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Welcome Dr. Sarah Onderko, DPT, CSCS

Why did you want to become involved in physical therapy?

Growing up, I knew that I wanted to work in profession that would allow me to help others and make a difference in the community. In high school I made the decision that I wanted to be a physical therapist before I even understood what it meant. As I learned more about the profession, I knew that it was the field for me because it would allow me to play an active role in the lives of patients and clients. I have always been interested in anatomy, physiology, and fitness, and physical therapy combines all of those components. I am passionate about the positive impact physical activity can have on health and wellbeing, and I want to help patients find ways to remain active while injured in order to overcome any physical limitations and continue participating in activities that they enjoy. 

What is your background?

I was born and raised in Poolesville, Maryland. I am the oldest of four children, and we all played sports growing up. There was always something going on and always a game to watch, so I have been invested in sports for most of my life. Everyone in my family is very active on a daily basis, which is one reason for my interest in health and fitness and the field of physical therapy. In college, I stopped playing organized sports but discovered my love for strength training. I became a personal trainer and have worked with clients throughout undergrad and graduate school. Even through the craziness of PT school, I never stopped making time for my fitness in order to relieve stress and make sure that I was taking care of myself. In my free time you can either find me at the gym, spending time outdoors, doing crafts, or hanging out with family and friends.

What is your specialty/niche when it comes physical therapy?

I am excited to begin my career at R2P working with active individuals because I have always pictured myself working with athletes of any kind. I am specifically interested in working with recreational weightlifters and individuals with low back pain. I have experienced multiple episodes of low back pain myself, and receiving physical therapy changed my attitude and my outlook about my situation and my ability to continue doing what I love to do. I want to empower patients to never give up and never stop doing what makes them happy by finding ways to keep themselves active despite their injury. I know how frustrating it can be when you are physically unable to participate in activities that you enjoy, and I believe that proper communication and motivation are two key components of successful rehab. I am also very interested in working with athletes following ACL reconstruction. My brother has gone through two ACL reconstruction surgeries and I was very invested in his rehab so that I could learn from him and his therapists, and I hope to help athletes recover from that as well.

What are you most looking forward to joining the Rehab 2 Perform™ team?

Physical therapy as done by R2P is unique in that it encompasses aspects of strength and conditioning to empower patients to play an active role in their own recovery rather than rely on passive interventions. I am excited to work alongside like-minded physical therapists who are dedicated to the success of their patients and create a very welcoming environment in the clinic. I am excited to continue learning and growing on a daily basis as I build relationships with the team and my patients. I also enjoy being active, and the ability to run around with my patients and participate in rehab drills when appropriate is a plus too!

Q: What are your plans on trying to engage and connect with the community?

Volunteering and engaging with the community is important for me because it is a way to build relationships and make connections with people who hold similar values. I am especially interested in building relationships with local weightlifting facilities and youth sports leagues. I am eager to begin engaging with the community and am hopeful that with some Covid-19 restrictions being lifted, R2P can begin to participate in community activities once again.

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