Empowering you to show up as the person you were put on this planet to be.

 Meet the Team

Hi, I’m Dr. Steph.

I’ve struggled with pain and injury just like you. Even though every person, experience, and injury is different, I see you.

It started with knee pain in high school that prevented me from running. Running was my thing. Aside from all the running for field hockey conditioning, running was a stress outlet for me. So when knee pain made running stressful and discouraging instead of joyful and invigorating, it really sucked.

Fast forward to the post-physical therapy school version of me. I finally figured out the underlying cause of my knee pain and literally haven’t felt it since. I’m still so amazed and grateful to run, lift, and play with a knee that feels strong and resilient. 

But then something else popped up. It started as some neck and shoulder tightness after hanging Christmas lights as a young adult and progressed to being stuck in bed one day with debilitating neck pain when my first baby was one. Would I be able to nurse him? Could I carry him? How was I going to work? Would I ever get back to exercising and tossing my kiddo up in the air for play time? I needed help.

Through my own course of physical therapy, this time as the patient, I got so much better. I learned where my deficits and compensations were, what I needed to do to optimize mobility and strength, how to care for myself, and embrace the fact that my body is strong and resilient. Life is a journey and I learned a ton through this experience. 

My mission is to make sure no one else experiences the fear that they will never do the activities they love again. Or the fear that they will never get better. We need hope and confidence in our body’s ability to move and support us through life.

Just as I felt confused and defeated when the pain was bad, I see other people in the same situation. All too often, people get bounced around in the healthcare system or undergo ineffective treatments. Time and money are too precious to waste, especially when a better solution is available.

As a busy mom, I understand that time is precious and is most efficiently spent getting to the real cause of the problem. That way you can have the confidence to do all the activities you want to do, plus have more time and energy to spend with the people you love, doing the things you love. Let’s show up as the people we were put on this planet to be.

I graduated from The Ohio State University in 2017. I worked in an outpatient orthopedic clinic for two years before starting Empower Physio and Wellness in 2019. I became certified in dry needling in 2018 and have completed extra training in neck pain, back pain, TMJ pain/TMD, and headaches. I have a special focus on optimizing breathing and biomechanics, identifying and treating compensations, emotional regulation, and strength training. I love treating problems like headaches, migraine, neck pain, back pain, sciatica, jaw dysfunction, and pains related to stress and trauma.

When I’m not in the clinic, you’ll find me playing with my two boys, soaking up some sun on our back patio, getting in a lift or run, doing a house project with my husband, sipping some coffee, experimenting in the kitchen, or going on a family adventure. 

Hi, I’m Dr. Lydia!

Thank you for your curiosity to learn more about who I am and what I do.

I am passionate about empowering my clients with knowledge to address their physical needs through a whole-person approach to physical therapy care.

As a former high school athlete, my peers and I often experienced minor sports injuries and received conflicting advice on rehabilitation. Even after our injuries had healed, many of us faced reinjury or setbacks in our skills, leading to frustration and disappointment.

This confusion ignited my interest in human anatomy and physiology to better understand how the body works and how to avoid re-injury. This passion sparked my journey to becoming a physical therapist, but I knew I didn’t want to be a provider who prescribes the same exercises for every person walking through the door.

I see each person as an individual with specific aspirations and goals, and I believe their plan of care should reflect that. I consider all aspects of what makes a person who they are, recognizing how both the brain and body function as integral parts of the healing process.

My goal is to bring clarity and understanding to restore people’s confidence in their bodies. I strive to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives physically, mentally, and spiritually, so they can build resilience against life’s challenges.

I am dedicated to creating a supportive and educational environment where my clients feel heard, understood, and empowered. By providing personalized care and equipping individuals with the tools they need, I hope to inspire lifelong strength, resilience, and confidence in every client who walks through my door.

I graduated from Mount St. Joseph University in 2022 with my Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. In 2023, I earned my dry needling certification and joined Empower Physio and Wellness, where I specialize in treating individuals with headaches, migraine, neck pain, back pain, and jaw dysfunction. I incorporate a comprehensive approach to care, utilizing wellness education, strength training, core stabilization, breathing retraining, functional movement correction, dry needling, cupping, and more. Through my personalized treatments, my clients move better, feel stronger, and build resilience, allowing them to live and move freely.

In my free time, you’ll find me at the thrift store, making sourdough, doodling, trying a new recipe, taking walks at the park, or reading children’s books to my kids.

Hi, I’m Sara! 

I believe people deserve to feel heard, understood, and genuinely cared for, especially when it comes to their health. It sounds simple, but anyone who has navigated the healthcare system knows that feeling truly listened to isn't always a given.

As I've gotten older and navigated my own experience with chronic pain, I've gained a new appreciation for how much the right support, a listening ear, and a more personalized approach can matter. It's one of the reasons I'm so excited to be part of Empower Physio and Wellness. I love helping people feel comfortable, connecting with them as individuals, and making what can sometimes feel like an overwhelming process a little easier.

With more than 20 years of experience in administrative operations and client support, I've learned that the little things often make the biggest difference. My goal is to help create an experience where people feel welcomed, supported, and confident that they're in the right place. And yes, I really do want everyone to be living their best lives. Cliché? Maybe. But it’s true!

Outside of work, I'm usually learning something new or enjoying one of my current hobbies: knitting, hiking, or reading. I also have a soft spot for animals, and a questionable ability to walk past one in need. I've been known to run late because a duckling couldn't get over a curb, a snapping turtle needed help crossing the road, or injured wildlife needed a ride to a professional who could help. Apparently, my hobbies also include impromptu wildlife rescue!

I'm excited to be part of a team that sees people as individuals and believes their experience matters. I look forward to helping our clients feel at home at Empower and supporting them as they work toward doing more of the things they love.