Dr. Muncrief is an orthopedic physical therapist specializing in manual therapy, dance medicine, pelvic floor health, and Pilates-based rehabilitation with over 24 years of clinical experience. She received her Doctorate and Masters of Science in Physical Therapy from Columbia University - College of Physicians and Surgeons in NYC, her Bachelors of Arts in Sociology from University of Texas at Austin, and attended High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) in Houston as a Dance Major.

Early in her career, Dr. Muncrief was privileged to work at NYU Langone Medical Center in NYC. Vanessa was on faculty for 10 years at Harkness Center for Dance Injuries - NYU Hospital - serving as a Clinical Specialist in Dance Medicine. She has worked backstage as a physical therapist for some of the world’s top dance companies including Merce Cunningham, Cirque Du Soleil, Dance Theater of Harlem, and Martha Graham, to name a few. She has been a treating clinician for performers from multiple Broadway and off-Broadway shows, served as a Clinical Instructor and has created content curriculum for Harkness continuing education seminars, university dance programs and national dance professional training programs. Throughout her career she has been active in mentoring newer physical therapists and prospective graduate students.

She has presented her original research on Diastasis Recti rehabilitation both nationally and internationally, is a certified yoga teacher (RYT), nationally certified Pilates teacher (NCPT),  and a Certified Ergonomic

Assessment Specialist (CEAS). Vanessa is an Integrative Dry Needling practitioner and is especially interested in merging eastern and western approaches for Dry Needling. She is a guest lecturer at both the Texas A&M Dance Science program and the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Muncrief is a member of International Association of Dance Medicine and Science and Dance/USA’s Taskforce on Dancer Health. Most recently, Dr. Muncrief spent 8th seasons as the Chief Physical Therapist for Ballet Austin and continues to function as the treating clinician for multiple Broadway shows and performers as they make their way through Austin. Prior to her career as a physical therapist she was a modern dancer, model, and waitress in NYC. Vanessa lives in Austin, TX with her husband, children’s book author and illustrator, David Gavril and their 2 children.

Vanessa recently took on a role with Apple Health as the global movement specialist for the new updated app coming soon.