Holistic Physical Therapy for your Longevity
Expert Osteopathy, Pelvic Floor, and Craniofacial therapy. Postural Restoration Certified. Chicago and Virtual.
Transform Your Health with Physical Therapy and Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy
2 unique treatments, 1 goal.
To bring expert science- backed care to meet your goals. Unlock nasal breathing, eliminate pain, and restore movement to optimize sleep, performance, and longevity.
Why Choose Us?
Discover the unique benefits and features that set us apart
Meet Dr. Noelle Ekonomou, DPT, PRC
Dr. Ekonomou earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Saint Louis University in 2017 and her PRC (Postural Restoration Institute) certification in 2019. She was the youngest clinician to achieve the PRC distinction and is currently the only PRI provider in Downtown Chicago.
Her unique approach blends Postural Restoration, pelvic floor therapy, and osteopathic manual therapy to treat orthopedic injuries, prenatal/postpartum, and airway and craniofacial pain. She has advanced training in the Postural Restoration Institute, Hermann & Wallace Institute for Pelvic health, Upledger Institute for Craniosacral therapy, and Buyteko Breathing International. She combines these therapies for healing and restoring painfree movement, optimal sleep and nervous system regulation.
She is passionate about helping patients move better, breathe easier, and feel stronger. In 2019 she became certified in apparatus Pilates and has been teaching ever since. She will be teaching private Pilates at The Sol Room in addition to providing physical therapy. After overcoming her own chronic injuries, Noelle ran the Marine Corps Marathon in 2024 and became an advanced scuba diver in 2025. In her free time she enjoys traveling, running, training for a race, and playing classical piano. She wants her patients to know how adaptable and resilient their bodies are and looks forward to working with you!
I have a complicated medical history and have been through just about every kind of treatment out there. Over the years, I have seen 9 different physical therapists, and Noelle is like no other. She is the first, and only, healthcare provider who understood how my various problems integrated through my whole body. Not only was her treatment more systematic and effective than other PT I’ve had, but she referred me to the very specific specialists I needed to pull everything together to get my body working. Between the treatment she gave me directly and the doctors she sent me to, I am not exaggerating when I say Noelle changed my life. I am more stable and functional than I ever dreamed I could be, and I owe that to Noelle. Go see her. You might not even be able to imagine how much she can help you. — Kahlin N.
Noelle is a life-changing physical therapist. I have hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and suffer from chronic pain and fatigue. I worked with numerous providers for over a decade before finding Noelle. Her whole-body approach helped identify and break patterns that were keeping me in a cycle of chronic pain. She makes it safe to tell her when something isn't working and adapts quickly as my body changes in response to treatment. She is deeply committed to helping me heal and thrive. — Sarah K
I can’t recommend Noelle highly enough. As a Postural Restoration Institute–trained physical therapist, she brings an extraordinary level of precision and thoughtfulness to her work. From the very first session, it was clear that she wasn’t just treating a sore shoulder or a tight hip—she was evaluating an entire system.
Her attention to detail is exceptional. She looks at how your feet interact with the ground, how your pelvis is positioned, how your ribcage moves when you breathe, how your traps, shoulders, and neck compensate, and how all of it connects. She understands that pain or immobility in one area is often the downstream effect of something happening elsewhere. Rather than chasing symptoms, she identifies the true drivers.
What sets her apart is her integrated approach. She emphasizes that wellness is systemic—breathing mechanics influence posture; posture influences joint loading; joint loading influences muscle tone and movement patterns. She explains how proper diaphragmatic breathing supports rib positioning, spinal alignment, and pelvic stability. She even considers factors many practitioners overlook, like dental work, jaw alignment, and nasal airway function—recognizing how the mouth and nose affect breathing patterns, and therefore posture and overall biomechanics.
Her therapy programs are highly personalized. No cookie-cutter exercises. Every movement is tailored to your specific asymmetries and compensations. And remarkably, the adjustments are often subtle and accessible—small, intentional exercises you can do at home that create significant change. Within weeks, I noticed improvements not just in pain reduction, but in mobility, balance, and overall body awareness.
Equally impressive is her collaborative approach. She works closely with dentists, rehabilitation medicine physicians, and other healthcare professionals to ensure care is coordinated and comprehensive. She understands that complex biomechanical issues often benefit from a team-based strategy, and she communicates thoughtfully with other providers to align treatment plans for the best possible outcomes.
