Successful Outcomes Magazine Issue 2

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INSPIRING STORIES AND BUSINESS STRATEGIES FROM THE TOP PRIVATE PRACTITIONERS IN PHYSICAL THERAPY TODAY

MEET THE FASTEST GROWING GROUP OF PRIVATE PRACTICE PTS EVER! (AND WHY YOU SHOULD NOT BE ALONE ANYMORE)

THE FUTURE OF PRIVATE PRACTICE HAS NEVER BEEN

BRIGHTER!

7 TIPS

TO SKYROCKET YOUR REFERRALS

6 PRIVATE PRACTICE OWNERS’ JOURNEYS TO PROSPERITY

INSIDE HOW ONE MAN IS REDEFINING PHYSICAL THERAPY (ALONG WITH HIS TEAM OF 800+ ASSOCIATES)


» MARKETING

Table of Contents Marketing

Seven Tips to Skyrocket Your Referrals Cover Story

This Man is Redefining Physical Therapy

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Q&A with Jim Abrams

PT Business

The Fastest Growing Group of Private Practice PTs Ever!

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By Mike Graves, MS, PT PT Profiles

Six Private Practice Owners & Their Remarkable Journeys Successful Outcomes

Spinning Out of Control

How Boxer Eric Gonzales KO’d a Severe Medical Condition with Physical Therapy

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Successful Outcomes magazine™ is published by FYZICAL®, LLC, as a business information and educational service to the Physical Therapy community. 505 South Orange Avenue, Suite 101, Sarasota, FL 34236. Phone: 941.444.5976. Please email reprint requests, letters and questions about editorial content to: Successful Outcomes magazine™ > editor@somag.info Publisher reserves the right to reject all advertising material. All unsolicited manuscripts, editorials, photographs or art will not be returned. Written permission from FYZICAL®, LLC, is required to reproduce any part of this magazine. SUCCESSFUL OUTCOMES MAGAZINE™ ADVISORY BOARD Jim Abrams | Terry Nicholson | Daniel Deems, MD, PhD, FACS Rhonda Deems, PhD | Mike Graves, MS, PT | Bruce White, MPT Tim Richardson, PT FYZICAL® and Successful Outcomes magazine™ are trademarks of BizZoom. © Copyright, 2016, All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the publisher. A NOTE ABOUT CHANGING YOUR ADDRESS For those of you who wish to change, add or delete your address from our list, please email your request to editor@somag.info © Copyright 2016 by FYZICAL®, LLC. All rights reserved.

Printed in the USA

Seven Tips to Skyrocket Your Referrals

It’s the independent private practice that provides the highest quality of patient care; every PT knows that, but not every patient does. Get the word out about your rockin’ practice by using these 7 strategies, and soon your lobby will be standing room only! 1 Partner with a local business: Cross promotion is a great

way to grow your PT business. It could be a sporting goods store, yoga studio, or a vitamin shop, to name a few. Set up a meeting with the owner and decide how you can both benefit from cross promotion. For example, in a Quidditch shop, you can display your business cards or flyers stating, “Physical therapy can identify physical limitations that are affecting your quaffle swing. Come in today and we’ll help you develop a plan to address these limitations.” Or something along those lines. Then in your practice, the Quidditch shop can advertise how an improper quaffle swing can lead to injury—receive 15% off. You get the idea.

2 Optimize your Web site: A whopping 93% of online

experiences begin with a search. And of those individuals who conduct the search, 75% won’t ever look beyond the first page result. Whether this is due to laziness or impatience on the online user’s part has not been determined. But it makes one thing clear—it’s imperative your clinic name shows up on that first page when someone does a search for physical therapy centers in your area. Developing an effective SEO strategy is crucial to the success of your practice as the digital world continues to grow. 2 Successful Outcomes


If you If you haven’t haven’t started started collecting collecting emails emails fromfrom youryour patients patients yet,yet, startstart today. today. YourYour practice practice hashas a large a large group group of individuals of individuals coming coming in and in and out out of your of your center center eacheach andand every every dayday thatthat are are actually actually interested interested in hearing in hearing more more about about howhow youyou cancan helphelp them. them. 3 Expand 3 Expand youryour referrals: referrals: communications communications should should be educational, be educational, not recommending not recommending you dangle you dangle anybody anybody Don’tDon’t limit your limit referring your referring doctors doctors to theto theentertaining, entertaining, and clearly and clearly communicated communicated out aout window, a window, but identify but identify why referrals why referrals samesame specialty specialty doctors doctors who have who have beenbeen(and don’t (and don’t makemake the font thetoo fontsmall too small as as have have stopped stopped and develop and develop an action an action referring referring to youtofor you years. for years. Your services Your services reading reading glasses glasses oftenoften get sat geton). satEach on). Each plan on plan how on to how gettothese get these doctors doctors can be can beneficial be beneficial to a wide to a wide rangerange of of emailemail should should also feature also feature a benefit a benefit for for referring referring to youtoagain. you again. It could It could be asbe as doctors. doctors. Expand Expand your message your message in a larger in a larger the reader. the reader. simple simple as reminding as reminding themthem how how radiusradius to increase to increase your brand your brand awareness. awareness. awesome awesome you are. you are. a local a local highhigh 5 Support 5 Support Identify Identify your USP your(which USP (which stands stands for for 7 Release school: High High school school students students 7 Release the author the author in you: in you: Unique Unique Selling Selling Proposition, Proposition, not Unusual not Unusual school: You’re You’re the expert the expert on the on human the human body! body! represent represent a large a large number number of athletes of athletes in in Smelling Smelling Pet) and Pet)develop and develop a plana on plan how on how Local Local newspapers newspapers and magazines and magazines are are your area. your area. Many Many of these of these athletes athletes will will to communicate to communicate your services your services to these to these always always looking looking for high for quality high quality content content need need your services your services throughout throughout the year. the year. doctors. doctors. for readers. their readers. Produce Produce a monthly a monthly Find out Findhow out you howcan youget canyour get name your name in infor their injury injury prevention prevention tip, or tip, health or health and and front front of these of these students students and their and parents. their parents. 4 Email 4 Email marketing: marketing: If youIf you wellness wellness articlearticle you can yousubmit can submit to area to area Several Several schools schools offer offer advertising advertising haven’t haven’t started started collecting collecting emailsemails from from through editors. editors. Providing Providing a call atocall action to action withinwithin through school school newspapers, newspapers, eventevent your patients your patients yet, start yet, today. start today. Your Your the article can increase can increase referrals referrals and and sponsorships, sponsorships, drop-off drop-off and pick-up and pick-up the article practice practice has ahas large a large groupgroup of individuals of individualslanes,lanes, wordword of mouth of mouth traffictraffic to your to business. your business. and banners and banners on the onathletic the athletic fields.fields. coming coming in andinout andofout your of center your center each each Don’tDon’t limit yourself limit yourself to only to certain only certain 6 Identify 6 Identify lostlost referrers: referrers: Find Findpublications…even and every and every day that dayare thatactually are actually publications…even readers readers of Modern of Modern out which doctors doctors used used to refer to to refer youto you Cat Magazine interested interested in hearing in hearing moremore aboutabout how how out which therapy. therapy. Cat Magazine may need may need physical physical but have but have not innot theinpast the6past months. 6 months. We’reWe’re you can youhelp can them. help them. Your email Your email SO SO Successful Successful Outcomes Outcomes 3 3


Âť PT BUSINESS Q&A

Transforming the world of PT: Jim Abrams (right) and Terry Nicholson are redefining the business dynamics of Physical Therapy from the ground up.

This Man is Redefining Physical Therapy J

im Abrams is a problem solver, innovator, consumer advocate, and business builder. He is famous for entering an industry in turmoil, identifying the challenges, understanding what consumers want, and then remarkably developing a business model for the independent business owner that literally changes the entire profession. Both consumers and business owners appreciate and benefit from his fresh, new business approach. 4 Successful Outcomes

Declining Reimbursement? Hospital Competition? Shrinking Margins? No problem! These PT challenges are no sweat for Jim Abrams, a proven industry disruptor, legendary innovator, and successful business mogul who is transforming the Physical Therapy profession.

