Shari Miller, PT, DPT, OCS
I'm Dr. Shari Miller, a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist. For 17 years I've helped US Army soldiers, Boston Marathon runners, and busy parents figure out why pain keeps coming back, and exactly what to do about it.
Free 2 minute quiz. No email required to see your result.
The path here
I watched my mom relearn to walk after a traumatic ankle fracture when she was only in her 30s. Sitting in those physical therapy appointments as a kid was my first look at what this profession can do. It also planted a question I've spent my whole career answering: why do some people get all the way better while others get told they're "good enough"?
That question took me across the country. It's also why I do things differently now. No one fails rehab. The rehab system fails you. Let's get you a plan that actually works.
BS in Exercise Science, University of Toledo. Movement first, always.
DPT from University of Mount St. Joseph. Licensed and into the clinic.
Civilian physical therapist for the US Army during the Global War on Terror, including with the 101st Airborne. Treating soldiers who needed to be mission ready, not just pain free.
Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS), a credential held by the top 6% of PTs nationally.
Worked alongside running groups in Virginia, Hawaii, and Ohio, learning how real people train, break down, and come back.
Founded Athletity, a concierge PT clinic in Ohio, then Stride Lab to bring that same level of care online to anyone, anywhere.
What I'm known for
The pain that showed up without a fall, a twist, or a moment you can point to. Runner's knee, IT band pain, achy tendons, morning stiffness. Rest quiets it down, then it comes right back the moment you return to what you love. That cycle is not bad luck. It's a loading problem, and loading problems have answers.
You've been told to exercise. Nobody told you how, with your body, your history, and your diagnosis. I build training plans that respect what's going on medically without treating you like you're fragile. Because the answer to "can I still work out?" is almost always yes, with the right plan.
My working belief: movement is built on six foundations. If you can do all six, you can live fully.
Ways to work with me
Every path starts the same way: understanding what your body is actually doing. That's why the free knee quiz comes first. It tells you where you stand, and I'll point you to the option that fits.
For the person planning their whole day around the stairs. Ten minute essentials, in the right order, to rebuild the strength and confidence to go up and down without gripping the railing or thinking twice.
Start with the free knee quiz →Work directly with me to train around your medical reality. A personal plan, real accountability, and a doctor of physical therapy in your corner as your body changes and your plan adapts with it.
Email me your questions →You send video of how you move. I break down, frame by frame, the compensations your body picked up while it was protecting you, and exactly what to retrain first. Answers before exercises.
Learn about the HCR →Take the free 2 minute stair quiz. You'll find out which pattern your knee is following on stairs and what your smartest next step is. No fluff, no fear, just a clear answer.
Take the free stair quizBuilt by a Doctor of Physical Therapy. Takes about 2 minutes.
In their words
All 5-star reviews from Google and clients of Athletity and Dr. Shari DPT.
"Dr. Shari is a miracle worker! Sadly 3 weeks before the Boston Marathon, I got a terrible muscle strain in my calf. I was very scared, anxious, and worried I wouldn't be able to run the one race I was so excited for. Dr. Shari fit me into her schedule not once, but twice before race day. She immediately calmed my nerves and gave me a detailed, organized, and achievable plan. I feel so lucky to have met Dr. Shari and would highly recommend any person in need of a PT to work with her; she won't let you down!"
"I crossed paths with Shari at a fun run/Barre event in late summer. Suffering from chronic stiffness and shoulder pain, my workouts had become painful and less enjoyable. Shari offered a consult and instantly she showed me a path to pain free movement, listening to my frustrations with big box PT who provided no relief. For all of those who have struggled with the 'get PT cycle' and no relief, seek out Shari, your body will thank you."
