SetPT is shining the spotlight on our physical therapists. Our goal here is to ensure their patients are safe and sound, preventing injuries and recovering properly.
This week, we’re putting the spotlight on Physical Therapist, Lauren O’Shea. Read on to find out how Lauren’s love for soccer and passion for athleticism started her path to PT.
Position: Physical Therapist, SetPT | PT, DPT | Washington, D.C. Location
Lauren has been an athlete for as long as she can remember, and as a result, her journey and introduction into the field of Physical Therapy began at a very young age. Growing up on Long Island, Lauren started playing soccer and doing gymnastics at the age of three. When she was in 4th grade, she broke her arm for the second time and underwent physical therapy for the first time. While she may only have vague memories of PT at that time, she was able to understand the critical role it played in helping her heal at such a young age.
Lauren’s passion for soccer grew over the years, and she continued to play competitively through her varsity high school years. Upon starting college, she took a more recreational approach to soccer but unfortunately tore her ACL during her sophomore year. While the injury, surgery and subsequent physical therapy may not have been ideal, it finally provided Lauren with the direction she needed in her life. It was this injury that began her journey to becoming a Physical Therapist. Lauren graduated from York College of Pennsylvania in 2009 with her Bachelor’s in Psychology and went on to receive her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at the George Washington University in 2012.
Over the years, Lauren has continued to play soccer and has had, in total, 3 ACL surgeries. Each surgery was at a different time in her life and provided her with a unique perspective on treatment from both a patient’s and physical therapist’s point of view. It has been through these injuries that Lauren recognized the importance of one on-one-care and quality physical therapy to allow for complete recovery. Lauren continues to play in co-ed soccer leagues on a weekly basis and knows that physical therapy has played a significant role in keeping her favorite sport a consistent part of her life.
Throughout her career, Lauren has worked primarily in the outpatient orthopedic setting, treating a wide range of diagnoses and patients of all ages. As a result of being an athlete herself, Lauren has particularly enjoyed working with an athletic population. She has gained extensive experience working with athletes of varying levels and enjoys the attention to detail and creativity that comes with helping them return to their sport of choice. She uses a combination of manual treatment, trigger point dry needling and functional exercise in her treatments.
Lauren is eager to stay up to date with the newest fitness trends that are continuously popping up in the area, so she can be well-versed in the workouts her patients are doing and hoping to return to. When not at work, you can find Lauren trying one of the many fitness classes that DC has to offer, playing soccer, going for a run, watching NYG football, or enjoying a nice glass of wine!
Schedule an Appointment with a SetPT Physical Therapist
If you’ve experienced any aches or pains that have lingered after a bit of rest, you may want to consider scheduling an appointment with a SetPT Physical Therapist. You may be asking yourself, “but what do physical therapists do exactly and how can they help me?” This FAQ page can help answer some of your initial questions.
Our physical therapy treatment programs are tailored to get our patients back to doing the daily activities they love. They focus on decreasing pain and discomfort, increasing range of motion, and helping you to prevent future injuries. Request your appointment today or let us know if you have any additional questions we can help you answer.