Now, he’s focusing his vast business knowledge on redefining the profession of physical therapy and vows to help private practice owners who want to remain 100% independently owned achieve phenomenal success. He’s doing this with FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers, which he co-founded in 2012, and is now the fastest growing physical therapy franchise in the world with locations in 31 states.


the physician. Imagine their “discharged;” they are rarely excitement and thrill as they seen again unless they get are now experiencing having another injury. This isn’t good for the patient or the physicians asking them, the PT, to start referring patients practice. “Discharging” a client is an entirely foreign to their physician practice. concept to me. In every That’s quite a transforbusiness I’ve ever been in, the mation. SO: What are the increased goal is to create a lifetime financial benefits this new relationship with the client. My new business model does model gives the private just that— it allows PTs to practice owner? build a life-time relationship JA: There are many, but with the client. the primary one is breaking the dependency on insurance SO: How confident are you companies for your business’ that FYZICAL can help success. A lot of PT practices private practice owners improve their success? are heavily dependent on insurance reimbursements. JA: Absolutely 100% In fact, it’s not uncommon to confident! I’m a FYZICAL SO: What are you doing now business model is have 95% of their revenue franchisee myself, just like that is transforming the specifically designed to not generated by insurance. the clients I serve. I’m using physical therapy profession? only give the individual the That’s putting a lot of eggs in this proven business model health and fitness they want JA: There’s a growing one basket; and a shrinking and have quietly become one and need, but to also make consumer demand for basket at that, as reimburseof the largest private practice the private practice owner a excellent healthcare that ment rates will continue to owners in North America. dominant player in the centers around prevention, go down. Plus, when your My practice now includes 7 future of health care thereby wellness, and proactive business is dependent on locations that have a ensuring their success and health management insurance, you have to wait combined annual revenue prosperity. It’s a win-win programs. Physical therapy long periods of time to get run rate I expect to exceed 9 situation! is no longer just repairing a paid, and in many cases, million dollars this year. I’m patient’s injury, it’s about SO: For those PTs who have engage in a constant battle to leading by example. This providing health and already implemented your get reimbursed for the innovative business model wellness programs which new business model, what services you have rendered. works! FYZICAL works! reduce the occurrence of With our new business are some of the biggest injuries happening in the model, there are additional changes they are seeing? Editor’s Note: Jim Abrams’ passion first place and improving a lines of revenue being JA: With the old PT 3 Expand and enthusiasm for anybody helping the your referrals: patient’s overall health. This communications should be generated, educational, not recommending you dangle primarily by the model, the private Don’t limit your referring doctors to thebusiness is what consumers want, and private practice owner and entertaining, and clearly communicated out a window, but identify why referrals consumer who pays owner survived same specialty who have beenpractice this is thedoctors direction healthtransforming profession is (and don’t make the font tooimmediately small as with have stopped and develop the an PT action cash, primarily on physician caretoisyou going. MoreYour thanservices any referring for years. reading glasses often get satcheck, on). Each plan at onthe how to get these doctors contagious. Every PT I have spoken or credit card meant period history, can beother beneficial toina wide range of referrals. emailThis should alsotheir feature a benefit referring It iscould be as time offor service. It’s very to you again. with who a member of FYZICAL success as a business was at people areyour livingmessage longer and doctors. Expand in a larger the reader. simple as reminding them howenthusiasm and liberating to have a business radiates the same the mercy of someone all they canbrand to remain radiusdoing to increase your awareness. awesome that is not dependent on you are. excitement for the future. From all control.aBut, if high Support local 5their healthy and(which active for as long Identify your USP stands for outside insurance reimbursement, acrossauthor the nation, in cities, rural 7 school students Release the inlarge you: business High model possible. And who not is Unusualyou have aschool: UniqueasSelling Proposition, and it is very financially communities, and small towns, You’re the expert on the human body! I met representprevention a large number athletes in that includes and ofrewarding. better to bea the Smelling Pet)equipped and develop plan on how elite PTs who haveare multi-clinic Local newspaperswith and magazines your as area. wellMany as of these athletes will steward of your a patient’s to communicate services to these wellness, practices to one-room clinics, and all always looking for high quality content need your services throughout year. SO:the What aspect of your traditional physical therapy, physical health than a PT? doctors. of them who are using Abrams’ new for their readers. Produce a monthly Find out how you can get your name in innovative model has you take control of your Nobody! PTs are able to injury prevention tip, or health and front of these students and their parents. business model are achieving created the most buzz and 4 Email enhance a patients total well- future. It creates an marketing: If you can results. submitBased to area Several schools offer advertising excitement? wellness article you amazing on these for you to drive being, improve their lives, haven’t started collecting emails from opportunity editors. Providing a call to action within through school newspapers, event successes and the phenomenal patients directly to your JA: Creating the mindset and even save their livesYour by your patients yet, start today. the article can increase referrals and there’s sponsorships, drop-off and pick-up growth rate of this company, practice even before they go that when a patient walks offering such services as practice has a large group of individuals word of mouth traffic to your business. lanes, and banners on the athletic fields. good reason to believe FYZICAL will through your door, they are balance prevent coming in andprograms out of yourtocenter each to the doctor. This is Don’t limit yourself to only certain allowing PT’s who are using become his 8th and largest company your client for life. The falls, and health and well6 Identify lost referrers: Find publications…even and every day that are actually readers of Modern our new model to actually prevailing calls for may nessin programs to achieve yetneed and thephysical largest physical therapy out which doctors used to refer to you PT model interested hearing more about how therapy. Cat Magazine become referral to6 months. a patient to eventually be optimum health. new brand in the world. SO butthe have not insource the past We’re you can help them. YourThis email SO Abrams’ track record of success speaks for itself. Early in his career he experienced tremendous success working for the very first Weight Watchers franchise. He also developed the franchise model for The Mutual Fund Store, a company that today has more than 10 billion dollars under management. In his 40 years of business building experience, he has been the founder, cofounder, or on the executive level team of 8 national companies. Abrams has a knack for turning things around in a relatively short period of time for business owners, making them wealthy and very successful because they followed his business model. Perhaps even more important than creating wealth and prosperity for private practice owners, though, is Abrams’ ability to inspire business owners to become passionate and enthusiastic about their profession again. Many of these successful practice owners now have million dollar businesses and don’t have to show up to work, but they do anyway because they absolutely love it. This is what Abrams is bringing to the physical therapy profession.

If you haven’t started collecting emails from your patients yet, start today. Your practice has a large group of individuals coming in and out of your center each and every day that are actually interested in hearing more about how you can help them.

Successful Successful Outcomes Outcomes 3 5


» PT BUSINESS

The Fastest Growing Group of Private Practice PTs Ever!

Discover how an elite group of PTs are achieving phenomenal growth, gaining freedom of time, and becoming financially independent by working together and accessing a diverse team of experts. The future of private practice has never been brighter. By Mike Graves, MS, PT, President, FYZICAL

T

he PT profession has changed a great deal in the past several years; declining reimbursements and rising costs have had a huge impact on what was once a profession where it was easy to make money. On top of this, healthcare favors big business and the current consolidation trend of big companies merging together has many practice owners competing with large hospital systems and Mega PT corporations. There’s no describing the negative impact this has had on our profession. It’s amazing the number of PT owners who have been forced to close their doors; in many communities, there is only one private practice PT left standing. This trend of large hospital consolidation is only picking up speed. Hospitals across the United States are merging and purchasing physician practices at a faster clip than they have in decades. In fact, more than 50 percent of physicians are employed by a health system today1. Of course, the players behind these consolidations claim they are doing it to reduce overall costs and cut red tape, but it appears the real goal is to garner market share and eventual market dominance. So how does this affect the independent PT business owner? One obvious outcome is a reduced number of patients due to the unspoken rule that physicians in these health systems should only refer in-house for PT. The other outcomes are relatively easy to predict based on what consolidation has done in other sectors of our economy: prices will rise significantly, consumers 6 Successful Outcomes

