September 2026 Newsletter
Celebrating the Life of Ryan Dulling, DPT
It is with profound sadness that the Foothills family remembers our colleague, friend, and mentor, Ryan Dulling, DPT, who passed away on August 7, 2026, at the age of 38.
Ryan made an impact that reached far beyond the walls of the clinic. Whether he was guiding a patient through their PT session or sharing his knowledge and insight with a fellow PT, he always gave his full attention. That genuine interest in others became a defining part of his life and the culture he created at Foothills.
A Physical Therapist Who Put People First
Ryan earned both his bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from East Tennessee State University. Over more than a decade in the profession, he continued to expand his clinical knowledge while sharing what he learned with others.
Ryan was also a guest clinician, lecturer, and educator who presented on subjects ranging from chronic pain to athlete movement analysis.
But credentials alone don’t explain what made Ryan special. Physical therapy gave Ryan the opportunity to meet people during difficult moments and stay alongside them as they worked toward the activities and lives that mattered to them.
He believed rehabilitation was about the person in front of him, and his commitment to individualized care helped shape the culture at Foothills. Ryan founded the practice with a clear purpose: to move away from high-volume care and give patients meaningful, one-on-one attention.
That philosophy will continue to remain essential to our approach.
The Person Behind the Physical Therapist
As much as Ryan cared about his profession, his greatest joy was his family.
He deeply loved his wife, Jenna, and treasured being a dad to Carson and Vivian. Family adventures, traveling together, and ordinary time at home all mattered to him. The activity was often secondary. Being together was what counted.
Ryan also knew how to enjoy life. He loved Tennessee football, the Boston Red Sox, snow skiing, traveling, and a Friday night at Señor Taco. He was someone equally comfortable challenging himself under a heavy barbell, skiing down a black diamond, and spending quiet time at home with his family.
A Legacy That Lives Through Foothills
Ryan’s loss is deeply felt by our entire team. We will remember him for his extraordinary joy and kindness, and as someone who could make the person he was speaking with feel like the only person in the room.
For everyone at Foothills, carrying Ryan’s legacy forward means continuing to care for people with the attention, compassion, curiosity, and commitment he valued so deeply.
We will miss Ryan as a colleague, a boss, a friend, and a physical therapist. More importantly, we will miss him as a man who made an extraordinary difference in his life.
Ryan’s influence will always remain part of Foothills. You’ll find it in the people he taught, the patients he helped, and the standard of care he inspired.
Knees Complaining? Hips Throwing a Fit?
Give Those Hardworking Joints a Little TLC With Physical Therapy
Picture it: You’ve been chilling on the couch for the better part of an evening (no judgment; we’ve all been there), but when it finally comes time to shuffle off to bed, you find yourself literally shuffling because your hips and knees are refusing to cooperate.
Sound familiar? Pain and stiffness in the hips and knees can definitely make everyday activities feel like way more of a production than they should. Worse, the discomfort can even drain your energy as you try to clear off your to-do list! It’s like your hips and knees don’t realize you have stuff to do, and they need to help.
Fortunately, there’s someone who can help get your joints back in line: the team at Foothills Physical Therapy Group. Working with a physical therapist can help improve your mobility, strength, and function by introducing you to targeted exercises and movement strategies centered around whatever it is that’s causing your joints to be recalcitrant.
Why Are My Hips and Knees So Cranky?
There are several reasons why hip or knee pain may develop, from a slip- or fall-related accident to an overuse injury. In many cases, it’s not one factor that causes your pain but a multitude of them, including:
- Repetitive movements during sports or recreational activities (who knew your signature dance moves could lead to pain)
- Jumping head-first (or feet-first, as the case may be) into a new workout routine without gradually introducing your joints to increased activity
- Muscle weakness throughout the lower body and core (sorry, you’re not getting out of those planks)
- Age-related changes to the tissues in your joints (and yet the birthdays keep coming)
Everyone’s different, so identifying these factors on your own can be challenging. We don’t recommend it. Instead, a physical therapy assessment can help point you in the right direction.
Physical Therapy to the Rescue!
The good news is that addressing hip and knee pain is exactly the kind of thing physical therapy is designed to do. Our team can help address pain and improve function through targeted strengthening exercises, movement retraining, and other techniques aimed at reducing pressure on the affected joint and helping the body move and function better overall.
So, What Happens at PT Anyway?
One of our physical therapists will perform a thorough physical examination and provide you with an individualized plan based on the findings. No pop quiz required!
Treatment plans are as unique as you are, but generally include the following:
Education
The more you know about your pain, the easier it is for you to be proactive about finding a solution. Understanding what is going on, and more importantly, what you can do about it, is an important part of getting back to the activities you enjoy. After all, knowledge is power, especially when your joints have been trying to run the show.
Exercise Therapy
In addition to general physical activity, targeted exercise is an important part of managing hip and knee pain. We’ll select the best exercises for your needs, monitor your progress, and advance your program based on how you do (and remember, this is a judgment-free zone).
Movement Training
Sometimes, when your hips and knees are in pain, you may change the way you move or walk without even realizing it. Other times, persistent pain can cause you to stop doing movements and activities that you once did regularly that helped keep your joints active and strong. We can help you gradually get those movements back on the guest list.
