Peter Freeborn, DPT
Director of Physical Therapy and Fitness

Peter is a Doctor of Physical Therapy with over a decade of experience across the spectrum of complex recovery—spanning physical medicine, rehabilitation, injury prevention, and performance. Having treated over 10,000 clients, he brings not just exposure to a wide range of conditions, but a consistent record of quickly helping people regain confidence and trust in their bodies. From ICU patients with spinal cord injuries to combat athletes pursuing incremental performance gains, his work has proven effective across vastly different presentations.

 

Recognized early in his career as Centrex Clinician of the Year, Peter was recruited to lead multiple specialty rehab programs at a Level-1 Trauma Center and to instruct at the U of M’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program. While practicing his clinical curiosity pushed him to challenge standard protocols and explore ideas from across disciplines. Through this, he developed an unorthodox view: while the details of recovery are complex, the underlying process is simple. Peter is known for breaking down complex problems into clear, usable insights—making recovery feel less overwhelming and more within reach.

 

Peter thrives where clinical protocols fall short and human complexity takes over. His approach integrates both deep biomechanical knowledge and an appreciation for the mental and emotional forces that shape pain, movement, and performance. He frequently returns to questions that now guide his work: What if we stopped treating the body as separate from the mind? How do we restore what’s lost when we overlook the influence of trauma, belief, or the nervous system’s state on someone’s recovery?

 

As Director of Physical Therapy at Elsewhere, Peter draws from his years as a frontline clinician and founder of Freeborn Physical Therapy to create a more connected model of care—one that bridges clinical excellence with psycho-emotional relevance. His focus is on building systems that dissolve the artificial boundaries between physical and mental health, while staying grounded in evidence-based practice and discernment.

 

His work honors the entire person—how they hurt, how they move, and what they carry—and guides them toward a fuller, more connected way to be in their body.