will face fewer choices, and government regulations will increase dramatically. For example, in the medical field, the average Medicare payment for an established patient office visit is $58 in a physician’s office compared to $99 in a hospital-owned facility. Similarly, a diagnostic colonoscopy is $411 in a physician’s office compared to $877 in a hospital-owned facility. In Colorado, a cardiac stress test cost $2,000 one year and $8,000 the next – after the doctor’s practice was bought by the hospital2. These same types of price discrepancies are occurring in the PT profession as well. Clearly healthcare favors big business and the result is that PTs are closing their doors at alarming rates. Every time one of our colleagues goes out of business, it hurts every single practice owner and big business becomes just a bit more entrenched. This makes them one step closer to monopolizing healthcare and forcing the remaining private practices out of business. Should we as PTs, proud business owners, and providers of the best patient care around, sit idly by while big healthcare threatens the very existence of our profession? No! It’s time to stand up and fight back! Not just for our survival, but for the rights of every person in America to have the choice of the type of quality care only we, as independents, can provide. How do we do this? We do it by working together in a collaborative environment sharing ideas, resources, and knowledge all in a non-competitive

setting, and by having access to everything we need to succeed, such as experts, resources, and programs specifically geared towards our success all in one place. The only PT organization where you can get all of this is FYZICAL—a franchise network of elite, successful PTs and professionals who are leading the charge to save the independent and ensure the future of the private practice. Comprised of a group of private practice owners who want to remain 100% independently owned, the members of this organization include some truly amazing PTs, from Rogan Taylor, a military-trained PT who has 40% of his practice from direct access cash paying consumers; to Brian Werner, the premier balance guru in the world who generates over 2.5 million in


revenue a year in his balance and financial obligations—payroll, utilities, autonomous and independent. FYZICAL, on behalf of all private vestibular clinics; to Scott Pensivy, who mortgage, kid’s education—there’s practices, is structured precisely to is the sports therapist to the stars, and nothing left over for you to reinvest answer this absolute necessity for the list goes on and on. And that’s just back into your business. So how can private practice owners and the tip of the iceberg of the individuals you ever get a leg up on the entrepreneurs to remain independent. who are working together to ensure the competition? FYZICAL was created with the future success of private practice FYZICAL works for the private specific purpose to help the growth, owners. With talented PTs like this practice owner and has what the supporting and helping each other independent PT needs for success but is prosperity, and success of the private practice owner. It is the sole reason for thrive, how can we not succeed? unable to acquire on their own due to a this organization’s entire existence! The reality is the challenges the PT lack of capital, time, or resources. FYZICAL is Private Practice and Private profession is facing are greater than Practice is FYZICAL. It’s an entirely new any one PT practice owner could solve on their own. The future of Physical way of doing things; together, and with Therapy is one where we all work all the resources you need to provide together; if we don’t work together, you with a strong foundation so you then private practice will struggle and can thrive. remain at risk. It’s so simple a concept that it’s By aligning together via FYZICAL, brilliant; give private practice owners PTs will have access to a team of experts what they need to succeed! FYZICAL and resources that no single business does just that. owner would ever be able to have access The incredible benefits to members to on their own. As a member of of FYZICAL are just too many to list in FYZICAL, you will have an army of one place, but let me put it this way: expert professionals standing by your For example: Being a member of FYZICAL is like side, at your beck and call for whatever Private practices have a lack of asking for a drink of water and getting you may need to help achieve success. capital which places them at a Niagara Falls; it’s like asking for a Need to consult with a marketing tremendous disadvantage. FYZICAL, Hyundai and getting a Ferrari F12; like specialist? You’ve got one. Have a on behalf of all private practices, has asking for some light and being handed business question? You’ve got some of invested millions into creating the sun; like asking for shelter and the best business professionals in the sustainable competitive advantages. being given the Taj Mahal… I think you world! Compliance question? You’ve Private practice owners have a get the idea. got that covered too. Medical or PT lack of the most precious resource of The time is now for private practice question? Want to learn more about all, time. FYZICAL, on behalf of all owners to unite, stand strong together, balance, sports therapy, advanced private practices, employs a team of and create the future of our dreams for technologies, SEO optimization? experts to focus on and develop our teams, our clients, and our families. You’ve got experts in all these areas, not innovations which an isolated private Fragmented we are weak. Together, we to mention the countless skills, practice never could. are strong and will only grow stronger! 3 Expand experience, and knowledge your referrals:all the communications Privateshould practice in beowners, educational, not recommending anybodySO Together, weyou are dangle the PT future! to the table.to the Don’tmembers limit yourbring referring doctors isolation,and cannot know everything theyout a window, but identify why referrals entertaining, clearly communicated No other organization like this has (and need same specialty doctors who have been know tofont maximize theas success have stopped and develop an action don’tto make the too small evertoexisted theservices entire historyreading referring you forbefore years.in Your yourtoLife, of their business. FYZICAL, behalf ofplanLove glasses often get sat on).on Each on how get these doctors ofbeneficial Physical Therapy. single can be to a wideNo range of PT private practices, on a for team of referring to you again. It could be as emailallshould also feature ataps benefit practice outyour there could ever experts in every realm of PT that an simple as reminding them how doctors. Expand message in acome largerup the reader. with the capital to create anything radius to increase your brand awareness.that individual private practice never could.awesome you are. local high even comes tostands what FYZICAL has 5 Support Privateapractice owners, in Identify your USP close (which for 7 Mike school: High students Release in you: created. And it was created for you! Graves,the MS, author PT isolation, cannotschool possibly leverage Unique Selling Proposition, not Unusual You’re the expert on the human body! represent a large number of athletes in Together, we have an abundance of President advanced technologies and foster the Smelling Pet) and develop a plan on how Local newspapers and magazines are your area. Many of these athletes will resources, knowledge, and experience FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers necessary strategic partnerships to to communicate your services to these always looking for high quality content need your services throughout the year. available to you; all specifically maximize the growth and value of their doctors. for their readers. Produce a monthly Find practices. out how you can geton your name in designed to bring growth and To learn more about this noble mission and FYZICAL, behalf of all injury prevention tip, or health andfuture of front of these students and their parents. how you can be part of ensuring the prosperity to the private practice private practices, has access to 4 Email marketing: If you privatearticle practiceyou call can 941.444.5976. wellness submit to area Several schools offer advertising owner. technology platforms in numerous areas haven’t started collecting emails from editors. Providing a call to action within through school newspapers, event Look, I get it. I’m a practice owner to solve efficiency, accounting, and your patients yet, start today. Your the article can increase referrals and sponsorships, drop-off and pick-up 1. Becker’s Hospital Review, The changing healthcare myself and have been for 19 years now. I tracking challenges to create massive practice has a large group of individuals world: 7 trends traffic to watch.to Written by Ayla word of mouth your business. lanes, and banners on the athletic fields. know it’s tough out there. I see a lot of competitive advantages – starting with Ellison | September 08, 2014 coming in and out of your center each Don’t limit yourself to only certain www.beckershospitalreview.com private practice owners in my travels 6 EMR and practice management. Identify lost referrers: Find and every day that are actually 2. Forbes , Giant Healthcare Systems: Higher Prices, publications…even readers of Modern Private practice owners are and what I hear over and over again is out which Fewer Choices and Impersonal Care. Louis Goodman doctors used to refer to you interested in hearing more about how therapy. mayJAN need physical and Tim Norbeck 22, 2014. www.forbes.com struggling to remain viable, We’re Cat Magazine that by the time you meet all of your but have not in the past 6 months. you can help them. Your email SO

‘‘

It’s so simple a concept that it’s brilliant; give private practice owners what they need to succeed!

If you haven’t started collecting emails from your patients yet, start today. Your practice has a large group of individuals coming in and out of your center each and every day that are actually interested in hearing more about how you can help them.

