Stephen C. Dunn, MPT, COMT, PMA®-CPT

Co-Owner/Physical Therapist
Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist
PMA® Certified Pilates Teacher
Certified GYROTONIC® Instructor

Stephen graduated with a Masters in Physical Therapy in 1998 from LSUMC in New Orleans. Immediately interested in hands-on therapy, he began to study with known manual therapist Brian Mulligan and became certified in the Maitland Australian Approach in 2003. Stephen completed a comprehensive Pilates training in Santa Monica at retroFit Pilates in 2002 and is Certified through The Pilates Method Alliance. The combined treatment of manual therapy with mind-body awareness exercises using Pilates concepts was the start of his whole-body treatment approach. Stephen then began to study the fascial system when he moved to Austin, TX in 2004.

This led to training with Alan Weismantle and his Functional Manual Therapy Approach and studying Myofascial Release with John F Barnes. Stephen completed his level 1 GYROTONIC® certification in 2009 becoming the first Physical Therapist in Texas certified in the GYROTONIC® method. In 2011, Stephen and Cheryl started the Pilates Teacher Training Program offered at CORE. Since 2012, they have had the opportunity to present the work of Joseph Pilates to the Physical Therapy schools at both Texas State and The University of St Augustine-Austin.

Now Stephen pulls from both a traditional and alternative mindset for an eclectic and innovative approach to physical therapy. Treatment consists of manual therapy (myofascial release, joint mobilization & manipulation, soft tissue mobilization, muscle energy, craniosacral therapy, traction, and neurodynamics) with mind-body exercises utilizing Pilates and GYROTONIC® equipment. Stephen and his wife, Cheryl, opened CORE Therapy & Pilates in May 2005. Stephen enjoys hiking, sports, and live music. They have 2 boys and are members of Westlake United Methodist Church.

"I opened my business after 3 years of working at the typical 'PT mill' with juggling 3 to 5 patients an hour. So my clinic is now based on NOT being the typical and the first step is spending time with each patient. So I chose to offer one on one, hour-long appointments to address reaching the goals of each individual. This allows me to learn about the body on each visit in a continuous assessment and treatment progressive approach. With the home release program and awareness training, I teach patients to empower themselves to improve."