Emily Saugen, DPT
Emily has been working as a PT since 2013 after she graduated from Concordia University here in Mequon. She started her career working in Lansing, MI treating patients with brain and spinal cord injuries, post –stroke and concussion as well as orthopedic injuries. She gained a great deal of experience working as part of a rehabilitation team which included physicians, OTs, SLPs, psychologists, orthotists and assistive technology professionals. In 2017, she and her family moved back to Wisconsin where she began working in an outpatient orthopedic setting and since then has continued to gain experience treating a wide range of diagnoses including, chronic pain, deconditioning, shoulder injuries, hip and low back pain and injuries, joint replacement, post-op knee injuries as well as neurological diagnoses such as Parkinson’s and stroke. She has experience in wheelchair fitting and evaluations. She is trained in treatment of vestibular disorders and vertigo and dry needling. She lives out in the country with her Husband, Adam and two young children, Ava and Thomas.
Meet Emily
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Question and Answer with Emily:
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What have been the highlights along your professional journey thus far?
The thing I love most about my career is the ability to meet so many people from so many different walks of life and help them along their health journey. Highlights for me are getting updates from patients about continued improvements even after our time in PT has ended and how they’ve continued to use the tools and strategies we came up with in PT to make improvements.
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What can a patient expect from a physical therapy session with you?
In the first session, as well as in subsequent sessions, I like to spend a great deal of time getting to know my patients—finding out what they enjoy doing, what they are having a hard time doing and what they want to get back to. I put a lot of emphasis on education and spend a lot of time educating my patients about their injury, recommendations for recovery and movement in general. I like to work with the patient to come up with a plan to work towards recovery that is in line with his/her goals and will fit into his/her life.
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What do I do to stay healthy and well:
I love being active in a variety of different ways especially by getting outside for a bike ride, run, walk or hike or just running out in the back yard with my 3 year old. I enjoy formal exercise programs such as yoga, HIIT and strength training. I feel I’m at my best mentally and emotionally if I’ve had a chance to workout! Eating a healthy diet is also very important to me and helps me to feel well so I also enjoy cooking and trying new healthy recipes.
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What are your favorite hobbies/things to do?
I love spending time with family and friends especially my daughter and husband. We enjoy being outside, hiking, golfing, biking and kayaking. We also enjoy exploring new places, going to concerts and sporting events and trying new restaurants.