The sun shines not on but in us.

—John Muir

About Shine Wellness

Shine Wellness is a physical therapy studio that delivers transformative care addressing the whole person—mind, body, and energy. Hands-on treatment and individual movement plans using integrative bodywork, including myofascial release, soft tissue mobilization and other manual techniques, enable patients to shine their brightest.

Sara Guerra, MPT

Owner

Sara Guerra, MPT

Born and raised in Conroe, Texas, Sara became aware she wanted a career helping others when she suffered a shoulder injury from competitive swimming. Her positive experience with her physical therapist left a lasting impression. She continued to swim competitively through college on scholarship at the NCAA division 1 level at the University of Louisiana Monroe and the University of North Texas.

After earning a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of North Texas, Sara completed a Master of Physical Therapy from the University of Texas Medical Branch in 2006. She then worked with the advanced age population in skilled nursing and home health settings for five years before transitioning to the outpatient setting.

Sara understands the athlete's mindset. In addition to her background as a collegiate swimmer, Sara competed in triathlons from 2007–2010, including multiple olympic and sprint distance events. She finished three half-ironmans in under six hours. Her background as a competitive swimmer and triathlete gives her essential insight into confronting existing injuries and preventing new ones.

Now a mother to a young son, Sara's pre- and postnatal patients benefit from her deep connection and sensitivity to this transformative time.

Central to Sara's therapeutic approach is the fact that a patient's understanding of the root causes of their condition enhances motivation and mindfulness, creating positive changes in movement, resting postures, breathing patterns, and awareness of thoughts and feelings. By educating patients on the “what” and “why” of their condition, Sara achieves lasting positive outcomes.

Sara, her husband, and young son live in Ventura, California. When Sara is not working with her patients, she finds great joy in yoga, spending time with family and friends, frequenting the many beaches of Ventura, creating macrame art, photography, home decor, visiting and exploring Mammoth on the trails and on the slopes, and managing her Mammoth rental property.

In Sara's Words: Origins of Shine Wellness

Shine Wellness blossomed from my desire to provide high quality one on one care and my need to achieve a healthier and more sustainable work-life balance as result of my journey into motherhood in 2014 and recent onset of autoimmune challenges.

I deeply value the relationships forged with my patients during the healing process. I understand my patients are not just “a back” or “a shoulder”, but a whole person, and a chief complaint or reason for seeking treatment rarely effects only that part of the body. I strongly believe our bodies, minds, and spirits are all affected when a system or area of the body is out of balance. Our minds are the most powerful healing tool we can employ. Working with our thoughts instead of against them, acknowledging the destructive or non helpful thoughts as they arise and turning them into positive action statements is hugely influential on our physical and energetic bodies. This is something I remind my patients (and myself) as they experience the ebb and flow of healing.

I am a self-described “hippie PT”, as I rely heavily on the feelings and impressions I receive, not just physically, but energetically from my patients. The result is a truly transformative treatment session as my patients are heard at the body, mind, and spirit/energetic levels.

At Shine Wellness I provide integrative bodywork (myofascial release, soft tissue mobilization, and other manual techniques) and facilitate mindful movement strategies through hands-on treatments and individualized movement plans to achieve my patients’goals and help them shine their brightest!

Testimonials

Sara is a great, experienced PT with a caring heart for her patients. She blends traditional manual physical therapy with MFR (myofascial release) to execute her treatment method which is subtle but has lasting effects. With a gentle touch and big smile, she makes you feel right at home. Her space is warm, beautiful and inviting too. Highly recommend!
—Leigh Scarber, DPT

I’ve been to chiropractors, yoga, Pilates and had massages. Still, nothing really makes me feel as good as when Sara was working on me. It stretched all the places that over the years have needed a fix. I felt so much younger and relaxed after our session. I will book again.
—Liz

Sara has magic hands! She knows just where to put pressure to help her patients feel relief from soreness. Her knowledge of body mechanics helps her patients to improve proper functioning of their bodies in a comprehensive way. She continues to improve her knowledge by attending seminars on new therapies and alternative treatments. Her practical understanding of these alternatives expedites healing and reduces the need for mainstream drugs. She has helped me to establish greater mobility after a painful broken shoulder injury and severe sciatica pain due to poor body mechanics over the years. Sara guided me through a visualization technique about how to do a proper Kegel which has improved my ability to control my bladder. The therapy Sara provides can be life changing, and her recommended exercises between treatments are spot on and valuable to the continued improvement her patients will experience. I highly recommend Sara Guerra as a physical therapist. She has helped me and she can help you!
—Kathy E.