About Dr. Kristen Schuyten
Championing Health, Safety, and Longevity in the Performing Arts
My Why
I have been where you are — wanting to understand my body, eager to learn how to care for it, and struggling to separate fact from fiction in the advice I received from friends, family, teachers, coaches, and even other professionals.
I’ve been injured while performing. I’ve worked with healthcare providers who either didn’t understand my goals or didn’t know how the demands of performance should shape my rehabilitation and training.
Today, I’m a mom, clinician, and lecturer — looking out not only for my own kids as they start their performing journeys, but also for my students and patients. I work to ensure they receive equitable care in a world that often prioritizes sports over the performing arts in attention, funding, and resources.
PerformWell was created to make this process easier for you — to put accurate, evidence-based information in one place, whether you’re seeking recovery, prevention, or performance optimization. And just as importantly, to help other healthcare providers and organizations learn how to deliver customized, research-driven care for performing artists.
Professional Background
Dr. Kristen Schuyten is a Board-Certified Sports Clinical Specialist through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA. She specializes in performing arts and sports rehabilitation, blending clinical expertise with a deep understanding of the physical demands of dance, music, theater, and elite athletics.
Kristen holds her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and her Master’s and Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Central Michigan University.
She has served in both clinical and educational settings, providing:
Injury prevention and recovery programs tailored to each art form
On-site triage and backstage care for performances and competitions
Staff training in performing arts injury evaluation, screening, and treatment
For over a decade, Kristen has coordinated injury risk screenings for all incoming freshmen at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, developing customized exercise prescriptions and return-to-performance protocols for injuries and concussions. She has also created specialized injury screening and recovery programs for dancers (including pointe readiness), gymnasts, figure skaters, and instrumentalists.
National and International Impact
Kristen is a member of the U.S. Figure Skating Team USA medical team, providing care at the Winter Olympics, World Championships, Grand Prix events, and national competitions. She has led medical and rehabilitation teams for regional and national championships and regularly presents at national and international conferences, including:
American Physical Therapy Association
International Association of Dance Medicine and Science
Performing Arts Medical Association
Music Teachers National Association
National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy
She also serves as a lecturer in the University of Michigan Dance Department and has taught specialized performing arts rehabilitation courses at multiple universities. Her published research focuses on post-concussion recovery and return-to-performance protocols for collegiate performing artists.
Key Career Roles
Physical Therapy Clinical Specialist, Michigan Medicine MedSport (2007–present)
Faculty, University of Michigan SMTD Dance Department — Anatomy & Physiology for Dancers (2019–present)
Elective Course Instructor, Central Michigan University — Performing Arts Rehabilitation and Medicine
Short Course Instructor, University of Michigan-Flint PT Program — Performing Arts Rehabilitation
National Medical Team, U.S. Figure Skating
Certifications & Memberships
Board-Certified Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS)
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
Mental Health First Aid Certified
Essentials of Performing Arts Medicine Certification
Licensed PT, State of Michigan
Masters of Dry Needling (Levels 1 & 2)
Myofascial Decompression Certification (Levels 1 & 2)
Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization Level 1
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Publications & Research
Kristen’s published work includes peer-reviewed research on concussion management, injury screening, and rehabilitation for performing artists, with articles in Sports Medicine, The Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, and The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.
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Speaking Experience
Dr. Schuyten is a sought-after speaker and educator, having presented at regional, national, and international conferences on topics ranging from injury prevention in performing artists to return-to-performance protocols after concussion.
Let’s Work Together.
Whether you are a performer looking to return to the stage, a parent seeking injury prevention strategies for your child, or an organization wanting to create a wellness program, we’re here to help you build safer, stronger, and healthier performance pathways.