My daughter's diagnosis of scoliosis at 8 years old was crushing. She was near 40 degrees of curvature and her specialist told us that she would inevitably need surgery, likely multiple of them. Being a nurse, I researched hours and hours into everything scoliosis and joined every parent support group I could find. She started bracing and I looked into Schroth therapy as recommended by so many parents, while keeping Dr. Sandy's name in my back pocket as the very best therapist until the time came when my daughter reached the age and level of maturity to begin Schroth. I was hesitant about Schroth as our specialist wasn't hugely sold on it, yet I couldn't help but try everything possible to avoid surgery for my daughter. Dr. Sandy came as our orthotist's absolute number one recommendation. I can definitely see why. We live out of state, so Dr. Sandy offered an intensive set of 12 Schroth therapy sessions which we did over a summer break. She created a series of exercises and therapies specific to Kyla's curve and other areas of her body which were contributing to her scoliosis. She took so much time and attention ensuring that Kyla was capable and ready to perform these exercises at home. She offered encouragement and praise and also recognized when Kyla was tired and losing focus finding other fun activities and small breaks to keep her on track. She helped my husband and I create a schedule collecting instructions/notes, photos and videos of Kyla demonstrating her exercises for reference at home. Dr. Sandy was so kindly generous as to consider that our appointments often fell after hours of driving and staying in hotels. She set up shop for my son in the office, made snack breaks, and even helped arrange for our furry family member during a time when we had no choice but to bring our dog. Dr. Sandy strives for perfection and her therapy skills are top notch. Our sessions weren't just about my daughter but also about our confidence in helping her and ensuring she was doing her therapy correctly. My husband and I both learned a tremendous amount. My daughter's strength and confidence is growing, and I can see all her hard work making amazing changes. Dr. Sandy has an obvious love for children and passion for overall health and wellness. I would not trust my daughter with anyone else, and we plan on seeing her for the long term, even mountains away. If you are looking for a conservative and effective Schroth therapist who is patient, loving and encouraging, Dr Sandy absolutely cannot be beat! read more

I'm in my 60's and have had years of chronic muscle strain from scoliosis. There has been more rapid progression of the curve with a significant rotation of the ribcage the last few years. I've just completed the 10-day (2 hrs per day) intensive scoliosis rehab offered by Sandy at Resonance Physical Therapy and Wellness. I was able to spread it out over 3 weeks to accommodate my work schedule. After the first day I had immediate and lasting pain relief. The treatment went above and beyond the limited "strengthen the core" protocols I've previously encountered in physical therapy. Sandy's comprehensive and individualized approach started with a thorough assessment, including an eval of x-rays, related labs, and my medical history. She spent time listening to my concerns. She used care and wise judgment in adapting the therapy to the degenerative changes of my spine, osteoporosis, and knee pain from a previously fractured kneecap. For many years I've had back pain with usual daily activities. I saw several physical therapists and chiropractors, and tried various braces. I'd been told by some practitioners that I would always have this muscle strain and that PT exercises cannot be adapted to my specific spinal curve. Sandy used advanced therapy techniques which were adapted to my specific scoliosis curve pattern, such as Schroth and the SEAS approach. Schroth certified practitioners are few and far between in California, so this was a rare find for me. Spinal surgeons I've seen did not advise surgery due to my osteoporosis and internal organ shifting. Sandy's professional expertise helped me with a collapsing wheezy lung, a dislodged diaphragm, fascia issues, skin problems, painful scarring from a past cancer surgery, and discouragement from various ineffective attempts for relief over the years. I'm now experiencing increased flexibility, increasing lung capacity, muscle strengthening, improved posture, and pain relief. I now have a plan to manage this chronic condition and prevent disability. This was the most complete and effective treatment I've ever had for my scoliosis. read more

