About Us

Our Treatment Philosophy

Jennifer Chu, MS, PT, WCS created ITR Physical Therapy in 2001 because she believed that each patient deserves to be treated in a caring and supportive environment while receiving quality one on one care and rehabilitation.  Jennifer and her staff at ITR come together with the same philosophy- that you deserve the best holistic approach to your health and wellness. ITR’s staff emphasizes open communication between you, your physical therapist and your physician with a special understanding of the issues affecting women’s and men’s health with a manual therapy approach.

ITR Physical Therapy has made a strong commitment to continuing education and the exploration of the industry’s newest healing approaches.  Each physical therapist is dedicated to continually seek educational opportunities and technological advances in this field to better serve your healthcare needs.

Each physical therapy treatment session lasts approximately an hour where you will receive the specialized treatment, personal attention and education needed to maximize your function, health and wellness.   It is ITR’s goal to assist you in every step of your recovery process—supporting your return to a full healthy life.

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Over 20 Years of Experience in Women's and Men's Health and Manual Therapy

Mind-Body Coaching Near Me

Jennifer L. Chu, MS, PT, WCS

Board Certified Women's Health Specialist

Bachelor of Science, Sports Medicine
University of Virginia, 1995

Master of Science, Physical Therapy
Duke University, 1997

Jennifer Chu, MS, PT, WCS is a Board Certified Women’s Health Specialists. She has been a physical therapist since 1997 when she started her career working with musculoskeletal injuries in an outpatient orthopedic clinic. It was here that Jennifer began her specialty in women’s health. In 2001 she opened ITR Physical Therapy in order to create an environment where patients would receive the individualized, quality and manual care that she believes each patient deserves.

Jennifer has spoken nationally at the American Physical Therapy Association’s Annual Conference and Exposition and has sat on the Board of Directors as the Director of Communication for the APTA’s Section on Women’s Health. She has participated in clinical research regarding myofascial soft tissue release techniques for painful bladder syndrome and painful C section scars. Jennifer’s dedication to a truly holistic approach, along with her own health journey has led her on a path to train to become a Mind-Body Health Coach. Her physical therapy combined with her coaching and understanding of functional nutrition helps her to treat each patient as a whole-being and not just a pelvis. She is committed to teaching and empowering women and men with pelvic floor dysfunctions how to help themselves.

When not working, Jennifer treasures being the mother of two amazing little girls, practicing yoga, meditation and spending time with her friends and family.

Lauren Starace, PT, MSPT, PYT-c, RYT-200

Lauren Starace, PT, MSPT, PYT-c, RYT-200

Master of Science, Physical Therapy
Springfield College, 2006

Lauren began her career in geriatrics working in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. After 2 years, Lauren wanted some more adventure in her life and she began traveling PT where she gained experience working throughout the country in NJ, MA, CA, MD, and DC. As she traveled and learned more and more about herself and her career choice, she stumbled upon something new – pelvic floor PT. She became interested in this area in 2010 and decided make a big change from geriatrics into the world of pelvic floor.

Lauren found her true passion in pelvic health, treating women and men with complex pelvic issues for all ages. She has taken multiple levels of education in this area through Herman and Wallace. She furthered her education at Michigan State University School of Osteopathic Medicine learning muscle energy techniques for the spine and visceral mobilization through the Barral Institute and Herman and Wallace. She has since added to her repertoire with yoga, finishing her 200 hour teacher training, as well as starting training through the Professional Yoga Therapy Institute to become a Professional Yoga Therapist. She has found so much enjoyment in combining yoga with PT and is excited to continue to build on this. She believes in integrated medicine to combine all facets of her patients’ lives – physical, psycho-social emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and energetic. She feels truly grateful to have found a way to combine her 2 passions, yoga and pelvic PT, and to be able to share this with her patients.

Lauren also loves combining her love of children with pelvic health by helping our pediatric patients with both bowel and bladder issues.

In her spare time Lauren enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 step-children as well as practicing yoga and going for long walks outside.

Amy Bristol - Office Manager

Amy Bristol

Amy is the office manager for ITR Physical Therapy. As a former high school English and Spanish teacher, foster mom, and homeschooling parent, Amy brings a love for clear communication and making each connection matter. In her spare time, she likes to cook, knit, and go birding with her husband.

Ellicia D. Jacobs, PT, DPT, CLT

Ellicia D. Jacobs, PT, DPT, CLT 

Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science 
Old Dominion University, 2012

Doctorate in Physical Therapy 
Marymount University, 2015 

Ellicia started her career as a pelvic health and orthopedic physical therapist at an outpatient clinic in Virginia. Within the first year of practicing she also received her certificate in lymphatic therapy from the Academy of Lymphatic Studies and began working with lymphedema, oncology, and pelvic congestion populations.  

Throughout the years her passion for pelvic health and pelvic floor dysfunction has continued to grow and remains the focus of her post-graduate coursework. Ellicia has taken advanced courses in women’s and men’s pelvic health, visceral manipulation, myofascial release, and dynamic neuromuscular stabilization. 

Taking a holistic approach, Ellicia’s work is grounded in empowering people to aid in the healing of both their mind and body throughout their time in physical therapy. 

Ellicia has spent most of her life traveling across the U.S. and abroad. Currently she resides in Arlington, VA.

Terri Lannigan, PT, DPT, OCS

Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist

Doctor of Physical Therapy
Marymount University, 2012

After a career in international affairs, Terri returned to school to pursue her interests in movement and rehabilitation. She started her physical therapy career with a focus on patients with orthopedic conditions, especially low back and pelvic girdle pain and hip conditions. During this time, she obtained Board Certification in Orthopedics.

Realizing that the pelvic floor was an often overlooked muscle group in orthopedics, Terri started her education for the treatment of pelvic floor conditions for male and female patients in 2016. Her ongoing continuing education focuses on pelvic health conditions with a goal of taking the pelvic floor specialist exam. She uses manual techniques, muscle retraining, and therapeutic movement, employing a holistic approach to help her patients get back to the activities they love.

Outside of work, she enjoys travel, hiking, photography and spending time with family.

Yvonne Sciascia, PT, DPT, OCS, CD-L

Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist

Doctor of Physical Therapy
Columbia University, 2019

Orthopedic Residency
University of Chicago, 2020

Yvonne discovered her passion for ​pelvic health as a graduate student, catching a glimpse of the world of pelvic health while working with expert clinicians. She started her career in residency at the University of Chicago Medical Center working in an outpatient orthopedic environment learning in-depth manual therapy techniques as well as the application of current research through didactic course work. She then went on to work in an outpatient setting primarily focused on higher level athletic injuries, with an emphasis on female athletes and patients with all types of pelvic floor dysfunctions.

After a lot of experience working with many pregnant and postpartum patients she became increasingly interested in expanding her knowledge of the pregnancy process. This led her to complete her labor doula training and now enjoys helping friends and family through the birth planning. She ​is​ committed to expanding her education by taking advanced courses offered through the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy.

Yvonne enjoys working with pregnant and postpartum patients, helping those with pelvic pain conditions, and runners with pelvic floor dysfunction. She uses a combination of manual therapy, exercise, dynamic movements, and neuromuscular re-education.

In her spare time she enjoys playing with her chow chow puppy, running, and working out at the gym.

2 LOCATIONS:   BETHESDA, MD. 4905 Del Ray Ave, Suite 302   |   MCLEAN, VA. 1305 Vincent Place