Amee L Seitz

Amee L Seitz, PT, DPT, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine. Her academic responsibilities focus on clinical management of musculoskeletal disorders, with specialized leadership in shoulder content instruction.

Her educational background includes:

• PT: Ohio University (1993)
• MS: MGH Institute of Health Professions (2004)
• DPT: MGH Institute of Health Professions (2006)
• PhD: Virginia Commonwealth University (2010)

Dr. Seitz specializes in orthopaedic physical therapy with research centered on optimizing treatment for musculoskeletal disorders, particularly shoulder and lumbar spine conditions. Her integrative approach examines neuromuscular and biomechanical mechanisms to improve evaluation, classification, and interventions. She is a strong advocate for guideline-based clinical care and has co-authored multiple clinical practice guidelines for shoulder disorder rehabilitation through the American Physical Therapy Association and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Her recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on shoulder pathology (particularly frozen shoulder), clinical guideline development, biomechanical analysis of shoulder function, and algorithm-based approaches to low back pain management. This research portfolio reveals strong translational emphasis bridging laboratory findings to clinical applications.

Scientific awards include:

• Outstanding Teacher Award (2022, 2021)
• James A Gould Excellence in Teaching Award (2018)
• John X. Thomas Best Teachers Award (2017)
• Clinical Research Award (2013)
• Founders Award (2009)

Dr. Seitz mentors PhD students in dual-degree programs (MD/PhD and DPT/PhD), with notable advisee Kosta Nicolozakes. Her professional leadership includes serving as Chair of the Research Committee for the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy and editorial board membership for the Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy. She directs the Musculoskeletal Biomotion Research Laboratory, which employs advanced methodologies including EMG, movement control analysis, and quantitative MRI.

The Musculoskeletal Biomotion Research Laboratory, affiliated with the Northwestern University Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (NUCATS), focuses on neuromuscular and biomechanical mechanisms in musculoskeletal disorders. Current research directions include algorithm-based treatment protocols for emergency department settings and international consensus development for frozen shoulder management.