I went to Dr. Sandy for physical therapy due to back pain resulting from longstanding scoliosis. Check out her qualifications! She is a highly educated physical therapist. Only 4% of physical therapists in our nation go on to complete a Residency after getting their P.T. degree, she not only went on to get her Residency, she completed a Fellowship AND her Doctorate too. She taught the orthopedic curriculum at CSUS and while working in Southern California she was the PT consultant for the LA Kings hockey team. She knows her specialty. Before she even started developing a program for me, she did a whole body assessment using quantifiable measurements looking at my flexibility and range of motion before and after the completion of my program so we could quantify my improvement. She identified where I was weak and where I was strong, explained to me the whys behind the exercises I was to do, provided me with exercises to do at home immediately and encouraged me along the way. She knows the anatomy of the body and what exercises it takes, specific to you, to reach your best function. My sessions were focused on giving me at-home exercises to strengthen my back as well as to create flexibility in all my joints, which allowed me to focus on the health of my whole body. Using videos and pictures of me doing the exercises and then allowing me to explain the exercises, while I repeated them to her, helped reinforce the correct way to do these exercises while at home. Being a nurse practitioner, myself, I recognize the importance of teaching people self-autonomy. Dr. Sandy empowers you to take back your health. I am now pain-free after six weeks and am confident I will remain so as long as I continue the exercises at home. I have only great things to say about the treatment I received from Dr. Sandy and I am excited about the changes I have seen in me! read more

I had scoliosis since I was young. As an adult, I went to chiropractors who would make "adjustments" to help the symptoms, not the fix problem. Because of that, I thought it couldn't be corrected. And I'm sure through those chiropractors it can't - except through surgery. Over the years I gradually started having more problems with my back, neck, shoulders and hips. I dealt with them as they came until it got to be too much. I searched on the internet for someone who could help. At the time, I wasn't sure what type of doctor could help. I just knew it wasn't going to be a chiropractor. I found Dr. Sandy. The description of her practice was totally different than everyone else on the website. She actually specialized in scoliosis. She would be the only one to help me. On my initial visit she took "before" photos. I was stunned when I saw the photos of me from the back. I physically looked crooked. Then I stood next to her as she examined my X-ray. I had mild/moderate scoliosis, hyper kyphosis, a turned vertebra and a crooked tailbone. Each session with Dr. Sandy I felt an improvement. Sometimes I left feeling better than I've ever felt in my life. It was amazing! I also started sleeping better at night. At the end of my 12 sessions, Dr. Sandy took the "after" pictures. I was AMAZED how much I improved - physically improved! Which explains why I was feeling so much physically better! The improvement between my "before" pictures and "after" pictures was incredible! Dr. Sandy is a wonder! She fixes the problem(s) not just the symptoms! When I questioned her she told me every evening she studies her patients' x-rays and their physical issues (whom she's seeing the following day) and comes up with the best exercises for them to correct the problem. If you're serious about getting well, Dr. Sandy is the one to see. read more

I am so glad I found Dr. Sandy to help me through my postpartum journey. After a difficult birth, I knew I needed to seek additional care for my pelvic floor. I struggled for the first 3 months postpartum not understanding what had happened to my body. My OB was great throughout my pregnancy journey, but after the birth, I felt I wasn't getting the care I needed for the issues I was experiencing. My first interaction with Dr. Sandy was on the phone after I had left an inquiry message on her office line. Not only did she call me back within a day, but she talked with me on the phone for almost an hour to understand my issues prior to even booking the first appointment. Never having been to physical therapy, let alone for such a private area on my body, I was nervous for my first appointment. Dr. Sandy immediately made me feel comfortable and was extremely thorough in her discussions with me. She is so warm, welcoming, and easy to talk to. I ended up doing 10 sessions, and each one she went over her allotted time to make sure I was prepared with the correct exercises and information prior to leaving. I never felt rushed out of the office, unlike I do every time I see a regular doctor! Having just finished my last session, I am so happy with how far I've come. Not only is my pelvic floor stronger and feeling mostly back to normal, but I also received invaluable nutrition support to help me with some GI problems I was also experiencing. I would recommend Dr. Sandy to any Mom, whether you are newly postpartum or had a baby 10 years ago. She has been so helpful throughout this difficult period in my life, and I'm so thankful that I made the decision to go to her practice! read more

