About Karen Lukas, PT
She is deeply committed to community involvement. She has served on the board of Child Improvement Through Therapy, a non-profit organization that raised funds to assist parents with the cost of ongoing therapy. She helped establish a Phoenix based sibling support group, Sib Shops, to provide resources and encouragement to siblings of children with special needs.
Her contributions also extend to research and education. She has collaborated with Northern Arizona University on projects exploring Toe-Walking, mentored numerous physical therapy students from universities worldwide, and continues to serve on Midwestern’s advisory board as a pediatric representative. She has lectured on plagiocephaly, torticollis and school-based therapy as well as assisted with teaching in pediatric labs at both Northern Arizona University and Midwestern University. She served on a Preschool Cadre providing resources and education to outlying areas of Arizona.
In her spare time, she enjoys reading, gardening, and traveling with her family.
Karen Lukas, PT
Educational Qualifications
Karen Lukas is a pediatric physical therapist with over 35 years of experience who specializes in the evaluation and treatment of children with developmental delays, injuries, and disabilities. She works closely with parents and caregivers to create individualized treatment plans that promote children’s physical growth, development, and overall well-being. Having experience in multiple settings such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, schools and within the home, has provided her with a well-rounded understanding of the needs of the children she serves.
She received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Arizona State University, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Northern Arizona University. In addition, she holds a certification in Neuro Developmental Treatment (NDT) in pediatrics. She has advanced training in cranial sacral therapy, biodynamic cranial sacral therapy, infant handling, therapeutic listening, and Kinesio taping techniques.
Over the years, she has gained extensive experience in working with a wide range of diagnoses such as prematurity and NICU follow-up, Torticollis and Plagiocephaly, oral tethering, developmental delay, rare genetic disorders, Down Syndrome, neuromuscular disorders, autism spectrum disorders and gait abnormalities. She is sought after for her advanced manual skills, particularly in the treatment of NICU graduates, as well as infants with torticollis and plagiocephaly. Her specialized training and hands-on expertise allow her to provide highly effective, individualized care for delicate and complex cases. She embraces a holistic, play-based approach that meets each child at their individual level, while integrating manual techniques and movement through play. She also emphasizes the importance of collaboration with parents, doctors, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists. Parent education and home programs are an essential part of care with activities and exercises designed to be easily incorporated into a family’s normal daily routine.