Meet Dr. Tessa Kothe
Dr. Tessa Kothe PT, DPT, CF-L1
Outpatient Orthopedic Specialist | CrossFit Coach
Certified in Dry Needling & Myofascial Decompression Thearpy
Email Dr. Kothe directly at: tkothe@summit-physio.com
About Dr. Tessa
Dr. Tessa Kothe is a dedicated physical therapist with over 5 years of experience in outpatient orthopedics. Known for her compassionate, individualized approach, Dr. Tessa specializes in helping athletes, Crossfitters, active individuals, and pre/post-operative clients recover with strength and confidence. Her mission is to not only restore prior function—but to empower her clients to return even stronger. Whether she's guiding an elite athlete through shoulder rehab or helping a weekend warrior recover from knee surgery, Dr. Tessa brings focused clinical expertise, a fitness-forward mindset, and unmatched attention to detail.
Areas of Expertise
○ Pre/Post-Operative Rehab
○ CrossFit & Functional Fitness Athletes
○ Back, Hip, Knee, and Shoulder Pain
○ Dry Needling + Electrical Stimulation
○ Performance & Injury Prevention
○ Myofascial Decompression
○ Adaptive Athlete Care
Education & Certifications
Doctor of Physical Therapy - University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
B.S. in Kinesiology, Exercise & Movement Science - University of Wisconsin–Madison
Certified in Dry Needling (DN)
Institute of Clinical Excellence (ICE)
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer (CF-L1) - Currently coaching at CrossFit Tava
Certified in Myofascial Decompression Therapy
Former ACE Certified Personal Trainer with experience in adaptive training
💡Treatment Philosophy
“My approach to physical therapy is grounded in delivering thorough, compassionate, and individualized care. I believe every client deserves a comprehensive assessment and focused attention that goes beyond the basics. I consistently advocate for the most appropriate and favorable outcomes, maintaining open communication and being readily available to support my clients throughout their recovery, going above and beyond.
When rehabilitating injuries, my goal is not just to restore prior function, but to help clients return even stronger and more resilient. I take a fitness-forward approach to treatment and regularly assess progress through pre- and post-session testing to ensure we’re on the right path.
My passion for preventative care is deeply personal. After losing my father to cardiac issues, alcoholism, and related co-morbidities, I developed a strong commitment to helping people move with less pain so they can lead long, healthy, and active lives. I find deep fulfillment in working with clients who are motivated to enhance their performance, prevent future injuries, and get back to doing what they love most.”
🤍 Personal Why
Tessa’s passion for preventative care is deeply personal. After losing her father to cardiac complications and related conditions, she made it her mission to help others live long, active, and pain-free lives. Her drive to support motivated individuals stems from a belief that movement is medicine—and that everyone deserves the chance to move better, feel better, and live fully.
Life Beyond the Clinic: Meet the Real Tessa
○ Avid CrossFitter and Olympic weightlifter
○ Happiest outdoors—climbing 14ers, skiing, ice climbing, or camping
○ Loves traveling across the U.S. and abroad—especially to national parks
○ Proud pet parent to two energetic vizslas, Liam and JuJu, and a cat named Arya—all named with Game of Thrones flair
○ Moved to Colorado with her husband, Brody
○ Unapologetically loyal to the Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers
“I’m not exaggerating when I say Summit Physio & Performance has been life-changing. After years of intermittent back pain—and nearly a year of a flare-up that affected both my daily life and gym routine—Tessa’s treatments (dry needling, cupping, mobilizing, and more) plus prescribed exercises got me back to lifting pain-free and even hitting new PRs. While I mostly see Tessa, Cat is equally amazing, and their seamless communication makes switching between them easy. They’re both incredibly knowledgeable, responsive, and committed to helping patients return to peak performance. I couldn’t recommend them more wholeheartedly!”
“From my first appointment with Tessa, she took the time to listen and build a thoughtful, personalized treatment plan. Not only did my pain improve, but I gained a better understanding of how my body works and what I can do to build strength and remain free of injuries. I especially appreciate that she understands athletes because she is one herself!”
“Tessa is very intuitive and good at what she does! As a fitness professional for over 20 years I was impressed with her knowledge and adaptability. She helped me through severely herniated L5/S1. With her help I avoided surgery and am back to full performance. It was scary time and she was there to help me with some vital information and support. I highly recommend!!”
