Inspiring Conversations with Tara O’Brien of Sense Physical Therapy & Sports Performance

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tara O’Brien.

Hi Tara, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
When I graduated from the USC Doctor of Physical Therapy program in 2016, I was eager to dive into the sports world. My first role as clinic director at a sports facility in Miami looked like a dream on paper. In reality, I quickly realized I was just beginning. I craved mentorship, continuing education, and the kind of hands-on experience that could only come from years in the trenches.

That led me back to Los Angeles, where I spent three years at a high-volume, spine-focused clinic. I treated as many as 20 patients a day, an exhausting pace that pushed me to the edge of burnout. Yet it was also a crash course in assessment, treatment, and exercise programming. The sheer volume accelerated my growth in a way no classroom ever could.

When COVID hit, I pivoted to Luna, an outpatient company where I could treat patients one on one in their homes. For the first time, I saw how transformative extended, undivided attention could be. Patients who once needed 18 visits were improving in half the time. The outcomes spoke for themselves, but the constant driving eventually wore me down.

A move to San Clemente opened the next chapter. I joined MOTUS Physical Therapy Specialists, a cash-based clinic serving athletes individually. Over three years, I grew into the role of clinical director, helped expand the team, and built a reputation in South Orange County for guiding athletes from NFL players to surfers on the World Surf League back to peak performance. While I loved the work, the long hours and undervaluation by management made it clear I needed a new path.

So I took the leap. Starting out in a friend’s garage, I eventually grew into a full commercial space where I now treat professional, collegiate, and recreational athletes, as well as patients who have exhausted other options.

Today, instead of rushing through 20 patients a day, I work with five to eight clients and give each the focus they deserve. My approach emphasizes breathing mechanics, clear communication, and progressive programming that bridges the gap between rehab and performance. I still take continuing education courses regularly, each one a reminder of how much more there is to learn.

Looking back, I have evolved from a burned-out clinician to a practitioner who feels both confident and curious, grounded yet adaptable. Most of all, I am proud to say I have built a practice that reflects the kind of physical therapy I believe in: intentional, effective, and deeply personal.

We’ve been impressed with Sense Physical Therapy & Sports Performance, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am an orthopedic physical therapist based in San Clemente, California. My practice focuses on sports injuries, sports performance, and chronic pain, particularly for patients who have seen multiple providers without success. Each session is one on one in a private gym setting and lasts 60 minutes, allowing me to give clients the focused attention they need.

My approach blends manual therapy, targeted exercise, breathing techniques, and education. I draw heavily from the Postural Restoration Institute (PRI) and Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS), incorporating those principles into every treatment plan. Transparency is a priority, so I set clear expectations about recovery timelines and regularly track strength, balance, and control throughout the process.

Injuries can be as emotional as they are physical. For many of my clients, especially competitive surfers, recovery means more than regaining movement. Surfing is not only their sport but also their ritual, their creative outlet, and their grounding force. When an injury keeps them out of the water, the loss runs deeper than missed competition. My goal is to support patients through both the physical and emotional sides of recovery, guiding them back not only to performance but also to the activities that bring them meaning.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My husband, Ian Tidwell, has been my greatest supporter. I would never have started my own business without his encouragement. As a serial entrepreneur himself, he gave me the courage to leave an unhealthy work environment where I was undervalued and underpaid, and to take the leap into building something of my own. His belief in me made all the difference.

I have also been fortunate to learn from incredible mentors throughout my career. Dr. Mike O’Donnell at Harbor Physical Therapy, a true spine specialist, helped me refine my thought process, sharpen my manual therapy skills, and strengthen my approach to exercise prescription. My colleague Dr. Hannah Callen was another invaluable influence. For two years, we collaborated daily, discussing cases and challenging each other to maximize patient progress. That period of shared growth elevated us both as clinicians. More recently, Dr. Alan Lee at Start Physical Therapy has been generous in sharing clinical insights, particularly on applying Postural Restoration Institute concepts more effectively in practice.

Each of these people shaped the physical therapist I am today, and I carry their lessons into every patient interaction.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sensephysicaltherapy.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensephysicaltherapy/