalgia.
I know what it's like to have to plan your week around going to the grocery store. I also know there is light on the other side.
I have years of experience with helping people regain their quality of life by working with them to discover diagnoses, learn management techniques, be educated about their condition, and provide hands-on treatments and carefully tailored movement therapies.
I began my second career as a physical therapist after a Bachelor's in Psychology from Western Illinois University and 10 years of working with individuals with developmental, emotional, and physical differences.
I graduated from Bradley University in May 2011 with a clinical doctorate in physical therapy. My interests include the treatment of chronic pain, manual therapy, visceral manipulation, Ehler's Danlos Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and complex/unsolved conditions. I am in the process of being certified as a visceral manual therapist.
I can help you manage your chronic condition and start your recovery story.
Meet Ann Alton
My mission is to provide the best collaborative care, using unique techniques to improve my patients’ symptoms.
I provide the best advocacy I can for my patients and help them learn about their symptoms and/or condition so they can receive the appropriate diagnosis and care.
In my free time, I enjoy being with my husband and my pets. Hiking mountains, martial arts, photography, writing novels, and reading are my main hobbies. I earned my second-degree black belt in Kuk Sool Won in 2016.
I am an avid nature lover, intensely curious learner, voracious reader, and inquisitive problem solver. I feel my spirit home is in the Grand Tetons, and I can find four leaf clovers very easily.
My book tastes are eclectic. I love history and sci-fi, fantasy, mystery, and memoirs, to name a few. If you ever need a book recommendation, I will be happy to accommodate you! My music tastes are equally eclectic.
I listen to my patients and help them feel better than they have for years
But don't just take my word for it. Listen to my clients.
Ann actually listens and cares.
I had back surgery in 2009 which caused additional problems and prolonged pain. I’ve seen so many physical therapists in both the Chicago and Peoria, IL areas, but Ann Alton was a Godsend.
I must admit that I was not eager at all to see yet another therapist, but I’m so grateful that I did. Ann is both personable and professional. She actually cares! Ann took the time to really, really listen which led to me opening up more to her.
As a result, she focused on everything that exacerbated my pain, including stress, sleep, past trauma, diet, and so on.
— M. M.
Ann is top notch. She has been a figure in my chronic pain journey since 2015 (starting at another practice). There is no PT better for chronic pain!
In the times I wasn't an ongoing patient, I used the skills/exercises she taught me very frequently. Had to kiss some toads to find the absolute Princess of PT! {Seriously, I used to say that "PT" stood for "physical torture" until I met Ann.}
I've returned to activities I previously enjoyed with confidence.
I began seeing Ann for physical therapy after having surgery on my bladder. Ann helped me to re-gain strength and control of my pelvic floor. Her treatments enabled me to return to activities I had previously enjoyed with confidence.
Each week Ann never failed to target what my major problems were and managed to produce healing results. Although I originally saw Ann for pelvic floor issues, many times Ann would find and use her vast knowledge and experience to address my orthopedic and neurological issues. I would always leave therapy feeling better than I had in many years.
I would highly recommend Ann’s services. She provides an extremely relaxing and comfortable environment which produces very positive and lasting results. Never have I looked forward to physical therapy treatments as much as I did with Ann.
— J.O.D.
Ann is a wonderful physical therapist, always listening to what I needed and helping me understand my own body and limitations better. I wholly recommend her and would give her ten stars if I could!