Successful Successful Outcomes Outcomes 3 7


My name is Gina Reuillon, and I’m a single mother of four and a private practice owner in Stuart, Florida. I became a physical therapist because I wanted to help people, and because I wanted to escape the hectic pace and stress of the business world. You see, my career actually started out on Wall Street in the 1980’s, and it was fun and exciting—for a while. Eventually, the long hours and unhealthy lifestyle became the norm; it got ugly and I wasn’t happy. So, I quit my job and went back to college full-time. I realized I liked helping people and after doing some research, discovered a career in the medical field would be perfect for me. So I thought, “Physical therapy. That’s what I should do! I’ll open my own practice. No headaches or stress there, right?” Boy, was I wrong on that one. I absolutely love helping patients get better and healthier, but the stress of trying to make payroll and the headaches of cutting costs to deal with decreased reimbursements were things I never expected to have to deal with. For the first 10 years or so of my practice, I was getting by OK; just winging it and not really knowing what I was doing. I was attune enough to what was going on in the profession, though, to know that a storm was approaching and drastic changes were occurring in healthcare that didn’t favor the independent business owner. I was already starting to see the effects of these changes in my practice and it kept me awake at night. I knew if I didn’t adapt and start doing something different, I was going to be in trouble. It was clear that an obvious challenge I needed to overcome was this push towards larger corporate providers of care. I began to ponder how I could organize my practice to benefit from the growing healthcare demand. I needed to know how I could take advantage of the tremendous opportunities presenting themselves in 8 Successful Outcomes

healthcare, and how I was going to compete and beat my larger corporate competitors who had more money and resources. I wasn’t sure how I needed to change. I was probably putting in 17hour days for a long time doing all this research; it felt like Wall Street all over again! It was crazy, but well worth it because all this research led me to FYZICAL. I went to an event hosted by FYZICAL to hear about some different thoughts and new perspectives on operating a PT practice in today’s environment. It didn’t take me long to realize they hit the nail on the head with their business plan. Finally, some answers and encouraging ideas! What they discussed were the very things I was researching and I shared their vision of the future of PT business, only they already had the new business model, the programs, and the plan in place – and a world-class team of experts! Today, I am part of FYZICAL! I’m not alone anymore and I now have a team of experts committed to both my personal and professional success. So many changes have taken place in my practice since aligning with FYZICAL. It has led to a dramatic impact on my ability to better serve my patients, as well as my business—my bottom line has already increased 218%. Prior to FYZICAL, my practice was producing just over $500,000 in revenue, but now it’s generating over $1 million! It’s funny to think not too long ago I was concerned about the future of physical therapy and what the changes in health care would mean for my practice. Now, with a strategic plan of opening up as many as three more practices in the near future, I only have excitement. I’m no longer stressed about the future, because I know if I have any questions, problems, or if anything ever arises, I have this whole FYZICAL team of experts with a world of experience

TH W RO

Leaving Wall Street for a higher calling in PT, this private practice owner took her business from $500,000 to over $1 million in revenue in less than a year.

»G

How I Grew My Practice 218% in Just 12 Months

Wall Street PT

Gina Reuillon, MS, PT Clinic location: Stuart, FL (3 locations) Employees: 9 Years in business: 12

who I can call on at any time. They’ve got my back! They want to see me succeed. Choosing to leave Wall Street to go into the Physical Therapy profession is the best career decision I have ever made. Becoming part of FYZICAL was the next best decision. I tell all my PT friends about FYZICAL, and how when you’re a member of this organization, you're surrounded by people who are smarter, bigger, and more successful than you— and that’s a good thing! They are there to help you and you will grow just by being around them and learning from them. And, I’m here to help you; if you want to know what I did to grow so quickly, or you’re about to open a new center and have questions, I’m happy to share my knowledge with you. The atmosphere of FYZICAL is so affirming; you’ll be around people who only want the best for you. My future is bright because FYZICAL works for me! I am FYZICAL.

Gina Reuillon, MS, PT


Keefe Fugleberg and Lisa Titterud operate a thriving, profitable PT business and still have time to spend with family, travel the world, and enjoy life.

M O ED RE

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Running a Profitable Clinic While Taking a Year-long Vacation

Having freedom of time was always resonated with us. a priority for my wife, Lisa, and me. We So we became FYZICAL’s very first met when we were in PT school together franchisee. It wasn’t a hard decision for in Norway. She was an Olympic caliber us; the company places emphasis on athlete ranked 2nd in track and field in not only treating an injury, but helping the 400 meter hurdles in Norway, and patients develop habits that will enable I was a student from the U.S. We both them to live healthier, more active lives loved physical therapy and eventually and avoid further injury. This is done opened our own practice in the states through physical therapy, balance, and in 2000. fitness programs. Plus, we also have We started our PT practice in one access to business management small room which we leased in a principles and techniques that aren’t medical building, with no insurance part of the typical physical therapy reimbursement at all. From the outset school curriculum. A team of business we wanted to create a PT practice that leaders and brand experts is committed first and foremost revolved around to every franchisee’s success, helping Keefe Fugleberg, PT & Lisa Titterud, PT quality patient care. We concentrated us learn how to manage our practice Clinic location: Sarasota, FL (2 locations) on the health and wellbeing of our and employees, market the business, Employees: 15 Years in business: 15 patients and really wanted them to feel build relationships with patients to comfortable. Through word of mouth, keep them coming back, and track offer guidance if necessary. In addition, our practice eventually started to grow. our growth. our team can tap on the expertise of the With the growth we were We’re always working to improve FYZICAL support team if needed. experiencing, we decided to invest in a the patient experience, too, with In the last 8 months, I’ve come back bigger building, state-of-the-art features such as aquatic therapy and to the states three times for a few visits exercise equipment, and other overhead support systems to help just to congratulate my team and pat therapeutic tools. So many times we felt people walk without fear of falling, and them on the back and say ‘thank you’ unsure about what to do and what with FYZICAL, we’ve been able to and ‘keep up the good work.’ My direction to go in; it was scary. It’s maintain the level of compassion we’ve business is operating so well, we’ve hard for many physical therapists to always shown our patients. run a successful practice as we’re With the support of FYZICAL, we’ve decided to extend our 1-year vacation to make it a 3-yearyou vacation. is good 3 Expand trained inyour the artreferrals: of healing, not in thecommunications not only been able to our patientsnot recommending should behelp educational, dangleLife anybody when you know you don’t have to be in Don’t art limit your referring doctors to the of business management. But we entertaining, more effectively, butcommunicated we’ve learned howout a window, but identify why referrals and clearly your practice to make it operate. same were specialty doctors who have been determined to make our practice(and don’t to operate successful makeathe font toopractice small asand have stopped and develop an action FYZICAL usdoctors the freedom to do referring to you for years. Your services a success. enjoy the freedom spend reading glasses often gettosat on). quality Each plan on how to getgave these what we wanted! If you would can be beneficial to aawide range of along theemailtime There were few setbacks with ourfeature children and take should also a benefit for referring to you again. It could be aslike to know how you can run a profitable doctors. Expand yourbut message a larger simple as reminding them how way, of course, if you in have a dreamthe reader. long vacations. practice radiusand to increase your brand awareness. youwhile are. on an extended vacation, stay focused, you can achieve In fact, last year we left to take a awesome Support a local high I’d be happy to share my experience on 5 Identify your USPIn(which stands for we’ve had anything. the fifteen years year-long vacation in Norway. It was 7 school: High school students Release the author in you: how I did it, and I’d be happy to help Unique Selling Proposition, not Unusual our practice, we probably made every always our intention to find time to You’re the expert on the human body! represent a large number of athletes in you do it too. It’s nice to own a business Smelling Pet) and develop plan on how mistake possible for a business owner return there. Lisa and I thought it was Local newspapers and magazines are your area. Many of these athletes will that does not own you. FYZICAL works to communicate your these to make, but we services not onlyto made it important our kids be exposed to her always looking for high quality content need your services throughout the year. for me! through, we built up a practice that was family’s culture as well as the U.S. doctors. for their readers. Produce a monthly Find out how you can get your name in generating $1.5 million dollars in culture as much as possible. Now, am FYZICAL. injuryI prevention tip, or health and front of these students and their parents. 4 Email revenue, with just one Ifclinic because of FYZICAL, we’re able to spend marketing: you location. Several wellness article you can submit to area schools offer advertising A few years ago, emails FYZICAL extended periods of time in Norway. haven’t started collecting from editors. Providing a call to action within through school newspapers, event introduced a business model that would FYZICAL has the reports in place that your patients yet, start today. Your the article can increase referrals and sponsorships, drop-off and pick-up allow to put the focus equally on lanes,Lisa I can on review daily onfields. our smartword of mouth traffic to your business. practice hasPTs a large group of individuals andand banners the athletic exceptional andeach operating a phones to check the status of the coming in and outpatient of yourcare center Don’t limit yourself to only certain continually physical therapy6 Identify business. Iflost by chance something referrers: Find and every day thatprofitable are actually publications…even readers of Modern business without the about ownershow needing out to which urgent occursused while doctors towe’re refer away, to youwe Cat Magazine Keefe Fugleberg, PTphysical therapy. interested in hearing more may need be help there.them. It made know it in immediately and can We’re call to but have not the past 6 months. you can Yoursense emailand really SO

World Traveler PT

If you haven’t started collecting emails from your patients yet, start today. Your practice has a large group of individuals coming in and out of your center each and every day that are actually interested in hearing more about how you can help them.

