I started my career as a physical therapist in 2012. I was ecstatic to finally have left school and work with patients on my own, ready to create a big impact and help people with their physical limitations and meeting their goals. The picture below is one of my closest friends Katie (pictured left) and I (pictured right) on graduation day.
At my first job, I was told to let my technicians (who have on the job training) treat the patients while I document. I saw 2-4 patients each hour. I wasn’t able to give each person the proper care and attention I felt like they deserved. My child-like self coming out of PT school was hit with the reality of real life practice. It didn't seem right to have the patient's treated by my techs entirely and plus, I wanted to be the one to make a difference in my patient's lives! Maybe that's selfish.
Since this time, all of my jobs have asked that I see multiple patients per hour so this is not unique to my first job. I had a great job for a while where I was only asked to see 2 patients an hour but with insurance reimbursements constantly declining, I was being asked to see even 3 patients at a time, focus on maximizing billing and my cost of living raise I received each year would now be eliminated!
Don't get me wrong, as a physical therapist the salary is respectable but once I started feeling like I was thinking about how much I needed to bill each patients' insurance more than how to treat my patients... it just felt like a bad relationship that I needed to leave. The company had become very numbers driven and not patient outcomes driven. I understand it's a business but it felt excessive. I'm sure many of you have faced similar frustrations in other industries where you are placed in situations where you can't do your best work and are pushed in directions that don't align with your values. It's not fun, comfortable or rewarding. For a few years I had felt that I would be up for the challenge of owning my own practice where I could work one-on-one with patients to help them get rid of their pain. I could focus on patient's needs with more depth. With all I had experienced and the gentle nudge of a lay off during the COVID-19 pandemic, I pursued my own practice.
Before the pandemic, I was scared to start my own business. Every step of the way (talking to my lawyer, making a website, getting a tax ID) I thought someone would stop me and say "Who do you think you are? You can't run a business." as though there were some invisible credentials I didn't have. But... come to find out, there is no gatekeeper for creating your own business. You just have to DO IT. There are many roadblocks I am realizing that I have totally made up. This picture above might as well have my own picture on it as I am my own roadblock most of the time.
I launched my practice from my home in April 2020. I started with just telehealth appointments since we were in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic when I began. To my surprise, I learned that telehealth appointments can be just as effective as in-person sessions. Then as businesses re-opened I added mobile services to my company where I meet patients in their homes, at local parks, or any other location of their choice. In November 2020 I re-focused my company and changed the name from At Home Telehealth PT to Soccer Fitness and Recovery with the help of a business coach. She helped me focus on an active patient population and gave me the tools I needed to grow my business.
Now I have time for my patients. I'm helping my patients get back to their activities. I'm working with the types of patient's I love the most; active, motivated people who care about their health! I am also finding that I love the diversity of my work day. I like creating content for my social media accounts to educate others and meeting new people as I promote myself at different gyms and events. I. LOVE. IT.
If you want to know more, feel free to comment below!
If you are looking for help with an injury, text me at (512)763-0556. I am happy to find a time we can talk about what is going on and what treatment options align with your needs.
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