Sarah Wright: Is Recovery Just A Process Or More?

In this powerful episode of the Struggle2Success Podcast, Sterling sits down with Dr. Sarah Wright, DPT of NovaCare Rehabilitation to unpack what real recovery looks like—beyond pain scales and checklists. Dr. Wright was instrumental in Sterling’s comeback after a forearm fracture and shoulder tear, identifying a missed rotator-cuff injury and advocating for the testing and care he needed. Together they discuss why physical therapy is more than exercises—it’s problem-solving, patient advocacy, and rebuilding confidence. You’ll hear how to push for answers when “you’re fine” doesn’t match what your body is telling you, how to tailor rehab to job-specific demands (like law enforcement), and how insurance limits can affect progress—and what to do about it.

Guest: Dr. Sarah Wright, DPT — NovaCare Rehabilitation
Address: 270 Granite Run Drive, Lancaster, PA 17601
Phone: (717) 560-6210
Web: novacare.com or https://www.novacare.com/contact/find-a-location/pa/lancaster/granite-run/

If you’re recovering from surgery, injury, or burnout—and you know something still isn’t right—this conversation is for you. Advocate for your health, ask better questions, and keep moving forward.

Connect with the show: struggle2success.p@gmail.com

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Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to a Different Episode
• 2:15 Discovering the Missed Shoulder Injury
• 5:12 Sarah's Journey to Physical Therapy
• 11:28 Tailoring Treatment to Patient Needs
• 15:08 Challenges with Insurance and Doctors
• 20:54 Advocating for Patient Care
• 22:53 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Transcript

Sterling: 0:00
Hello, wonderful people. This is Sterling Brown, your host of the Struggle2Success Podcast, and I want to say this episode you’re about to hear is different. It was recorded with RØDE Wireless GO II mics and recorded live in transition—that means it was captured in the middle of doing something else—but I know everyone is going to enjoy it.

In this episode, I had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Sarah Wright, a Doctor of Physical Therapy who helped me recover after breaking my forearm and tearing my shoulder—an injury that almost ended everything. You might hear a few audio hiccups or rough pitches, but don’t let that fool you. This conversation is packed with gold.

You’re going to hear how physical therapy isn’t just about healing the body. It’s about advocating for yourself when the system fails you, having a team that actually pays attention, and how the right person in your corner can literally save your life and your future.

Sterling: 1:07
If you’ve ever been injured, overlooked, or told you’re fine when you knew something was still wrong, this episode is for you.

Sarah Wright: 1:16
If you have ever been told that you’re not capable of attaining success, if you have made mistakes, or if you’ve lived in an underprivileged neighborhood, then this podcast is for you. You are now locked in to Struggle to Success. Struggle to Success aims to inspire individuals to navigate life’s challenges with courage, fortitude, and unwavering determination. So if you’re in your car, jogging, or somewhere else trying to find the calm in the storm, then join Struggle to Success, airing every other Saturday. Remember, life is trials. Stay focused.

Sterling: 1:52
So we started off with a radius break in my right forearm. Rehabilitation, follow-ups, more follow-ups. Then you did something that went far beyond.

Sarah Wright: 2:07
You noticed something off about my posture. From the first day, you came to me for work conditioning—higher-level, physically strenuous activity. But on that first visit, I thought, “This is not appropriate. He hasn’t even healed from this radius fracture yet.” We were already seeing deficits.

As we explored, we found those deficits weren’t just from the forearm. Looking into your shoulder, I realized it was much weaker than we’d expect from simple deconditioning. That raised concerns, and as we progressed, you couldn’t do the stabilizing exercises you should’ve been able to. That’s when red flags went up. We pushed for an MRI, and we discovered the rotator cuff had been torn the whole time.

Sterling: 3:25
That was shocking.

Sarah Wright: 3:27
Yes—and surprising that it hadn’t been looked into earlier, given the severity of your injury. They naturally started with the most obvious injury—the forearm—but without our push, your shoulder might have been overlooked even longer.

Sterling: 3:51
If you and your team hadn’t caught it, it would’ve been missed. This is what happens without a good physical therapy team. Many of us in law enforcement would have kept going, believing we were 100% when, in reality, we weren’t.

Sarah Wright: 4:16
From day one, you were on board with the plan—never questioning why, always giving your best effort, and respecting the limits when needed. That’s what made your progress possible. We facilitate, but you did the hard work.

Sterling: 4:38
What led you to pursue a career in physical therapy?

Sarah Wright: 4:45
I was injured as a teenager and spent time in physical therapy. I loved the environment—different from traditional medicine. I wanted to help people hands-on and build long-term relationships. I chose a company where I could practice that way—with autonomy, one-on-one care, and patient advocacy.

Sterling: 6:01
Was that a long process before you started practicing here?

Sarah Wright: 6:07
In grad school, I researched companies. Some see too many patients per hour, leaving little time for hands-on work. I wanted a place where I could treat properly and have mentorship as a new grad. When I interviewed here, I knew it was the right fit.

Sterling: 7:47
How fast are you able to tailor a program for someone?

Sarah Wright: 7:51
It starts with the initial evaluation. I take a detailed history, because responsibilities differ. For example, when you told me about gripping and maintaining positive control with your firearm, I knew that needed to be built into your rehab. Not everyone has those functional needs, but for you, returning to work safely depended on it.

Sterling: 9:10
How do you approach patients from different walks of life?

Sarah Wright: 9:24
My psychology background helps. PT isn’t just exercises—it’s people. Reading body language, creating a positive environment, and building trust matter as much as the treatment. No one loves going to PT, so I try to make it meaningful, encouraging, and positive.

Sterling: 11:13
From your perspective, what are the biggest challenges when dealing with insurance companies and doctors?

Sarah Wright: 11:22
Insurance limits are the hardest. Some patients only get 30 visits a year, no matter their condition. We do our best to maximize those visits or create affordable alternatives. Doctors also have time constraints—10 minutes per appointment—whereas I see patients three times a week. Sometimes advocating for what we see is a struggle, but many doctors are receptive.

Sterling: 13:58
And your degree—it’s a doctorate of physical therapy, right?

Sarah Wright: 14:09
Yes, it’s a clinical doctorate, not a PhD. The push for that degree was because we often see patients before a doctor does, so we need to catch red flags.

Sterling: 14:28
And the advocacy you provide goes far beyond. Many therapists could stop at 20 or 30 visits, but you go the extra mile. If you could change one thing in healthcare, what would it be?

Sarah Wright: 14:46
Access. If I see a patient needs therapy three times a week, they should get it without financial barriers. Insurance limits hold patients back.

Sterling: 15:24
Final question—do you think insurance companies have too much control?

Sarah Wright: 15:37
In some cases, yes. State insurance can be especially limiting. I wish we had more authority to guide care, since we see patients more often. But I’m grateful PT is recognized at all, unlike some other services.

Sterling: 20:06
Sarah, thank you so much for your time and for the extraordinary work you’re doing.

Sterling: 20:26
To my listeners, thank you for sticking with us. This wasn’t just an interview—it was a reminder that healing isn’t always visible and advocacy isn’t always loud. Don’t settle. Ask questions. Fight for your healing.

Sterling: 21:38
NovaCare Rehabilitation has a five-star rating and is located at 270 Granite Run Drive, Lancaster, PA 17601. You can reach them at (717) 569-4093 or at www.novacare.com
.

Sarah Wright: 22:27
Thanks for checking out this episode of Struggle to Success. To connect with the show, email us at struggle2success.p@gmail.com. Make sure you like and subscribe so you never miss an episode. And remember—life is trials. Stay focused.