Derek Tao
Meet Derek
Derek is a Bay Area native who completed his Doctor of Physical Therapy training at the joint
UCSF/SFSU physical therapy program and went on to complete Orthopedic Residency training
at the University of California San Francisco. Prior to his physical therapy training, he completed
his Bachelor’s of Science in Health Care Science at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.
Derek’s passion for physical therapy stems from his background as a competitive runner with
over 15 years of competition experience, including experience competing at the collegiate level.
He first discovered physical therapy as a career through challenges he faced from a variety of
major running related injuries. Through his injury recovery journeys, Derek understands the
profound impact that injuries can have on one’s daily life. He is especially passionate about
working with runners at all levels, and has experience working with both recreational and
competitive runners. Derek’s treatment philosophy involves a strong curiosity for
understanding one’s goals, collaborative decision making, and individualized care to empower a
person to work towards their goals.
In his free time, Derek still continues to run competitively. He also enjoys traveling to new
places, trying different restaurants, giving back to the running community, journaling, hiking,
and spending quality time with friends and family.
Where you can find Derek
Services by Derek
Derek's Certifications & Specialties
- PT - Physical Therapist
- DPT - Doctor of Physical Therapy
- CSCS - Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist
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