Dr. Chelsea Van Zytveld earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Colorado Physical Therapy Program in 2013. She has been practicing at South Valley Physical Therapy since 2014, specializing in outpatient vestibular and neurologic physical therapy. She is one of few physical therapists in Colorado who specializes in facial weakness and paralysis. Dr. Van Zytveld began teaching at the University of Colorado Physical Therapy program in 2016 as a guest lecturer and lab assistant. She is currently co-course coordinator of Clinical Reasoning Capstone, lectures in Integrated Practice, and assists with Clinical Reasoning III, Medical Conditions I-III, and Neuromuscular II.
Areas of Expertise
Vestibular and Neurologic Physical Therapy, Facial Paralysis, Clinical Reasoning, Patient Safety.
Education, Licensure & Certifications
University of Colorado, Aurora CO
Doctor of Physical Therapy 2013
University of Colorado, Colorado Spring CO
Bachelor of Science in Health Care Science 2010
Resumes/CV:
Awards
J. Warren Perry Award for the best reviewed original article in the Journal of Allied Health in 2020
Honorable Mention for a Poster Presentation of a Case Study at the 2018 International Conference for Vestibular Rehabilitation
University of Colorado Health Care Science 2010 Outstanding Academic Student Award
Courses
Spring Semester
DPTR 5301: Medical Conditions I: Instructor
DPTR 6306: Medical Conditions III: Instructor
DPTR 6633: Clinical Reasoning III: Instructor
Summer Semester
DPTR 7651: Clinical Reasoning Capstone: Co-course coordinator
DPTR 7641: Integrated Practice (Residential and Hybrid): Lecturer
Fall Semester
DPTR 6502: Neuromuscular Conditions II: Instructor
DPTR 6302: Medical Conditions II: Instructor
Publications and Presentations
PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS:
Van Zytveld C.R.*, Gann E.*, Gallagher S., Zacharewicz K. Winkler, P. A sensory adaptation intervention program for individuals with Mal de Débarquement Syndrome: a case series. Manuscript pending review- March 2026. *These authors contributed equally to this work.
Struessel T, Van Zytveld C, Forster J, Gisbert R, Norton-Craft A. Knowledge and attitudes of physical therapy students across a longitudinal healthcare systems-focused patient safety curriculum. Journal of Allied Health. Summer 2020.
Struessel T, Forster J, Van Zytveld C. Doctor of Physical Therapy Student Experiences with Patient Safety during Clinical Education. Journal of Physical Therapy Education. 2019;33(1):3-15.
Struessel T.S., Rodriguez J.W., Van Zytveld C.R. Advocating for a Systems Approach to Enhance Patient Safety in Physical Therapy Practice. Physical Therapy Journal of Policy, Administration, and Leadership. 2017;17(1):J22-J31.
Van Zytveld C.R., Rodriguez J.W., Struessel T.S. Lessons Learned from a Major Near Miss: A Case Report Including Recommendations to Improve Future Patient Safety in Rehabilitation. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2016 Jul 02;14(3), Article 5.
BOOK CHAPTERS:
Van Zytveld C. Vestibular Disorders. In Lazaro, R, Goodman C, Fuller K, eds. Pathology: Implications for the Physical Therapist. 6 ed. St. Louis, MO: Saunders Elsevier; in press.
Van Zytveld C. Vestibular Dysfunction. In Lazaro R, Reina-Guerra S, Quiben M, eds. Umphred’s Neurological Rehabilitation. 8 ed. St. Louis, MO: Saunders Elsevier; 2026.
Fuller K, Van Zytveld C. Vestibular Disorders. In Goodman C, Fuller K, eds. Pathology: Implications for the Physical Therapist. 5 ed. St. Louis, MO: Saunders Elsevier; 2020.
