Physical therapy clinic owner inspired by personal experience

Shellie Spero opens Fyzical Therapy & Balance Center in South Fayette

By Andrea Iglar

Sometimes, business is personal.

Two years ago, Shellie Spero fell in the snow and suffered injuries that led to a life-threatening condition.

It was a long, difficult road, but she recovered her health and, in December, opened a franchise of Fyzical Therapy & Balance Centers in South Fayette Township.

“Now I can take my experience and what I’ve learned and translate that to others,” Spero said. “For me, it’s very personal.”

Shellie Spero was inspired to open a physical therapy clinic after recovering from a serious ankle injury.

Photo by Andrea Iglar

For 20 years, Spero had worked in the pharmaceutical industry in North Carolina and became interested in holistic treatment and health coaching.

A native of Mt. Lebanon, she eventually returned home to care for her parents.

Then, on a winter day in 2020, she lost her footing while clearing snow from a car roof and dislocated her foot.

All three ankle bones were broken—a rare trimalleolar fracture that required surgery and extensive physical therapy.

While she was grateful for good doctors and home health care, Spero often felt helpless and uncertain about the future.

For a period, she could not stand or walk, and overall, she endured four surgeries. At one point, she experienced a life-threatening blood clot.

When she wasn’t mobile, Spero had time to “rethink things” and became certified in Reiki energy healing. She modified her diet and nutritional intake. Emotional recovery, she said, “took time, acceptance, compassion on myself.”

This experience spurred her decision to open the physical therapy center to help others recover their health.

Not only that, but she also wants people to end up better than they were before an injury.

“That’s what I have, and that’s what I want for everybody else,” Spero said.

With help from physical therapist Michelle Darnley, right, Fyzical office manager Matt Fignar demonstrates how a patient may practice balance in a safety harness.

Photo by Andrea Iglar

Fyzical Therapy has more than 400 locations across the country. The South Fayette center is the first of three locations that Spero plans to open in the region.

Fyzical in South Fayette offers services such as injury recovery, balance therapy, pain management, orthopedic and sports rehabilitation, medical massage and pelvic floor treatment.

The staff includes physical therapist Michelle Darnley, who is the clinical director.

Specialty equipment includes an overhead support system with a safety harness that patients can use during balance training, and a deep tissue laser tool used for pain and inflammation therapy.

Overall, Spero aims to use a holistic approach to provide the tools, assistance, education and encouragement needed to recover from injuries and prevent future problems.

“There is more to life regardless of your age or condition,” she said. “This isn’t the end of the road.”

Fyzical Therapy & Balance Center, The Shoppes at Bursca, 3127 Washington Pike, Suite 200, South Fayette: 412-785-0111; Facebook; fyzical.com/bridgeville-pa.