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$200,000 Device Donated by Grateful Patient Helps this PT Provide Cutting-Edge Treatment

Treating professional athletes at the highest professional levels, Scott Pensivy continues to find new, innovative techniques to help people who are in pain. My name is Scott Pensivy; I’m a private practice owner and have practiced physical therapy in Las Vegas for 26 years. I’ve had the good fortune of working with many professional athletes, which started soon after I moved to Las Vegas. My first pro athlete was 25 years ago, when boxing was huge in Vegas. As a PT, I would do all the screenings for the boxers who would come to Vegas to fight. I’ve treated a lot of great boxers, including Lennox Lewis, George Foreman, and Mike Tyson. Soon, people started to hear about our clinic, and we became known as the place for professional athletes to go who needed physical therapy. Currently, we have over 250 superstar pro athletes on our patient roster. I knew early on that the only way to keep professional athletes as clients was to always keep up with new technology and be the best you can be. We use cutting edge techniques and equipment to achieve our goal, which is to get the athletes better, faster, quicker. My team and I pride ourselves on staying abreast of upcoming new protocols and techniques to help with musculoskeletal injuries. As a practitioner, I have dealt with difficult musculoskeletal pathologies, which include plantar fasciitis, patellar tendonosis, rotator cuff tendonosis, etc. During these tough cases, for the past five years I would have to send some of my pros to Germany to have a procedure called Shock Wave treatment. This is a treatment that helps break up scar tissue around the scarred area and helps with the healing process. The outcomes are very impressive. I eagerly waited for this modality to become available in the U.S. so I could provide shock wave therapy to the athletes I treat. Finally, about 6 months ago, it was approved. Soon after, before I could even get my hands on one, I received the Shock Wave device as a gift! One of the pro athletes who I sent to Germany for the Shock Wave treatment ended up asymptomatic for his tendonosis; he was so grateful, 10 Successful Outcomes

that in an amazing act of generosity he bought the Shock Wave device (which costs $200,000!) for my clinic and told me to help more people with it. And that’s exactly what I'm doing; I am now treating pro athletes and non-athletes with this Shock Wave technique and witnessing great outcomes. The device is a noninvasive treatment using high-intensity sound waves (acoustic pulses) that interact with the body's tissue to enhance healing by increasing vasodilation, or blood flow, and breaking up scar tissue adhesion areas. It helps to simulate the natural self-healing process and provides relaxing activity for the muscles, along with decreasing connective tissue scarring and adhesions. We’re helping many people with this device and seeing tremendous success. Normally three to five treatments per area are needed before results are seen, but I have seen results in just one visit. I had a local doctor get treated approximately two weeks ago with chronic left shoulder tendonosis and pain. After just one treatment he stated, "I feel like my entire shoulder relaxed and opened up. The pain went away and I had full range of motion. This is an amazing machine. I'm going to send all my patients here." This is a quote directly from this doctor. Another “technological advancement” I’m excited about is my recent alignment with FYZICAL. I’m a forward-thinking guy, and constantly educating myself in PT in order to help my patients, and when I came across FYZICAL, it just made sense. This is the future of private practice. FYZICAL is all about the patient, and together, with the other PTs who make up FYZICAL, we make a really strong team, especially with their world-class balance program. With all of us working together, we can become the best in the world in physical therapy. One of the many benefits I’ve experienced since being a part of FYZICAL is being surrounded by some

Sports PT to the Stars

Scott Piercy with Scott Pensivy, PT, LAT, ATC Clinic location: Las Vegas, NV Employees: 32 Years in business: 26

of the best clinicians in the United States. And with the resources, cuttingedge programs, and team of business and medical experts they have, it’s a great way to enhance patient care and improve the success of your practice. As much as I try to educate myself, I’ll admit I still don’t know everything, but with FYZICAL, I'm learning from other PTs, as well as balance experts, medical professionals, and business experts. As skilled and highly educated as PTs are, it’s surprising how many of us could benefit in unimaginable ways with just a little more business knowledge. That’s what’s exciting about FYZICAL; it allows PTs not only to learn and share from one another, but also teaches us how to be good business people, and that’s why I’m glad to be a part of it. FYZICAL works for me! And FYZICAL works for you too; if you’d like to ask me about the Shock Wave device, orthopedic therapy, or other technology I'm using, I’m here for you, and I’d be happy to share my knowledge and experiences with you. I am FYZICAL.

Scott Pensivy, PT, LAT, ATC


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Taken off one of the biggest insurance panels in his state, Rogan Taylor, PT, found another way to compete.

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Competing and Winning Against Hospital Systems

I’m an army trained physical never diagnosed patients but instead therapist and private practice owner. only waited for what the doctor told My wife, Lynda, and I opened our PT them to do. practice in Provo, Utah, in 1987. I love Because of this mindset, I built a working in physical therapy and practice where only 65% of my helping my patients get better and business is dependent on insurance, providing them with life-improving and I’ve been able to stay in business treatments. It’s a wonderful, uplifting and employ over 30 people while many feeling. Being a private practice owner other practices in my community have in today’s challenging environment gone out of business due to the really is a labor of love. All owners face hospital-insurance brigade. My similar challenges such as declining patients are my biggest source of reimbursements and increased costs. In referrals. In fact, many of those addition to these challenges, some PTs patients with insurance mandating face strong competition from Mega PT that they to go to the hospital choose corporations, while for others, to come to me instead because of the Rogan Taylor, PT consolidated hospital systems and quality care and unique services I offer Clinic location: Provo, UT Employees: 30 POPTs are the biggest threat. that the hospital doesn’t. Because of Years in business: 28 For me, one of the biggest this, I am currently the largest challenges I was facing was that a independently owned PT practice in whenever I need them. I’m not alone hospital chain and a major insurance my community. anymore, and any battles I have to fight, company were owned by the same My Army training and forward I have this amazing army behind me; we entity and they locked me out; I couldn’t thinking have gotten me this far, but are all in this together. It’s an absolutely get on their insurance panel. Other I’m also smart enough to know when I groundbreaking way to do physical private practice owners in my still need something more, something therapy, and proves that it is possible to community were locked out also. I’d different, for my practice to really provide quality care to our patients and hate to think that this could become a thrive. My son is a PT and works with still run a prosperous, thriving national trend; it’s just another low me and I want to make sure I have blow to independent PTs who provide created a business with lasting value for business—one that allows you the the highest quality patient care. I can’t him, one he could operate long into the freedom to focus on what you truly love as well as building viableanybody business 3 Expand your referrals: shouldthat be educational, you adangle help but wonder if the hospital and communications future; a business is innovative, not recommending entity to sell some day for a lot of Don’t limit your referring doctors to the clearlyand communicated their insurance company are workingentertaining, forwardand thinking, has access to out a window, but identify why referrals money or pass on to loved ones. same specialty doctors who have been (and don’t make the font too small as have stopped and develop an action together to drive private practice immeasurable resources to sustain By aligning with doctors FYZICAL, I now referring to you forofyears. Your services reading glasses often get sat on). Each plan on how to get these owners out business. growth and profitability. have the roadmap I need can be beneficial to a wide range ofa plan inemail should alsosure feature a benefit becontinue as Fortunately, I already had I wasn’t what I neededforto do referring to you again. It couldto beating the hospital competition, meet doctors. Expand yourthe message larger the reader. place. I credit uniquein PTatraining next to create that type of business forsimple as reminding them how the challenge of declining reimburseradiusexperience to increaseIyour brand awareness. received while in the Army my son until I discovered FYZICAL awesome you are. Support a local high Identify your USP (which with helping me tostands devisefor a plan for 5 Therapy & Balance Centers. Then, it all 7 ments, and build a PT business that will school: High school students Release the author you: have a prosperous legacy Iin can pass Unique Selling Proposition, notagainst Unusual successfully competing the became clear! I am more excited than You’re the expert on the human body! represent a large number of athletes in along to my family. FYZICAL works for Smelling Pet) and develop a plan on how ever-growing hospitals systems and ever about the future now, because I can Local newspapers and magazines are your area. Many of these athletes will me! FYZICAL will work for you, too! If to communicate your services to these declining reimbursements issues. need see the path tothroughout continue my success and always looking for high quality content your services the year. you’d like to learn more about boosting doctors. As an Army PT, when a patient create for my readers. a monthly Find out howgenerational you can getwealth your name in son for their your direct Produce access clientele, I’d be happy would come in with a minor injury, front of when he takes over the practice. injury prevention tip, or health and these students and their parents. to share my knowledge with you. 4 Email If you such asmarketing: a sprain, instead of occupyingSeveral schools FYZICAL has the innovative wellness article you can submit to area offer advertising Together, we are the PT future. haven’tthe started collecting emailsdiagnose from thethrough doctor’s time I would business to enhance my editors. Providing a call to action within schoolmodel newspapers, event I amcan FYZICAL. your patients yet,prescribe start today. Your or evensponsorships, injury and treatment prosperity and success all while the article increase referrals and drop-off and pick-up practice hasx-rays, a large ifgroup of individuals order necessary. This emphasizing patient care. The focus on lanes, and banners on the athletic fields. word of mouth traffic to your business. coming in and out ofgave yourme center responsibility greateach confidence health and wellness programs and the Don’t limit yourself to only certain lostclass referrers: Find and every day thatand arein actually in my skills my ability to treat 6 Identify team of world specialists, from publications…even readers of Modern out which doctors used tobusiness, refer to you Rogan Taylor, PT physical therapy. interested in hearing about how patients. It alsomore gave me a unique medical, to balance, and PT Cat Magazine may need not inare thethere pastas 6 months. We’re you can help them. Your from emailthose PTs whobut have mindset different experts, a resource for me SO

