
About Us
Sarah is a licensed physical therapist and certified strength and conditioning specialist in Cincinnati, Ohio, and founder of Stella Maris Physical Therapy.
Since the start of her career, Sarah has been deeply interested in exploring chronic pain, understanding that its intricate nature requires a comprehensive, whole-person approach. This passion inspired her to create Stella Maris Physical Therapy, where she aims to deliver care that emphasizes hope and a clear path to healing, free from the limitations of the conventional healthcare system.
Sarah pursued her passion for pain by furthering her studies, becoming qualified to provide pelvic health and obstetric physical therapy. She soon discovered the intersection between chronic pain and pelvic health, realizing the opportunity to guide women through healing processes that often involve trauma histories. This specialization has become her calling, allowing her to support women before, during, and after pregnancy, ensuring they can embrace new life while also assisting those recovering from physical and emotional trauma.
It is Sarah's longing for Stella Maris Physical Therapy to be a haven for women in need of healing, and a place of hope, warmth, and joy.
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Is Stella Maris exclusively a women's health practice?No. While Stella Maris offers pelvic health and obstetrics, we also offer PT for orthopedic and neurologic conditions. We welcome men and women with any physical concern to contact us to learn if physical therapy services may be to your benefit.
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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. We simply ask that you wear comfortable clothing that does not restrict your movement.
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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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.