Advice to Stay Active
Pain in the lower extremities tends to impact balance, walking patterns, and overall quality of life, but you can manage and even counteract these ill effects by staying active. Don’t worry, though: we adhere to the idea that the best sort of movement is the kind you enjoy. To that end, we’ll show you modifications to painful tasks and suggest activities that will get you off the couch while still letting you have fun.
Ready to Put Some Pep Back in Your Step?
Your hips and knees have places to go, but complaining about every step wasn’t on the itinerary! Fortunately, physical therapy can help you move with greater comfort, strength, and confidence. Call Foothills Physical Therapy Group today to schedule your assessment and get moving again!
Sources: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/approach-to-the-adult-with-unspecified-hip-pain, https://painphysicianjournal.com/current/pdf?article=NTIwOQ%3D%3D&journal=111, https://www.oarsijournal.com/article/S1063-4584(02)90796-X/pdf, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1063458414013429, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8022067/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3261259/, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmn.2020.12.011
Staff Spotlight: Meet Forrest Dyer, DPT!
Forrest brings over a decade of experience to our team at Foothills Physical Therapy Group. He completed a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Cell and Molecular Biology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Forrest’s extensive background in sports and weightlifting informs his approach to treatment, and he places strong emphasis on effective evaluation of biomechanics, ultimately leading to pain reduction and stronger functional movements. Forrest focuses on biomechanical re-education and the regional interdependence model to rehabilitate not only the affected body part(s), but to also address the entire body and associated imbalances. He is trained in AAMT Spinal Manipulative Therapies and has extensive experience treating a broad array of conditions and injuries. When Forrest isn’t playing pick-up soccer, practicing conversational Japanese, or snowboarding with his wife, you’ll likely find him on his motorcycle, riding on our Tennessee backroads.
Summit Bodywork Is Officially Open!
What an incredible day! We’re excited to celebrate the Grand Opening of Summit Bodywork and officially welcome our community into this new space dedicated to recovery, restoration, and wellness.
From massage therapy and recovery services to esthetic treatments and more, Summit Bodywork was created to give you intentional time to take care of your body and feel your best.
Thank you to everyone who joined us, supported us, and helped make this day so special. We’re just getting started, and we can’t wait to welcome you in!
What Our Patients Are Saying
Hear How We’ve Helped Others Get Back to Life
★★★★★
“I have worked with PT Dr. Summer Calloway over the years. She helped me with back pain in 2024, and thanks to The exercises she gave me – and that I still do on my own at home—my back pain is gone and has not come back. Currently in 2026, I am working with her on a new approach to osteoarthritis in both feet, that I have had for a long time. She is easy-going and approachable and I really enjoy receiving treatment from her.”
— Jean
★★★★★
I’ve been dealing with lower back and neck pain for a while and have tried several Physical Therapy practices.
I’ve been very happy with the professionalism and personal attention I’ve received from my therapist, Skyler, and the entire staff.
Highly recommended 🤗
— Geno
★★★★★
Ryan, Summer, Forest, Becca, Lindsey and Zack make up a top notch team of kind, caring, and knowledgeable people that make you feel loved and welcome. They are ALL working together to get my shoulder back up to speed. Couldn’t recommend this place more. Thank you guys for going above and beyond with my care! ❤️
— Knox
Don’t Just Take Our Word For It
Hear How We’ve Helped Others Get Back to Life
Every story you’ll see here started with someone who just wanted to feel better and get back to living. These videos share what that journey looked like, what changed along the way, and why the right support made all the difference.
– Kent C.
Exercise of the Month
Exercise of the Month
Side Lying Hip Abduction
(Hips, Glutes)
Begin by lying on your side with your head supported by a pillow, hips stacked, and your bottom knee bent at 45 degrees to provide a stable base. Bracing your abdominals, slowly lift your top leg, keeping your foot parallel to the ground, hold as instructed, and then slowly lower your leg back to the floor. 3 Sets, 10 Reps. (Materials needed: pillow)
Recipe of the Month
10-Minute Sausage Skillet with Cherry Tomatoes and Broccolini
This one-pan dinner has a nice buttery sauce, so serve it with some crusty bread for mopping.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 12 ounces fully cooked Italian sausage (about 4 links), sliced into 1/4″-thick coins
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes
- 2 garlic cloves, pressed or finely chopped
- 4 sprigs thyme
- 2 bunches broccolini (about 1 pound), trimmed, halved lengthwise
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed
- Crusty bread (for serving; optional)
Instructions
- Cook the base. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, garlic, and thyme, stir to combine, and cook, pressing down on some of the tomatoes with the back of a wooden spoon to encourage bursting, 2 minutes. Add broccolini; season with salt and pepper. Cook, covered, 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in butter until melted.
- Serve. Divide sausage mixture among plates. Serve with bread alongside, if desired.
445Calories
36gTotal Fat
14gCarbs
17gProtein
We Are Hiring!
Join the Foothills PT Family
Are you passionate about helping others get back to life? We are looking for dedicated professionals to join our team. Discover a supportive environment where your career can truly grow.
