Humans of UCSF: A Healthy Partnership

“Growing up with a background in dance taught me to appreciate the human body and movement at a young age. There was nothing I loved more than spending countless hours exploring movement and discovering new ways to communicate through physical expression. I feel so lucky to be in a field that allows me to continue doing just that.

The relationship between a patient and their physical therapist is unique in that it truly is a partnership. We are fortunate to get a significant amount of time working with our patients and getting to know them on a personal level.

I think it can be common for patients to feel like they are handing control of their bodies over to their providers, but with physical therapy we are helping them regain that control.

Our main priorities are restoring functional mobility, which to a patient may mean returning to work, walking to a coffee shop with a friend, or playing with their grandkids. Whatever their goal may be, physical therapists provide them with a safe environment to rediscover how to use their bodies and improve their quality of life.

Whether someone is learning to walk for the first time or attempting to walk for the thousandth time, we get the privilege of taking those steps with them.”

Sarah Castro

UCSF/SFSU Doctor of Physical Therapy 2019