Dr. Sloane Roeser
Doctor of Physical Therapy
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About Sloane
Sloane is known for her ability to solve complex, long-standing problems—especially for active adults who have “tried everything.” Patients consistently describe her as deeply intuitive, remarkably thorough, and “the first PT who finally explained what was actually happening” in their bodies. She draws on extensive training across multiple systems—including Functional Manual Therapy®, visceral mobilization, pelvic floor and spinal biomechanics, and Active Release Technique—combining advanced hands-on care with a lens of research-informed movement to uncover the true drivers of pain and dysfunction.
Sloane began her studies in human movement at Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, earning a degree in Kinesiology. Wanting a more hands-on understanding of the body than textbooks could provide, she simultaneously completed a massage therapy program at the California Holistic Institute, graduating from both in 2013. Her early practice as a massage therapist deepened her curiosity about anatomy—how structures interact in three-dimensional movement and how this understanding enhances manual therapy—and sparked her ongoing passion for exploring the complexities of human structure and function. Before starting PT school, she worked for two years under Jeff Miller, a physical therapist trained in the Netherlands, whose success with patients in chronic, unresolved pain introduced her to visceral mobilization and the broader role of the nervous system in pain and dysfunction. During her doctoral training at San Diego State University, she completed multiple Barral visceral manipulation courses.
While at SDSU, she conducted research observing the postures and movement patterns of individuals with chronic low back pain as they went about their daily lives outside of a lab—distinguishing itself in the research field for its real-world approach and capturing how patients actually move in their natural environments. This work resulted in a case study she presented at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting (CSM), the largest national physical therapy conference showcasing the most cutting-edge research, and earned her program’s Excellence in Research Award. Alongside her primary research, she also took a special interest in exploring the interconnected aspects of fear, pain, and movement in people with chronic low back pain.
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Q: Can you share some experiences that have shaped your approach to care?
A: I’ve been fortunate to work with organizations that provide high-quality physical therapy to underserved populations in Mexico and El Salvador. These outreach experiences often involve a single encounter with individuals who lack access to quality PT or healthcare, which has deeply inspired me to continue growing as a clinician with the goal of delivering effective and efficient care to help people quickly alleviate pain and restore function to return to the activities that matter most to them.
Q: Which experiences in your work have been most meaningful to you?
A: Some of my most meaningful experiences have come from volunteering in adaptive recreation. I’ve worked with an adaptive paddling program in Morro Bay, modifying kayaks and assisting individuals with spinal cord injuries and other significant mobility challenges; supported surfers with physical disabilities during “Life Rolls On” events at La Jolla Shores; and taught children with ASD and Down’s syndrome to ride bikes through San Diego’s iCanBike program. As someone with generalized joint hypermobility who has navigated numerous injuries, and as an avid climber, runner, and weightlifter with advanced yoga training as a 500-hour registered yoga teacher, I deeply understand how physical feats, big or small, can reconnect us to our bodies and restore vitality. I strive to help patients access that same sense of empowerment. From the moment I entered this field, the greatest reward has been seeing the beaming smile of someone who is absolutely bursting with joy when they’ve accomplished something physically that they haven’t been able to do in a long time, or have never been able to do. I hold these moments in my memory, and they remind me that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
Q: What do you hope patients take away from working with you?
A: I strive to offer the gift of full presence in every session. Having been through my own rehabilitation from numerous challenging injuries and conditions, and guided by some incredible physical therapists, I know how transformative it can be when a provider is not only highly skilled, but as deeply invested in your goals as you are. I am honored to be trusted with each patients’ well-being, and my goal is to restore each patient’s faith in their own body, which is by nature miraculously resilient.
One of the qualities that sets Sloane apart is her ability to integrate the physical, emotional, and experiential aspects of each patient’s story. Known for her calm, relational style, she listens deeply, asks meaningful questions, and creates a sense of safety that allows patients to be honest about their challenges. Her long-standing passion for yoga, mindfulness, and meditation—including completing a 500-hour advanced yoga teacher certification in Rishikesh, India—has shaped this grounded, embodied presence in her work. Patients often remark that “she cared about my whole self,” not just the injured region.