"Dr. Shari helped me so much when I felt stuck and like I was never going to be able to run again! I had pain in my left leg around my ankle area that when I got past 2 miles running would literally make it hard to walk afterwards. She confirmed I had peroneal tendonitis. We worked towards my goals of getting back to running after 4 sessions. She got me there and I was pain free which I never thought possible! Being a very busy mom of 2, the PT work I had to do at home was very manageable and helped me reach my goals!"
"Shari was absolutely amazing. I contacted her just weeks before I was scheduled to run a half marathon. I had been having foot/heel/arch pain for weeks and kept trying to treat it myself. With in weeks, without ever completely stopping running, Shari was able to not only get me through my half, but I did it pain free! She was great at allowing me to continue to run and workout with some minor modifications and still heal my feet and make everything stronger!"
"Shari is a wealth of knowledge! I asked for her help when I was training for a trek to Everest Base Camp. I was having some issues with mobility in my ankles and cramping in my calves as a result. She went above and beyond to not only help me with my ankles/calves but also to increase my VO2 Max and how to be as prepared as I could be for the trip! Do not hesitate to hire this woman. She's a genius, and has a heart of gold."
"Dr. Shari is absolutely amazing! Everyone told me I'd hate physical therapy, but my experience was the opposite! Shari spent time setting up an individual plan for my recovery, explained what each exercise was doing and how I could speed my recovery along each week. Compared to a coworker, I'm back to regular life so much faster! Thank you for getting me back to feeling good!"
"Dr. Shari was fantastic! She provided me with a customized plan to help with my injury that was not only beneficial to get me back running, but also helped improve my performance. She gave me several exercises to do at home with very easy to understand instructions. I highly recommend her for anyone looking to heal or just improve their performance!"
"Being a ski fanatic, I needed to recover fast from my tibia and fibula fractures. Dr. Shari used her expertise to help gain my strength, motion, and balance. Being self employed, I needed to get back on feet quickly. I highly recommend Dr. Shari."
"Dr. Shari is a godsend! I struggled with IT band issues which worsened to the point where my entire right leg hurt and my mileage kept dropping. After one visit she pinpointed the true cause and made recommendations that had my pain dropping immediately. I finally have hope of running a second marathon this year. She understands that no matter my age, I want to stay active."
"Dr. Shari was a lifesaver for me. I had a very painful sciatic issue. She did a video appointment, confirmed my issue, and immediately started treating me with exercises I could do in the comfort of my own home. They worked! She followed up to make sure it was resolving. My time with Dr. Shari was worth every second."
"Dr. Shari is the best! She started with my husband and his neck pain and it made a world of difference. Then I injured my knee, and when it wasn't responding as it should, she recommended an MRI. Turns out I had a torn PCL. Shari truly has your best interests in mind."
"I visited Dr. Shari for help strengthening my core after having kids. She did a complete assessment, built a treatment plan just for me, and explained why every exercise would make a difference. I left feeling so confident in the plan. She is wonderful at listening, explaining, and being there every step of the way."
Free education
Plain language answers to the questions you've been Googling at midnight. New articles land regularly on the blog.
Your spouse is pulling ahead on the trail. You used to keep pace. Here's what changed, why rest won't fix it, and what will.
Self TestingThe complete self-testing guide for knee pain when you squat, so you finally know what's going on and what to do about it.
ExercisesSquatting isn't the problem. How you're squatting might be. Here's how to find the variation that works for your body right now.
Watch and learn
Short, practical videos on knee pain, stairs, walking, and getting back to exercise, in the same plain language I'd use if you were sitting across from me. No jargon, no scare tactics, and always the why behind the what.
Two ways I deliver care
Online · Anywhere
Online programs, movement analysis, and medical fitness coaching. Stair Freedom, VIP Coaching, and the Hidden Compensations Review all live here, built for people who want expert guidance without a waiting room.
Start with the knee quiz →In person · Ohio
Concierge physical therapy serving Marysville and Dublin, Ohio since 2017. One on one care where your goals, not your insurance company, decide what treatment looks like.
Visit athletity.com →