About Us
Sarah is a licensed physical therapist and certified strength and conditioning specialist in Cincinnati, Ohio. A graduate of the Indiana University Doctorate of Physical Therapy and the Encounter Ministries School of Ministry, she is a devoted Catholic with a desire to partner with Jesus, the Divine Physician, to allow for healing which transcends what the gifts of natural healing can accomplish alone.
From the start of her career, Sarah has taken a keen interest in studying the nature of chronic pain, under the recognition that its complex nature demands a whole-person approach. It was this particular interest which led her to begin Stella Maris Physical Therapy, in order to openly allow for the further acknowledgement of spiritual influences involved in chronic pain.
Additionally, Sarah is qualified to provide pelvic health and obstetric physical therapy. She quickly learned that the worlds of chronic pain and pelvic health often collide, and recognized the opportunity to invite Christ into a healing process which may involve a history of trauma. Through this specialization, she has found a calling to help women before, during, and after pregnancies in order to best welcome new life, and to aide in the healing and recovery process.
-
Do you take my insurance?At this time, we are an out-of-network provider for commercial insurance. This means that you may elect to pay for services out of pocket, or for PT, submit your bill to your insurance provider to receive reimbursement or application of costs towards your out-of-network deductible. We are happy to assist you with this process as much as possible, as well as discuss any related questions.
-
Why is Stella Maris Physical Therapy a cash-based provider?We believe that by providing cash-based services, we are able to provide more excellent, individualized care and with fewer limitations. Insurance providers often dictate restrictions on covered services and visits per calendar year. Most importantly, insurance will cover for PT as long as your diagnosis is considered a dysfunction, but will not cover services aimed towards optimizing your health and wellness or preventing recurrence of injury. As an example, many patients come to PT for an injury that may not be inhibiting much of their day to day life, but has prevented them from participating in their regular exercise routine. Typically insurance will not cover services only restricting exercise and/or recreation, though we recognize this to be a vital source of maintaining your overall health and wellness. Without directly billing insurance, we are free to help you achieve these goals without risking denial for reimbursement. We even go the extra mile to offer wellness coaching in order to help you.
-
What can I expect at my PT evaluation?Upon your initial evaluation, a licensed physical therapist will take a brief history including pertinent medical history, as well as the onset and/or cause of the symptoms you are seeking care for. Your PT will then analyze movement, body structure and function, and various PT tests to determine the most likely cause of your pain and/or dysfunction. Every patient and thus every evaluation is unique, though we strive to give you some form of treatment or home exercises aimed at helping you achieve decreased pain and progress towards your goals immediately. Your PT will also make recommendations for an appropriate length and duration of follow up visits (typically 4-6). We simply ask that you wear comfortable clothing that does not restrict your movement.
-
Do I have to be Catholic or Christian to receive services?No. On the contrary, we warmly welcome every individual seeking our care, regardless of religious preferences, or whether or not you identify with any particular spirituality. We are always happy to incorporate Catholic spirituality into your healthcare, but this will never be forced upon you. All of our clients are free to decline any prayer or spiritual conversation if they so desire.
-
Am I going to be charged for prayer?Absolutely not! While we will bill for services such as PT and wellness coaching, charging for prayer is unethical, immoral, and simply not Christian. While we may take a few moments to begin and end in prayer, and/or offer to pray with you throughout treatment, any need for extended time of prayer will take place outside of the context of paid services. We are well connected with various ministries, and are happy to connect you for this extended time of prayer to help you along your journey towards wholeness.
-
What is dry needling?“Dry needling (APTA) is a skilled intervention that uses a thin filiform needle to penetrate the skin and stimulate underlying myofascial trigger points, muscular, and connective tissues for the management of neuromusculoskeletal pain and movement impairments. Dry needling (DN) is a technique used to treat dysfunctions in skeletal muscle, fascia, and connective tissue, and, diminish persistent peripheral nociceptive input, and reduce or restore impairments of body structure and function leading to improved activity and participation.”
-
Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?While dry needling uses the same needles that are used for acupuncture, the methodology is very different. Acupuncture is an eastern medicine technique which follows laws of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Dry needling was built upon laws of physics, biology, chemistry, and neuro-anatomy.
-
Is dry needling painful?Dry needling typically involves little to no discomfort, as the needles are extremely thin. Many people report that they don’t feel anything at all when a needle is inserted. Some may feel a dull ache in response to a muscle “twitch” that can occur in response to a needle insertion. This sensation is typically very mild, brief, and does not cause any lingering pain.
-
What are the benefits of dry needling?In a nutshell, the benefits of dry needling include decreased pain and faster healing of the affected area. Using an approach called Integrative Dry Needling, we follow pathways along the nerves that connect to the site of your pain, which can decrease the amount of pain you experience and expedite your body’s natural process of healing.