I was diagnosed with severe scoliosis at age 12 (75°/85° S-curve) and had Harrington rod surgery soon after, fusing T4-L3. Despite that, I've lived a full, active life--sports, travel, and three pregnancies, including full-term twins. For the last 25 years, I've managed chronic back pain with regular exercise and occasional arthritis medication, but in recent years the pain has increased. I wanted to protect my long-term mobility and started looking for someone who understood complex spines. That's how I found Dr. Sandy. I've been referred to physical therapy many times, and the pattern was always the same: a quick 15-minute evaluation followed by being handed off to an assistant to run through generic exercises. Every follow-up was a repeat of the same routine. Dr. Sandy was completely different. My first appointment was over an hour. She reviewed my X-ray, asked detailed questions about my daily habits, sleep, and activities, and did a thorough assessment of how I move. We talked about my long-term goals, not just short-term pain relief. I expected basic back and hip exercises. Instead, Dr. Sandy created a truly comprehensive plan--addressing tight ankles, calves, and hamstrings (which were causing compensation), as well as targeted back and hip work, plus guidance on how to sleep, walk, and stand to reduce strain. Each week she reviewed my progress personally and adjusted my plan. At my final session, she even gave me future progressions for the next few months so I could keep improving on my own. Dr. Sandy is, without question, the best physical therapist I've ever worked with. I cannot recommend her highly enough. read more

Sandhya has been an absolute God send for me! I have been struggling with pain in feet, in hip, in shoulders ,inner thigh area and having various issues with my body, for the last 8 years and have been in and out of PT places with no relief. I have been told off as early arthritis, hyper mobility etc by my doctors, other PT's and I was having no hope other then going and taking injections from the podiatrist when pain was more. 1st day of walking into resonance physical therapy itself I remember feeling this glimmer of hope within me which I had stopped feeling as I had accepted that this was how my life was going to be now. The 1st visit in her clinic she paid more attention to my body than I have ever received from any previous doctor or pt combined. She is genuinely passionate about her field and the results show with each of her patients . I wish I had found her earlier in life. This is the first yelp review I'm writing. I just want everyone out there suffering to know there is hope with good PTs like Sandhya but I have discovered they are soooooooooooo hard to find. I have been going to Kaiser PT for the past few years and they have not been able to help me. Instead of paying a Kaiser insurance I would have gladly paid the full fees for Resonance physical therapy visits had I known they are going to be completely different experiences. I have hope in life now and the energy to be a fun mom with my daughter. I wish Sandhya all the very best for all her future endeavors and success in continuing her practice just the way it is so that she can continue helping many more of us in getting relief. read more

My daughter was diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis 16 months ago. When we found out, it was already progressed to 42 degree thoracis spine and 47 degree lower lumbar spine. Her body was also taking S shape and suffering from back pain. Her pediatrician simply asked us to wait and monitor the curve, but instead of waiting, we did our own research and found out about Schroth Therapy and we found Sandy thru https://schrothptsintheus.com I learned that this evidence based method has been used throughout the developed world for a 100 years to keep people off the operating table. After starting Schroth Physical therapy with Sandy, the progression of the curve has stopped along with improvement in her pain level. Not only that but it also helped with her overall posture and body alignment. Sandy helped her learning the exercises so she can start doing it at home as well. she has also helped my daughter with the Brace correction and has come to appointments to help correct her Brace. Sandy is very hands- on, and pays attention to the details. She has consistently gone above and beyond in empowering my daughter to help herself by using Schroth method, both technically and emotionally. She has not only able to teach the mechanics of the exercises but offers a level of energy, fun , compassion and support that has kept her motivated to always strive for her best. She also has vast knowledge of Ayurvedic medicine and yoga, that helped my daughter learned about clean diet. I am forever grateful to Sandy for her encouragement and knowledge. read more

