Our Team
Milan Krstovic, PT, Co-Founder
Specialty: Orthopedic, Neuromuscular, Athletic Performance
Milan's journey in the medical field began with a four-year degree in nursing, which he completed in 2004. His passion for helping others improve their physical well-being led him to pursue a career in physical therapy. In 2007, Milan graduated with a degree in physical therapy from the College of Sport and Health in Belgrade, Serbia.
While expanding his education in the United States, he attended the University of Michigan and the University of St Augustine, which added to his strong professional educational foundation. Over the years, Milan had to complete a myriad of different undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education courses to match the educational standards specified by the boards of physical therapy within the United States and to provide his patients/clients with the most up to date treatment solutions.
By 2020, Milan achieved licensure and board certification as a physical therapist in Illinois, Florida, and Texas, and he remains licensed in all three states. His approach to rehabilitation is holistic, emphasizing patient-centered care and focusing on restoring global movement patterns and overall function to help his clients achieve their goals.
In addition to his extensive formal education, Milan has pursued advanced training in various specialized techniques, including Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS), Active Release Technique (ART), Active Isolated Stretching (AIS), Myofascial Release, Postural Restoration Institute (PRI) methods, and the Biomechanics Approach to Human Movement and Performance. These additional skills enhance his ability to provide the best possible outcomes for his patients and clients.
Julia Ariens, PT, DPT
Specialty: Pelvic Floor, Orthopedic
A former college athlete, Julia has always been passionate about movement and overall health and wellbeing. After earning her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine in Miami, FL, she now specializes in both Orthopedics and Women’s Pelvic Health. With training from the Gray Institute and Herman and Wallace, Julia continues to add to her education.
Believing that there are multiple facets to pain management, injury recovery and overall well-being, Julia uses various modalities to restore function to her patients lifestyle. Her approach includes making changes to physical, behavioral and biological aspects of her patients lives. The result is an efficient and effective treatment plan that teaches her patients techniques to use even post treatment.
She is dedicated to empowering new moms through pregnancy and postpartum recovery, believing every mom deserves access to pelvic floor therapy. And because pelvic floor treatment isn’t just for new moms, Julia treats symptoms that appear during any stage of life. It’s never too late to seek treatment.
In her free time, Julia also teaches fitness classes here in Chicago, helping clients return to the activities they love with confidence.
Holly Swanson, Pilates, Co-Founder
After leaving the corporate world in 2007, Holly went to work for her mom’s Pilates studio, Core Chicago Pilates. After completing over 800 hours of certifications with Stott Pilates and PhysicalMind as well as 200 hours in classical Pilates studios, Holly soon became the owner of Core Chicago Pilates.
After working closely with Physical Therapists to help facilitate her clients recoveries, she began training in Postural Restoration Institute’s (PRI) Pilates Integration. Her teaching practice began to shift to focusing on those who were frustrated with a lack of solutions for their chronic pain. Through a collaborate approach with other care providers as well as creative Pilates techniques, she found fulfillment in reaching beyond what the traditional Pilates system can do.
In addition to her studios, she began what is now The Lab: A Teacher Training Program to ensure that future Pilates teachers were receiving an anatomically based education as a foundation to their teaching.