Florence Therapy
& Wellness
Mara Arlington, PT, DPT - Owner
Mara graduated from the University of Montana in Missoula with her Master’s degree in Physical Therapy in 2001. She initially worked in Alaska at a rural hospital experiencing everything “the final frontier” has to offer. She and her husband then returned to the Bitterroot in 2002 and currently live in the Florence area with their 2 sons and daughter. She has worked in several outpatient therapy clinics and hospitals throughout the region. Mara has a strong orthopedic clinical background and specializes in many manual techniques including, trigger point dry needling. She also specializes in hippotherapy, which is the utilization of horses in therapy treatment sessions. In her spare time Mara enjoys spending time with her family at the lake, hunting, running and horseback riding.
Rachel Willard, PT, DPT
Rachel received her bachelor degree in both Biology and Spanish from Hastings College in Nebraska and graduated from the University of Colorado Denver with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2017. Rachel grew up in northern Colorado and has been passionate about physical therapy as a profession since being a student-athlete in high school. Rachel has gained experience in many treatment techniques, including trigger point dry needling, therapeutic neuroscience education, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization. Rachel believes that attentive listening and developing a strong connection with patients are essential qualities to being a good therapist. When not working, Rachel and her husband enjoy spending time with their two dogs, Sage and Basil, in the outdoors hunting, fishing, backpacking, skiing and paddle boarding.
Sinead O'Dwyer, PT, DPT
Sinead O'Dwyer is a Wyoming native that recieved her Bachelor's from Bucknell University, where she was also a member of the swim team and cycling team. After graduation, she coached swimming and triathlon, raced short course triathlon professionally, and worked as a land-use planner in Colorado. She then transitioned her career to Physical Therapy, and earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Montana. Sinead has a specialized training in LSVT BIG for Parkinson's and related neurological disorders, pelvic floor therapy, return to sport, and pain neuroscience education. In her free time, she enjoys exploring Montana's dirt roads and trails by bike and foot.
Alese Larson, PTA, CDT
Alese recently moved to the Hamilton area from her hometown of Helena, MT and is enjoying everything the Bitterroot has to offer. She has a previous degree in secondary education from Montana State University but decided to go back to school in 2015 to study Physical Therapy Assisting. She enjoyed her time in Bozeman getting to ski and teach recreational volleyball classes at MSU. She graduated with her Physical Therapist Assisting degree in 2018 from Flathead Valley Community College. She enjoys helping people feel better with movement, function, and getting them back to the activities they love! She has been specially trained in Myofascial Release and is a Certified Lymphedema Therapist. She enjoys getting outside hiking, camping, and cross country skiing with her boyfriend Andrew and their puppy Nelli.
