SOMERVILLE PILATES STUDIO
Meet the Expert Team at The Pilates Rx Somerville
DR. ALLIE DUFFY, PT, FOUNDER
Allie, the founder of The Pilates RX, received both her Bachelor of Science in Allied Health Sciences and a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Connecticut. She is an expert in movement analysis, and a certified Pilates instructor, comprehensively trained by Polestar Pilates.
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After finding many limitations with traditional exercise programs for herself, and her patients, Allie turned to Pilates for a new approach. She began training with the Polestar Pilates program as a rehabilitation provider, and has been teaching group classes, private lessons, and corporate workshops ever since. She has worked with clients ranging from “weekend warriors” to professional athletes and has seen the transformative powers of Pilates in their movement efficiency. In addition to serving our local community, Allie has worked with high-profile individuals and professionals requiring exceptional privacy and personalized care. Confidentiality is always respected.
Allie has continued to expand her clinical skills through advanced training in manual therapy, spinal manipulation techniques, and the importance of mindfulness in healing. She specializes in orthopedic care, specifically managing lower back, hip and knee pain in athletes. She has published research on the importance of physical activity and fitness throughout the lifespan, and worked as an expert consultant to teach other healthcare providers about the applications of Pilates for Sports Medicine, including the Harvard Medical School Sports Medicine Conference.
Outside of her time at The Pilates RX, Allie enjoys being a mom to her son Owen, a dog mom to The Pilates RX mascot Raisin, hiking, scouting out the best foodie spots, spending time at the beach, and reading (check out our retail section for some of Allie's favorites!).
DR. JESSICA FORGIONE, PT, CLINIC MANAGER
Jessica received both her Bachelor of Science, Rehabilitation Science and then Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Northeastern University, Boston MA. She is a certified Pilates instructor, comprehensively trained by Balanced Body.
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Jessica started her career working in outpatient orthopedics and advancing her clinical skills in manual therapy. She was first introduced to therapeutic Pilates within the rehabilitation setting, and went on to complete her comprehensive training through Balanced Body. Her movement training background has enhanced her understanding of the importance to look beyond pain and pathology and delve deeper into assessing and retraining the movement system. Jessica uses the combination of physical therapy and Pilates to encourage mindful movement, address habitual faulty posture and movement compensations, and optimize overall movement health and efficiency.
She enjoys treating a diverse population of varying orthopedic diagnoses, having grown up playing ice hockey Jessica in particular enjoys working with skaters. Jessica is also certified as a Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist and discovered firsthand the benefits of Pilates during her first pregnancy with her son, Luke. She is excited to offer specialized physical therapy and Pilates services catered specifically to your prenatal and postnatal musculoskeletal needs.
Jessica works one on one with clients through open communication, incorporates an evidenced-based treatment approach with emphasis on posture and ergonomics education, utilizes manual therapy, Pilates methodology, and therapeutic exercise intervention tailored to each client’s individualized needs to resolve pain, prevent injury, and achieve performance goals.
CHRISTINA SENG, MPT, PELVIC HEALTH CLINICAL SPECIALIST
Christina received her Master’s of Physical Therapy from Northeastern University, Boston, MA and is a pelvic health clinical specialist. She is a certified pilates instructor, comprehensively trained by STOTT Pilates™. Christina treats pelvic dysfunction, pelvic floor musculature dysfunction, and sports orthopedic diagnoses.
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She graduated from Northeastern University, Boston, MA with her Master’s of Physical Therapy. Her clinical work has been in both private and hospital-affiliated outpatient clinics in Boston, San Diego, and Hawaii with orthopedic, Pelvic Health, and sports-related populations. Christina developed and led the Pelvic Health Program at Spaulding Brighton Outpatient Clinic. She also performed movement retraining and sports enhancement with professional dancers and figure skaters as a Certified Performance Matrix ™ movement specialist. She is a certified pilates instructor comprehensively trained by STOTT Pilates™ and instructed in a private studio in La Jolla, CA and in physical therapy clinics.
Christina’s dedication to Pelvic Health grew from her own joy of movement with years of dance training, Pilates, skiing, and running. After her two pregnancies and her own challenging recoveries, she naturally expanded her interest into Pelvic Health physical therapy and incorporated her movement expertise with a pilates approach to enhance performance.
Christina has a special passion for instructing women with pelvic dysfunction through the stages of pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause with the goal to return them to their desired sport or movement practice. Her comprehensive approach emphasizes treating pelvic floor dysfunction and orthopedic dysfunction simultaneously for optimal recovery. She utilizes pilates movement strategies with her clients to gain pelvic stability, strength, and power. She also specializes in movement screening and retraining which focus on improving her client’s athletic performance and preventing injury.
Her professional development includes comprehensive pelvic health courses including the The Pelvic Floor series by Herman & Wallace Rehabilitation Institute, Mobilization of Visceral Fascia by Herman and Wallace Rehabilitation Institute, The Fundamentals in Topics of Pregnancy and Postpartum Physical Therapy by APTA, The Piston Science series by Julie Wiebe, comprehensive spine and orthopedic manual therapy courses, comprehensive certification as a STOTT Pilates™ instructor, certification as a Performance Matrix ™ movement specialist, and integration of GYROTONIC® movement concepts. In her free time, she enjoys practicing pilates and yoga, running, and skiing with her family.
