Carrol Esterhuizen
PT, DPT, MHS OCS, CPI - Owner
"Where I trained, we were constantly reminded and taught about the value of listening, communication and taking a whole person and whole-body approach of ALL of the patient and not just the physical. I incorporate this into my patient centered, manual therapy but also functional exercise treatment approach. I always am learning and incorporating the latest techniques and research into my patient care.
What I love about my job, is building relationships with patients. Helping a patient reach their goals, by giving them the confidence to move in their body, to walk, explosively jump or run after a surgical intervention, a back, neck injury or childbirth, makes this profession so rewarding."
What her patients say about her,
"Carrol is passionate and compassionate, goes the extra mile, has a great sense of humor, and a trusted reputation with years of experience, and she has figured out how to cure my pain".
Carrol has been a Physical Therapist for 33 years and has extensive experience as an orthopedic master clinician, besides, being a Board-certified Orthopedic Specialist. She has treated OSU football players with low back pain, who afterward have entered the NFL, an OSU wrestlers who went on to the Olympic games, down to 50 year old's who have had neck and back fusions, and have reached their goal of climbing South Sister Peak. She has helped many surgical patients get back on their feet and into their game, as she has a long history and experience, of rehabilitation of spinal, upper and lower extremity post-surgical patients or patients with injuries. In the past 5 years, she has expanded her knowledge base and has also specialized in Pelvic health, helping males, and females with pelvic pain, incontinence, and sexual dysfunction. She is a life-long learner.
Carrol spearheaded an Orthopedic Residency program at Sport and spine and heads up the mentorship of the Orthopedic Physical Therapy residents at Albany Sport and Spine Physical Therapy. This program is for Physical Therapists employed at Sport and Spine, furthering their postgraduate PT education.
Affiliations
- Member of the American Physical Therapy Association, Educational section, Orthopedic Section, Women's Health Section and Pelvic Health Section.
- She is on the political action committee for the Private Practice section, promoting Physical Therapy awareness with Oregon legislature regarding issues on Capitol Hill
Carrol loves to be physically active and used to play hockey, tennis and run cross country in High School. Currently, she is loving Orange Theory fitness workouts and dabble with Hot Yoga in the winter. She loves to hike in the spring and summer and has climbed South Sisters twice, Hiked in Canada and South Africa. She loves spending time with her family, gardening, baking and cooking. During the COVID shut down, she went through 100 pounds of flour baking for family and friends. She has traveled extensively and recently went on a Medical Mission trip in rural Haiti with local Physicians, with Haiti Health initiative. She loves to volunteer her time in the community and her favorite event is the Tim Tebow foundation Prom for disabled adults at Suburban Christian church.
Education
- BSC Physical Therapy - University of Stellenbosch South Africa 1987
- MHS - Post Graduate Master or Health Science in Orthopedic Physical Therapy 1997, Krannert School of Physical Therapy, Indianapolis
- DPT- Doctorate in Physical Therapy, with Practice administration and orthopedic track 2014