Army PT

If you haven’t started collecting emails from your patients yet, start today. Your practice has a large group of individuals coming in and out of your center each and every day that are actually interested in hearing more about how you can help them.

Successful Outcomes 11 Successful Outcomes 3


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Armed to the Teeth for Maximum Success

David and Susan Roberson may be the last private practice in their community, but they couldn’t be more excited and exhilarated about their future. My wife, Susan, and I opened our PT practice over 20 years ago and have enjoyed tremendous success over the years. In spite of the hospital system and mega PT corporations’ desire to see us eliminated, we have stood strong. Unfortunately, our fellow colleagues have not. We are the last private practice standing in Mansfield, TX. Regardless of the unfair advantages these big healthcare facilities enjoy we are determined to stay buoyant. I’m the general manager of our practice and Susan is the lead PT. We’ve built up a strong network of referrals and have a good client base in this community; yet standing in the shadow of the hospital and mega PT corporations, we realized it would be foolish for us to believe we didn’t have a target painted on our backs. Physicians employed by the hospital system who used to provide a consistent flow of referrals to us suddenly stopped referring. We knew it was going to be difficult to compete against the hospital system, but I’m not the type of guy to back down from a fight. I also knew it was time to swallow my pride, set aside my ego, and admit that our livelihood was being threatened. Operating our practice status quo would lead to the same results that lead to the extinction of all the other private practice owners in our community. We knew we had to do something different. We decided to focus on being able to provide a level of patient care the hospital system didn’t provide, but we also needed to gain a competitive advantage that even hospitals didn’t have access to. Susan and I began searching for answers that would allow us to not only compete, but also grow our market share. Our search led us to a group of success minded PT owners just like us who are committed to ensuring the future of private practice and committed to quality patient care. This group is 12 Successful Outcomes

FYZICAL, an organization comprised of elite PTs who are determined to change healthcare in America. They are doing this by recognizing the growing consumer demand for healthcare that centers around prevention, wellness, and proactive health management programs. Physical therapy is no longer just repairing a patient’s injury; it’s about providing health and wellness programs to reduce the occurrence of injuries happening in the first place and improving a patient’s overall health. This is what consumers want, and this is the direction healthcare is going. FYZICAL is leading the charge in providing it. I love being part of such a forward thinking group who are all dedicated to the success of the private practice owner. For me, one of the things I enjoy most from being in this organization is having access to the diverse, successful group of private practice owners within FYZICAL. On more than one occasion, I’ve called up other FYZICAL members in situations similar to mine to compare notes. It’s a great feeling being part of such a supportive network. The infrastructure is designed for the private practice owner to achieve maximum success and the camaraderie and support that comes with being part of this group like this is just icing on the cake! I actually have a degree in business, but the reality is as a practice owner you are often limited by your own experience, capital, and knowledge. But by being a part of FYZICAL, I was able to instantly tap into the brilliant minds of hundreds of PTs, medical professionals, and business experts who have experience operating billion dollar businesses. I can’t even imagine why a PT owner would even consider going it alone today without a support group like FYZICAL. We know what to do now to beat the hospitals and big boys in our communities. If you are facing

Unsinkable PT

Susan Roberson, PT & David Roberson Clinic location: Mansfield, TX Employees: 10 Years in business: 22

something similar, I’m more than willing to share with you the exact strategies we are using and how FYZICAL has been our secret weapon. It truly is the solution for the private practice owner and the way the future of our profession is going to go. There is strength in numbers, and not only are we leveling the playing field but we are poised to alter the trajectory of our profession, becoming the gatekeepers for an individual’s health. It’s just that amazing! What an exciting time to be in physical therapy. Joining FYZICAL has changed our lives and invigorated our practice. Since becoming a member, our referrals are up 21%; our revenue is up 17%; our profit swing is up 354% over last year to date comparison! We are still the only privately owned PT practice in our community, but now, the hospitals and Mega PT corporations in Mansfield, TX, are standing in my shadow! FYZICAL works for me! I am FYZICAL.

David Roberson


Brian Sganga, PTA, who was a successful lawyer with his own legal practice, jumps into the PT profession and couldn’t be happier or more excited about the future.

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The Greatest Profession in the World