When my daughter was 15 years old, she underwent spine surgery to correct her scoliosis. Unfortunately, the surgery left her in more pain and, as a result, she was unable to attend school or participate in many ordinary daily activities. Although we tried many therapies, none were giving her any real, lasting relief from pain. My daughter's life finally began to improve a year and a half after her spine surgery when we found Sandy at Resonance Therapy. Previous physical therapists did their best to help her but they seemed to be using a set "post surgery protocol" that wasn't responding in a tailored way to the specific needs of my daughter's unique body mechanics. Sandy, on the other hand, gave her targeted exercises based on what her muscles were actually doing. Unlike any other provider, the exercises prescribed by Sandy included some that retrained the mind body connection, helping my daughter's pain response return to normal. As a result of the care she has received from Sandy, her muscles are stronger and more balanced and she has gained tremendous knowledge about how to properly maintain a pain free body. Sandy is that rare practitioner that has a real passion for lifelong learning. She brought her understanding of many treatment therapies to play in order to maximize my daughter's healing. Thanks to Sandy, my daughter has gone from having daily, often debilitating pain to being able to live the happy active life of a typical 17 year old! We are deeply grateful to Sandy for her life changing care! read more

Before finding out about Resonance Physical Therapy I had been to many doctor appointments for my scoliosis. I was offered bracing which didn't seem to work with me at the time being that I was a very active teenager and being in a brace for 23 hours a day seemed daunting and I thought there must be a better way to combat this. After many doctor visits with no progress or plan for my scoliosis I put it on the back burner. Unfortunately, in summer of 2020 I was in a serious car accident which led me to physical therapy. There, I mentioned my scoliosis to my PT trainer and she gave me Sandy's number and suggest I give her a call, so I did and it was easily one of the best decisions I've made. Upon meeting Sandy I was nervous but once we started working together it was like talking with a friend I had for years. I noticed a difference in my pain just after the first visit and it only got better from there! Sandy is very through with her work and will form a plan that works specifically for you. I appreciated that the visits were one on one so all of her focus was on what I needed and it was nice to have someone to talk to about my day or just when I needed a laugh! My treatment is over for now but Sandy still gives me a call to check in and see how I'm doing. The car accident was a blessing in disguise because I got to work with Sandy and change my health for the better. If anyone is hesitant about reaching out to her like I was , don't be!! read more

I am a nurse and always planned on seeing a pelvic floor physical therapist during my pregnancy. When I started seeing Dr. Sandy prenatally I was already having lower back pain in my first trimester. The consultation was very thorough and all recommendations and treatments were extremely personalized. My back pain was much improved throughout my pregnancy with the strength training and exercises she prescribed. I was also developing diastasis recti (DR) pretty early on in my pregnancy and Dr. Sandy helped stabilized this. She continued to give me a tailored treatment plan that was reviewed at every visit with exercises and advice on how to support my core and pelvic area throughout my pregnancy...and also get my body ready for birth and labor! Dr. Sandy is very wise and kind! I really enjoyed learning more about anatomy and why I was experiencing certain physical symptoms. I ended up having a unplanned c-section and losing a lot of blood during surgery. I continued to see Dr. Sandy during postpartum and this was so important in helping me get my strength back. I highly recommend Dr. Sandy. It is clear she is a true expert in her field. Without her, my pregnancy would have been much more difficult. She helped set my body and me up for as smooth a labor and delivery as possible. Of course things dont always go as planned, but I believe a huge part of my quick recovery was from my time with Dr. Sandy! read more

