Our Team

Meet Our Team

Meet Our Team

Amy Downing, PT, Owner

Amy has more than 27 years of experience as a physical therapist and earned both her bachelor’s and physical therapy degree from St. Louis University. She graduated in 1990 and gained unique and specialized experiences from settings in which she worked including The Rehab Institute of Chicago, Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, MO, and Sister Kenney Institute in Minneapolis. Amy moved to Montana in 1999. She worked in outpatient settings throughout Missoula as she raised her children.

Amy took over Element Physical Therapy in February 2011 and has enjoyed putting her own expertise and personal flare into the clinic. She has a keen interest in balance rehab, concussions and working with the patient with dizziness and vertigo as she herself has bilateral Meniere’s disease, 3PD, and a left perilymphatic fistula (after performing a 25 foot free dive off the coast of Kona, HI with her kids.) She invested in state of the art equipment to help diagnosis and treat the most challenging cases. Amy is Emory University certified in vestibular rehabilitation which is the highest level of certification in our field for dizziness, balance and
concussion treatment. She also enjoys working with orthopedic patients as she herself played Junior Olympic and collegiate volleyball. Amy is married, has four grown children, and enjoys volunteering and playing golf with friends.

Amy Downing
PT, Owner

Amy has more than 27 years of experience as a physical therapist and earned both her bachelor’s and physical therapy degree from St. Louis University. She graduated in 1990 and gained unique and specialized experiences from settings in which she worked including The Rehab Institute of Chicago, Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, MO, and Sister Kenney Institute in Minneapolis. Amy moved to Montana in 1999. She worked in outpatient settings throughout Missoula as she raised her children.

Amy took over Element Physical Therapy in February 2011 and has enjoyed putting her own expertise and personal flare into the clinic. She has a keen interest in balance rehab, concussions and working with the patient with dizziness and vertigo as she herself has bilateral Meniere’s disease, 3PD, and a left perilymphatic fistula (after performing a 25 foot free dive off the coast of Kona, HI with her kids.) She invested in state of the art equipment to help diagnosis and treat the most challenging cases. Amy is Emory University certified in vestibular rehabilitation which is the highest level of certification in our field for dizziness, balance and
concussion treatment. She also enjoys working with orthopedic patients as she herself played Junior Olympic and collegiate volleyball. Amy is married, has four grown children, and enjoys volunteering and playing golf with friends.

Lindsay Abrams, DPT

Lindsay is a native Missoulian who earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from the University of Montana (U of M) in 2006 before receiving her doctorate of physical therapy (DPT) from the U of M in 2010. After graduating, she obtained her lymphedema certification from Klose Training institute. Lindsay’s continuing education also includes breast cancer rehabilitation, intramuscular stimulation (dry needling), strain counter strain (cranium, spine, and extremities), TMJ dysfunction, and vestibular rehabilitation.

Lindsay enjoys treating a variety of clientele, from general orthopedics to oncology and vestibular dysfunction. Outside of work, Lindsay enjoys spending time with her husband and family, as well as skiing, snow shoeing, hiking, road biking and running.

Lindsay Abrams
DPT

Lindsay is a native Missoulian who earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from the University of Montana (U of M) in 2006 before receiving her doctorate of physical therapy (DPT) from the U of M in 2010. After graduating, she obtained her lymphedema certification from Klose Training institute. Lindsay’s continuing education also includes breast cancer rehabilitation, intramuscular stimulation (dry needling), strain counter strain (cranium, spine, and extremities), TMJ dysfunction, and vestibular rehabilitation.

Lindsay enjoys treating a variety of clientele, from general orthopedics to oncology and vestibular dysfunction. Outside of work, Lindsay enjoys spending time with her husband and family, as well as skiing, snow shoeing, hiking, road biking and running.

Kristen Bade, DPT

Kristen graduated from Eastern Washington University in 2014 with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Since graduation she has primarily treated orthopedic injuries and has been working on a manual therapy certification through NAIOMT. During her time working at element she has received specialized training in vestibular rehabilitation and treatment of concussions. In addition to physical therapy certifications, Kristen has also completed a 200 hour yoga teacher training and Pilates mat training.

Outside of work Kristen spends most of her time enjoying the outdoors and participating in recreational activities like mountain biking, skiing, and whitewater kayaking

Kristen Bade
DPT

Kristen Bade graduated from Eastern Washington University in 2014 with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Since graduation she has primarily treated orthopedic injuries and has been working on a manual therapy certification through NAIOMT. During her time working at element she has received specialized training in vestibular rehabilitation and treatment of concussions. In addition to physical therapy certifications, Kristen has also completed a 200 hour yoga teacher training and Pilates mat training.

