The Team Behind Knox Physical Therapy Specialists

Knox Physical Therapy Specialists was founded by Drs. Norm and Jen Ayotte with a shared commitment to delivering focused, one-on-one physical therapy grounded in clinical excellence and evidence-based care.

With decades of combined experience in military, academic, and orthopedic settings, they provide individualized treatment designed to restore movement, reduce pain, and improve long-term function.

Two smiling adults, a man with gray hair and beard and a woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, standing close together inside a room with a wooden wall and clock in the background. Both are wearing red shirts.

Meet Our Team

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Dr. Norm Ayotte PT, MPT, DScPT, Cert MDT, Cert TDN, FAAOMPT

Norm is a native of Oregon and a retired Army Physical Therapist with more than 22 years of distinguished military service.

A lifelong outdoorsman, he enjoys rafting, kayaking, hiking, camping, and fishing with his family. He maintains a high level of physical fitness through consistent strength training and running — living the principles he teaches about including resilience, mobility, and long-term health.

  • Norm graduated from the prestigious Army-Baylor University Physical Therapy Program in 1999, a nationally recognized program known for developing exceptional clinician-leaders. Throughout his military career, he treated combat and non-combat service members, their families, and military retirees — frequently managing complex orthopedic injuries under high-performance demands.

    His clinical experience was shaped by precision, accountability, and results-driven care.

  • In 2002, Norm earned his Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) certification through the American Physical Therapy Association — a distinction he maintained for 20 years, reflecting sustained excellence in orthopedic physical therapy.

    He also holds advanced certification in the evaluation and treatment of spinal disorders.

    In 2009, he completed his Doctorate of Science in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy through the Army-Baylor Post-Professional Doctoral Program, as well as his Fellowship in American Advanced Orthopediic Manual Physical Therapy. This advanced training emphasizes:

    • Sophisticated clinical reasoning

    • Differential diagnosis

    • High-level manual therapy techniques

    His education and experience uniquely position him to manage complex musculoskeletal and medical conditions requiring both analytical precision and hands-on expertise.

  • Throughout his military career, Norm served not only as a Physical Therapist but also as a Commander. He worked extensively with wounded warriors, optimizing recovery and performance in both clinical and leadership roles.

    He later served as Assistant Director of the Army-Baylor Sports Physical Therapy Residency at West Point, mentoring advanced clinicians in sports and orthopedic rehabilitation.

  • Following his retirement from the military, Norm transitioned into academia as a Professor in the Physical Therapy Program at Bellarmine University.

    He teaches:

    • Anatomy

    • Musculoskeletal Evaluation

    • Differential Diagnosis

    • Advanced Clinical Reasoning

    His continued involvement in higher education ensures that his clinical practice remains aligned with current research, best practices, and evidence-based standards.

  • Norm believes exceptional outcomes require more than routine treatment — they require individualized strategy, collaborative teamwork, and clinical mastery.

    He conducts thorough evaluations and designs highly customized treatment plans grounded in science and refined through decades of experience. He works closely with physicians and other healthcare providers to ensure coordinated, comprehensive care.

    Patients can expect:

    • Meticulous assessment

    • Advanced manual therapy

    • Clear communication

    • A focused path toward meaningful results

    His guiding principle:

    “One Team, One Fight.”

    Patient and provider working together with clarity, purpose, and determination to restore function, performance, and quality of life.

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Dr. Jen Ayotte, PT, DPT, COMT, Cert MDT, SFMA 1&2, CCI

Jen is a dedicated military spouse and proud mother of five whose life reflects resilience, discipline, and service.

She and her husband were first stationed in Kentucky in 2013 at Fort Knox. After his retirement from active duty in 2017, they chose to return permanently. Kentucky is now home — not only to her family, but to the patients she serves with distinction.

  • Jen earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from Buffalo State College before completing her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy, with a minor in Neurobiology, at Daemen College in 1997.

    Early in her career in North Carolina, she specialized in spinal rehabilitation and became Certified in Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment (MDT) of the Spine — an advanced, research-supported system for evaluating and treating complex spinal disorders.

    Over more than two decades in practice, Jen has developed extensive experience in:

    • Orthopedic rehabilitation

    • Neurological rehabilitation

    • Vestibular disorders

    • Advanced spinal therapy

  • Throughout her career, Jen has served in staff, senior staff, and supervisory roles in multiple clinical settings across the country.

    While practicing in Hawaii, she was nominated and elected Continuing Education Committee Chair for the Hawaii Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association. In this role, she coordinated and led continuing education initiatives for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants throughout the Hawaiian Islands.

    After returning to the mainland, Jen further refined her expertise by working alongside orthopedic specialists and research-focused clinicians, strengthening her command of evidence-based, hands-on manual therapy techniques.

  • Committed to lifelong learning and clinical excellence, Jen completed her Doctorate of Physical Therapy and earned Certification as an Orthopedic Manual Therapist. She has also earned certifications in Selective Functional Movement Analysis, Levels 1 and 2, and is a Certified Clinical Instructor.

    These advanced credentials reflect:

    • Sophisticated clinical reasoning

    • Precision in diagnosis

    • Skilled manual therapy application

    • Evidence-based treatment planning

    Her background uniquely positions her to evaluate complex musculoskeletal conditions with both analytical depth and hands-on expertise.

  • Jen’s approach to care is intentional, individualized, and results-driven.

    She believes exceptional outcomes are achieved through:

    • Thorough evaluation

    • True one-on-one attention

    • Strong provider-patient collaboration

    Her foundation in education enhances her clinical practice. She ensures that each patient understands their condition, the rationale behind their treatment, and the tools necessary to achieve lasting improvement.

    Jen integrates research, refined manual skill, and strategic exercise programming to restore function, reduce pain, and optimize long-term health.

    Her philosophy is simple:

    The highest standard of care requires clinical excellence, disciplined work, and treatment plans tailored precisely to the individual.

    Jen is committed not merely to symptom relief, but to restoring confidence, mobility, and quality of life.

 

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