“I believe physical therapy is a unique health care specialty that does more than just evaluate patients. We are able to spend time with our patients to help them develop a plan and we use treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. I enjoy working with my patients and feel my greatest tool is that I able to provide my patients with knowledge on how to prevent or manage their condition, so they can achieve long term health benefits. I believe it is most beneficial to work with my patients on a one on one level to provide them with a personalized treatment program and I am very easy to communicate with. Helping others return to their sport/activity of choice and integrate back into the community is something I strive for with all my patients.”
Dr. Risha Strople’s passion for health care came while working in the Athletic Training Program at UC Davis. After working as the primary athletic trainer for the Tennis, Soccer, Lacrosse, and Volleyball teams, she was recognized for her outstanding contributions and dedication to the Athletic Training Program. Her experience working with collegiate athletes gave her a niche for watching sport mechanics and how it relates to injury.
Immediately after graduating from UC Davis with her Bachelors of Science Degree in Exercise Biology, Risha continued her education at the University of Southern California where she obtained her Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy. While pursing her degree, she was involved with the American Physical Therapy Association, and assisted top researchers with studies on ACL injuries of young female athletes. She graduated with the Order of the Golden Cane Award (the highest honor awarded to graduates).
Risha began her career working with high level athletes and doing post-surgical rehab programs for active patients who had undergone recent surgery from the Kerlan and Jobe Orthopedic Physicians group, including many professional and Olympic athletes. Risha has taken continuing education courses on evaluation and specialized treatment of the cervicothoracic spine, shoulder, hip, and knee, as well as courses in effective taping techniques, barefoot running, and the evaluation and treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction, urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and male pelvic pain. She later chose to specialize in pelvic floor physical therapy and has focused her patient care around individuals with pelvic floor dysfunction, male and female pelvic pain, incontinence, and constipation. She has incorporated biofeedback training for muscle reeducation and Pilates reformer exercises to provide a unique and effective approach to pelvic floor dysfunction and incontinence.
Risha has been working with team at Huntington Beach Physical Therapy Specialists since 2010. She and her husband are co-owners of the facility and have expanded their practice to accommodate patient’s within the Tustin area with Tustin Physical Therapy Specialists. She strives to provide: compassionate care that includes preventative, rehabilitative, and performance-enhancing programs to maximize function and promote well-being in patients of all ages and abilities. She has the passion and skills required to be an effective out-patient physical therapist and a successful practitioner that truly engages all of her patient’s during their treatments through compassion and education. Through her experience and success treating patient’s with pelvic floor dysfunction and incontinence, she has grown this area of practice for HBPTS and continues to maintain excellent coordination of care with Gastroenterologists, Urologists, and Urogynocologists.
In order to provide the most up to date treatments possible, Risha believes strongly in pursuing on-going continuing education. She is an active member of the American Physical Therapy and California Physical Therapy Associations as well as a member of the Women’s section of the APTA. She is a Huntington Beach resident and enjoys spending time with her husband, Bryan, their daughters, Sloan and Lorelei, and dog, Charlie. She remains active and loves biking and hiking.
- University of Southern California, Doctoral Degree in Physical Therapy
- University of California, Davis, Bachelor of Science Degree – Exercise Biology
- 21,000 + hours in direct patient care: Outpatient Orthopedics and Women’s Health.
