Alix Sorrel, PT, DPT, OCS, Cert. DN, PCES, NCPT
Alix Sorrel’s journey to becoming a board certified Orthopedic Physical Therapy Specialist and opening her own practice began with a simple desire that blossomed into a passion: to help people take the steps necessary to make their body a complete, whole and fully integrated unit. “I want people to learn how to move in a way that their body works for them rather than against them,” she says earnestly. At a young age, Alix was profoundly moved when she attended physical therapy for a sports injury.
Changed by what she experienced, Alix recognized her life’s mission, and set out to fulfill her passion. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology/ Human Movement from Louisiana State University in 2006, and after deciding to take her education to the highest level earned a Doctorate in Physical Therapy at the University of Saint Augustine in 2008. She continued to further her education and expertise by obtaining a Board Certified Orthopedic Physical Therapy Specialist.
Today, Alix is living her dream. She opened Integrated Physical Therapy in 2011, fulfilling the mission she set for herself many years ago…allowing her to integrate Pilates Rehabilitation into her physical therapy practice. “I enjoy providing one on one Physical Therapy Treatment and Pilates wellness services to my clients,” she says proudly. Alix is a local Educator with Polestar Pilates Education and a Certified Pilates Instructor through the National Pilates Certification Program.
Her unique practice of physical therapy involves the following:
- Integrating manual therapy, dry needling, and Pilates based rehabilitation to treat Orthopedic injuries
- Scoliosis Treatment with the Schroth Method
- Women’s health adversely affected by pelvic floor dysfunction, as well as pre/postnatal conditions, and incorporating Pilates rehabilitation
- Using a qualitative approach treating the body as a whole
- Helping clients gain full range of motion and efficient movement
- Successfully treating acute or chronic pain
“In January 2013 we expanded the practice by adding a fully equipped Pilates studio with qualified Pilates instructors providing Pilates Instruction,” Alix says. This expansion allows patients discharged from physical therapy to continue with Pilates wellness classes – taking them on their way to wholeness and wellness.
Also keeping her busy are the pride and joys of her life, her daughter Emma and her son Carter. “I enjoy traveling, snowboarding, paddle-boarding and fishing whenever I can,” she says. “But what I love more than anything is nurturing and being a mother to Emma and Carter.”
At Integrated Physical Therapy, Alix’s unique approach to physical therapy and nurturing personality will lead you on the path to experiencing your body behaving in the optimal way it was designed.
Katie Quattrone, PTA, Pilates Instructor
Katie Quattrone recently graduated from Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University as a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) in May of 2021 and started working at Integrated Physical Therapy in June the following month. However, Katie previously worked at IPT as a Pilates instructor for three years before deciding to go back to school to further her education.
She achieved her Polestar Pilates degree in the year 2018. Even at a youngage, Katie has always been interested in movement; she actually started taking Pilatesclasses with her mom twice a week at the age of fifteen! This is where she started tounderstand just how much she was interested in learning how the body worked and howmultifaceted, complicated, and complex the body actually was. She went on to compete in kettle bell competitions throughout high school and college, and eventually achieved her certification as a level one kettlebell teacher by the IKFF (International Kettlebell and Fitness Federation).
In addition to her Pilates education, Katie has furthered her PTA education in the topic of Women’s health, specifically with treatment of the pelvic floor. She has combined this education with her Pilates education to provide each patient with a functional approach to treating most pelvic health limitations.
Katie resides in Lafayette with her husband, Chris, and their German Shepard, Ripley. Outside of the clinic she enjoys reading, planning her next book club meeting, and is currently writing a novel of her own!
Brittany Duhon, Office Manager, Pilates Instructor
Brittany is a native of Louisiana and after traveling as a child with her family she has settled in Abbeville with her husband and 2 children. You may run into her daughter Zoey in the office as she is a UL kinesiology student and comes to the clinic to observe. When she is not at the office she spends a lot of her time spending outdoor time with her son, Carter. She enjoys going on fishing trips with her family, particularly offshore fishing. She is a local artist and has found success selling her pieces store front in Lafayette and Mandeville. Brittany works with local interior designers and often donates her artwork for fundraisers with many local charities.
Brittany has more than 10 years experience in the Chiropractic and Physiotherapy field where she found a passion for patient care and overall health and wellness. Her mother had severe scoliosis and while she was growing up she spent a lot of time with her mom in wellness settings which peaked her interest. In 2016 she was certified in Pilates Mat and Reformer. The knowledge she gained through this training in addition to her experience in patient care has made her attention to detail and focus on body alignment through her teaching more prominent.
