About me & my ‘why’

Hey there! I’m Sara Needler, a naturally-minded mama of two cuties and a pediatric physical therapist. Five years ago I left a great job to stay home with my firstborn daughter, Kathryn. My husband accepted a new job in Michigan and we made the move from southeast Ohio with our daughter so we could afford this lifestyle we never planned. Putting my career on pause was a big risk I took while I chose to trust and follow my heart. I am incredibly grateful for the privilege I have had to be able to stay home with my kids and I have cherished every bit of it. However, during these five years not one day has gone by that I haven’t dreamed about how to get back to my passion of working with and helping children with unique mobility needs and their families.

As a PT, I have worked in all environments: schools, homes, hospitals, and clinics. In all settings, I have felt the pressures and constraints as to how I can best help my patients and their families. Over the years, I became increasingly frustrated with these harsh realities in our medical system as I felt patients were left underserved and overcharged. Becoming a mom transformed me in ways I am still discovering and taught me one of the most important lessons I’ve learned: follow my instincts and lead with my heart. I’m carrying this lesson over into my professional life and creating a small, patient and family-centered PT practice guided by the principals I hold dear to my heart.

I have always dreamed of serving families in a more child-centered/family-friendly healthcare model because doing it any other way just never felt good enough. PhysioKids PT has been a dream of mine; I am so excited to finally be able to offer pediatric services to my community in Southwest Michigan. Through PhysioKids PT, quality pediatric PT services are offered to your child in your home or community, where it makes more sense and feels more natural.

Research consistently shows that pediatric physical therapy is most effective when offered in a child’s most natural environment: their home, with their people. In his/her/their own home, your child feels more comfortable, secure and grounded. Tolerance and participation in physical therapy is naturally enhanced, leading to better progress. As a naturally-minded physical therapist that is why I have chosen this home/community-based model to serve you and your family. Your child’s physical therapy needs will be uniquely tailored to their body and personal needs. Rooting your child in healthy, gross motor development in the most natural way possible is what I am here to do!

Mission

My mission is to educate and empower parents and caregivers about healthy childhood gross motor development, instilling trust and appreciation in our children’s body’s wisdom and abilities.

I firmly believe that movement is medicine to our bodies. When introduced and facilitated mindfully to a developing system, it can encourage healthy neuromuscular organization and movement patterns, minimizing long-term secondary consequences.

Wherever you are in your journey, I hope to meet you in your path to help make it feel a little easier, a little more natural for you and your child.

“Movement is medicine. For us. And for our kids.”

Some benefits of pediatric physical therapy