I wasn’t always in the PT business; I refreshing to work in a place of helping was a practicing attorney for 11 years people lead a healthier, happy life. But I until just recently. As a lawyer, I enjoyed yearned for more. I wanted to help heal representing individuals rather than people as well, so I decided to immerse large corporations because I liked myself 100% into physical therapy and working one on one with people. My enrolled in a two year college to get a wife, Melinda, is a PT and loves helping PTA degree. people get better. After working in When I decided to leave law, things various hospitals, nursing homes, and in the PT world were great, but as soon outpatient settings, she decided she as I walked through those clinic doors didn’t like the way patients were being as a PTA, insurance started cutting treated; it should be done better, and she reimbursements again and again. It knew she could provide the quality care didn’t take long for us to realize things they deserved. So, she wanted to open needed to be done differently. We her own clinic and did so in 2007. looked at several different avenues I continued practicing law during before coming across FYZICAL. We Melinda Sganga, PT & Brian Sganga, PTA this time. While Melinda was healing discovered FYZICAL allows you to Clinic location: Lake City, FL people and helping them get healthier, I remain 100% independently owned and Employees: 5 Years in business: 8 was representing injured workers in a they are huge proponents of the small broken workers’ compensation system. business owner, recognizing they every other elite PT who is a part of this Being an attorney can oftentimes make provide the best in patient care. organization. We are all a team working you very cynical. You are always The other avenues we explored were for each other’s success. It’s a privilege to questioning someone's story, their just out of touch and did not have a be part of such a great network. motivations, observing their body realistic outlook on where PT was By aligning with FYZICAL, we are language, the cut of their eyes when they heading. So I did my due diligence (as a learning how to run our business in a are answering your questions. lawyer, of course) and thoroughly profitable manner. Since we’ve put That happened to me and I did not researched FYZICAL and was blown FYZICAL’s new programs and business like who or what I had become. My away with their vision, programs, protocols in place, our profits are up, our profession was taking a tremendous toll innovative business model, and team of referrals are up, and we just moved from on me personally and physically. I experts. It didn’t take us long to realize a 1,000 square foot facility to a 4,000 3 Expand referrals: wanted toyour help people have happy we wanted toshould be a part this communications be of educational, not recommending you Within dangle anybody square foot facility. this larger Don’t outcomes limit your that referring doctors to lives the overentertaining, improved their organization. Since communicated joining, we have out a window, but identify why referrals and clearly space we’re operating a medically-based same the specialty doctors who for have long haul. I longed thebeen type of (and don’t comemake a long,the long way. font tooAnd, smallweashave havefitness stopped and develop action stream program for an an additional referring to you for years. Your services rewarding profession I knew my wife reading access to advanced and glasses often gettechnology sat on). Each plan of onrevenue. how to get these doctors Our practice is no longer can beenjoyed. beneficial to a wide range of so feature far and aabove anyfor other PTreferring to you again. It could be as emailprograms should also benefit dependent exclusively on insurance doctors. Expand message in a and larger the reader. Melindayour continued to run company out there, that I can’t even simple as reminding them how referrals. reimbursement or physician radiusmarket to increase your brand and awareness. you are. her PT business in the midst imagine how much money or resourcesawesome FYZICAL works for us! And FYZICAL a iflocal high Identify USP (which stands of your this we were blessed withfortwo little 5 Support it would take we’d try to do this on works for you! you’re interested 7 school: Release theIfauthor in you:in Unique Selling not Unusual girls. ThisProposition, really put things in our own. High school students starting your own medically-based You’re the expert on the human body! a large number athletes in perspective me. Soain 2011, my representFor Smelling Pet) andfor develop plan onfor how us, one of the of most attractive program, be happyare to share Localfitness newspapers andI’d magazines your area. Many of these athletes will family, and your for myself, I decided things about being a member of to communicate services to theseto leave with you everything I’ve learned from looking for high quality content your services throughout the year. my law practice and help Melinda run need FYZICAL, besides maintaining 100% always doctors. doing it. We’re working in the greatest for their readers. Produce a monthly Find out how you can get your name in her PT business. I developed certain ownership, is the team of business, intip, theor world, and our future injuryprofession prevention health and front of these students and their parents. 4 Email analytical skills as well Ifasyou learning medical, balance, and PT experts marketing: is bright! wellness article you can submit to area Several schools offer advertising strategies as an attorney andfrom realized I involved, a complete brain trust that has haven’t started collecting emails editors. Providing a call to action within through school newspapers, event I am FYZICAL. could use these skills in physical thought of almost everything. If they your patients yet, startsame today. Your the article can increase referrals and sponsorships, drop-off and pick-up therapy satisfy myof need and desire tolanes,haven’t thought it and you fields. bring it toword of mouth traffic to your business. practice has a to large group individuals and banners onofthe athletic help morecenter positive their attention, they are very quick to Don’t limit yourself to only certain coming in people and outinofa your each 6 Identify atmosphere. implementlost it if they think it isFind referrers: and every day that are actually publications…even readers of Modern months helpedhow Melinda out which something necessary. Thesetoexperts Brian Sganga, PTA physical therapy. doctors used to refer you areCat Magazine interestedFor in three hearing more Iabout may need manage her PTYour practice. our cohorts and colleagues, asWe’re well as but have not in the past 6 months. you can help them. emailI found it SO

Legally PTA

If you haven’t started collecting emails from your patients yet, start today. Your practice has a large group of individuals coming in and out of your center each and every day that are actually interested in hearing more about how you can help them.

Successful Outcomes 13 Successful Outcomes 3


» SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME

Spinning Out of Control With his life in complete upheaval due to a condition doctors couldn’t identify, boxer Eric Gonzalez finally finds relief with physical therapy

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verything was spinning; I couldn’t function, states Eric Gonzalez. “The dizziness I felt was debilitating and affecting all areas of my life. I just felt so much despair.” Gonzalez was suffering from an extreme balance disorder, only he didn’t know it at the time. In his youth, and into adulthood, he loved doing contact sports like boxing, football, and motocross. “When you’re into those types of activities, you do bang your head a lot,” he says, “but when you’re young you don’t think about it; you get up and if you feel OK you keep going.“ But two years ago, when Gonzalez was in his late twenties, he had a motocross accident where he hit his head and blacked out. It was around that time when he first starting experiencing the symptoms of his balance disorder. “It was a pretty bad accident,” he recalls, “I landed on my head and banged it pretty hard, even though I was wearing a helmet. And this time, the dizziness didn't go away. Usually by the end of the day or the next morning it would have gone away, but it stuck with me and I felt I was slurring my words and not making any sense.” Still, Gonzalez managed to live with these symptoms – for a while. There would be some days where nothing would happen, and others where his balance was really off. “There would be times when I would get up, completely lose my balance and shoulder block the wall, and I would think it was funny; I didn’t really pay too much attention to it, but after a while, everything started to get worse.” Soon, simple tasks like shampooing his hair, watching television, and even driving in his car became difficult for him to perform. “I was a complete mess; I had zero balance…and if I closed my eyes, I lost all sense of orientation. I would get anxiety before going to sleep because waking up in the morning was so terrible; as soon as I opened my eyes, my bedroom would be doing somersaults and I would dry heave

14 Successful Outcomes

and couldn’t get to the bathroom without help… it was horrible.” Gonzalez suffered these balance disorder symptoms for several years in silence. “I didn’t tell my wife or my family. I just kept it hidden… waiting for it to go away, but it never did.” He thought he could handle the symptoms and live with them, but they were beginning to affect all areas of his life. With his symptoms getting progressively worse, an incident at his job made Gonzalez realize he couldn’t keep it hidden any longer. He recalls, “I was having an important discussion with my boss, and right in the middle of it, I forgot the entire conversation… I asked him what he was talking about, and then I started to feel really sick, really lightheaded, and then I was out. I had passed out right there on the floor.” It was then that Gonzalez knew he had to seek medical help for his condition and find out what was wrong with him. Getting a diagnosis, however, proved to be a frustrating and challenging endeavor. “I went to every kind of doctor I could think of, but nobody could actually tell me what was wrong,” he states. “I didn’t know what was happening to me and I was just scared! I’d sit in the waiting room of a

doctor’s office for 30 minutes, they’d see me for 5 minutes, and then say ‘Sorry, I can't help you.’ It was very frustrating.” Finally, after visiting six different doctors, Gonzalez went to see Dr. Lomax, an ear, nose, and throat specialist. “He ran some tests and I’ll never forget his words,” he recalls, “Dr. Lomax said to me, ‘There’s something definitely wrong with you, but I don’t exactly know what it is,’ and I just started getting emotional, tears welled up in my eyes, and I said to him, ‘But, you were my last hope.’ I felt weak and was starting to despair. But then he said to me, ‘Look, I can’t help you, but I think I know who can. I’ll make you an appointment.” After seeing so many doctors already and not getting any closer to an answer, Gonzalez didn’t get his hopes up. But he wasn’t about to quit trying. So, the next morning his wife dropped him off at FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers in Las Vegas, where Dr. Lomax told him to go. FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Center in Las Vegas is a 5,000 square foot state-ofthe-art balance center with some of the world’s most renowned balance experts and cutting edge programs. It is the result of 15 years of evidence-based clinical medicine. It redefines balance and vestibular care and is one of the leading, if not the top, balance programs in the nation. That’s where Gonzalez met Brian Werner, PT, the clinical director of the center, and Steve Hurtado, PTA, who he would work closely with during his therapy. “Brian Werner was very reassuring and just a kind soul and he made me feel at ease,” explains Gonzalez. “When I first got there, they did some tests on me to try to bring on my symptoms, and, boy, they came on strong!” By bringing on his symptoms, Werner and his team were able to figure out what was wrong with Gonzalez.