There are very few physical therapists with the knowledge, experience and helpful, encouraging care that one finds in Dr. Sandra Darhamadas of Resonance Physical Therapy in Folsom. I found Dr. Sandy after an exhaustive search of the Bay Area for therapists trained in treatment of scoliosis, particularly the exercises, movement, and breathing techniques developed my Maria Schroth. I am an active 79-year-old woman with scoliosis and am so grateful I found a therapist who helped me as much as Dr. Sandy. I enrolled for a private 12-appointment series, each appointment 90 minutes long. Dr. Sandy requires that one have a complete x-ray of the spine (for scoliosis patients) and uses her extensive experience and time with her patient to develop an individual program of movement and breathing exercises to address one's physical problem. I have less pain and stress from my back and feel I have a strong foundation to live comfortably with my handicap after completing the series of appointments. Dr. Sandy is unusual in her work ethic, her attention to detail and her extremely positive and caring attitude. I have spent a lifetime with many physical therapists and doctors, and regard Dr. Sandy not only as the most helpful for my back, but also the most involved and compassionate. I strongly recommend Resonance Physical Therapy for unusually great care of the body and mind read more

As the mother of two (now young adult) special needs children, I have worked with countless physical therapists over the years. I can confidently write that Dr. Sandhya Dharmadas is the best. My daughter's post-op scoliosis surgery left her spine straight, but tilting to the side from the hip. It was with great dismay that I realized our scoliosis journey was not done. It turns out that there are very few qualified Schroth therapists in CA qualified to work with post-op scoliosis patience. For once, luck was on my side, and I was able to locate Sandy in the Sacramento area. In just three months, Sandy was able to guide my daughter through a therapy regime that dramatically improved her posture and physical appearance. Sandy's passion for her work shows. It's refreshing how she brings her scientific, medical, and holistic skills to address the total person. She never loses sight of her client's abilities and emotional state. Patience, encouragement, and understanding are all part of what you receive in her care. And did I mention the education that she imparts along the way? Our care ended with a greater understanding of how my daughter's body responds to the exercises and what a lifetime commitment can do for her health and appearance. I feel very qualified to recommend Sandy for your physical therapy needs. She is quite simply THE BEST. read more

I was very fortunate to find Dr. Sandy through an internet search after my surgeon prescribed physical therapy following my prostate surgery. I was looking for a specialist in pelvic floor and incontinence issues and indeed Dr. Sandy completely satisfied that need. I had a very aggressive goal to be ready for a long-planned international trip that expectantly ended up being a little over three months after surgery. Dr. Sandy developed a comprehensive program focused on the pelvic floor muscles but also included exercises for related muscle groups including the abdomen, legs, glutes, and back. The home exercise program and weekly sessions with Dr. Sandy worked to have me ready to go on my trip with only minor bladder control issues. The home exercise program is now part of my daily routine and I plan on continuing the program going forward. I wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Sandy for men recovering from prostate surgery. I immediately connected with her as she is compassionate, understanding of the issues faced after surgery, and communicates very well. After the initial evaluation she developed and provided the necessary instructions for a home exercise program that worked to meet my extremely aggressive schedule. I am so grateful to have found Dr. Sandy for my physical therapist. Chuck 4/14/26 read more

Sandy is an absolutely AMAZING physical therapist, and you will NOT find better in this area! When I first saw Sandy 3 months ago for a year long si joint/hip injury, I was completely desperate for some answers; she was my 4th PT (YES, 4!) on this injury (along with 3 different doctors). None could correctly diagnose me, despite 2 MRI's and a CT scan, several injections, etc. This was torturous on me, given I have been highly active my entire life. Sandy is different than any medical professional I had encountered.- She is brilliant, patient, and genuinely cares for her patients and will do all she can to help. After she had taken several videos of my gait (running the tape in slow motion) and countless analytics of my movements, a light bulb finally went off. Because I had developed severe compensation, I had to unravel/build proper strength at a snails pace. With that, Sandy took the time to explain WHY she prescribed the exercises, which the previous 3 PT's had not done and was impeccable in making sure I was performing them properly. I am SO grateful that I found Sandy, as I am not sure where I would be at this point if I had not. I feel I gained valuable knowledge for life. Also, I am running again! :) Hands-down the BEST- Thanks, Sandy! read more