Shantelle Prejean, Pilates Instructor
Shantelle started dance at the age of five and has always had a love for the arts. She and her sister decided to open up a dance studio, Dance Graphics in 1989. Shantelle has trained dancers of all ages over the years and some have moved on to dance professionally. Pilates was originally introduced to her in the dance world and she incorporated it into her dance classes as well as into her life.
After 30 successful years, she and her sister decided to sell the dance studio, giving her the time to pursue a career in Pilates Education. She completed the Polestar Pilates Comprehensive Program in 2021 and has been teaching at Integrated since. Shantelle has a wealth of knowledge in teaching, motivating, and understanding her clients’ need for safe and effective movement. Her love for rehabilitation allows her to continue to learn from Alix, who mentors her along with the amazing team here at Integrated Physical Therapy.
Shantelle and her husband Greig live in the heart of Carencro surrounded by beautiful farmland. She enjoys spending time with two daughters and their families along with their two grand-dogs, Chase and Tubb. When she is not teaching Pilates or dance, you can find her caring for her grandson, Thomas.
Michelle Francioni, Pilates Instructor
Michelle began practicing Pilates in 2008 while healing from a traumatic injury and fell in love with how it not only aided her recovery, but also strengthened her body. Recently retired from teaching high school, she was looking for a way to keep both her mind and body actively engaged. Combining her former career with her passion for Pilates made perfect sense, so with encouragement from Alix, she began instructor training with Polestar Pilates.
Michelle started teaching right away upon completion of her coursework. Michelle says she finds great joy showing people who may not have a recent background in exercise that “their bodies are capable and can become stronger at all stages of life!” She enjoys teaching people how alignment, breath, balance, and strength can improve their everyday lives at any age.
She currently lives in the heart of Lafayette where she and her husband enjoy hosting friends and family and showing them all that Cajun Country has to offer. They have two cats and a chocolate lab that loves to swim. After living away for many years, Michelle is happy to be back in Lafayette, LA.
Hollie Gary, Pilates Instructor
Hollie is native to the Lafayette area, and a UL graduate. She has been taking Pilates here at Integrated for several years and recently completed the Polestar Pilates Education comprehensive course. Pilates has helped Hollie deal with stress from a fast place work environment along with some physical issues that go along with this. She is passionate about helping others and her mission is to provide a positive movement experience designed to meet her clients’ needs and goals. She aspires to share her love of Pilates with others with the hopes that they too will benefit from it as much as she has.
Beside Pilates some of her interests include Art, Science, Nature and Health. She loves walking and exploring out in nature to see what is growing and changing with each season, finding inspiration from the different colors, shapes and textures and then incorporating it into her artwork. Pilates helps her physically, so she is able to continue pursuing her interest that brings her Joy. You may run into Hollie at our local Farmers Market on Saturday mornings where she is selling her artwork.
She currently resides in Parks, Louisiana with her husband Josh and her Fur Baby, Satoko. When they can, they enjoy traveling to the beach or rock climbing in the mountains. You can also find them doing activities such as afternoon flights in the plane her husband and his grandfather built or at home planting a garden to grow their own food.
Hollie is all about positive energy and establishing proper movement patterns to avoid injury and stay active as well as finding beauty in her surroundings.
Andrea Norris, Pilates Instructor
Andrea “Ani” Norris is a Louisiana native returning to her home State after her and her husband, Justin, spent 7 years in Charleston, SC. Andrea fell in love with Fitness after 14 years of Dance training and while attending LSU, as a Fashion Design Major.
She began her teaching career teaching Yogalates for fun. Through the years following she has obtained certifications in Pilates, Barre, Health Coaching, Group Fitness, as well as a certification in personal training through NASM. In her free time she enjoys long-distance running, completing 9 full marathons and countless half-marathons.
Ani, Justin and their two children love being back in Louisiana with all the southern hospitality and traditions.
Carah Stuart, Pilates Instructor
Carah is a native of Lafayette and a graduate of St Thomas Moore high school. She is currently attending a local community college as she prepares to attend school to become a Physical Therapist Assistant. She began teaching Pilates in 2023 after completing the Comprehensive Training through Polestar Pilates Education.
Carah was a dancer for 13 years. She was introduced to Pilates as a dancer when she was 10 years old and could appreciate the strength that she gained while maintaining a lower impact. Her knowledge of dance and movement has contributed to her teaching. She enjoys challenging her clients to push beyond what they believe their capabilities are, in a safe way. She has proved over time that she is able to successfully do this with each of her clients.
When she is not in school or teaching Pilates, you can find Carah spending time with her long term boyfriend and friends. She likes to soak up the sun outdoors but can also appreciate down time while relaxing at home on the couch.