Dr. Lauren Rivera, PT, DPT, Cert. DN

My goal is to help my patients find relief and achieve optimal management of their problem so that they can lead a whole and happy life.

Dr. Lauren Rivera, PT, DPT, Cert. DN is a board certified physical therapist with a Doctoral Degree in Physical Therapy from Stony Brook University in Long Island, NY. She specializes in the treatment of temporomandibular joint disorder and orofacial myofunctional disorders. She believes in the holistic approach of treating the patient as a whole and takes a special interest in how the nervous system, breathing, and sleep affect TMJ issues and overall quality of life. Dr. Rivera is certified in dry needling which she uses to help guide her patients to on their journey to become painfree. She has a personal history with TMJ disorder and understands the struggle of pain and suffering that comes with this jaw condition which allows her to connect and listen to her patients at a different level than other providers. She works closely with dentists, orthodontists, ENTs, and bodyworkers to establish multidisciplinary care for her patients.

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences - University of South Florida (2012)

    Doctorate in Physical Therapy -Stony Brook University (2016)

  • DN1: Dry Needling for Craniofacial, Cervicothoracic & Upper Extremity Conditions

    DN2: Dry Needling for Lumbopelvic & Lower Extremity Conditions

    Orofacial myofunctional therapy certification (OMT)

  • American Physical Therapy Association

    Florida Physical Therapy Association

    American Academy of Orofacial Pain

    Academy of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy

    American Academy of Physiological Medicine and Dentistry

  • Craniofacial coursework

    Vestibular rehab training

    Cervical spine assessment

    Buteyko breathing