She empowers her patients with understanding. You leave not only feeling better, but knowing why you feel better—and what to do to maintain it.
If you want a physical therapist who sees the body as an integrated, intelligent system and who combines deep technical expertise with practical, life-changing strategies, she is exceptional. — Mark D.
When I learned about Postural Restoration Institute (PRI) concepts, I found Noelle. She had the three main knowledge, I felt would help me. She is a pelvic floor specialist, Pilates instructor, and a PRI certified practitioner.
Noelle has helped me with my recovery from my broken ankle and has helped me manage my chronic lower back pain and hyper mobility. She has also helped me with nutrition. With her help I have been able to get back to walking my 2 big dogs, play with my 1 year old grand-baby, and enjoy my work as a massage therapist. She is who I recommend first when asked for physical therapist recommendations. Massage therapy helps with body awareness. Learning to move better is what keeps you living without pain. Noelle can help you. I am grateful to have found her when I did. If you’re healing from an injury or you’ve been living with pain that limits you, I truly believe Noelle can help you. If you’re fortunate enough to have an in person session with her she has so much knowledge of manual therapy, cranial sacral therapy, dry needling.However with her skills in movement assessments she is able to work virtually as well. She can see movements done properly and able to help you alter movements that are not. She’s truly gifted.
Thank you Noelle for your service, your commitment to your continued education. It shows dedication to your craft and profession. — Jacquie G
Impossible to overstate how life-changing Noelle's treatment has been. So much more than the exercises...the insight and concern and thoughtfulness about my whole person, I now have my life back. Very lucky to have found her in the sea of sameness and charlatans out there. — Darren G
Working with a physical therapist who truly understands the connection between breathing, posture, and chronic pain has been incredible. My scoliosis-related pain is finally manageable. — David K.
The postpartum pelvic floor rehabilitation was life-changing. Noelle's combination of PRI and pelvic floor expertise helped me return to CrossFit with confidence. I wish I had found her sooner. — Jessica L.
Noelle’s combination of PRI-based rigor, deep experience with manual techniques, and incredible intuition makes her a one-of-a-kind physical therapist. When I first started working with her, I could only walk 2,000 steps a day and I was in a lot of pain. Within 9 months, my pain was cut in half and I could walk 7,000 steps a day. I can’t say enough good things about her. — Katie
After years of chronic jaw pain and headaches, I finally found relief. The PRI approach addressed issues I didn't even know were connected to my symptoms. Dr. Ekonomou's expertise in TMJ and airway disorders is unmatched. — Sarah M.
I am hypermobile and I needed a Physical Therapist who could tailor strength training to my body, and when necessary, identify and treat acute issues. Noelle pulled together exercises that were specialized to my needs and were highly effective. They built over time and you could see and feel the results. She also has a very deep ‘toolbox’ of resources to draw upon for treating acute issues. She gets her treatment ‘right’ the first time without any kind of ‘backlash’ from other parts of your body. She listens, is encouraging, supportive, and she is innovative with her treatments. Highly, highly recommend! — Rachel D
I worked with Noelle for approximately six months in 2025. Noelle's focus was on my breathing, posture and flexibility. When we started working together, I was experiencing tightness in my shoulders, back and hips. With her patience and guidance, I was able to alleviate (or eliminate) most of the symptoms.
My breathing habits weren't something that I was even aware of when I started working with Noelle. I am still making adjustments, but I am now more mindful of my breathing and, thanks to Noelle's supply of colorful balloons, I have made progress.
