Natalie Dereka, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Biography
Hi there! My name is Natalie Dereka and I am a Physical Therapist who specializes in Pelvic Health. I received my Exercise Science degree at Indiana University in 2008 and completed my Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Andrews University in 2011. I originally came to Indianapolis as a traveling Physical Therapist and loved the city so much that I decided to stay. In the past, I have worked in hospital and outpatient settings that primarily consisted of Sports Medicine, Orthopedics, Neurology, Lymphedema, and Pelvic Health.
A few years ago, I was given the opportunity to start a Pelvic Health program at a nearby hospital. I heard countless stories of patients spending years searching for answers and undergoing unsuccessful surgeries, medications, and treatments. After a few sessions of Pelvic Therapy, I began to see their symptoms resolve and their quality of life improve. This led to a passion to serve this type of patient population and spread the word that resolution of their symptoms is attainable.
During my own journey of multiple misdiagnoses of Lyme disease, along with other autoimmune disorders, it was a Functional Medicine doctor who was able to properly diagnose and treat me. This led to another passion in Functional Medicine, as I wanted to discover ways to figure out and heal my patient’s underlying problem instead of putting a temporary ‘band-aid’ on it. I am a firm believer in education, preventative care, and giving my patients all the tools they need to continue a healthy lifestyle on their own. Although no one chooses to become sick, I know God works all things for His good. I am thankful for the opportunity to grow and learn through my own experience with an illness. I plan to use my own struggles and experience to help and uplift others who are going through difficult times of their own.
In my free time, I enjoy researching health-related topics and have recently received my Family Herbalist Certification. I also enjoy traveling and being outdoors. My hobbies include yoga, camping, climbing, dancing, biking, running, weightlifting, and exploring. One way I enjoy giving back to the community is volunteering for different organizations around Indy with my bible study group.