Jeannie Wagner has been a practicing Physical Therapist for more than 27 years. A Chicago native, she began her practice in an outpatient setting after graduating from the University of Iowa in 1991, and then from Rocky Mountain University with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2008.
She worked at Marquette General Hospital for 18 years, where she started the hand therapy program. After her time at MGH, she opened Balanced Body Physical Therapy and operated for 10 years with her colleague and business partner Laurie Smith. Jeannie and Laurie both joined the Active team in early 2017. At Active, Jeannie currently treats a variety of patients who represent a wide range of ages and backgrounds; and she has a special clinical interest in distance runners and cross-country skiers.
Among other things, Jeannie carries a specialist certification in Lymphedema management, which she earned through a rigorous process. The CLT-LANA credential is earned through the Lymphology Association of North America (LANA) by completing an intensive 135 hour on-site training course. CLT-LANA candidates must then complete 1 full year of patient care, utilizing the techniques learned during on-site training. Once this one-year care period is finished, candidates are eligible to sit for a comprehensive exam. Only those who complete and pass all the steps in this process are awarded the prestigious CLT-LANA credential. Currently, there are no other Physical Therapists within a 100-mile radius of Marquette who carry this specialized certification.
Wagner earned her CLT-LANA credential in 2010. Her interest in the subject of lymphedema management began during her time at Balanced Body Physical Therapy. At Balanced Body, women’s health was a main focus of their practice. As an expert in caring for upper extremity dysfunction, Jeannie treated post mastectomy patients who had complex shoulder and lymphedema issues.
“I initially became interested in lymphedema when I began to care for patients at Balanced Body who had recently undergone a mastectomy. As a result, many patients suffer from shoulder problems and lymphedema. I really enjoyed helping women not only restore function to their shoulders and lymph system, but also their sense of self.”
For more information on the benefits of lymphedema therapy, please click here to see our lymphedema management page. If you or someone you know needs care for lymphedema, please give us a call at (906)-226-0574.