MEET JEN HARRIS, DPT

Owner and Operator of Rx Rehabilitation,LLC

I have been a physical therapist now for several years, graduating from Quinnipiac University’s doctoral program in 2011. As an athlete, I integrate techniques from my experience with sports and CrossFit with my training as a physical therapist. 

The intersection of physical therapy and CrossFit began for me in 2008 at Columbia, CT where I was doing one of my final clinical affiliations for Physical Therapy school. I was a stressed-out, semi-fit, doctoral student who had spent way too much time sitting and reading to know where I fit in the world. It was at this point, as I was struggling with my own health issues and injuries, that I was taken through my first CrossFit WOD by my physical therapist in the basement of the clinic.  For the first time, I saw CrossFit seamlessly integrated with structural alignment and corrective exercise and the nerd in me found my fitness home. I joined the classes at the CrossFit box connected to the clinic, worked out with some great coaches, colleagues and mentors and my body and my mind began to change and heal. 

I was hooked. 

Since then, CrossFit has been an integral part to my approach to physical therapy. I finished up my clinicals and began my career as a PT working with people with a broad range of physical capacity and medical ailments, but the universal concepts and benefits of CrossFit and scalability were undeniable. Ninety seven year-old patients were doing squats to the toilet and burpees, children with special needs were performing Superman’s and sit-ups...the marriage of the two worlds is beautiful. 

And personally, I got married! I met my husband, DJ, at the box and married him two years later (yes, people had to do burpees at our wedding). I have continued to do CrossFit through two healthy pregnancies, postpartum recovery while chasing two very energetic little boys and the opening of Tolland CrossFit and Rx Rehabilitation, LLC.  CrossFit helps keep me sane. I train, treat patients and coach using CrossFit methodology because it’s safe, it’s efficient and it works.  I love beautiful mechanics and movement. I love to see the body moving as it was designed to move— the perfect balance of strength and flexibility, through all planes with various loads. I love to see people pushing themselves to new heights while being supported and listening to their bodies. 

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Just as anyone can benefit from CrossFit, Rx Rehabilitation serves all people. Whether you are a young athlete, a mother recovering from the birth of her third child or someone with a less active lifestyle just looking for support, I’m here to help!