Virginia Concussion and Pain Physical Therapy

Compassionate care. Personalized treatment.

Meet Dr. Etheredge, PT, DPT

Expert in Concussion, Headache, and Neck Pain Rehabilitation

About Dr. Etheredge

Hello, and welcome! I’m Dr. Sara Etheredge, a Doctor of Physical Therapy and the founder of Virginia Concussion and Pain Physical Therapy.

I specialize in treating individuals with headaches, neck pain, dizziness, and post-concussion symptoms, especially when recovery has stalled or feels overwhelming.

My journey into physical therapy began with my own chronic pain following a whiplash injury. That experience gave me not only clinical insight but also deep empathy for the emotional and physical challenges my patients face. 

I believe in care that is thoughtful, evidence-based, and truly personalized. No two people experience recovery the same way and your treatment should reflect that.

Our mission

Transforming recovery through expert concussion and pain management therapy.

My Approach to Care:

  • Full 50-60-minute sessions with me, no tech handoffs, no double-booking
  • A custom recovery plan designed around your specific goals
  • Hands-on treatments like manual therapy and dry needling
  • Tools to help you manage pain and symptoms
  • Support between visits via email, phone, or check-ins
  • Access to helpful clinic equipment for at-home use

Whether you’re coming directly or referred by another provider, you’ll be met with clear communication and compassionate care every step of the way.

Education and Professional Development

  • Doctor of Physical Therapy, Virginia Commonwealth University
  • B.S. in Biology, Cum Laude, University of Mary Washington
  • Advanced training in:Concussion management
    • Dry needling & kinesiology taping
    • Myofascial release & manual therapy
    • Pain neuroscience education
    • Neuromodulation for chronic headaches
    • Vestibular Rehabilitation

Clinical Experience

Early in my career, I worked in outpatient orthopedic and neuro-based clinics, treating a wide range of conditions including post-surgical rehabilitation, sports injuries, chronic pain, and neurological disorders.

Over the past 13 years, I’ve had the privilege of working with individuals recovering from concussions, whiplash injuries, and moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries (TBI) including time spent in a residential neurorehabilitation setting. There, I provided care to individuals with complex, long-term needs following significant brain injury, often supporting recovery well beyond the acute phase.

While I’ve treated patients with concussion and whiplash-related symptoms throughout much of my career, for the past 5 years, my clinical focus has been exclusively dedicated to this population. I specialize in helping individuals with persistent symptoms, especially when recovery has plateaued or become complicated by overlapping diagnoses. My approach is grounded in the latest evidence-supported treatment methods and includes a combination of hands-on techniques, patient education, and individualized strategies designed to promote healing, restore function, and support long-term recovery.

Professional Affiliations & Publications:

Orthopedic Section, American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
Neurology Section, APTA
Virginia Physical Therapy Association (VPTA)
Awards:Carlton Jones Outstanding Clinical Instructor Award

Selected Publications and Presentations:

Post-Traumatic Headache: Knowledge Update  - The Pain Practitioner
Cefaly Neuromodulation for Post-Traumatic Neuralgic Headache - Poster presentation at the 9th World Congress on Brain Injury