Outside of work Kristen spends most of her time enjoying the outdoors and participating in recreational activities like mountain biking, skiing, and whitewater kayaking

Jennifer Allred, DPT

Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Human Performance, Exercise Physiology from the University of Montana (U of M) in 2003 before receiving her doctorate in physical therapy (DPT) from the U of M in 2006.  Jennifer recently relocated back to Missoula having lived and worked in both Las Vegas, Nevada and Bellevue, Washington.  She recently worked for Swedish Hospital in Issaquah, Washington and has practiced in both acute care and outpatient settings throughout her career.  She enjoys treating a variety of clientele, from orthopedics, sports injury, and balance disorders to neurological conditions. She has focused her continuing education as such, on total brain injury, spinal cord injury, and stroke rehabilitation as well as sports conditioning and Pilates rehabilitation. She prefers to spend her free time with her family.

Jennifer Allred
DPT

Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Human Performance, Exercise Physiology from the University of Montana (U of M) in 2003 before receiving her doctorate in physical therapy (DPT) from the U of M in 2006.  Jennifer recently relocated back to Missoula having lived and worked in both Las Vegas, Nevada and Bellevue, Washington.  She recently worked for Swedish Hospital in Issaquah, Washington and has practiced in both acute care and outpatient settings throughout her career.  She enjoys treating a variety of clientele, from orthopedics, sports injury, and balance disorders to neurological conditions. She has focused her continuing education as such, on total brain injury, spinal cord injury, and stroke rehabilitation as well as sports conditioning and Pilates rehabilitation. She prefers to spend her free time with her family.

Jeanine James, DPT

Jeanine is originally from upstate NY where she received her undergraduate degree and Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Ithaca College. She lived in Seattle for about 8 years after graduate school, working as a Physical Therapist at Virginia Mason Medical Center in their inpatient neurologic
rehabilitation unit. She was thrilled for her move here to Missoula in 2018 for her husband’s work. She enjoys treating a variety of patients but her special interest is treating people with neurological deficits: stroke, MS, Parkinson’s, brain injury, etc… She is a Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist and is also a certified LSVT BIG clinician (movement therapy for people with Parkinson’s Disease). She has pursued continuing education in vestibular rehabilitation and concussion management. She also works part time at St Patrick Hospital in order to keep up her inpatient acute care hospital skills.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, Jon, and Golden Retriever pup, Finn. She enjoys a multitude of outdoor recreation: hiking, biking, skiing, and camping. She also enjoys cooking, trying new foods / recipes, and having friends / family over for dinner.

Jeanine James
DPT

Jeanine is originally from upstate NY where she received her undergraduate degree and Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Ithaca College. She lived in Seattle for about 8 years after graduate school, working as a Physical Therapist at Virginia Mason Medical Center in their inpatient neurologic rehabilitation unit. She was thrilled for her move here to Missoula in 2018 for her husband’s work. She enjoys treating a variety of patients but her special interest is treating people with neurological deficits: stroke, MS, Parkinson’s, brain injury, etc… She is a Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist and is also a certified LSVT BIG clinician (movement therapy for people with Parkinson’s Disease). She has pursued continuing education in vestibular rehabilitation and concussion management. She also works part time at St Patrick Hospital in order to keep up her inpatient acute care hospital skills.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, Jon, and Golden Retriever pup, Finn. She enjoys a multitude of outdoor recreation: hiking, biking, skiing, and camping. She also enjoys cooking, trying new foods / recipes, and having friends / family over for dinner.

Jill Johns
Administrative Executive

Jill started at Element Physical Therapy in April 2018. She brings with her over 20 years of experience in accounting processes and technology, financial forecasting and reporting as well as budgeting and management. Over her accounting career, Jill has held positions like; Budget Analyst IV for the University of Montana Administration and Finance area, Director of Fiscal Affairs and Personnel for the University of Montana, College of Visual and Performing Arts and Assistant Chief Deputy Treasurer, for Missoula County. She has taught many Professional Development workshops and has won awards for her customer service and has a professional degree in event planning.

Jill and her husband moved to Missoula in 1994, from Butte, where they both were born and raised. Jill and her husband have 3 children and 6 grandchildren. When she is not working she enjoys spending time with her family, the outdoors, planning parties and decorating houses.

Jill Johns
Administrative Executive

Jill started at Element Physical Therapy in April 2018. She brings with her over 20 years of experience in accounting processes and technology, financial forecasting and reporting as well as budgeting and management. Over her accounting career, Jill has held positions like; Budget Analyst IV for the University of Montana Administration and Finance area, Director of Fiscal Affairs and Personnel for the University of Montana, College of Visual and Performing Arts and Assistant Chief Deputy Treasurer, for Missoula County. She has taught many Professional Development workshops and has won awards for her customer service and has a professional degree in event planning.

Jill and her husband moved to Missoula in 1994, from Butte, where they both were born and raised. Jill and her husband have 3 children and 6 grandchildren. When she is not working she enjoys spending time with her family, the outdoors, planning parties and decorating houses.