Yay, you’re here!
Here at VMPT Well we have cut out the middleman to allow for direct to consumer, specialty healthcare access.
You are special. You are loved. And you should be treated as such.
Vanessa worked locally in the corporate hospital based healthcare industry and was disheartened by much of what she saw. She used this as the inspiration to create VMPT Well. In healthcare you should have choices, the focus should be on you, and you should most definitely know the cost of the services you are engaging.
Here at VMPT Well there will be no surprise bills, no “hospital” up charge costs that you were not expecting. Just you and your therapist, one-on-one, working towards your goals in a cost effective and efficient manner.
Holy moly!
Dr. Vanessa Muncrief, PT, DPT - Founder & Physical Therapist
Dr. Muncrief is an orthopedic physical therapist specializing in manual therapy, dance medicine, pelvic floor health, and Pilates-based rehabilitation with over 20 years of clinical experience. She received her Doctorate and Masters of Science in Physical Therapy from Columbia University - College of Physicians and Surgeons in NYC, her Bachelors of Arts in Sociology from University of Texas at Austin, and attended High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) in Houston as a Dance Major.
Early in her career, Dr. Muncrief was privileged to work at one of the most renowned teaching hospitals in the nation, NYU Langone Medical Center in NYC. Vanessa was on faculty for 10 years at Harkness Center for Dance Injuries - NYU Hospital - serving as a Clinical Specialist in Dance Medicine. She has worked backstage as a physical therapist for some of the world’s top dance companies including Merce Cunningham, Cirque Du Soleil, Dance Theater of Harlem, and Martha Graham, to name a few. She has been a treating clinician for performers from multiple Broadway and off-Broadway shows, served as a Clinical Instructor and has created content curriculum for Harkness continuing education seminars, university dance programs and national dance professional training programs. Throughout her career she has been active in mentoring newer physical therapists and prospective graduate students.
She has presented her original research on Diastasis Recti rehabilitation both nationally and internationally, is a certified yoga teacher (RYT), nationally certified Pilates teacher (NCPT), and a Certified Ergonomic
Assessment Specialist (CEAS). Vanessa is an Integrative Dry Needling practitioner and is especially interested in merging eastern and western approaches for Dry Needling. She is a guest lecturer at both the Texas A&M Dance Science program and the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Muncrief is a member of International Association of Dance Medicine and Science and Dance/USA’s Taskforce on Dancer Health. Most recently, Dr. Muncrief spent 8th seasons as the Chief Physical Therapist for Ballet Austin and continues to function as the treating clinician for multiple Broadway shows and performers as they make their way through Austin. Prior to her career as a physical therapist she was a modern dancer, model, and waitress in NYC. Vanessa lives in Austin, TX with her husband, children’s book author and illustrator, David Gavril and their 2 children.
Dr. Claire Watkins, PT, DPT - Physical Therapist
Dr. Watkins earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine in Austin, Texas where she graduated with honors. Prior to physical therapy school, Claire lived in Louisiana and graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree in Kinesiology and a minor in Psychology. She decided to pursue a career in physical therapy early on in college. The science behind human movement and the process of diagnosing and treating different injuries was always fascinating to her. Throughout her time in physical therapy school, she became passionate about outpatient orthopedic physical therapy and decided to stay in Austin.
Claire’s main goal for each client is for them to understand their symptoms and the way their pain behaves so they can find what works best for them to independently manage their symptoms. She has always been passionate about being active and grew up competing in athletics such as dance and cheerleading which continued in college where she was a member of LSU Cheerleading. She believes staying active and utilizing Pilates and yoga to do so is a very powerful tool for improving strength, body awareness, and managing pain. Claire utilizes exercise to help manage her own pain and injuries. She has experienced the benefits of consistent exercise and staying active firsthand. She enjoys helping her clients do the same.
In her free time, Claire enjoys painting, yoga, listening to live music, and checking out new restaurants around Austin.
