Image of Dr. Steven Roach

Dr. Steven Roach

PT, DPT, OCS, Clinic Director | South Sound Physical & Hand Therapy – West Olympia

“I take special interest in empowering my patients to ‘fix’ themselves at home through specific exercise planning as well as hands-on manual therapy techniques to supplement the rehabilitation process.”

Dr. Steven Roach was born and raised in Washington’s Thurston County. He graduated from the University of Southern California in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology with a concentration in Applied Physiology. After a year of working as a physical therapy aide at South Sound Physical & Hand Therapy, Steven entered Columbia University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program and graduated in 2017. Through his clinical experiences during his time in school, Steven has worked within a variety of settings across the nation ranging from acute care within a Veterans Administration (VA) hospital in the Bronx in New York to outpatient, sports-specific rehabilitation with professional athletes in Phoenix and Denver.

Steven has always loved sports and sports medicine. He was fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to pursue various educational experiences from high school through graduate school as well as during his postgraduate endeavors. Steven culminated his orthopedic manual therapy residency through industry leader, Evidence in Motion, with a board specialist certification in orthopedics in June of 2019. Throughout this residency, Steven advanced his knowledge in targeted manual therapy interventions to help patients get better, faster.

Recently, Steven has taken a special interest in golf and gotten Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) certified to better assess golf specific movement patterns and faults. He then blends his experience in the world of physical therapy with extensive, customized exercise prescription to help each individual achieve the most efficient swing their body is capable of.

Outside of work, Steven enjoys exploring nature through hiking, camping and hunting in the mountains; fishing in lakes and rivers; playing soccer; and traveling to new places.

Education:

  • Doctor of Physical Therapy (Columbia University)
  • Bachelor of Science in Human Biology, concentration in Applied Physiology (University of Southern California)

Specialized Training

  • Aquatic therapy
  • Balance and falls prevention
  • Desensitization and sensory reduction
  • Ergonomic analysis
  • Ergonomic training and assessment
  • Gait analysis
  • Hand and upper extremity rehabilitation
  • Post-operative care
  • Scar management
  • Sports performance
  • Vestibular rehabilitation
  • Wellness
  • Work conditioning