Meet The Team
Lindsey Hershberger, DPT, PWR!, LSVT BIG
Lindsey's passion for helping people reclaim confidence, independence, and joy through movement shines through in every aspect of her work. She created Empower Balance with a clear mission: to use personalized movement medicine to help people with neurological disorders thrive. Whether someone is newly diagnosed or living with symptoms for years, Lindsey believes in the life changing power of personalized exercise. She is deeply committed to helping people move beyond limitations and stay engaged in the activities they love.
After earning her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Ohio University, Lindsey received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from The Ohio State University in 2009. Early in her career, she pursued advanced training in Parkinson's care, earning certifications in PWR!™, LSVT BIG®, and Delay the Disease.
Lindsey met her husband, Nate, also a physical therapist, while completing PT school. Together, they have built a life centered around helping others move with greater confidence. Recently, they joined forces professionally, bringing neurological and orthopedic expertise under one roof at Empower Balance. While their clients benefit from their holistic approach to care, their kids are now subject to even more gait analysis and biomechanics talk around the dinner table.
When they're not dreaming up new treatment ideas, Lindsey and Nate are busy keeping up with their three energetic boys. Most weekends, you'll find Lindsey on a soccer sideline, in gym bleachers, or serving as referee for living-room wrestling matches. Lindsey’s home away from home is Lake Norris, where she loves , skiing, fishing with her boys and relaxing around a campfire.
Nate Hershberger, DPT, OCS, PWR!
From the moment you meet Nate, you’ll see it — a calm, steady presence that makes you feel at ease, understood and genuinely cared for from the very first visit. Nate shows up with compassion, expertise, and a true desire to help people achieve better days.
Nate brings 18 years of experience specializing in pain and injury rehabilitation, helping people move out of discomfort and back into the activities that matter most. He is an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) — a board certified credential earned by physical therapists who complete advanced training and demonstrate expert level skill in treating pain, injuries, and movement problems.
Nate is also PWR! Certified, trained in a Parkinson’s specific movement system that helps people move bigger, stronger, and more confidently. Nate’s expertise blends advanced orthopedic skill with neurologic insight — a rare combination that fits perfectly with Empower’s whole person approach.
In addition to his skill with manual therapy, dry needling, and blood flow restriction techniques, Nate brings elite level dad jokes and an impressive stash of random trivia to the clinic — a combo that keeps rehab both effective and enjoyable. Outside the clinic, you’ll find Nate coaching his three sons’ soccer and basketball teams, tackling house projects with Lindsey, or experimenting with new BBQ recipes on the smoker.
Bridget Swartzel, DPT, NCS, PWR!
Bridget brings a standout combination of heart, neurologic expertise and creativity to the Empower Balance team. She’s passionate about helping people move beyond limitations and into their next chapter — with care that’s evidence‑based, high‑intensity, and centered around what truly matters to each person.
After earning her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Nova Southeastern University, she earned her Neurologic Clinical Specialist (NCS) and Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery (PWR!) certifications, reflecting her commitment to helping people achieve more than they thought possible. Since then, she’s worked with a wide range of neurologic conditions, including spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, cerebral palsy, TBI, myasthenia gravis, balance disorders, and vestibular conditions.
Patients love Bridget for her warm, upbeat energy and ability to make therapy both challenging and enjoyable. Outside the clinic, Bridget is usually moving — CrossFit, lifting, yoga, or getting outdoors with her husband and son.
What patients love most about Dr. Bridget is her ability to build genuine connections and make therapy both challenging and fun. Outside the clinic, she’s usually moving — CrossFit, lifting, yoga, or getting outdoors with her husband and son.