Practitioners

Arianna Z. Berkowitz, MPT, LAc.

Arianna earned her Master of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, School of Medicine in 1998, and has been practicing outpatient orthopedic physical therapy in Maryland for over 10 years. Additional specialized training includes: vestibular rehabilitation; Strategic Orthopedics for the lumbar & cervical spine; positional release & muscle energy techniques for the spine, sacrum and pelvis; cranio-sacral therapy, myofascial unwinding; somato-emotional release; and pelvic floor re-education for urinary incontinence & postpartum weakness. Arianna is also a certified Bowenwork practitioner and has been successfully integrating this manual therapy technique into her physical therapy practice since 2002. Her personal history of back injury and pain inspired her to specialize and focus her manual skills on the rehabilitation and healing of persons with spinal and musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction.

Arianna earned a Master of Acupuncture degree from the TaiSophia Institute of Healing Arts in Laurel, MD. She has had additional training in cupping therapy, gua-sha, and auricular acupuncture. She is also certified by the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) as an acupuncture detoxification specialist. Arianna’s personal experience with acupuncture started at age 14 and has had a significant influence on her perspectives about health and wellness. After seeing such profound improvements in her own well-being and that of her physical therapy patients receiving acupuncture, she decided to pursue an acupuncture degree in September, 2005. Arianna’s approach to healing is integrative and holistic in nature, connecting with individuals on all levels of being- body, mind and spirit. She is committed to helping people understand their symptoms as messengers of the body’s inner wisdom, and to creating new possibilities for living a healthy, balanced and joyful life.

As a long-time resident of Columbia, MD since 1978, and graduate of Centennial high school, Arianna is happy to be a business owner and health care provider serving the community she grew up in. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors walking or biking around Lake Elkhorn, or playing with her daughter at the playground. With a background in art, she also loves drawing, painting, and jewelry-making and has recently learned how to knit. Other hobbies include reading and playing games with family and friends.

Karen Stengle, DPT

Karen earned her Masters Degree in Physical Therapy from Ithaca College in 2002. She earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy through the University of Scranton in 2009. Since beginning her career in physical therapy, Karen has worked in a variety of patient care settings and has treated patients with both orthopedic and neurologic conditions. She has completed extensive training in the treatment of conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, lymphedema therapy, and in a variety of general orthopedic conditions. She has also started the process of becoming a Certified Bowen Practitioner.

Karen is originally from central New Jersey. She was introduced to the profession of physical therapy after suffering a serious knee injury while a gymnast in high school. She has lived in Baltimore, MD for over 4 years. Karen is happy to join the team at BodyWise Physical Therapy and to be a part of an individualized approach to patient care. In her free time she enjoys long distance running, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.

Ellen Driscoll, PT

As a 1985 graduate of Florida International University in the field of Physical Therapy, Ellen has been practicing for over 25 years in Florida and Maryland as a licensed physical therapist. In addition to treating patients, she successfully managed clinics for in-patient rehabilitation and out-patient sports-medicine settings for 15 of those 25 years. Between 1987 and 1995, Ellen served as a Clinical Instructor for physical therapy programs at the University of Miami, Temple University, Thomas Jefferson University and the University of Maryland at Baltimore.

On top of her extensive background in physical therapy, Ellen is also a graduate of the Advanced Program of Ohashiatsu in Italy and received her certificate in Advanced Oriental Diagnosis and Treatment from the Ohashi Institute in Manhattan. This unique combination of both Eastern and Western medicine models, for a truly holistic approach to treatment, has made Ellen a highly sought after practitioner in the local area and BodyWise Physical Therapy is very happy to have her as part of our team.

Ellen has three grown children and enjoys travel, hiking and teaching workshops for couples to learn to give each other acupressure and perform stretches as a healthy way to bond and stay connected through energy work.