DR. ANDREA ANSENBERGER, DC
Andrea holds a BS in Kinesiology and Exercise Science from Michigan State University. She earned her Doctor of Chiropractic degree from National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, IL. She is a certified pilates instructor, comprehensively trained by Polestar Pilates.
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A Chicago native, Andrea is a Chiropractic Physician and practices in Cambridge, MA. She has experience working with a variety of patients including professional athletes, collegiate sports teams and pregnant/postpartum women. With an extensive background in manual therapy, spinal manipulation and multiple soft tissue techniques, she decided to expand her skill set by becoming a Pilates instructor.
Andrea’s journey with Pilates started after failing to rehab her own injuries with traditional treatment interventions. She discovered Pilates and was amazed at how quickly it transformed her relationship with movement. Practicing Pilates not only identified faulty movement patterns, but helped her become less fearful of re-injury while allowing her to feel safe and confident in her own body. Andrea’s goal is to cultivate a positive movement experience for patients by empowering them to move in their own, unique bodies despite injuries and ailments. Pilates allows for endless movement opportunities and infinite ways to improve fitness.
Andrea completed her rehabilitation-focused comprehensive teacher training through Polestar Pilates at their flagship studio in Miami, FL. She has taken additional coursework including a pilates approach to lower extremity pathologies and joint replacements. Andrea enjoys travel and a good Charles River run, with the occasional half marathon.
DR. CATE MCPHERSON, PT, OCS
Cate received her Bachelor of Science in Health and Exercise Science from Wake Forest University and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California. After practicing for a few years, she became an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS). She then trained to become a Pilates instructor with BASI Pilates. She is also certified in dry needling through the American Academy of Manual Therapy.
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Cate found Pilates by chance, after moving to Colorado for her husband's residency. She fell in love with its mindful way of movement. She finds it helps her patients with their brain-body connection and offers patients a way to exercise without pain. Pilates helped her heal her diastasis recti after two pregnancies and she enjoys sharing this knowledge with her clients. She also enjoys the creative outlet of forming customized Pilates sessions for each client.
Clinically she enjoys working with a variety of patients from skilled athletes to older adults focused on balance. She also enjoys working with pregnant and postpartum women to improve back pain and strengthen their core. Cate is passionate about fitness and loves sharing her passion with patients. As an avid runner, she has experience helping runners reach new goals and prevent injury. Regardless of your background or injury, she utilizes evidence-based care, focused manual therapy and specific exercise selection including Pilates to help her patients reach and exceed their goals.
Outside of the clinic she enjoys distance running, Pilates, yoga, hiking, and spending quality time with her husband, two kids and their goldendoodle.
DR. ALLY ROGERSON, PT
She received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Northeastern University. Throughout her clinical training, Ally gained valuable experience in both outpatient orthopedic and acute care physical therapy settings, working in private clinics as well as hospital-affiliated facilities. Notably, Ally began as the intern at The Pilates RX before joining the team full time upon graduation.
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Ally earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Biochemistry from Mount Allison University located in New Brunswick, Canada in 2020, and her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Northeastern University. Throughout her clinical training, Ally has gained valuable experience in both outpatient orthopedic and acute care physical therapy settings, working in private clinics as well as hospital-affiliated facilities while integrating the Pilates method.
During her co-op experience at Spaulding Outpatient Rehabilitation Hospital, Ally was introduced to using pilates-based exercises for rehabilitation. Witnessing the profound impact of these exercises on whole body health, she became intrigued and committed to incorporating them into her work as a future clinical practitioner. Ally has always been driven by a passion for holistic health, and her experience interning with The Pilates RX affirmed that this environment aligns perfectly with her aspirations as a clinician. She has completed her comprehensive pilates teacher training with Polestar Pilates and integrated the pilates method into her treatments, helping her patients lead a healthy and balanced life.
NATALIE FAHRMANN, ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR
Highly organized and detail-oriented, Natalie is the cornerstone of our operations and the friendly face of our customer service. From managing schedules, maintaining waitlists, and supporting our clinicians, Natalie's touch is evident in every aspect of our workflow. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Natalie for support during your time as a client at The Pilates RX.
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For the past two years, Natalie has woven her magic behind the scenes, ensuring our business operates seamlessly. Highly organized and detail-oriented, Natalie is the cornerstone of our operations and the friendly face of our customer service. From managing schedules, maintaining waitlists, and supporting our clinicians, Natalie's touch is evident in every aspect of our workflow. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Natalie for support during your time as a client at The Pilates RX.
Prior to joining our team Natalie was an ultrasound technician for 22 years, and although she loved her job she was ready for a change. She decided to go down a new career path when her family moved from California to Alabama so she could be more attentive and available to her two daughters and her husband. She is happy to support The Pilates RX virtually.
In her free time, she loves to hike, get lost in books and spend time with her family and friends.