Our Team
Meet the dedicated team at ScolioAustin—experts in scoliosis care committed to providing personalized treatment and compassionate support.
Danielle Valette, PT, Schroth Therapist
Danielle Valette, PT, McKenzie trained, BSPTS (C2), ISST, SEAS, SSOL, Lyon Methods is a dedicated and innovative physical therapist and entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience specializing in orthopedics and spine conditions.
Early in her career, Danielle developed successful injury prevention, return-to-work, and wellness programs for Seattle and Washington State transit systems. In 2011, she combined her expertise in occupational safety with entrepreneurship by inventing and patenting the Backbone Cushion™, a posture support product designed for office workers and drivers that is now sold globally.
Danielle is a respected clinical educator and speaker, sharing her orthopedic and spine expertise across the U.S. and Canada. For the past seven years, she has focused intensively on scoliosis and spinal deformities, becoming one of the few physical therapists in the U.S. to hold all five major evidence-based scoliosis certifications:
• BSPTS – Rigo Method (Barcelona)
• ISST – Schroth Method (Germany)
• SEAS (Italy)
• SSOL (Israel)
• Lyon Method (France)
She is also certified in McKenzie and NAIOMT manual therapy and is a Level 3 ScolioPilates™ practitioner and clinical instructor.
Danielle currently leads ScolioAustin, a niche practice dedicated to providing proactive, conservative care for individuals with scoliosis and spinal deformities. Her approach emphasizes individualized treatment plans grounded in research-based methods. She maintains strong referral networks within Austin’s medical and orthotic communities and collaborates with national orthotists, regularly hosting in-house brace clinics to increase accessibility for families.
Outside of clinical care, Danielle leads workshops for children and adults, empowering patients to understand their diagnoses and explore holistic care options. She supports the local Curvy Girls scoliosis chapter, contributes to the Texas Physical Therapy Association’s continuing education efforts, and is an active educator, speaker, and author in the field.
Cassie Chonko, PT, DPT, OCS
Scoliosis Certified and Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist
Before starting her career in physical therapy, Dr. Cassie Chonko has always had a fascination with the coordination between body segments which comes from her first love, dance. After studying Kinesiology at the University of Tennessee, she received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences where she was awarded the ‘Stanley V. Paris and Catherine E. Patla Award for Excellence in Manual Therapy.’ Today Cassie builds on this foundation by analyzing and treating movement from a holistic perspective through hands-on care, scoliosis specific postural corrections, and patient education.
Her passion lies at our foundation, the spine, and has always valued the importance on core stabilization and neuromuscular control. As a certified Schroth Scoliosis specialist and Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, Dr. Chonko has experience treating a wide range of clients though her treatment approach remains consistent; by developing a balanced exercise routine focused on function and training kinesthetic awareness, she strives to empower men and women with Spinal conditions and scoliosis to stay active, build strength, and maintain symmetry in the body. Cassie also recognizes the impact of general health, emotional and mental balance as they greatly impact wellness.
Cassie continues to be a life-long learner and has taken several continuing education certifications including SSOL Schroth, SEAS (Scientific Exercise Approach to Scoliosis), and Dry Needling. She also works part time as a faculty lab instructor at her alma mater in the course Musculoskeletal III: Spinal Examination, Evaluation, and Intervention of the craniocervical to lumbosacral complex. In her free time Cassie enjoys being outside and studying different movement practices such as Tai Chi or Yoga to implement into clinical treatment.
Shad Hicks
PTA
Shad Hicks, PTA brings over 34 years of healthcare experience, including 26 years as a licensed Physical Therapy Assistant. His career began as a nurse’s aide before transitioning into physical therapy as a technician with CORE Physical Therapy, where he discovered a passion for orthopedic rehabilitation and patient-centered care.
After earning his PTA degree, Shad continued with CORE, gaining extensive experience in orthopedic therapy, aquatic rehabilitation, and workplace injury recovery. He also treated patients across hospital and skilled nursing settings, broadening his clinical perspective. During this time, he led two satellite clinics in rural East Texas and supported strength and conditioning programs for high school athletes, reinforcing his strong orthopedic and functional training foundation.
Since 2004, Shad has specialized in home health physical therapy, serving the greater Austin area since 2012. He is highly regarded for his ability to blend orthopedic expertise with functional, real-world application, helping patients safely regain mobility, reduce pain, and return to independent living. His approachable nature and strong clinical skills allow him to build meaningful rapport and deliver highly individualized care.
Outside the clinic, Shad is an endurance athlete who has competed in marathons, triathlons, and Ironman events. He enjoys outdoor activities, landscaping projects, and spending time with his wife, daughters, and dogs in the Texas Hill Country.
Jasma Martinez
Jasma is a highly experienced and dedicated Front Desk Coordinator with 18 years of expertise in the healthcare industry. Over the course of her career, she has honed her skills in patient interaction, office management, and team collaboration, ensuring that each patient experience is seamless and positive.
Known for her strong organizational abilities, Jasma expertly manages administrative tasks including scheduling, patient intake, billing inquiries, and providing essential support to medical staff. She has built a reputation for her professionalism, exceptional communication skills, and her ability to remain calm and efficient under pressure.
Jasma is passionate about fostering a welcoming and compassionate environment for patients while contributing to the overall efficiency of healthcare operations. Her deep knowledge of healthcare systems, insurance processes, and patient confidentiality regulations makes her an invaluable asset to our medical office.
Through her long-standing tenure in the industry, Jasma has developed a keen understanding of the unique needs of both patients and healthcare providers, ensuring smooth, effective coordination and the highest level of service. She is committed to continually improving workflows and providing outstanding customer service, making her a cornerstone of the healthcare teams she supports.
CBD Massage & Wellness: Natural Relief for Pain & Inflammation
This is one of the many specialty services that Avery White and Beth Hebert have been providing for our community for over 25 years. They have a range of skill sets from therapeutic techniques, pain relief, promotion of soft tissue relaxation and body work that will have you up and moving in no time! With decades of hands-on experience from athletes to our veteran population, these two pride themselves on a deep committment to tailoring treatments to meet the unique needs of each client. They are now happy to call Kinetra Wellness and ScolioAustin their home base but still practice under their private branding of C.B.D. Massage and Wellness. If you’d like more information on how to get on their schedule or for a more in depth list of services like G.O.A.T.A. or VA massages, call 512-850-7150. Along with massage/bodywork, Avery is also a certified G.O.A.T.A. movement coach. Feel free to visit their website https://cbdaustin.massagetherapy.com/
