Dr. Sheyi Ojofeitimi, DPT, OCS, CFMT, CIDN – Dr. Sheyi Ojofeitimi is Owner & Director of Synthesis Physical Therapy and creator of Body Shop Class, an interactive injury prevention and management workshop. She is a Certified Functional Manual Therapist (CFMT), Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) and has received advanced level training in The Thoracic Ring Approach. Dr. Ojofeitimi is also trained in visceral mobilization, craniosacral therapy, and integrative dry needling (IDN).
For over almost two decades, Dr. Ojofeitimi has been physical therapist with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Foundation; treating the professional dancers from the main (AAADT) and junior (Ailey II) companies, students, and staff of the organization. Dr. Ojofeitimi coordinates the medical and massage therapy services for both professional companies. For 10 years, Dr. Ojofeitimi was part of a team that conducted biomechanical and epidemiologic research to aid in the prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal injury in dancers at the Analysis of Dance and Movement (ADAM) Center. She is co-author on several dance medicine related peer-reviewed journal articles.
Dr. Ojofeitimi is a specialist in the treatment of lumbo-pelvic/sacro-coccygeal dysfunctions and has a passionate interest in connection between dysbiosis (gut dysfunction) and chronic pain/disease. Using a whole body functional approach that incorporates nutrition, Dr. Ojofeitimi treats each client as a unique individual.
Shaw Bronner PT, PhD, OCS earned her PhD at Rutgers University (formerly UMDNJ). Dr. Bronner is Director of the ADAM Center, where she and her team conduct research focused on dancers. Dr. Bronner also directs Physical Therapy Services at Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, in New York, where she created and coordinates the in-house program for the two companies and over 5,000 students annually. Her research on the Ailey program was able to demonstrate that an in-house program with emphasis on prevention and timely treatment reduces injuries, time loss, and is cost effective. In addition, Dr. Bronner is a visiting professor at Yale University, conducting brain imaging on motor behavior.
Dr. Bronner has published over 100 articles and abstracts on biomechanics, dance, orthopaedics, and neuroscience and presents frequently at national and international forums. Some of her research has included analysis of forces in tap dance, differences between sneakers in hip hop dance, and optimization theory in motor learning in dancers.
Dr. Bronner is on the editorial board of Medical Problems of Performing Artists and Journal of Dance Medicine & Science, Medical Task Force of Dance/USA, advisory board of Dance Teacher Magazine, and is a manuscript and abstract reviewer for 17 journals and professional organizations. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), Orthopaedic Section, Neurology Section, New York State Physical Therapy Association, International Association of Dance Medicine and Science (IADMS) and Society for Neuroscience. She previously served as Performing Arts Special Interest Group (PASIG) Secretary, Research Committee Chair, and Nominating Committee Chair.
Dr. Bronner uses a neuro-orthopaedic physical therapy treatment model incorporating the principles of motor learning and motor control combined with manual therapy. As a specialist in dance medicine, she has worked with dancers for over 20 years. This expertise benefits all her patients, from the athlete to those with neurologic problems to emphasize optimal functional outcomes.