Our Team

Dr. Derek Straus attended the University of Wisconsin – Madison for his undergraduate education and received a bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Psychology. During his time at Wisconsin, he also was a four-year letter winner with the football team and 2x academic all Big Ten. He then went on to receive his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri. Derek finished his Doctorate education by completing Kaiser Permanente’s Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) residency which focused on restoration of impairment through specialized coordination, strengthening, and mobility treatments. He was a part of the spinal cord injury team, but also treated a wide range of patients from general back pain to ACL rehab.

Dr. Derek Straus specializes in sports rehabilitation, orthopedic conditions, amputee rehabilitation, and gait/balance.  Derek uses his past experiences as a D1 football player for the Wisconsin Badgers to help develop rehab as well as wellness programs for his patients. With his past in athletics, Derek can closely relate to the injured worker, adult, or athlete making sure to tie in exercises that will help with confidence during return to function. Derek believes in a holistic, evidence-based approach to treatment that will address multiple areas of the body if needed to heal your injury/surgery. He has years of experience with various manual therapy techniques and therapeutic exercise to help with restoration of your injuries.
 
Derek grew up in Wisconsin playing hockey, football, and baseball with his friends and family. He moved to Missouri for his Doctorate education where he met his wife. They enjoyed spending time at the lakes and in Springfield with friends. Shortly after their graduation, they moved to the PNW seeking adventure in the mountains through hiking, rock climbing, skiing, and snowshoeing. Derek loves to stay active by participating in CrossFit workouts and even jumping into some exercises with patients!