AT JAGUAR

As the Head Physical Therapist at our Pinecrest location, Tara O’Brien is spearheading our first franchise clinic with a hands-on, biomechanical approach to physical therapy. From the second a patient arrives, Tara is analyzing everything from their posture to walking style. She draws on these movement patterns to establish a diagnosis and create a specific and individualized treatment program for her patients. Tara is known for her hands on micro-adjustments during exercises to ensure that the correct muscles are being targeted. Her goal is to not only promote recovery from the initial injury, but also create a sustainable home exercise program to help prevent re-injury from occurring.

Tara first interned with Jaguar Therapeutics at the Coconut Grove clinic in the Fall of 2015. She embraced the high intensity atmosphere we promote at Jaguar and developed her confidence in patient care during her clinical rotation. As a key team member, Tara has perfected her ability to create comprehensive and individualized treatment programs that address the patient’s whole body. 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Prior to entering into the DPT program at USC, Tara was a Student Athletic Trainer for the USC Athletic Department. During her senior year at USC, she took on the leadership role of Head Student Athletic Trainer for the USC Football Team, playing an integral part in the prevention and rehabilitation of the athletes’ injuries. She worked under some of the top orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, and athletic trainers in the country, utilizing state-of-the-art equipment and treatment approaches including AlterG anti-gravity treadmill post-surgical protocols, underwater treadmills, as well as individualized gait and running analyses for diverse athletic populations. She has experience in concussion testing and prevention on and off the field.

EDUCATION

Tara earned her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Southern California in 2013. In 2016, Tara completed her Doctorate in Physical Therapy also at the University of Southern California. She graduated in the top 10% of her class from the #1 Physical Therapy program in the country. As a double USC Trojan, she bleeds cardinal and gold.