Noelle's suggestion that she tape me as I did exercises in her studio was a game-changer. Being able to see and review the videos on my phone as I do exercises at home, has been very helpful. I still regularly review the videos for guidance. — Jay Y
I have worked with Noelle for years. She has helped me enormously with my neck, jaw, and back pain. Because of her, I experience less headaches and have an improved posture. Highly recommend! — Jennifer M
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about treatment at Origins Physical Therapy
What is Postural Restoration (PRI)?PRI is a science-based approach that recognizes the asymmetrical nature of the human body. PRI therapists are trained to detect asymmetrical patterns, understanding that the left and right sides of our body and diaphragm, the lateralization of our brain hemispheres, and our environment can lead to neuromuscular patterns which become dysfunctional. These postural dysfunctions can lead to impingement, instabilities, scoliosis, chronic sprains/strains, neck/jaw pain, and pelvic pain. Treatment includes manual and non-manual techniques, neurosensory integration, and sometimes multidisciplinary intervention.What should I expect at my first appointment?Your initial consultation is 60-80 minutes and includes a comprehensive evaluation of posture, breathing patterns, movement quality, and specific areas of concern. We'll discuss your health history, goals, and create a personalized treatment plan. This session often includes ample time for treatment, including manual therapy. Please wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely.Do you accept Insurance? We are self pay, Out of Network clinic in Chicago’s West Loop, offering personalized physical therapy without the limitations of insurance coverage. This approach allows us to provide longer, individualized sessions for PRI, pelvic floor therapy, manual therapy, and Pilates.
We provide transparent pricing, superbills for insurance reimbursement, and flexible payment options to make care accessible and convenient. Choosing a cash-based model means you receive focused, high-quality treatment tailored to your unique needs, without the restrictions of insurance visits.
Evaluations are 60-90 minutes, follow ups are 60 minutes, and we also offer 30-minute short sessions for dry needling, cupping, and myofunctional therapy. Do you offer virtual consultations?Yes, we offer virtual consultations for initial evaluations, follow-up care, and exercise programming. Many PRI techniques and exercises can be effectively taught and monitored remotely. Virtual sessions are a great option for patients who travel frequently or live outside our immediate area.Do you work with dentists for TMJ treatment?Yes! Dr. Ekonomou has extensive experience collaborating with dentists and oral surgeons for comprehensive TMJ and airway treatment. She has worked alongside airway/TMJ specialists providing co-treatments for patients undergoing MARPE expansion, tongue/lip tie releases, splint therapy, and jaw surgery. This interdisciplinary approach ensures the best outcomes for complex cases.What is dry needling and is it painful?Dry needling uses a thin filament needle to target myofascial trigger points, reducing muscle tension and improving mobility. Most patients experience minimal discomfort—you may feel a brief muscle twitch or cramping sensation. The treatment is combined with movement retraining for lasting results. It's an effective tool for pain modulation and addressing chronic muscle tension.How is pelvic floor PT different from traditional PT?Pelvic floor physical therapy includes specialized internal and external assessment and treatment of the pelvic floor muscles. We address concerns like incontinence, pelvic pain, painful sex, and postpartum recovery using techniques including visceral mobilization, manual muscle releases, dry needling, scar massage, and breathing re-training. Our approach integrates pelvic floor work with PRI for comprehensive results.Do I need an internal pelvic exam? An internal exam is not required and is always discussed beforehand. Internal assessment or treatment may be recommended if appropriate, but consent is obtained at every visit. External techniques alone can be very effective, and your comfort level always guides the plan of care. It is so important to us that you know we respect your faith traditions and are happy to hold any boundaries that come with those. Some religions may restrict certain types of pelvic floor treatment you receive (i.e. they may not permit the use of a pelvic wand.) If any of this is true for you, this is a safe place for you.Can Pelvic Floor Therapy help with painful sex? Yes. Pelvic floor physical therapy is a highly effective treatment for painful sex (dyspareunia) and conditions such as vulvodynia. Therapy focuses on reducing muscle tension, improving mobility, addressing scar tissue, and retraining the pelvic floor to function without pain.What are PRI custom orthotics?PRI orthotics are specialized insoles designed using Postural Restoration principles. Unlike generic orthotics, they provide specific sensory input to help your brain and body recognize neutral alignment. They support proper weight distribution and address asymmetrical patterns from the ground up, complementing your treatment plan.Can PRI help with hypermobility or Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)?Yes. Our physical therapy approach is tailored for patients with hypermobility or EDS, focusing on joint stability, core and pelvic floor strength, and safe movement. Techniques may include PRI exercises, osteropathy, kinesiotaping to address upper cervical instability, shoulder subluxations, and pelvic instability. Noelle also has extensive history treating patients with upper cervical fusions. All therapy is customized to reduce pain, improve function, and support daily activities. Pilates is also utilized to help improve proprioceptive control, balance, and core strengthening to support joint stability, injury prevention, and strengthening. You can find EDS and hypermobility treatment at Origins Physical Therapy in West Loop, Chicago. Visit us
West Loop Chicago and Virtual to serve you.
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