Dr. Anna Friedman, PT, DPT, OCS

Founder // Owner // Physical Therapist

Running and Mountain Athlete Specialist

 

Who I am.

I am a physical therapist, a proud Ballard local (yes we do exist!), avid runner, outdoors-woman, craft beer lover and life enthusiast with a passion for building community and setting the bar higher for the way we practice and experience PT.

After almost 10 years practicing in the field, I founded Upward because I envisioned a better approach to serving my clients: one-on-one sessions, virtual and in-home visits in addition to on-site clinic care, and a holistic model that includes performance and wellness coaching. My focus goes beyond rehab and focuses on life optimization. With Upward, I’m excited to have the freedom to create the ideal experience for my clients and focus on what I do best: improving your life through movement and building a supportive and fun community.

My “Why.”

In the past, I’ve struggled with self confidence, and have often let those feelings of “not being strong/fit/agile enough” keep me from putting myself out there and challenging myself. It held me back from stepping out of my comfort zone, and I would often take a back seat and think, “oh that’s not for me. That’s for someone else who clearly is better at this than me.” Then came the moment I had to make a choice: my friend invited me to climb Mt. Rainier. At that point I had to decide if I truly believed I was capable of achieving something that had always been a (what I had always pinned as unrealistic) dream. I took the leap and had the experience of a life time, and felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I felt like a true badass!

Fast forward five years, and now I’ve summited several other peaks, and my passion is helping others get out of their comfort zones, and feel confident in knowing that their bodies are strong and capable of anything. Whether it’s climbing a mountain, returning to running postpartum, or backpacking pain-free. You got this!

What I do.

Whether you are a seasoned athlete and want to learn strategies for injury prevention or rehab, a new mom wanting to safely ramp up your fitness routine, or looking to make a lifestyle change, I’m here to help. I’ll work with you to optimize your health and wellness through an integrated approach of physical therapy and personalized coaching aimed to elevate your athletic performance, enhance your mindset, and avoid injury.

My goal is to be a long term resource for you beyond a single injury, and to be your advocate and provider of choice through life transitions as new goals and challenges emerge. Think of me as your primary healthcare resource for all things musculoskeletal, performance and wellness. Your “Movement Doctor.”

Specialties.

  • Outdoor and endurance athletes of all abilities, ages and experience

  • Weekend warriors, runners, rowers, hikers & mountaineers

    • Rehab, injury prevention, performance coaching/training

  • New moms looking to get back into a workout routine (or start one!)

  • Knee, foot and ankle injuries

  • Staying fit and active across the lifespan (I see you 75-year-old bad a**es!)

  • Incorporating mindfulness and wellness practices into your life

Where you’ll find me.

It is safe to say that you will generally find me somewhere outside. Whether that’s exploring a new hiking trail with my partner Mike and pup Bergen, skiing the alpine slopes in the winter, or sitting on a patio enjoying a pint at one of the many wonderful Ballard breweries. I can also be found listening to an inspiring podcast while sipping a cold brew from my fav local spot in Phinney Ridge, and sharing laughs and stories while spending time with family and friends.

More about me.

Education

  • University of Washington (go Dawgs!) with a focus in Psychology

  • Regis University in Denver, Colorado for my DPT degree

  • Advanced training in manual therapy through NAIOMT

  • Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist

  • Advanced training in running analysis and training the Uphill Athlete

  • Completed Pelvic Floor Level 1A through Herman and Wallace

Accomplishments