Kaitlin Kirker
Assistant Professor, Physical TherapyAssistant Director of Clinical Education, Physical TherapyCoordinator of the Doctoral Research Capstone Project
DSc Candidate – Physical Therapy – Bellin College, Green Bay, WIDPT – Physical Therapy – Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY, 2017BS – Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA, 2014
kaitlin.kirker@liu.edu
Description
Dr. Kirker graduated with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Long Island University. She is an Assistant Professor and the Assistant Director of Clinical Education in the Department of Physical Therapy, as well as the Coordinator of the Doctoral Research Capstone Project, which includes a joint student-faculty systematic/scoping review. Dr. Kirker practices orthopedic manual physical therapy part-time at Masefield and Cavallaro Physical Therapy. She is a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists. She is also completing her DSc in Physical Therapy at Bellin College in Green Bay, WI. Dr. Kirker has published 15 peer-reviewed articles and has had six posters accepted for presentation at national conferences focusing on the rehabilitation of orthopedic pathologies.
Specialties
Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy
Fellow American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists
Publications
Kirker K, Masaracchio M, States R, Young J. Cost of manual therapy for musculoskeletal disorders: A systematic review of systematic reviews with methodological and reporting quality. [Published online ahead of print, 2025 March] Physiother Theory Pract. 2025. doi: 10.1080/09593985.2025.2471398.
Kirker K, Masaracchio M, O’Connell M, Dewan B, Young B. Adherence to Neck and Back Pain Clinical Practice Guidelines Based on Clinical Specialization: A Survey of Physical Therapists. J Man Manip Ther. 2025; XX(X): XXX. doi: 10.1080/10669817.2025.2449977.
Drummond C, Lebedeva V, Kirker K, Masaracchio M. The Effects of Sling Exercise on Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis. J Strength Cond Res. 2024; 38(10): 1822-1833. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000004135.
Karl J, Dewan B, Masaracchio M, Kirker K. Reliability and validity of the Easy Force® dynamometer compared to hand held dynamometry for isometric strength testing of the upper and lower extremities: A pilot study. In Print at OPTP.
Ferrer TP, Masaracchio M, Kirker K, Dewan BM, Manthripragada M, Ojha H. Outcomes of direct access telehealth physical therapy for patients with musculoskeletal pain: a single cohort observational retrospective study. [Published online ahead of print, 2023 Aug 10] Physiother Theory Pract. 2023;1-8. doi: 10.1080/09593985.2023.2245032
Kirker K, Bradley L, O’Connell M, Torres-Panchame RE, Masaracchio M. Manual therapy and exercise for adhesive capsulitis: A systematic review with meta-analyses. J Man Manip Ther. 2023; 31(5): 311-327. doi: 10.1080/10669817.2023.2180702.
Kirker K, Masaracchio MF, Loghmani P, States R, Mattia M. Management of lumbar spinal stenosis: A systematic review with meta-analysis of rehabilitation, surgical, injection, and medication interventions. Physiother Theory Pract. 2023; 39(2): 241-286. doi: 10.1080/09593985.2021.2012860.
Kirker K, Masaracchio M. Platelet-rich plasma and rehabilitation for upper extremity musculoskeletal pathologies: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Biologic Orthopedics Journal. 2022; 4(SP1): e4-e29. doi.org/10.22374/boj.v4iSP1.43.
Masaracchio M, Kirker K. Platelet-rich plasma and rehabilitation for lower extremity musculoskeletal pathologies: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Biologic Orthopedics Journal. 2022; 4(SP1): e30-e60. doi.org/10.22374/boj.v4iSP1.47.
Masaracchio M, Kirker K. Resistance training in individuals with hip and knee osteoarthritis: A clinical commentary with practical applications. Strength Cond J. 2022; 44(6): 36-46. doi: 10.1519/SSC.0000000000000711
Masaracchio M, Kirker K, Loghmani P, Gramling J, Mattia M, States R. The prevalence of tibiofemoral knee osteoarthritis following arthroscopic partial meniscectomy is variably reported in general, and over time: A systematic review with a minimum of 5-year follow-up. Arthrosc Sports Med Rehabil. 2022; e1203-e1218. doi: 10.1016/j.asmr.2022.02.007
Masaracchio M, Kirker K, States R, Hanney WJ, Liu X, Kolber M. Thoracic spine manipulation for the management of mechanical neck pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS ONE. 2019; 4(2): e0211877. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211877.
Kirker K, Masaracchio M, Freeland M. Examination and management of a 4-year-old following a femoral aneurysmal bone cyst: A case report. Pediatr Phys Ther. 2019; 31: E1-E7. doi: 10.1097/PEP.0000000000000603
Ojha H, Masaracchio M, Johnston M, Howard RJ, Egan WE, Kirker K, Davenport TE. Minimal physical therapy utilization compared with higher physical therapy utilization for patients with low back pain: A systematic review. Physiother Theory Pract. 2019; doi. 10.1080/09593985.2019.1571135
Masaracchio M, Hanney W, Liu X, Kolber M, Kirker K. The timing of rehabilitation on length of stay and cost in patients with hip or knee joint arthroplasty: A systematic review with meta-analysis. PLoS ONE. 2017; 12: 1-22. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178295
Masaracchio M, Kirker K, Kahl-Collins C, Hanney W, Liu X. An intervention-based clinical reasoning framework to guide the management of thoracic pain in a dancer: A case report. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2016; 11: 1135-1149.
Lectures and Presentations
Honors/Awards
Grants
Kirker K, Masaracchio M, Young J. How is musculoskeletal spine content taught in entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy programs: A mixed-methods study. Bellin College Student Research Grant. February 2024 ($617).