My daughter's scoliosis diagnosis at age 14 felt very daunting. She went through some grieving and anger, then just wondering what, if anything, we can do about it besides bracing. Before seeing Dr. Dharmadas, we didn't know what to expect. I'd researched scoliosis PT and she came very well recommended. Dr. D. was very responsive to Joy's physical needs and special circumstances (all bodies are different) and gave her tools (physical and mental) to work with to improve awareness and posture, which she continues to this day. Joy's confidence improved, knowing that she has control over some aspects of this, which had left her feeling hopeless before. Dr. D. brings a wealth of knowledge about scoliosis, anatomy and physical health, but she also shows great empathy with her clients. She was literally down on the floor doing exercises with my daughter, showing her exactly what to do and how to determine the feeling of whether she was doing it correctly. This personal connection was very welcome and increased my daughter's success. If you're thinking about seeing Dr. D., go for it! She will help you work through whatever you are struggling with and she'll break it down into pieces that don't feel insurmountable. Thank you for your help, Dr. Dharmadas!! read more

Our experience with Dr. Sandhya Dharmadas was amazing and life changing. My son was diagnosed with Scoliosis a month prior to our visit to Resonance Physical Therapy. After each treatment, you could physically see the change in my son's spine. As a parent, I will forever be grateful for Sandy and the skills she taught both me and my son. This type of physical therapy changed him mentally and physically and, just like anything else, with consistency and dedication we will continue to see great progress in him. Thank you Sandy! I will forever be grateful for you and your care. You are a blessing to me and my family. Your care has given us hope for the future. If anyone is on the fence about starting physical therapy at Resonance Physical Therapy, please consider my experience and give Sandy a call, TODAY! She is extremely responsive and will make every attempt to be flexible with your schedule. Even after my son's treatment ended, Sandy continues to make herself available to us via phone to answer any questions or concerns we have. She also follows up with us and genuinely cares! Thank you Sandy! Keep spreading your positivity, your passion, and your care to the world, we need many more like you! You truly make our world brighter. Araceli read more

My son has been dealing with scoliosis since he was 12 years old, and he is now 19. He did bracing and some other PT that was not effective, his curve had progressed and his surgeon was considering surgery. I found Sandy after looking for a better approach. All I can say is "WOW!" My son's results have been truly amazing. His posture has dramatically improved, his balance and symmetry look totally normal. His right hip, which would swing out with every step, is now nearly resolved. Sandy worked with my son over the course of approximately 1 month with 2 hour sessions three times a week. He now does his morning therapy every day and is continuing to improve. The most important thing however, has been his improved outlook on life. He was very anxious and depressed, but is now his old self. Along with the physical aspect of therapy, Sandy taught my son breathing and relaxation techniques that have calmed his anxiety and given him a much more positive outlook on his health and mental well being. I highly recommend Sandy for scoliosis therapy. She has been worth every penny. I cannot thank Sandy enough for all that she has done for my son. Kevin Lindholm read more

I went to Dr. Sandy because I was desperate to find relief for chronic back pain due to my scoliosis; additionally, I was experiencing severe shoulder pain due to over enthusiastic weight lifting. My scoliosis began in early adolescence, and it has worsened as I have aged. Through a course of eleven treatment sessions with Dr. Sandy, I received more benefit than from the variety of physical therapists I have seen through my healthcare provider over the years. Through guided practice, Dr. Sandy taught me exercises and postures designed to address my specific curvature and shoulder issues. I have begun to experience some relief, and I have hope, for the first time in years, that if I follow the regimen she assigned I will continue to have less pain and an improved range of motion. I am generally skeptical of medical professionals, but Dr. Sandy won me over with her expertise, her candor, and her insistence upon treating me as an individual with specific issues. I paid for my treatment out of pocket, and while it was a considerable expense for me, I feel that it was money well spent. In fact, I wish I had seen Dr. Sandy ten years ago. read more