Ryan Olmscheid, D.P.T., is a physical therapist seeing patients Fairview Lakes Physical Therapy, North Branch. A graduate of Southwest Minnesota State University, Ryan earned his doctorate degree in physical therapy earlier this year from the Mayo School of Health Sciences. He completed a clinical internship in sports medicine rehabilitation at Methodist Hospital, Rochester, and internships in neural rehabilitation at St. Mary’s Hospital, in Rochester; inpatient acute care at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Brainerd; sports medicine/back care at Duluth Clinic Center Therapy; and general outpatient therapy at St. Gabriel’s Hospital in Little Falls.

Ryan says that he knew he wanted to be a physical therapist since the eighth grade when he read a book about Dennis Byrd, a professional football player for the New York Jets, who was paralyzed from a neck injury during an NFL game in 1992 and, through physical therapy, made a full recovery.

Ryan says he enjoys using manual therapy techniques to improve motion and decrease pain and believes it is important to talk to his patients during therapy. “I explain what is happening, what I’m doing and what they can do to help, so together we can improve their function or abilities.”

An outdoor enthusiast, Ryan enjoys all types of outdoor activities, including baseball, track, running and cycling. The St. Cloud native says that he chose the North Branch area because of its location. “North Branch offers a lot for someone like me who loves the outdoors,” he says. “It’s also close to the Twin Cities so I can take advantage of other activities.”