Steve Hurtado, PTA I took a circuitous path to becoming a PTA; in the early 90s, I had studied Film and Digital Animation and after several years of working in NY, I found myself unfulfilled and unhappy. I didn’t feel that I was contributing to society in any meaningful way and after 9/11 I knew I had to make a change. I also knew I wanted the stability of a medical career and was considering becoming an EMT/Firefighter as well as enlisting in the military to pursue a career in Combat Rescue. Soon, I was working as a technician at an ortho PT clinic in the

‘‘

afternoons while also working as a personal trainer at a gym in the mornings. Hours were long, but I loved every minute of it and just enjoyed taking in all of the experience and knowledge. I decided to go into Physical Therapy after taking a few prerequisite courses at a local community college in southern NY. I finished my Physical Therapist Assistant program at Florida State College at Jacksonville. I’ve always been impressed by the positive ways physical therapy can change lives with just minimal adjustments in form and technique. With even basic exercises

and treatments, people’s lives can be transformed. I also saw that similar small tweaks and fine tuning to an athlete’s form can make huge differences in performance, and from the beginning of my career I have wanted to help make people faster, stronger, and better. I’ve worked with Brian Werner and his Balance Center since 2011, and since aligning with FYZICAL, I can see that the possibilities for helping people with balance disorders are endless because our vision is so much bigger now and the team of experts working with us is amazing.

really a life changer! I feel fresh, “I never thought I’d be happy to have a diagnosis, but I was so happy to finally there’s no cloud. I’m back at work have one and thought to myself, ‘Now, now and things couldn’t be more I can move forward.’” terrific. In fact, I’ve excelled more and Although Gonzalez finally had a performed better this past year than I diagnosis, it was still a very difficult ever did in 10 years with this time for him. “I remember as I was company! My coworkers are happy to hanging from a harness tied up to the have me back. They tell me I look roof on that first day at FYZICAL, I different, my face is different, my couldn’t help but think, ‘What attitude is different, I’m funny again; happened to me?! I’m an athlete! I’ve humor is important to me and I did – ERIC GONZALEZ been at the top of every sport I’ve ever lose that for a time. I feel brand new – done; I’ve excelled in all things… and it’s amazing!” really well together. After that first now look at me, I’m hanging from a Gonzalez no longer boxes, but as it’s session, he became my biggest fan harness. How did I get here?” Gonzalez his passion, he’s still very much involved because he knew I was going to push as asked those same questions of Steve and in the sport. “I help a lot of fighters get hard as I could to get back to 100%.” Brian and they were straight with him; ready for fights. I’ve been in a lot of Though the physical therapy tasks they told him he had had brain trauma. training camps and help out. My best sound simple enough, they were far from "I responded, ‘No, I haven't!’ Gonzalez friend just had his first pro fight and I was easy for Gonzalez in the beginning. He laughs, “But they told me like it is. I able to help him throughout his training.” explains, “It was really tough at first, but listened to everything they said because “It’s just not worth it,” Gonzalez says every day I’d be able to accomplish things they were the ones who finally diagnosed of doing contact sports, “after what I went 3 Expand your I wasn’t able should to do before. I knew things not recommending communications be educational, youhorrible dangleIanybody me and right afterreferrals: that, they stated, ‘here’s through and how felt. But now, Don’thow limitwe're yourgoing referring doctors to the thereentertaining, were going the right direction.” andinclearly communicated out a I’m window, butI’m identify referrals to fix it.’ Honestly, at 110%. just sowhy thankful for Dr. samewas specialty doctors have been make the font too andrecommended develop an action Sure enough, little bysmall little as Gonzalezhave stopped nothing more who reassuring than that; (and it don’t Lomax, who FYZICAL referring to you for years. Your services reading glasses often getevery sat on). Each how to&get theseCenters doctors started to feel better day: “Every plan on felt good.” Therapy Balance to me, and for can be beneficial to a therapy wide range of emailmorning should also feature referring toand youBrian again. It could bewith as me. I didn’t feel aasbenefit sick andforafter each The physical sessions Steve who worked doctors. Expand your message inoff a larger simple as reminding them how again. I will session I felt more in control. I was able to Gonzalez underwent started with the reader. They got me back to myself radiussimple to increase awareness. youbeare. focus better; I was able to do things like awesome tasks,your suchbrand as reaching down and forever indebted to them… my wife a local Identify your USP (which stands on foruneven 5 Support watch TV. I was reallyhigh starting to feel more and I speak about it to this day.” picking things up, walking 7 Release school: school the author in you: Unique Sellingand Proposition, like myselfHigh again. Afterstudents a couple of flooring, walking innot theUnusual safety Gonzalez still remains in touch with You’re the expert on the human body! represent a large number of athletes in Smelling Pet) and develop a plan on how overhead support system (S.O.S). “During months, I went to the gym where I train Steve and Brian and sometimes stops into Local newspapers and magazines are your area. Many of these athletes will to communicate your services to “I these and told my trainer what was going on. that first session,” he states, was a the center to say hi. “I was just talking to always looking for high quality content need your services throughout the year. He told me to take it easy, and, of course, I Steve who asked doctors. complete mess. I was hanging in the how things are going, for their readers. Produce a monthly Find out how you can get your name in was going to avoid any shots to the head. I and I was happy to share with him S.O.S. like a rag doll. Any movement, any injury prevention tip, or health and front of these students and their parents. 4 Email got on the mat and it was a great day! I at all, if marketing: it was sudden, and my body recently that my wife and I are expecting If you wellness article you can submit to area Several schools offer advertising would givecollecting out, and ifemails I turned too quickly worked up a sweat, I was there with my ourProviding first child. I don’t think I’ll ever be able haven’t started from editors. a call to action within through school newspapers, event brothers, and it was just great.” to look at something, the whole to separate myself from the folks your patients yet, start today. Your room sponsorships, the article can increase referrals and at drop-off and pick-up After five months of therapy, Gonzalez FYZICAL, “Gonzalez states.” I am always would looked like a lost practice hasspin... a largeI must grouphave of individuals lanes, and banners on the athletic fields. word of mouth traffic to your business. was back to his former self again, only cause. Steve and I built abouttothem how they helped coming in and out(Hurtado) of your center eachup a Don’tthinking limit yourself onlyand certain better, according to him. “I haven’t 6 rapport he knew I would me; I’m back toreaders where I’m supposed to be Identify lost referrers: Findfelt publications…even and every dayvery thatquickly; are actually of Modern like this in I don’t howtolong! work in hard and hemore reallyabout knewhow how to getout which and I willmay be forever extremely thankful to doctors usedknow to refer you I tell Cat Magazine interested hearing need physical therapy. Stevenot and all the time that this is mehelp moving. WeYour justemail meshed and workedbut have them. They changed my life.” SO SO inBrian the past 6 months. We’re you can them.

I’m just so thankful for Steve and Brian who worked with me. They got me back to myself again. I will forever be indebted to them… my wife and I speak about it to this day.”

If you haven’t started collecting emails from your patients yet, start today. Your practice has a large group of individuals coming in and out of your center each and every day that are actually interested in hearing more about how you can help them.

Successful Successful Outcomes Outcomes 3 15


FYZICAL is Revolutionizing the PT Profession & Helping PT Owners Get Rich! "My practice has grown from $680K to $4.2 Million in 20 Months!" Chris Mulvey, PT, DPT Fort Myers, FL

"What's most astounding to me is our net profit, which is up 30% this year from last year. That's huge! We've grown from $BOOK to $1.6 Million+ 11 in just 12 months

Michael Shiver, PT Camilla, GA

"I am not alone anymore and I now have a team of experts committed to both my personal and professional success. I've grown from $SOOK to over $1 Million 11

"Since we've put FYZICAL 's programs & business protocols in place, our profits are up, our referrals are up, and we just moved from a 1,000 sq ft to a 4,000 sq ft facility. We've grown from

$495K to $750K+

11

Melinda & Brian Sganga, PT & PTA Lake City, FL

YOU COUL1' BE NEXT! ďż˝


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